Seeking angels

[laronius]

In GC Elder Rasband quote Pres Nelson as having said "[In the temple], you will learn how to part the veil between heaven and earth, how to ask for God’s angels to attend you."

The possibility of having angels attend us has always been a doctrine of the Church. But it's never really been on my radar to be something I specifically seek and ask for. I just always figured it was one of multiple options God has at His disposal to assist us when warranted. 

I'm not asking for anyone to share too personal of experiences but I'm curious if any here have specifically sought the help of angels and what those conditions might be where you think it appropriate as opposed to just leaving it up to the Lord to decide how best to respond to you.

Obviously, the people around us can fulfill that role of attending angel and often do but the context of my question is regarding those originating from the heavenly realms.

[Traveler]

6 hours ago, laronius said:

In GC Elder Rasband quote Pres Nelson as having said "[In the temple], you will learn how to part the veil between heaven and earth, how to ask for God’s angels to attend you."

The possibility of having angels attend us has always been a doctrine of the Church. But it's never really been on my radar to be something I specifically seek and ask for. I just always figured it was one of multiple options God has at His disposal to assist us when warranted. 

I'm not asking for anyone to share too personal of experiences but I'm curious if any here have specifically sought the help of angels and what those conditions might be where you think it appropriate as opposed to just leaving it up to the Lord to decide how best to respond to you.

Obviously, the people around us can fulfill that role of attending angel and often do but the context of my question is regarding those originating from the heavenly realms.

I would like to say that I am in complete control of my life and that everything that happens to me is exactly as I planned.   I have come to believe (or discover if you will) that most everything that happens is actually under the influence of forces beyond my control – specifically angles.  Either angles of light or angles of darkness.  I call such forces angles but there are other identifying tags.  For example: One of the prominent influences for me in this life has come via covenant and through the laying on of hands and is called, “The Gift of the Holy Ghost”.   Though we believe this influence comes through a member of the G-dhead – that influence is spiritual.  In scripture, all things relating to the divine are called spiritual.

That which is spiritual is referenced as “The Light” – That which is carnal (physical or of the flesh), sensual (according to physical senses) and devilish (the natural man) is also referenced as “The Darkness”.

 

The Traveler

[laronius]

3 hours ago, Traveler said:

I would like to say that I am in complete control of my life and that everything that happens to me is exactly as I planned.   I have come to believe (or discover if you will) that most everything that happens is actually under the influence of forces beyond my control – specifically angles.  Either angles of light or angles of darkness.  I call such forces angles but there are other identifying tags.  For example: One of the prominent influences for me in this life has come via covenant and through the laying on of hands and is called, “The Gift of the Holy Ghost”.   Though we believe this influence comes through a member of the G-dhead – that influence is spiritual.  In scripture, all things relating to the divine are called spiritual.

That which is spiritual is referenced as “The Light” – That which is carnal (physical or of the flesh), sensual (according to physical senses) and devilish (the natural man) is also referenced as “The Darkness”.

 

The Traveler

So when we are counseled "to ask for God's angels to attend you" do you interpret that as just a general request, kind of like "please give me strength," with no real expectation that our request for assistance will come in the form of angels?

[JohnsonJones]

20 hours ago, laronius said:

In GC Elder Rasband quote Pres Nelson as having said "[In the temple], you will learn how to part the veil between heaven and earth, how to ask for God’s angels to attend you."

The possibility of having angels attend us has always been a doctrine of the Church. But it's never really been on my radar to be something I specifically seek and ask for. I just always figured it was one of multiple options God has at His disposal to assist us when warranted. 

I'm not asking for anyone to share too personal of experiences but I'm curious if any here have specifically sought the help of angels and what those conditions might be where you think it appropriate as opposed to just leaving it up to the Lord to decide how best to respond to you.

Obviously, the people around us can fulfill that role of attending angel and often do but the context of my question is regarding those originating from the heavenly realms.

I have been blessed by the Lord at multiple times in my life.

I think that praying for what you need and being specific about it is a good thing to do.  You also need to be willing to accept his will in the matter though, and it doesn't hurt to include that in the prayer as well. 

A prime example of something to ask for the aid of the Lord is found in the Book of Mormon.  When we need to know whether the Book of Mormon is true, whether Joseph Smith was a prophet, and whether the gospel is true...we are told in the Book of Moroni to pray about it.  We are told to study and ponder and then ask. 

Brigham Young (if I remember the story correctly) struggled for an answer for 2 years before he finally received it. 

We need to have faith and ask in faith.  This also applies when blessing the sick.  We need to ask for the aid of angels and the Lord's blessings. 

It doesn't have to be such giant or heavy things either.  Everytime we pray and ask for something, whether it is to bless the food for our good, or to protect us on our travels, we are asking for the Lord's help and protection. 

[laronius]

1 hour ago, JohnsonJones said:

 

I think that praying for what you need and being specific about it is a good thing to do.  You also need to be willing to accept his will in the matter though, and it doesn't hurt to include that in the prayer as well. 

I read of a story recently where a mother of a wayward son, being filled with grief, prayed that the Lord would send someone to comfort her. In response she felt the presence of a deceased ancestor who died never seeing her own children come back to the Church.

I think praying specifically can be a key part of it. Obviously, if the Spirit moves us to do so we should. But I think there could be times when it is appropriate to seek this blessing because it's a righteous desire of our heart. But we need to recognize it as an option otherwise we won't seek it. 

[laronius]

I thought this was an interesting statement from Pres Oaks:

"How does the Aaronic Priesthood hold the key to the ministering of angels?… Through the Aaronic Priesthood ordinances of baptism and the sacrament, we are cleansed of our sins and promised that if we keep our covenants we will always have His Spirit to be with us. I believe that promise not only refers to the Holy Ghost but also to the ministering of angels, for “angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ” (2 Ne. 32:3)… So it is that those who hold the Aaronic Priesthood open the door for all Church members…to enjoy the companionship of the Spirit of the Lord and the ministering of angels."

[Traveler]

16 hours ago, laronius said:

So when we are counseled "to ask for God's angels to attend you" do you interpret that as just a general request, kind of like "please give me strength," with no real expectation that our request for assistance will come in the form of angels?

It is my thought that we should pray for discernment – both to recognize those spirits of light and truth (from those of darkness and deception) and to comprehend, understand and have the ability to incorporate the light and truth they bring.   I have come to the conclusion that the divine influences know better what I need than I do.  Thus, as I have gotten older, in my praying, I try to remember not to instruct G-d what He should do.  I am learning to pray less and strive to listen more.

 

The Traveler

[Manners Matter]

First, I wouldn't describe it as 'seeking angels', rather asking for them to attend you. There are various types with various jobs. You can ask for warrior angels to act as a defense against dark forces and you can ask for ministering angels to be with you when you're down. These are just two examples but don't put limits where G-d does not. If you need something, just ask! Angels are there to help and they are so anxious to do so.

[Anddenex]

On 10/11/2024 at 9:45 AM, laronius said:

I'm not asking for anyone to share too personal of experiences but I'm curious if any here have specifically sought the help of angels and what those conditions might be where you think it appropriate as opposed to just leaving it up to the Lord to decide how best to respond to you.

On my mission my spirit keyed in on the following words from Nephi where he speaks of an angel ministering and teaching him. I also keyed in on Jacob's words declaring angels ministering unto him as a key point as to why his faith would not be shaken by Sherem. We know these two aren't the only ones that were ministered to by angels, and were taught by angels.

As my heart pondered and read these things, I began to seek and pray for the ministering of angels. That I might receive the same experiences, and be provided with experiences so that my faith would not be shaken.

To this day, I have never received these experiences, and the more I ponder this I believe this is the reason why, "Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God." (the emphasized portion).

I would say, deep down (at the core of my heart) there was that sliver of pride/lust for this experience. I would also say, we are commanded to pray for all things in our lives. This would include the ministering of angels, and then when we pray we have that one important part of our prayers, "Thy will be done." In that light, we do both, we seek and we leave it up to the Lord how best to respond.

[mikbone]

14 minutes ago, Anddenex said:

To this day, I have never received these experiences, and the more I ponder this I believe this is the reason why, "Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God." (the emphasized portion).

I’ve had a similar experience.

Ether 12:6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

D&C 67:10 And again, verily I say unto you that it is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am—not with the carnal neither natural mind, but with the spiritual.

[classylady]

I questioned whether I should share an experience I had during my mission that I feel exemplifies the ministering of angels. And, I feel like the Spirit is letting me know it’s okay to share. There was a point on my mission where I was grieving deeply over a matter that had occurred while on my mission. I was nearly inconsolable and felt so alone.  One afternoon, while my companion and I were home for lunch, I went into the bedroom and knelt down at the side of my bed and began praying. I poured out my feelings of despair and grief, crying for relief, and letting Heavenly Father know I needed to be comforted. At that moment I literally felt someone’s arms encircle my shoulders, lovingly holding me. I knew it was an angel, but I was not blessed with the knowledge of who it was that was comforting me. I have always wondered if it was my deceased father, who had died in an accident when I was six years old. I have felt him at certain times in my life. Or, it could possibly have been a grandparent, or other deceased member of my family. Whenever I think of this experience, it still brings me comfort.