The Ministry of Angels

Wow... I love Relief Society.  I always thought of it as a bunch of old ladies getting together and gabbing.  I felt like I would never get anything out of it because they would just talk about their husbands and kids the whole time.  But as I've been attending (mostly in my home ward actually) I've found so many lessons that I connect with and that really make me think.  Today our lesson was taken from the talk "The Ministry of Angles" by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.  

In the course of life all of us spend time in "dark and dreary" places, wildernesses, circumstances of sorrow or fear or disappointment. Our present day is filled with global distress over financial crises, energy problems, terrorist attacks, and natural calamities.  These translate into individual and family concerns not only about homes in which to live and food available to eat, but also about the ultimate safety and well-being of our children and the latter-day prophecies about our planet. More serious than these - and sometimes related to them - are matters of ethical, moral, and spiritual decay seen in populations large and small, at home and abroad.  But I testify that angels are still sent to help us, even as they were sent to help Adam and Eve, to help the prophets, and indeed to help the Savior of the world Himself.  Matthew records in his gospel that after Satan had tempted Christ in the wilderness "angels came and ministered unto him."  Even the Son of God Himself, had need for heavenly comfort during His sojourn in mortality. And so such ministrations will be to the righteous until the end of time.

I love the thought that there are angels among us, both mortal and immortal.  When we are in the "dark and dreary" places or wandering, lost in the wilderness, we can count on our Heavenly Father to send us angels to comfort and guide us.

"Behold, that which you hear is as the voice of one crying in the wilderness—in the wilderness, because you cannot see him—my voice, because my voice is Spirit; my Spirit is truth; truth abideth and hath no end; and if it be in you it shall abound." (Doctrine and Covenants 88:66)

However in addition to angels of God we need to be aware that Satan has his angels as well.  They will likewise visit us in out darkest hours.  They find us at our weakest moment and tear us down. They try to persuade us into thinking that we aren't worthy of the blessings God has given us.  They often tell us that we are unloved and unwanted. They tell us that the world would be better off without us.  Force these angels away from you. They only have as much power as you give them.  Bar your door to them and let only  God's angels minister unto you for they are those that will uplift and guide you.  The angels of Satan will only lead you to darker places.  Do not tolerate their presence.