Guardian Angels

[Jbs2763]

I was pondering if there is doctorine to support the idea of guardian angels, or somehitng similar, like can someone who has passed on keep someone in this life safe, ie a solider in iraq who has had more than one close call and for all purposes should be dead?

just wondering

can't recall hearing anyhting from the pulpit

[snipe123]

I was pondering if there is doctorine to support the idea of guardian angels, or somehitng similar, like can someone who has passed on keep someone in this life safe, ie a solider in iraq who has had more than one close call and for all purposes should be dead?

just wondering

can't recall hearing anyhting from the pulpit

There are angels who are called upon to serve many functions, one of which would be to protect a given individual, or individuals...this quote is from the Doctrine and Covenants, though I do not remember the specific verse, just the text...maybe someone can help me out...

"... And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for 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."

This verse as I recall is a promise given to those who are called to preach the Gospel...

I do not know if specific Angels are set aside to protect a given individual throughout their life, which is what one thinks of when someone says "guardian angel".

We do know that God has protected warriors in battle...The strippling warriors from The Book of Mormon perhaps the most prominent example...however, Whether this protection ( based on thier faith) came in the form of angels or some other means, is not stated clearly...

There is a story in the Old Testament about legions of Angels standing on a hill protecting an outnumbered army which was invisible to them until a prophet asked that their eyes be opened so that they could see who stood with them..."They that be with us, are more than they that be with them is a quote from that story...I think... I am a bit rusty, so maybe someone witll recognize the story???

I personally believe that Angels sometimes (not always)do protect certain people in various instances for various reasons...

Here is a true story:

While riding my bike (against traffic...brilliant I know...)on my mission, I was hit head on by a car(hit and run) and should have been thrown violently onto the wind shield and probably over the car based on the speed of the vehicle...As it happened, I completely cleared the car instead, (and my bike went under it unfortunatly...) I did a complete flip in the air and landed on my back...I had a large bruise on my elbow, and other than that, I was fine...My companion who was behind me said I looked like superman the way I just flew over the car...For my part, the moment my bike impacted the front bumper of the car, I literally felt as though I was being lifted on a cushion of air over the vehicle...I am certain I was being protected by an angel...There were several missionaries in downtown Dallas that had similar experiences......must have something to do with preaching the Gospel I suppose...:)

I personally believe that Angels sometimes (not always)do protect certain people in various instances for various reasons(especially missionaries)...

[StrawberryFields]

WOW! What are great topic!

I very much believe in things like this. :)

"Strawberry Fields grabs a chair on the front row for this one"

[sixpacktr]

Brother Nibley in one of his essays mentions that it was once widely discussed in the church that there are 'guardian angels', but that we have gotten away from that. I personally believe that there are, and that they are either past ancestors or descendants not yet born here on earth that do protect us. Too many experiences where I should have been severely hurt and ended up not being hurt to make me think any differently (about the angels, not necessarily who they are).

I also believe that my mother, who passed away almost 10 years ago, has helped our family from time to time. Don't know why, just do.

I think that when we are able to go back and view our life with heavenly eyes, we will see that we were never alone, that we always had someone there to help. And conversely, I don't believe we are ever left alone by Satan's minions, and perhaps our guardian angels help in protecting us there as well? I think that Isaac's citation of Elisha to his servant, of the angels on the hill waiting to go down and smite the Syrians, gives credence to this, but it is just my opinion...

[StrawberryFields]

Brother Nibley in one of his essays mentions that it was once widely discussed in the church that there are 'guardian angels', but that we have gotten away from that. I personally believe that there are, and that they are either past ancestors or descendants not yet born here on earth that do protect us. Too many experiences where I should have been severely hurt and ended up not being hurt to make me think any differently (about the angels, not necessarily who they are).

I also believe that my mother, who passed away almost 10 years ago, has helped our family from time to time. Don't know why, just do.

I think that when we are able to go back and view our life with heavenly eyes, we will see that we were never alone, that we always had someone there to help. And conversely, I don't believe we are ever left alone by Satan's minions, and perhaps our guardian angels help in protecting us there as well? I think that Isaac's citation of Elisha to his servant, of the angels on the hill waiting to go down and smite the Syrians, gives credence to this, but it is just my opinion...

I love hearing these things especially from men who I respect. :)

I have believed in this kind of thing for sometime but I too got the impression that the church had gone away from it.

[snipe123]

<div class='quotemain'>

Brother Nibley in one of his essays mentions that it was once widely discussed in the church that there are 'guardian angels', but that we have gotten away from that. I personally believe that there are, and that they are either past ancestors or descendants not yet born here on earth that do protect us. Too many experiences where I should have been severely hurt and ended up not being hurt to make me think any differently (about the angels, not necessarily who they are).

I also believe that my mother, who passed away almost 10 years ago, has helped our family from time to time. Don't know why, just do.

I think that when we are able to go back and view our life with heavenly eyes, we will see that we were never alone, that we always had someone there to help. And conversely, I don't believe we are ever left alone by Satan's minions, and perhaps our guardian angels help in protecting us there as well? I think that Isaac's citation of Elisha to his servant, of the angels on the hill waiting to go down and smite the Syrians, gives credence to this, but it is just my opinion...

I love hearing these things especially from men who I respect. :)

I'm a huge Nibley fan as well...He was a stud for sure...One of the most brilliant minds this century...

[Doctor Steuss]

I was pondering if there is doctorine to support the idea of guardian angels, or somehitng similar, like can someone who has passed on keep someone in this life safe, ie a solider in iraq who has had more than one close call and for all purposes should be dead?

just wondering

can't recall hearing anyhting from the pulpit

According to Bruce R. McConkie; no, there are no such thing as “guardian angels.”

According to several Patriarchal Blessings I have had the rare and honored privilege to read portions of; yes, there are indeed “guardian angels.”

I tend to trust the latter.

[sixpacktr]

<div class='quotemain'>

I was pondering if there is doctorine to support the idea of guardian angels, or somehitng similar, like can someone who has passed on keep someone in this life safe, ie a solider in iraq who has had more than one close call and for all purposes should be dead?

just wondering

can't recall hearing anyhting from the pulpit

According to Bruce R. McConkie; no, there are no such thing as “guardian angels.”

According to several Patriarchal Blessings I have had the rare and honored privilege to read portions of; yes, there are indeed “guardian angels.”

I tend to trust the latter.

Gotta ask this Dr.

Did you mean 'believe' instead of 'trust'?

I liked 'Big Bruce'. He was a great man that gave great talks. I don't know why he would say there aren't, but again, I don't know that there are, other than just my own opinion and beliefs...

[Doctor Steuss]

Gotta ask this Dr.

Did you mean 'believe' instead of 'trust'?

I liked 'Big Bruce'. He was a great man that gave great talks. I don't know why he would say there aren't, but again, I don't know that there are, other than just my own opinion and beliefs...

I meant "trust." The comment in question is in Mormon Doctrine (at least the first edition). In general, I trust Patriarchal Blessings over Mormon Doctrine (which is what I should have said… sorry for the confusion). Don't get me wrong; I think he's right about 85+% of the time in the book. It's just how far off he is in the other 15-% that kind of makes me leery. The latter version(s) are supposedly not as bad. I’ve never picked up a copy other than my first edition… perhaps I should one of these days as I heard a rumor that the most recent printing will be the last.

As a side note, he wrote MD before he was an apostle.

[edited for clarity... I hope]

[sixpacktr]

Fair enough.

I've only read bits and pcs of MD. Liked what I read, but took it as a reference more than absolute truth, but then again, I wouldn't put my puny understanding up against his! (that was aimed at me, not you or anyone else...)

I have noticed that there are a some areas where the church has 'toned down' some things that were taught previously, etc., and I'm not sure why that is. I would venture that it was because it was opinion rather than true doctrine, and we need to be sure that we distinguish between the two. Hence, read the scriptures, pray for the spirit, and let it teach you the truth, i.e. revelation.

I just acquired a copy of Lectures on Faith, and was fascinated by those lessons. I was also surprised to learn that LoF were a part of the D&C until 1921, and that both Joseph Fielding Smith and BR McConkie were saddened that they had been removed from the D&C forward. After I read them, I too wished that I had read them earlier. Powerful lessons, those...

[Doctor Steuss]

Fair enough.

I've only read bits and pcs of MD. Liked what I read, but took it as a reference more than absolute truth, but then again, I wouldn't put my puny understanding up against his! (that was aimed at me, not you or anyone else...)

As a scriptorium, he was well above me (well, well, WELL ABOVE ME). I hope my comments weren’t taken as diminutive. I just think he allowed his own dogmatic preconceived notions through a bit too often (JFS and BRM tended to be some of the most dogmatic [not necessarily a bad thing] individuals to lead the Church). I’m personally more of a Talmage (or BH Roberts) fan.

I just acquired a copy of Lectures on Faith, and was fascinated by those lessons. I was also surprised to learn that LoF were a part of the D&C until 1921, and that both Joseph Fielding Smith and BR McConkie were saddened that they had been removed from the D&C forward. After I read them, I too wished that I had read them earlier. Powerful lessons, those...

The lecture on faith (there is one of the lecture’s that deals specifically with “faith”) is one of my favorites. Especially given some of the nuances of the Greek word pistis.

[snipe123]

<div class='quotemain'>

Fair enough.

I've only read bits and pcs of MD. Liked what I read, but took it as a reference more than absolute truth, but then again, I wouldn't put my puny understanding up against his! (that was aimed at me, not you or anyone else...)

As a scriptorium, he was well above me (well, well, WELL ABOVE ME). I hope my comments weren’t taken as diminutive. I just think he allowed his own dogmatic preconceived notions through a bit too often (JFS and BRM tended to be some of the most dogmatic [not necessarily a bad thing] individuals to lead the Church). I’m personally more of a Talmage (or BH Roberts) fan.

I just acquired a copy of Lectures on Faith, and was fascinated by those lessons. I was also surprised to learn that LoF were a part of the D&C until 1921, and that both Joseph Fielding Smith and BR McConkie were saddened that they had been removed from the D&C forward. After I read them, I too wished that I had read them earlier. Powerful lessons, those...

The lecture on faith (there is one of the lecture’s that deals specifically with “faith”) is one of my favorites. Especially given some of the nuances of the Greek word pistis.

Have you read BH Roberts Biography? It's very cool...that guy was bold...

Fair enough.

I've only read bits and pcs of MD. Liked what I read, but took it as a reference more than absolute truth, but then again, I wouldn't put my puny understanding up against his! (that was aimed at me, not you or anyone else...)

I have noticed that there are a some areas where the church has 'toned down' some things that were taught previously, etc., and I'm not sure why that is. I would venture that it was because it was opinion rather than true doctrine, and we need to be sure that we distinguish between the two. Hence, read the scriptures, pray for the spirit, and let it teach you the truth, i.e. revelation.

I just acquired a copy of Lectures on Faith, and was fascinated by those lessons. I was also surprised to learn that LoF were a part of the D&C until 1921, and that both Joseph Fielding Smith and BR McConkie were saddened that they had been removed from the D&C forward. After I read them, I too wished that I had read them earlier. Powerful lessons, those...

Lectures on Faith are so profound...you could spend a lifetime pondering those lectures...It amazes me how much depth this "simple country boy" posessed...but I think we are getting off topic a bit...surely there must be more info on the topic than The Gospel According to Bruce?

[Jbs2763]

I guess what got me really thinking had on this topic is my best freind who just got back from iraq should have been killed several times, and i belive it was some sort of devine intervetnion that kept him around

[Doctor Steuss]

[...]

but I think we are getting off topic a bit...surely there must be more info on the topic than The Gospel According to Bruce?

Probably a good example for a "gaurdian angel(s)" would be Psalm 91, (in particular, verses 10-12). Or for a "gaurdian angel" that I'm sure we all know the story of; Dan. 6:22

[Adomini22]

If you can find a book called "Life Everlasting" by Duane Crowther, he also wrote the book "prophecy, keys to the future", he is LDS. In Life Everlasting, there is like a whole chapter with experiences and doctrine on the guardian angels. Heavy stuff. Not stuff we talk about everyday, but good stuff. Check it out.

[sixpacktr]

<div class='quotemain'>

Fair enough.

I've only read bits and pcs of MD. Liked what I read, but took it as a reference more than absolute truth, but then again, I wouldn't put my puny understanding up against his! (that was aimed at me, not you or anyone else...)

As a scriptorium, he was well above me (well, well, WELL ABOVE ME). I hope my comments weren’t taken as diminutive. I just think he allowed his own dogmatic preconceived notions through a bit too often (JFS and BRM tended to be some of the most dogmatic [not necessarily a bad thing] individuals to lead the Church). I’m personally more of a Talmage (or BH Roberts) fan.

I just acquired a copy of Lectures on Faith, and was fascinated by those lessons. I was also surprised to learn that LoF were a part of the D&C until 1921, and that both Joseph Fielding Smith and BR McConkie were saddened that they had been removed from the D&C forward. After I read them, I too wished that I had read them earlier. Powerful lessons, those...

The lecture on faith (there is one of the lecture’s that deals specifically with “faith”) is one of my favorites. Especially given some of the nuances of the Greek word pistis.

Hey Doc,

Can you elaborate on there being only one lesson? The book I have has seven different lessons, each one building up to the next to show how all encompassing faith really is.

[snipe123]

I guess what got me really thinking had on this topic is my best freind who just got back from iraq should have been killed several times, and i belive it was some sort of devine intervetnion that kept him around

Within the Gospel framework Jaime, I think there is every reason to believe that he could have been...In other words there is nothing in church doctrine to say that your friend could not have been protected by an angel...

[Doctor Steuss]

Hey Doc,

Can you elaborate on there being only one lesson? The book I have has seven different lessons, each one building up to the next to show how all encompassing faith really is.

Sorry, I'm having some issues expressing myself coherently today (gots dem good ole voices making noise in my noggin).

What I meant to say is “lesson one” not “one of the lessons.” I’m sorry for the confusion. Hopefully tomorrow my brain will be a bit quieter and I’ll make more sense.

Any way. It’s the one that talks about how faith is the moving cause and the principle of action and principle of power for intelligent beings, etc.

Sorry again.

[kiwibabee]

In my Patriarchal blessing I am told I have unseen beings watching over me. and according to my husband I need them with my driving.

and My moms blessing mentions guardian angels for her.

So I am a believer!!!

[prisonchaplain]

I believe the scriptural basis for believing we have guardian angels is Psalm 91:11:

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

[Penlady]

Didn't have time to scan all the scriptures about guardian angels but here's 1

1 Ne 11:30 .. and I saw aangels descending upon the children of men; and they did minister unto them.

And I never believed in them until i had a Near Death Experience and was introduced to 2 of mine.

Penlady.

[prisonchaplain]

Yeah...but my Scripture reference had bigger font then yours. :-)

[goofball]

Yes there have been some statements from the pulpit and I will post them/email them as soon as I can. Better yet I think i can scan it on here cant I. This is something I have been very interested in

[the_jason]

Is there any truth to the idea that we have guardian angels who watch over and protect us?

Larry E. Dahl, “I Have a Question,” Ensign, Mar. 1988, 21–23

Larry E. Dahl, associate professor of Church history and doctrine, Brigham Young University. The topical guide and Bible dictionary in the LDS edition of the Bible both contain numerous references to “Angels,” and the topical guide also lists references to “Ministering Angels.” However, the term “guardian angel” is not used in the scriptures. The closest the scriptures come to the concept is in expressions such as “I have given the heavenly hosts and mine angels charge concerning you” (D&C 84:42; see also D&C 109:22), and “Mine angels shall go up before you” (D&C 103:20).

The scriptures are clear about the role of “ministering angels,” as Mormon testified:

“It is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief.” (Moro. 7:37.)

Just what do angels do when they “appear and minister unto men?” The scriptures show that they:

—announce and testify of events pertaining to God’s work and glory (see Matt. 1:20–21; 28:1–6; Luke 1:11–20; 2:8–14; Rev. 14:6ff; D&C 88:92–110);

—preach the gospel and minister “unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ” (Moro. 7:22; see also Moses 5:58);

—declare “the word of Christ unto chosen vessels of the Lord, that they may bear testimony of him” (Moro. 7:31; see also Mosiah 3:1–27);

—bring to earth “their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the power of their priesthood” (D&C 128:21; see also 27:12; 110:11–16; JS—H 1:68–70);

—protect and guide the servants of God in times of trouble so that they may accomplish his purposes (see Acts 5:18–20; Dan. 3:28; 1 Ne. 3:29; Hel. 5);

—bring comfort, instruction, and warnings to faithful individuals in times of need (see Gen. 16:7; Ex. 23:20–23; Matt. 2:13, 19–20; 1 Ne. 11:14–15:30; Alma 8:14–18).

Who are these angels? The Lord has revealed that “there are no angels who minister to this earth but those who do belong or have belonged to it.” (D&C 130:5.) Such personages may be spirits—who have not yet been born into mortality or have lived on the earth but who have not yet been resurrected—or beings with tangible bodies who have been either resurrected or translated. (D&C 129:1–9 gives one of the meanings of the term angels as “resurrected personages” and distinguishes between them and “spirits,” acknowledging that either may appear. Many additional scriptures illustrate that the term angels may refer both to spirits and to resurrected or translated beings.)

President Joseph F. Smith gave us some insight about angels who minister to those on the earth:

“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.)

But do we each have a particular “guardian angel” to accompany us through mortality?

Guardian angels are referred to in various Church leaders’ recorded blessings, experiences, and sermons. In a blessing he pronounced upon Newel K. Whitney in October 1835, the Prophet Joseph Smith said, “Angels shall guard [his] house and shall guard the lives of his posterity.” (The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith, ed. Dean C. Jessee, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1984, p. 62.) In June 1844, in a meeting in the Seventies Hall in Nauvoo, the Prophet related a dream he had had, in which, he said, “I thought I was riding out in my carriage, and my guardian angel was along with me.” (History of the Church, 6:461.) In July 1854, Elder Orson Hyde spoke of Moroni as “the guardian angel of America.” (Journal of Discourses, 6:369.)

Since the early days of the Church, angels have continued to minister to the Lord’s faithful servants. In a priesthood session of general conference in 1968, President David O. McKay shared an experience from his mission in Scotland:

“Following a series of meetings at the conference held in Glasgow, Scotland, was a most remarkable priesthood meeting. I remember, as if it were yesterday, the intensity of the inspiration of that occasion. Everybody felt the rich outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord. …

“During the progress of the meeting, an elder on his own initiative arose and said, ‘Brethren, there are angels in this room. …’

“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. …

“Pointing to another elder, he said, ‘And one is the guardian angel of that young man there. …’ 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.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1968, p. 86.)

In a general conference in 1973, President Harold B. Lee told of receiving blessings from an unseen heavenly messenger:

“I was suffering from an ulcer condition that was becoming worse and worse. We had been touring a mission; my wife, Joan, and I were impressed the next morning that we should get home as quickly as possible. …

“On the way across the country, we were sitting in the forward section of the airplane. Some of our Church members were in the next section. 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.

“As soon as we arrived home, my wife very anxiously called the doctor. … He called me to come to the telephone, and he asked me how I was; and I said, ‘Well, I am very tired. I think I will be all right.’ But shortly thereafter, there came massive hemorrhages which, had they occurred while we were in flight, I wouldn’t be here today talking about it.” (Ensign, July 1973, p. 23.)

President Lee also promised the youth of the Church the help of “a guardian angel of God”:

“You youth of today, we voyage together. … It may be a storm where Nature’s fury is unleashed or it may be a mental or an emotional storm that threatens shipwreck. Whatever the occasion or the cause, you may by faith, intensified by fasting or ‘after long abstinence’ like Paul, have standing by your side during ‘that night’ of turmoil a ‘guardian angel’ of God ‘whose you are and whom you serve.’ ” (Decisions for Successful Living, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1973, pp. 79–80.)

How are we to interpret such references? Many years ago, Elder John A. Widtsoe addressed the question of whether or not each individual has a “guardian angel”:

“Undoubtedly angels often guard us from accidents and harm, from temptation and sin. They may properly be spoken of as guardian angels. Many people have borne and may bear testimony to the guidance and protection that they have received from sources beyond their natural vision. Without the help that we receive from the constant presence of the Holy Spirit, and from possible holy angels, the difficulties of life would be greatly multiplied.

“The common belief, however, that to every person born into the world is assigned a guardian angel to be with that person constantly, is not supported by available evidence. … An angel may be a guardian angel though he come only as assigned to give us special help. In fact, the constant presence of the Holy Spirit would seem to make such a constant, angelic companionship unnecessary.

“So, until further knowledge is obtained, we may say that angels may be sent to guard us according to our need; but we cannot say with certainty that there is a special guardian angel, to be with every person constantly.” (Improvement Era, April 1944, p. 225.)

In our own day, President Joseph Fielding Smith and Elder Bruce R. McConkie both acknowledged that help may come from ministering angels at critical times in our lives, but that the true “guardian angel” for each individual on the earth is the power and direction available through the Light of Christ and the Holy Ghost. (See Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954, 1:54; and Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966, pp. 341–42.)

Hence, the available evidence seems to show that:

(1) We each have constant access to a type of guardian influence through the Light of Christ and the Holy Ghost.

(2) Ministering angels are sometimes sent to guide, comfort, protect, and instruct the Lord’s servants and other faithful individuals in times of need.

(3) Angels who minister in our behalf—whether seen or unseen—may include departed loved ones who are aware of our circumstances and are concerned about our welfare.

(4) Faith is a critical element in the ministry of angels.

[Snow]

I was pondering if there is doctorine to support the idea of guardian angels, or somehitng similar, like can someone who has passed on keep someone in this life safe, ie a solider in iraq who has had more than one close call and for all purposes should be dead?

just wondering

can't recall hearing anyhting from the pulpit

Some people are way into "angels."

I think it highly probable that the more into angels you are, the more likely it is that you are also into the Home Shopping Network, The National Enquirer and cats.