For the past year and a half at least, my mind and spirit has been very tuned to the idea of angels assisting us in this life.  Often when I study, a theme seems to come out and persist with me for quite some time.  I start seeing my theme everywhere-in my scripture study, in conference talks, in hymns, in lessons, through personal revelation.  This particular theme of angels coming to earth for our benefit intrigues me and gives me a feeling of great empowerment.  Just the idea of it tightens my hold on heaven and strengthens my testimony.  It helps me to see that the lines between heaven and earth are really quite blurred-we just can’t see it all of the time.  But, if we could, we would see that ALL of us no matter where we reside in relationship to the veil, are in the EXACT same work.  The flow between heaven and earth is just that-a flow-because it is one and the same purpose!  Therefore, the angels of God are involved in the very same work that we are involved in and they have perspective and capacity that we don’t have.  Their help is essential to our survival.

As I have studied, I have seen that this pattern of angels carrying on the work of God is the pattern of heaven.  You see it in the temple ordinances, you see it in the Restoration, and you see in the pattern of every prophet and dispensation.  I also see it carried through to a very personal level in one of my son’s patriarchal blessing.  The fact is: ‘ Israel, angels are descending from celestial worlds on high and to man their power extending that they Saints may homeward fly.’  (LDS Hymn # 7)  Of course this means that angels have come to restore the Gospel, but I think it means so much more.  Angels are descending to help you and I on a very personal basis.

Imagine my excitement when I read this confirming quote not long ago:  “There is not one of us that He has not given His angels charge concerning.  We may be insignificant and contemptible in our own eyes, and in the eyes of others, but the truth remains that we are the children of God, and that He has actually given His angels-invisible beings of power and might-charge concerning us, and they watch over us and have us in their keeping”  (George Q. Cannon as quoted by HB Eyring May Ensign 2014 p. 71)  Then Pres. Eyring went on to confirm this doctrine: “What Pres. Cannon taught is true”.

In Moroni 7 we read:  ‘Neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men…for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men…(see verses 29, 36-7)  Note that this scriptural teaching doesn’t dictate whose faith is making the angels appear and minister!  I firmly believe that like Alma Sr and his people, we can call down the angels in behalf of our children.  OUR faith and OUR asking can bring the heavens forth for our children.  And the angels are real.  We have friends and family generations back and from previous dispensations that desire to help us and that will help us.  That help can be with our sons and daughters when an embodied mortal cannot.  That help can go to places we can’t and can enter into all of the secret places that our children may retreat.  This is a huge blessing to us as parents and I know that it is real.  I want to testify of that. The angels of God are laboring just as much as we are to get us through this because it is all one work.

Pres. Eyring also said:  “From before the world was, a loving Father in Heaven and His beloved Son loved and worked with those They knew would wander.’ (p. 72)  Wow.  If we pray for the Holy Ghost to bring that truth to our children’s  remembrance then they will ‘come to themselves’ so much faster! (see The Prodigal Son)

Ministering angels are in the latter-day fight with us.  They are an essential part of seeing this dispensation through to its Glorious End.  Let us evoke their assistance every chance we get!