Ministering of Angels Parley P Pratt

by Greg Olsen

The Ministering of Angels—Parley P. Pratt

My wife visited me several times in prison; but at length the period expired that the State authorities had stipulated for every Mormon to be gone, and my wife and children, and a few others who remained behind, were obliged to fly or be exterminated, as bands of armed men were roaming amid the deserted settlement, robbing, plundering, destroying property and threatening all who remained.
My fellow prisoners, who had been separated from me and sent to prison at Liberty, had also effected their escape, and had fled to Illinois to join their families. In short, all were gone, except King Follett, Horns Phelps and myself, and the old apostate, who was left to torment us.
Alone in a State which was wholly governed by an open banditti of murderers and robbers, we seemed abandoned to our fate, and doomed to suffer that full weight of vengeance and fury which seemed in reserve for an entire people; but that people were now beyond their reach; all the fury of the storm, therefore, seemed now to beat upon our heads. We were daily threatened with assassination, without the form of a trial; and repeatedly told that we never should escape alive from the State. Our guards were doubly vigilant, while the Sheriff took every possible precaution. Luman, the apostate, was also in constant watchfulness, and busy in forming plans for escape; then accusing us and pretending to reveal wonderful things to our keepers in regard to our plans; which, in fact, only existed in his lying brain. This increased the severity of our confinement, and seemed to preclude the possibility of escape.
To be tried without friends or witnesses, or even with them, by a set of “Gadianton robbers” and murderers, who could drive out and murder women and children, was but to be condemned and executed; to tarry there and drag out a miserable life, while our wives and children wandered abroad in a land of strangers, without the protection of husbands and fathers, was worse than to die ten thousand deaths.
Under these circumstances, and half way between hope and despair, I spent several days in fasting and prayer, during which one deep and all absorbing inquiry, one only thought, seemed to hold possession of my mind. It seemed to me that if there was a God in Heaven who ever spake to man on earth I would know from him the truth of this one question. It was not how long shall I suffer; it was not when or by what means I should be delivered; but it was simply this: Shall I ever, at any time, however distant it may be, or whatever I may suffer first; shall I ever be free again in this life, and enjoy the society of my dear wife and children, and walk abroad at liberty, dwell in society and preach the gospel, as I have done in bygone years?
Let me be sure of this and I care not what I suffer. To circumnavigate the globe, to traverse the deserts of Arabia, to wander amid the wild scenes of the Rocky Mountains to accomplish so desirable an object, would seem like a mere trifle if I could only be sure at last. After some days of prayer and fasting, and seeking the Lord on the subject, I retired to my bed in my lonely chamber at an early hour, and while the other prisoners and the guard were chatting and beguiling the lonesome hours in the upper apartment of the prison, I lay in silence, seeking and expecting an answer to my prayer, when suddenly I seemed carried away in the spirit, and no longer sensible to outward objects with which I was surrounded. A heaven of peace and calmness pervaded my bosom; a personage from the world of spirits stood before me with a smile of compassion in every look, and pity mingled with the tenderest love and sympathy in every expression of the countenance. A soft hand seemed placed within my own, and a glowing cheek was laid in tenderness and warmth upon mine. A well known voice saluted me, which I readily recognized as that of the wife of my youth, who had for near two years been sweetly sleeping where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest. I was made to realize that she was sent to commune with me, and answer my question.
Knowing this, I said to her in a most earnest and inquiring tone: Shall I ever be at liberty again in this life and enjoy the society of my family and the Saints, and preach the gospel as I have done? She answered definitely and unhesitatingly: “YES!” I then recollected that I had agreed to be satisfied with the knowledge of that one fact, but now I wanted more.
Said I: Can you tell me how, or by what means, or when I shall escape? She replied: “THAT THING IS NOT MADE KNOWN TO ME YET.” I instantly felt that I had gone beyond my agreement and my faith in asking this last question, and that I must be contented at present with the answer to the first.
Her gentle spirit then saluted me and withdrew. I came to myself. The doleful noise of the guards, and the wrangling and angry words of the old apostate again grated on my ears, but Heaven and hope were in my soul.
[Pp. 203–5 in Pratt, Parley P. 1985. Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt. Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book Co.]

President Joseph F. Smith

I believe we
 move and have our being in the presence of heavenly messengers and of heavenly beings. We are not
 separate from them. . . . I claim that we live in their presence, they see us, they are solicitous
 for our welfare, they love us now more than ever. . . . Their love for us and their desire
 for our well being must be greater than that which we feel for
 ourselves.

President Joseph F Smith
April Conference 1916 

President Henry B Eyring

I know that the promise of angels to bear us up is real. You
 might want to bring to memory the assurance of Elisha to his frightened servant. That assurance is
 ours when we feel close to being overwhelmed in our service. Elisha faced real and terrible
 opposition. . . .

Like that servant of Elisha, there are more with you than those
 you can see opposed to you. Some who are with you will be invisible to your mortal
 eyes.

President Henry B. Eyring

Angel in the Hallway from Women in the Scriptures

I am very excited to share this story with you today from Heather the author of the blog Women in the Scriptures.  Pretty much my favorite blog of all time.  I read this story last year before I started having my own angel experiences.  After I read it, it stayed with me for days.  I reflected on it deeply.  I think it was the first time I really sat and thought about the help we receive from the other side of the veil.  I reached out to Heather and asked for permission to share this story and she gave it to me.  If you are not familiar with her blog, please check it out and she has a book being released soon that I am super excited about.

http://www.womeninthescriptures.com/2013/05/an-angel-in-hallway.html

Several nights ago I decided to make bread before bed. 

I quickly threw together a batch of bread, confident that I knew the recipe off the top of my head,  and stuck it in the bread maker. I turned the machine onto its longest setting and went upstairs to get ready for bed, intending for the bread to cook while I was alseep. Jon came up shortly after and we watched a movie together. After the movie was over we sat in bed and chatted for awhile, when I heard a strange noise downstairs. It sounded like someone was rusting the blinds.

"Did you hear that?" I asked Jon.

He quieted down and we listened, but couldn't hear anything.  

"I just thought I heard something downstairs." 

"Must have been the bread machine."

"Yeah, must have been." 

Jon went into the bathroom to brush his teeth. I was laying in bed with our door open and I heard the hall floor squeak. I sat up thinking that it was Jon coming back into the room, but when I looked there was no one there. I listened and could hear that Jon was still in the bathroom. "Strange," I thought to myself. The floor had squeaked just like it does when someone was walking on it, but there was no one there.

Not long after Jon came back in and with a strange look on his face asked, "Was that you in the hall?"

"No, I have been laying right here the whole time. But you heard that too?"

"Yeah, someone walked down the hall."

"I heard it, but I figured it must have been you in the bathroom." 

We both got the chills.

Not only had we heard something in the hall but we could both feel that there was mostcertainly someone else in our house.

Me, being the brave soul that I am climbed further under the covers and sent Jon to investigate. He turned on the hall light and slowly started down the stairs, even calling out a tentative, "Hello? Who is there?" 

As he progressed down the stairs a thousand horrible possibilities flooded through my head.

"We haven't gotten the locks changed yet, what if someone has a key." 

"What if they are a crazy uncle who is angry we bought the house."

"What if Jon gets shot?" 

"Where would I hide?"

"How would I keep the kids quiet?" 

"Maybe we could climb out the window on to the porch...." 

You know... nice, comforting, sane thoughts.

Then I heard, "Wow. Oh wow. Man. Wow" coming from down stairs and I was out of bed and down the stairs like a rocket.

"Jon, what happened? Are you okay? What is it. Did you find them?"

"Yeah, Heather. Everything is okay but look at this." 

He pointed to the bread machine, which had "walked" itself underneath the cupboard, and was pouring out a pillar of smoke. He opened it up and we saw that my hastily thrown together bread had risen too much and that the dough had overflowed in great quantities onto the heating element.  Jon quickly pulled it out and doused the thing with water and then looked at me seriously, "This thing probably would have caught fire, it still has almost an hour and half left on the bake time. And being right underneath these cupboards it probably would have lit them right up. I wonder why the smoke alarm didn't go off." 

"I know" I said. "I checked them today and replaced the batteries but I couldn't get them to work. I was going to ask you to look at them when you got home... but I forgot." 

We watched the smoldering bread machine for awhile, feeling slight terror at our near escape,  and then Jon said, "You know... there was someone in the hall.  I felt them as I came down the stairs. I think we just had a visit from a guardian angel." 

The truth of those words rushed over us and brought us to our knees in gratitude. 

There have been several times in my life when I have felt the presence of guardian angels. Yet, every time I see their influence in my life it humbles me to my core.

Who are they? What type of power and influence are they allowed to have? Can they rustle blinds and squeak old floors if needed? And how many other small, seemingly insginficant, promptings and occurances in my life are really whisperings from a divine being? 

I really don't know.

All I do know is that I am so grateful for the angel who walked our hall that night. 

I love you

whoever you are. 

A great reminder

My Guardian Angel

photo from the movie "Sweet Grass"

Last year, I was going through a difficult time.  I had started doing Kundalini meditation to help me out of my dark place.  During my meditation, I started noticing that I felt a presence next to me on my left side.  For the next few days, every day when I meditated I could feel it.  One day the feeling was so strong I put my hands out to see if I could feel someone put their hands in mine.  I didn't feel anything but I knew someone was there.  I started getting little bits of inspiration on who was sitting next to me.  I knew it was a male.  I knew he was related to me and I knew that his smell was of wet wool.  I prayed and asked who this person was and I didn't get an answer for quite a while.  One day after my mediation, I felt strongly that I needed to look at my family  tree and that he would tell me who he was.  I sat down at the computer, pulled it up and started scanning it.  I was expecting an audible answer so I was listening very intently but that is not how my answer came.  My answer came as I slowly went past a name and the name seemed to jump off the page at me.  It was like my angel was pointing his name out to me.  I was overwhelmed with emotion when I saw his name.  The spirit confirmed to me that he was the one angel that was to my left.  Luckily for me, my grandma knew him while he was on this side of the veil.  I called her and listened to her tell me stories.  As she continued to tell the stories I knew were the smell came from he was a sheepherder.

One who brought me

Painting by Brian Kershisnik

The One Who Brought Me To Earth

Escort/Memory PBE:

I was putting three-year-old Johnny to bed when he asked for a bedtime story. For the past few weeks, 
I had been telling him of the adventures of his great-great-grandfather: a colonizer, a soldier,
 a community leader. As I started another story, Johnny stopped me and said, “No, tell me of 
Grandpa Robert.” I was surprised. This was my grandpa. I had not told stories of him, and I 
could not imagine where he had heard his name. 
He had died before I had even married.

“How do you know about Grandpa Robert?” I asked.

“Well, Momma,” he said,”he’s the one who brought me to earth.”

– Lois P–excerpt from Hinze, Coming From the Light, p. 41

Lyrics

I received this email this morning from someone who has been reading my blog.  I wanted to share this story about her angels speaking to her today. 

I have always loved music and it is always playing in my house.  there is something about music that has always spoken to my heart.  But this morning I knew it was my angels talking to me.  I have been having a really heard time lately with the fact that we have been unemployed for so long.  I have been married for 7 years and I can think of one year in my entire marriage that we haven't struggled with finances.  We just don't make enough money and today it was really upsetting me.  I get depressed about how hard it is and how tired I am of dealing with this struggle. I know that this trial is for my good but I am so tired.

I went for a walk this morning to try and clear my head.  I put my ear buds in and started walking.   I know that my angels were communicating to me today through music.  As the tears started flowing I noticed a change in the music.  The music began to slow down and three very specific songs came on. The first one was Carrie Underwood's Temporary Home.  The words that stuck out to me were... "this is my temporary home, it's not where I belong.  Windows and rooms that I'm passing through.  this was just a stop on the way to where I'm going.  I'm not afraid because I know this is my temporary home."  

The next song on the radio was Demi Lovato's Give you heart a Break. These lyrics stood out to me "Don't wanna break your heart.  Wanna give your heat a break... There's just one life to live. And there's no time to wait, to wait. So let me give your heart a break.  Let me give your heart a break. There's just so much you can take. Give your heart a break."

And the third was Rascal Flatts Bless the Broken Road.  I have always loved this song. I have always thought of it as someone singing this to someone they loved but today I knew that it was talking about my journey here on the earth.  In the song he sings about finding true love. s i was listening to this song my angel spoke to me and told me "There is no truer love than God's love and the You in this song is Heavenly Father."

I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you 
Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
 I think about the years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true. 
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you.

Trials in this life are difficult and they will bring us to our knees.  If we have the eyes to see and the ears to hear we will see and hear our angels.  They are all around us and they are rooting for us.  They want us to return to Heavenly Father and to be able to be in live in His presence again. I am grateful for this experience today.  I needed it.

 -Mae

Protected by Angels in the Storm

While in Oklahoma, I had the opportunity to meet with a few of the families devastated by the mighty twisters. As I visited with the Sorrels family, I was particularly touched by the experience of their daughter, Tori, then a fifth grader at Plaza Towers Elementary School. She and her mother are here with us today.

Tori and a handful of her friends huddled in a restroom for shelter as the tornado roared through the school. Listen as I read, in Tori’s own words, the account of that day:

“I heard something hit the roof. I thought it was just hailing. The sound got louder and louder. I said a prayer that Heavenly Father would protect us all and keep us safe. All of a sudden we heard a loud vacuum sound, and the roof disappeared right above our heads. There was lots of wind and debris flying around and hitting every part of my body. It was darker outside and it looked like the sky was black, but it wasn’t—it was the inside of the tornado. I just closed my eyes, hoping and praying that it would be over soon.

“All of a sudden it got quiet.

“When I opened my eyes, I saw a stop sign right in front of my eyes! It was almost touching my nose.”⁶

Tori, her mother, three of her siblings, and numerous friends who were also in the school with her miraculously survived that tornado; seven of their schoolmates did not.

That weekend the priesthood brethren gave many blessings to members who had suffered in the storm. I was humbled to give Tori a blessing. As I laid my hands on her head, a favorite scripture came to mind: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.”⁷

I counseled Tori to remember the day when a servant of the Lord laid his hands on her head and pronounced that she had been protected by angels in the storm.

The Joyful Burden of Discipleship by Elder Ronald A. Rasband

Angel Moroni Part 3

With the amazing story I found about George Washington, I knew there must be some information on the direction Angel Moroni gave Christopher Columbus.  How cool is this? 


Who can doubt that this fire was not merely mine, but also of the Holy Spirit who encouraged me with a radiance of marvelous illumination from his sacred Holy Scriptures, by a most clear and powerful testimony...urging me to press forward? Continually, without a moment's hesitation, the Scriptures urge me to press forward with great haste. (West and Kling, Libro de las profecas, 105)


I fell asleep, and heard a compassionate voice, saying, "O fool, and slow to believe and serve thy God, the God of every man! What more did He do for Moses or for David His servant than for thee? From thy birth He hath ever held thee in special charge. When He saw thee at man's estate, marvelously did He cause thy name to resound over the earth. The Indies, so rich a portion of the world, He gave thee for thine own, and thou hast divided them as it pleased thee. Of those barriers of the Ocean Sea, which were closed with such mighty chains, He hath given thee the keys. Thou was obeyed in so many lands, and thou has won noble fame from Christendom. What more did he do for the people of Israel, when He carried them out of Egypt; or for David, whom from a shepherd He raised to be king over Judea? Turn thou to Him and acknowledge thy faults; His mercy is infinite;...I heard all this as in a swoon, but I had no answer to give in definite words; so true, only to weep for my transgression. (Morison, Journals, 378)



In the name of the most Holy Trinity, who inspired me with the idea and afterward made it perfectly clear to me, that I could navigate and go to the Indies from Spain, by traversing the ocean westwardly. (Curtis, The Authentic Letters of Columbus, 193)



Our Lord made me the messenger of the new heaven and the new earth, of which he spoke in the Book of Revelation by St. John, after having spoken of it by the mouth of Isaiah; and he showed me the place where to find it. (Life, 50, 57n)

Radio

I had the opportunity to be interviewed this weekend.  Here it is if you want to listen to it.

http://www.spreaker.com/user/andrewras/15-angels-among-us

Angel Moroni Part 2

Over the last few months, I have been doing a lot of studying about Angel Moroni.  I have found so many interesting and fascinating things about the angel that stands above our temples.  When I read the previous quote by Orson Hyde that I posted where he mentioned that Angel Moroni "was in the Camp of Washington", I knew there had to be more information about how he guided the fathers of this nation.  I was lead to this in a very divine way.  See if it reminds you of Angel Moroni and other revelation that has already been given to the Saints.

Painting by John McNaughton

"George Washington's Vision"

This afternoon, as I was sitting at this table engaged in preparing a dispatch, something seemed to disturb me. Looking up, I beheld standing opposite me a singularly beautiful female. So astonished was I, for I had given strict orders not to be disturbed, that it was some moments before I found language to inquire the cause of her presence. A second, a third and even a fourth time did I repeat my question, but received no answer from my mysterious visitor except a slight raising of her eyes.

By this time I felt strange sensations spreading through me. I would have risen but the riveted gaze of the being before me rendered volition impossible. I assayed once more to address her, but my tongue had become useless, as though it had become paralyzed.

A new influence, mysterious, potent, irresistible, took possession of me. All I could do was to gaze steadily, vacantly at my unknown visitor. Gradually the surrounding atmosphere seemed as if it had become filled with sensations, and luminous. Everything about me seemed to rarefy, the mysterious visitor herself becoming more airy and yet more distinct to my sight than before. I now began to feel as one dying, or rather to experience the sensations which I have sometimes imagined accompany dissolution. I did not think, I did not reason, I did not move; all were alike impossible. I was only conscious of gazing fixedly, vacantly at my companion.

Presently I heard a voice saying, "Son of the Republic, look and learn," while at the same time my visitor extended her arm eastwardly, I now beheld a heavy white vapor at some distance rising fold upon fold. This gradually dissipated, and I looked upon a stranger scene. Before me lay spread out in one vast plain all the countries of the world — Europe, Asia, Africa and America. I saw rolling and tossing between Europe and America the billows of the Atlantic, and between Asia and America lay the Pacific.

"Son of the Republic," said the same mysterious voice as before, "look and learn." At that moment I beheld a dark, shadowy being, like an angel, standing or rather floating in mid-air, between Europe and America. Dipping water out of the ocean in the hollow of each hand, he sprinkled some upon America with his right hand, while with his left hand he cast some on Europe. Immediately a cloud raised from these countries, and joined in mid-ocean. For a while it remained stationary, and then moved slowly westward, until it enveloped America in its murky folds. Sharp flashes of lightning gleamed through it at intervals, and I heard the smothered groans and cries of the American people.

A second time the angel dipped water from the ocean, and sprinkled it out as before. The dark cloud was then drawn back to the ocean, in whose heaving billows in sank from view. A third time I heard the mysterious voice saying, "Son of the Republic, look and learn," I cast my eyes upon America and beheld villages and towns and cities springing up one after another until the whole land from the Atlantic to the Pacific was dotted with them.

Again, I heard the mysterious voice say, "Son of the Republic, the end of the century cometh, look and learn." At this the dark shadowy angel turned his face southward, and from Africa I saw an ill omened specter approach our land. It flitted slowly over every town and city of the latter. The inhabitants presently set themselves in battle array against each other. As I continued looking I saw a bright angel, on whose brow rested a crown of light, on which was traced the word "Union," bearing the American flag which he placed between the divided nation, and said, "Remember ye are brethren." Instantly, the inhabitants, casting from them their weapons became friends once more, and united around the National Standard.

"And again I heard the mysterious voice saying "Son of the Republic, look and learn." At this the dark, shadowy angel placed a trumpet to his mouth, and blew three distinct blasts; and taking water from the ocean, he sprinkled it upon Europe, Asia and Africa. Then my eyes beheld a fearful scene: From each of these countries arose thick, black clouds that were soon joined into one. Throughout this mass there gleamed a dark red light by which I saw hordes of armed men, who, moving with the cloud, marched by land and sailed by sea to America. Our country was enveloped in this volume of cloud, and I saw these vast armies devastate the whole county and burn the villages, towns and cities that I beheld springing up. As my ears listened to the thundering of the cannon, clashing of sword, and the shouts and cries of millions in mortal combat, I heard again the mysterious voice saying, "Son of the Republic, look and learn" When the voice had ceased, the dark shadowy angel placed his trumpet once more to his mouth, and blew a long and fearful blast. "Instantly a light as of a thousand suns shone down from above me, and pierced and broke into fragments the dark cloud which enveloped America. At the same moment the angel upon whose head still shone the word Union, and who bore our national flag in one hand and a sword in the other, descended from the heavens attended by legions of white spirits. These immediately joined the inhabitants of America, who I perceived were will nigh overcome, but who immediately taking courage again, closed up their broken ranks and renewed the battle.

Again, amid the fearful noise of the conflict, I heard the mysterious voice saying, "Son of the Republic, look and learn." As the voice ceased, the shadowy angel for the last time dipped water from the ocean and sprinkled it upon America. Instantly the dark cloud rolled back, together with the armies it had brought, leaving the inhabitants of the land victorious!

Then once more I beheld the villages, towns and cities springing up where I had seen them before, while the bright angel, planting the azure standard he had brought in the midst of them, cried with a loud voice: "While the stars remain, and the heavens send down dew upon the earth, so long shall the Union last." And taking from his brow the crown on which blazoned the word "Union," he placed it upon the Standard while the people, kneeling down, said, "Amen."

The scene instantly began to fade and dissolve, and I at last saw nothing but the rising, curling vapor I at first beheld. This also disappearing, I found myself once more gazing upon the mysterious visitor, who, in the same voice I had heard before, said, "Son of the Republic, what you have seen is thus interpreted: Three great perils will come upon the Republic. The most fearful is the third, but in this greatest conflict the whole world united shall not prevail against her. Let every child of the Republic learn to live for his God, his land and the Union." With these words the vision vanished, and I started from my seat and felt that I had seen a vision wherein had been shown to me the birth, progress, and destiny of the United States.

Angel Moroni Part 1

In those early and perilous times, our men were few, and our resources limited. Poverty was among the most potent enemies we had to encounter; yet our arms were successful; and it may not be amiss to ask here, by whose power victory so often perched on our banner? It was by the agency of that same angel of God that appeared unto Joseph Smith, and revealed to him the history of the early inhabitants of this country, whose mounds, bones, and remains of towns, cities, and fortifications speak from the dust in the ears of the living with the voice of undeniable truth. This same angel presides over the destinies of America, and feels a lively interest in all our doings. He was in the camp of Washington; and, by an invisible hand, led on our fathers to conquest and victory; and all this to open and prepare the way for the Church and kingdom of God to be established on the western hemisphere, for the redemption of Israel and the salvation of the world. This same angel was with Columbus, and gave him deep impressions, by dreams and by visions, respecting this New World. Trammeled by poverty and by an unpopular cause, yet his persevering and unyielding heart would not allow an obstacle in his way too great for him to overcome; and the angel of God helped him--was with him on the stormy deep, calmed the troubled elements, and guided his frail vessel to the desired haven. Under the guardianship of this same angel, or Prince of America, have the United States grown, increased, and flourished, like the sturdy oak by the rivers of water.(Orson Hyde, JD 6:368)

Martin Handcart Company

The story behind this painting is referenced from the Relief Society Magazine "Pioneer Women" pg. 8 January 1948. See also the devotional address given in the de Jong Concert Hall at Brigham Young University on 11 August, 1981 by Vaughn J. Featherstone, "Go and Bring In Those People Now on the Plains" (We Are Our Brother´s Keepers).

"The Cart Began Pushing Me" 

President David O. McKay, in an address given at an annual Relief Society Conference in 1947, the centennial year of the Saints´ arrival in the valley, talked of the criticism given by a teacher conducting a class, who commented that it was very unwise to have even permitted the Saints to cross the plains under such circumstances, and they were talking about the Willie and Martin handcart companies who left later then they should have. President McKay said:

Some sharp criticism of the Church and its leaders was being indulged in for permitting any company of converts to venture across the plains with no more supplies of protection than a handcart caravan afforded. An old man in the corner [and this was written by President William Palmer, who was present] sat silent and listened as long as he could stand it, then he arose and said things that no person who heard him will ever forget. His face was white with emotion, yet he spike calmly, deliberately, but with great earnestness and sincerity. 

In substance the father above mentioned said, "I ask you to stop this criticism. You are discussing a matter you know nothing about. Cold historic facts mean nothing here, for they give no proper interpretation of the questions involved. Mistake to send the Handcart Company out so late in the season? Yes. But I was in that company and my wife was in it and Sister Nellie Unthank whom you have cited was there, too. We suffered beyond anything you can imagine and many died of exposure and starvation, but did you ever hear a survivor of that company utter a word of criticism? Not one of that company ever apostatized of left the Church, because everyone of us came through with the absolute knowledge that God lives for we became acquainted with him in our extremities." 

"I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot in front of the other. I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said, I can go only that far and there I must give up, for I cannot pull the load through it." [And a wife with a baby in her arms by his side]. "I have gone on to that sand and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me. I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my cart, but my eyes saw no one. I knew then that the angels of God were there." 

"Was I sorry that I chose to come by handcart? No. Neither then no any minute of my life since. The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay, and I am thankful that I was privileged to come in the Martin Handcart Company."

President Joseph F Smith

President Joseph F. Smith taught that: “When messengers are sent to minister to the inhabitants of this earth, they are not strangers, but from the ranks of our kindred, friends, and fellow-beings and fellow-servants. The ancient prophets who died were those who came to visit their fellow creatures upon the earth. They came to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; it was such beings—holy beings if you please—who waited upon the Savior and administered to him on the Mount. The angel that visited John, when an exile, and unfolded to his vision future events in the history of man upon the earth, was one who had been here, who had toiled and suffered in common with the people of God. … In like manner our fathers and mothers, brothers, sisters and friends who have passed away from this earth, having been faithful, and worthy to enjoy these rights and privileges, may have a mission given them to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth again, bringing from the divine Presence messages of love, of warning, or reproof and instruction, to those whom they had learned to love in the flesh.” (Gospel Doctrine, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1970, pp. 435–36.)

Joseph Smith's Guardian Angel

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Six 1843-44, p.368

"In the evening I attended meeting in the Seventies' Hall. George J. Adams preached and I made some observations afterwards, and related a dream which I had a short time since. I thought I was riding out in my carriage, and my guardian angel was along with me. We went past the Temple and had not gone much further before we espied two large snakes so fast locked together that neither of them had any power. I inquired of my guide what I was to understand by that. He answered, 'Those snakes represent Dr. Foster and Chauncey L. Higbee. They are your enemies and desire to destroy you; but you see they are so fast locked together that they have no power of themselves to hurt you.' I then thought I was riding up Mulholland street, but my guardian angel was not along with me. On arriving at the prairie, I was overtaken and seized by William and Wilson Law and others, saying, 'Ah, ah! we have got you at last! We will secure you and put you in a safe place!' and, without any ceremony dragged me out of my carriage, tied my hands behind me, and threw me into a deep, dry pit, where I remained in a perfectly helpless condition, and they went away. While struggling to get out, I heard Wilson Law screaming for help hard by. I managed to unloose myself so as to make a spring, when I caught hold of some grass which grew at the edge of the pit."

Kirtland Temple

Before closing this writing I desire to mention an important incident in connection with the Kirtland Temple. After the building was dedicated, a few of us, some six or eight, having Patriarch Joseph Smith, Sr., in company, went morning and evening to pray, entering at the west end of the [Kirtland] Temple and going clear through to the east stand. This we enjoyed very much. The stand being enclosed by curtains or veils made it quite by itself and a good place to pray with none to molest. One evening, having been in the country, I was too late to enter with the brethren. The company would not emerge till quite dark. I had tried the door and knew they were at prayer. I felt out of place and went to my house, but soon came out and met Brother Brigham Young, inquiring for Oliver Cowdery. I said I had not seen him.

We walked out towards the [Kirtland] Temple, approaching the building on the side which was used for the Prophet Joseph and his counselors, a portion of the attic on the east being especially appropriated to their use. In the said attic, and right over the stand where the brethren were praying in the hall below were two windows in the gable end to help give light to his compartment or room, the windows being 12 or 14 feet apart, and unusually high from the floor; being nearly 4 feet to the bottom of the lower sash.

When about ten rods distant we looked up and saw two personages; before each window, leaving and approaching each other like guards would do. This continued until quite dark. As they were walking back and forth, one turned his face to me for an instant; but while they walked to and fro, only a side view was visible. I have no doubt that the house was guarded, as I have had no other way to account for it.

I insert this note thinking it may do someone good as it has me. With great fatigue, I have arrived at the present date, March 20, 1884. -- Truman Osborn Angell, Sr., T. J. Angell: Scribe

P.S. The panoramic statements as above given are not intended for Church history, for that is designed for the Church historian; and hence my brief account may be accounted for as herein set forth. But I might not be noted in that history, for their account is for Church purposes and not for me. But I was eyewitness to much as I passed on to date, 1884, and took my share, I think. Here let me conclude my ramble. I feel very feeble in health and about worn out, so farewell to all my true friends. May the Lord bless you in doing right. -- T. O. Angell.http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/TAngell.html

Battle in the Sky

Heber C. Kimball (Quorum of the Twelve) I had retired to bed, when John P. Greene, who was living within a hundred steps of my house, came and waked me up, calling upon me to come out and behold the scenery in the heavens. I woke up and called my wife and Sister Fanny Young (sister to Brigham Young), who was living with us, and we went out-of-doors.  It was one of the most beautiful starlight nights, so clear that we could see to pick up a pin. We looked to the eastern horizon, and beheld a white smoke arise toward the heavens; as it ascended it formed itself into a belt, and made a noise like the sound of a mighty wind, and continued southwest, forming a regular bow dipping in the western horizon. After the bow had formed, it began to widen out and grow clear and transparent, of a bluish cast; it grew wide enough to contain twelve men abreast.  In this bow an army moved, commencing from the east and marching to the west; they continued marching until they reached the western horizon. They moved in platoons, and walked so close that the rear ranks trod in the steps of their file leaders, until the whole bow was literally crowded with soldiers. We could distinctly see the muskets, bayonets and knapsacks of the men, who wore caps and feathers like those used by the American soldiers in the last war with Britain; and also saw their officers with their swords and equipage, and the clashing and jingling of their implements of war, and could discover the forms and features of the men. The most profound order existed throughout the entire army; when the foremost man stepped, every man stepped at the same time; I could hear the steps. When the front rank reached the western horizon a battle ensued, as we could distinctly hear the report of arms and the rush.  No man could judge of my feelings when I beheld that army of men, as plainly as ever I saw armies of men in the flesh; it seemed as though every hair of my head was alive. This scenery we gazed upon for hours, until it began to disappear.  After I became acquainted with Mormonism, I learned that this took place the same evening that Joseph Smith received the records of the Book of Mormon from the angel Moroni, who had held those records in his possession. (The Life of Heber C. Kimball, p.16–17)

James L. McMurrin

Prophecy of James L. McMurrin:

I was profoundly impressed, however, when President James L. McMurrin, president of the European Mission, arose and confirmed that statement by pointing to one brother sitting just in front of me and saying, "Yes, brethren, there are angels in this room, and one of them is the guardian angel of that young man sitting there," and he designated one who afterward became a patriarch in the Woodruff Stake of the Church, John Young.Pointing to another elder, he said, "And one is the guardian angel of that young man there," and he singled out one whom I had known from childhood, David Eccles. Tears were rolling down the cheeks of both of these missionaries -- not in sorrow or grief, but as an expression of the overflowing Spirit. Indeed, we were all weeping.
Such was the setting in which James L. McMurrin gave what has since proved to be a prophecy.  I had learned by intimate association with him that James McMurrin was pure gold.  His faith in the gospel was implicit.  No truer man, no man more loyal to what he thought was right ever lived.  So when he turned to me and gave what I thought then was more of a caution than a promise, his words made an indelible impression upon me. Paraphrasing the words of the Savior to Peter, Brother McMurrin said: "Let me say to you, Brother David, Satan hath desired you that he may sift you as wheat, but God is mindful of you." Then he added, "If you will keep the faith, you will yet sit in the leading councils of the Church."
At that moment there flashed in my mind temptations that had beset my path, and I realized even better than President McMurrin, or any other man, how truly he had spoken when he said, "Satan hath desired thee." With the resolve then and there to keep the faith, there was born a desire to be of service to my fellowmen; and with it came a realization, a glimpse at least, of what I owed to the elder who first carried the message of the restored gospel to my grandfather and grandmother, who had accepted the message years before in the north of Scotland and in South Wales.
I ask God to continue to bless you that you will keep true to the priesthood that you hold, for it comes directly from John the Baptist, who received it from his Lord and Savior.  In your youth, do not let temptation lead you astray.  Be true to the ideals of your parents. 

Blessing on Plane

As
 President and Sister Lee were sitting in the airplane, homeward bound, President Lee received a
 blessing from an unseen person. He related:

As we approached a certain point en
 route, someone laid his hand upon my head. I looked up; I could see no one. That happened again
 before we arrived home, again with the same experience. Who it was, by what means or what medium, I
 may never know, except I knew that I was receiving a blessing that I came a few hours later to know
 I needed most desperately.

. . . Shortly [after we arrived home], there came
 massive hemorrhages which, had they occurred while we were in flight, I wouldn’t be here today
 talking about it.

I know that there are powers divine that reach out when all other
 help is not available. . . . Yes, I know that there are such
 powers.⁸

The unseen person who gave President Lee a blessing
 demonstrated extraordinary powers: he remained invisible, he knew where to find President Lee, he
 knew of President Lee’s physical condition and of his need for a blessing, and he blessed the
 prophet with priesthood power. Additionally, it is my opinion that this unseen person did not board
 the plane as did other passengers, obtaining a passport, ticket, and boarding pass; showing his
 photo ID; dealing with airport security; and so forth. It is entirely possible, knowing of the vast
 power of angels, that this unseen person entered the plane through miraculous means. Such is the way
 of heavenly beings.http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=2059

Lead Me, Guide Me, Walk Beside Me

President Harold B. Lee said,

I heard this little flaxen-haired girl sing “I Am a Child of God.” “Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way.” The first time I heard it, this little girl sang it to her mother’s accompaniment. Now (her) mother is gone. But the mother came to this little girl in such a vivid dream that she said the next morning, “Oh, Mother was with us. We saw her in the family room, and I said, ‘Oh, Mother, you’re not dead.’ And she said, ‘No, my dear, I am not dead. I am very much alive. You won’t be able to see me all the time, but I won’t be far away from you, my dear.’ ” And with that childish assurance, the little girl is now growing to womanhood. Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way. Guardian angels? Don’t you mistake it. It isn’t your father and mother who will be far away from you, children; it will be you who keep them far away.
“Those in the spirit world may be guardian angels to those in mortality. Who are guardian angels? Well, it would appear that someone who is quickened by some influence, not yet celestialized, is permitted to come back as a messenger for the purpose of working with and trying to aid those who are left behind. [ Harold B. Lee, The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, edited by Clyde J. Williams (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1996), 58-59.]

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Usually such beings are not seen.  Sometimes they are.  But seen or unseen they are always near.  Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world.  Sometimes the message are more private.  Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn.  But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times.... I testify that angels are still sent to help us.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Angels Round About You

My name is Sarah and I am an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

In October 2013, I was going through a difficult time and was given a priesthood blessing for comfort and guidance.  In my blessing, I was promised "blessings beyond my wildest imagination within the next year".  It was an amazing blessing but left me wondering what exactly that meant.  Almost a year later, I have remembered that promise time and time again as blessings beyond my wildest imagination continue to come.  One of the biggest blessings that has came my way is my awareness of angels.  I had never stopped to think if I believed in them before but a few experiences in I knew my answer and as I looked back on my life I was reminded of a few other experiences that I am certain my angles played a role.  It became a common conversation in my home and with that it sent me on a new journey within the doctrine of the church.  I wanted to make sure that I was teaching my children correct gospel principles.  It was confirmed time and time again that I was and not only was I supposed to teach my children about angels but others as well.  My answer came that I need to "gather stories" and share them in order to make others aware of their angels.  This blog is a place to do just that.  I want to gather stories of you and your angels.  I want to teach how to know they are near and how they are trying to communicate with you. If you have an experience I would love to have you share it.  Please email me at angelsroundaboutyou@gmail.com.
I testify that the angles are round about you, to bear you up.