How Do Angels Minister to Us?

In Mormon’s sermon on faith, hope, and charity, as recorded in Moroni 7, he addresses three questions:

1. How can I judge good from evil? (v. 2-19)
2. How can I lay hold upon every good thing? (v. 20-39)
3. How can I become a true follower of Jesus Christ? (v. 40-48)

The second question is a bit surprising. It seems rather ambitious to acquire every good thing, even for those of us who seek after “anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy” (13th Article of Faith; see also Philippians 4:8).

“How is it possible that ye can lay hold upon every good thing?” (Moroni 7:20).

Mormon answers that question by teaching us about faith, and his story of faith begins with angels:

For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing. …

And behold, there were divers ways that he did manifest things unto the children of men, which were good; and all things which are good cometh of Christ …

Wherefore, by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing.

Moroni 7:22, 25

So angels minister to us, prompting us to exercise faith in Christ, who is able to give us every good thing.

Mormon lists some of the ministering activities of these angels:

The office of their ministering is

1. to call men unto repentance, and
2. to fulfill and to do the work of the covenants of the Father, which he hath made unto the children of men,
3. to prepare the way among the children of men, by declaring the word of Christ unto the chosen vessels of the Lord, that they may bear testimony of him.

Moroni 7:30, formatting modified to emphasize the list of activities

So angels encourage us to change, help God to fulfill His covenants with us, and declare the words of Christ. They correct, serve, and teach us.

Mormon is very clear that angels always have and always will minister to us. “Have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved? Behold I say unto you, Nay” (Moroni 7:36-37).

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland echoed that testimony, while pointing out that much of the work of angels is invisible to us. “Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near.” He further clarified, “Not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day” (“The Ministering of Angels,” General Conference, October 2008).

As we strive to light the world this Christmas season, we’ve been encouraged to “be someone’s angel.” Our ministry can be like the angels’ ministry. We can inspire, serve, comfort, and reassure people, in a way that brings them closer to Jesus Christ, who can give them every good thing.

Today, I will be grateful for the ministering of angels. I will remember that angels serve us in a variety of ways, many of which we do not see. I will also strive to be an angel, ministering to others as angels minister to all of us.