Angels are a hot topic of Christian theology, as they are often given different emphases by different denominations. What do Mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) think and believe about angels? What is an angel in Mormon theology?
Mormon Beliefs About Angels: What Is an Angel?
In LDS terminology, an angel is a messenger of the Lord. Mormons believe that angels are either
- people who have lived on earth, died, and been resurrected (in which case they have tangible bodies); or
- people who have not yet come to earth or have not yet been resurrected (in which case they are spirits without tangible bodies.)
Mormons generally conceive of angels wearing flowing white robes as described in the scriptures, but do not believe that real angels have halos or wings.
LDS Doctrine on Angels: What Does an Angel Do?
LDS sciptures often refer to the "ministering of angels," suggesting that angels are sent to help humankind at certain times. Angels are believed to "minister" to mankind in several ways, including:
- Warning (see Bible, Matthew 2: 13 and Book of Mormon, Mosiah 27: 16-17)
- Instructing (see Pearl of Great Price, Moses 5: 6)
- Helping (see Bible, 1 Kings 19: 5-8)
- Protecting (see Bible, Daniel 6: 22)
- Strengthening and comforting (see Bible, Luke 22: 43)
- Announcing significant gospel events (see Bible, Luke 2: 10-13)
Though it's accepted that angels can and do come to earth to help mankind, it's generally believed among Mormons that most heavenly help will come through feelings and answers from the Holy Ghost or through the intervention of others who are inspired to do the Lord's work.
LDS doctrine does not include the idea of an assigned "guardian angel," instead believing that a person has the right to the constant protection of the Holy Ghost once confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (See Mormon Confirmation for more information.)
Angelic Visitations in Mormon History
Mormons accept the angelic visitations recorded in the Bible and Book of Mormon, and also believe that angels were fundamental in the organization of the modern-day Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the early 19th century.
Moroni, the last writer on the alleged ancient Book of Mormon plates, is believed to have appeared as an angel a number of times to Joseph Smith to instruct him and tell him the location of the plates between the years of 1823 and 1827. A statue representing the angel Moroni announcing the second coming of Jesus Christ are on top of most LDS temples today.
John the Baptist was said to have visited Joseph Smith and his associate Oliver Cowdery as an angel to confer the Aaronic priesthood, or authority to baptize, in 1829. Peter, James, and John were said to have visited them later that year to confer the Melchizedek priesthood, the authority to confirm and bless.
Shortly after the dedication of the first LDS temple in 1836, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery reported being visited by the angels of Moses, Elias, and Elijah inside the temple. The angels respectively gave them the authority to gather Israel in the last days, participate in the Biblical Abrahamic Covenant, and give them the authority to seal families as an eternal unit in the temple.
LDS "Angels" as Those Saved but Not Exalted
Mormon scriptures also use the word "angels" to describe another sort of people besides ministering heavenly messengers. Those who have been saved in a lesser degree of heaven but haven't fulfilled all of the qualifications for exaltation are also called "angels."
Angels are believed to remain "separately and singly" (D&C 132: 17), while those who gain exaltation are believed to remain married after death and continue to have children in the hereafter.
In general, most times that a Mormon uses the word "angel" they are talking about the heavenly messengers such as Gabriel and Moroni. Though different faiths may attach different meanings to angels and their functions, Mormons believe that angels are people who have lived or will live on Earth that come to help mankind in a specific way at God's request.
Jenny Evans - Jenny Evans is a freelance writer and editor specializing in parenting and the family. She is also the Mormonism Topic Editor for ...
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