The Ministry of Angels-Relief Society Lesson 6/6/10

The lesson today was taken from a talk given by Jeffery R Holland, titled Ministry of Angels.
The lesson began with the following scripture in D&C 84:88

From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children. Time in this setting does not allow even a cursory examination of the scriptures or our own latter-day history, which are so filled with accounts of angels ministering to those on earth, but it is rich doctrine and rich history indeed.
Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times.

President Holland said: I ask everyone within the sound of my voice to take heart, be filled with faith, and remember the Lord has said He “would fight [our] battles, [our] children’s battles, and [the battles of our] children’s children.” And what do we do to merit such a defense? We are to “search diligently, pray always, and be believing[. Then] all things shall work together for [our] good, if [we] walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted.”The latter days are not a time to fear and tremble. They are a time to be believing and remember our covenants.

On occasions, global or personal, we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven, lost, alone in dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making, but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal.

Some of the comments from the Lesson

Question: What do you think is the purpose of angels in our lives?
Answer from various sisters: To warn, to comfort, to protect, to teach, to guide, to reassure, to give merciful attention.

Question: What experiences do you feel you've had where angles are present?
Answer from Kristin Heiner: When someone close to me has died, I have often still felt their presence.  Paradise is here on the earth and the spirits are assigned to Paradise are right here, all around us.  Our loved ones often remain right here on earth to comfort us.

Question: Are angels here for only certain righteous people?
Answer: Given by Lyndi, no, anyone can have the benefit of an angel to help them no matter what their circumstances are.

Terri Evans stated that she has always felt her daughter Savannah has a guardian angel to look after her.  Because of that, she receives a great deal of comfort and has been able to control any of her fears regarding Savannah.

Ali Arrington stated that she feels her son is very powerful and influential and she has always felt his special powers.  A friend of hers has also remarked about the special feeling she receives when she is around Ali's sons.

Kristin Heiner remarked that angels can be anyone.  They can be someone from beyond the veil or they can be your next door neighbor. 

To finish up the lesson Lyndi read this quote by President Holland: