Donald W. Parry - Angels: Agents of Light, Love, and Power

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Parry, Donald W., author.

Angels : agents of light, love, and power / Donald W. Parry.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-60907-519-4 (hardbound : alk. paper) 1. AngelsThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsDoctrines. 3. Mormon ChurchDoctrines. I. Title.

BT966.3.P37 2013

235'.3dc232013014165

Printed in the United States of America

Publishers Printing, Salt Lake City, UT

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

To my beloved Camille and our six children

Matthew, Julie, Justin, Kirkham, Stephen, and Rachel

Happy is the man (Psalm 127:5)

Preface

As I have studied the scriptures and the words of latter-day prophets and apostles, I have become impressed with just how many of those prophets and apostlesancient and modernhave spoken or written about angels. Because this volume deals chiefly with the Lords angels, not Satan and his minions, every reference to angels, whether one or more, deals with the Lords angels, unless stated explicitly otherwise.

This volume does not contain an exhaustive discussion of the subject of the Lords angels. To avoid sensationalism and untrue or misleading notions regarding angels, with only a few exceptions I have limited the sources used here to ancient and modern scripture and the teachings of apostles and prophets in this dispensation. My rule was to find and provide here multiple sources from prophets or apostles regarding angels. Any exceptions are carefully documented sources or accounts that are aligned with the teachings of general authorities of the Church.

I have approached the topic with caution. Many teachings regarding angels must remain tentative and provisional because there is so much we do not know; we must ever remain humble and teachable. Perhaps the Lords revelation regarding the Apocrypha can apply to teachings about angels: Therefore, whoso readeth it, let him understand, for the Spirit manifesteth truth; and whoso is enlightened by the Spirit shall obtain benefit therefrom (D&C 91:45).

Some statements and accounts of angels, even though they may have been published and widely distributed, are not doctrine. The world offers documentaries, nonfictional writings, television programs, movies, fictional works, and much more on the subject of angels. How should readers understand such teachings? If they are not aligned with the teachings of our prophets and apostles, they do not belong in any meaningful discussion of angels.

When we read accounts of angels that seem to contain symbolssuch as angels with swords, chariots, trumpets, or keyswe must remain tentative in our interpretation of those symbols. We do not always know when such swords, chariots, trumpets, or keys are literal, or symbolic, or both literal and symbolic. I have treated these symbols with caution and watchfulness.

Many of the quotations in this volume come from nineteenth century sources, whose punctuation, syntax, spelling, and capitalization were more individual. For ease of reading by modern readers, I have usually standardized punctuation, syntax, spelling, and capitalization.

I have occasionally used in this volume translations of the Bible other than the King James Version (KJV), when that other translation provided insight into the meaning of individual words or passages: American Standard Version (ASV) and the Joseph Smith Translation (JST).

Acknowledgments

I am indebted to all whose efforts have made this book possible. In particular, I am grateful to Cory Maxwell, director of publishing at Deseret Book Company, for his continual encouragement, support, and guidance, and to Suzanne Brady, managing editor, who worked tirelessly, with both competence and professionalism, to fine-tune the manuscript and oversee its preparation for press. I also gratefully acknowledge Rachael Ward, typographer; Shauna Gibby, designer; and proofreaders Kalina Lowery and Ruth Howard.

I extend deep appreciation to professor Brent L. Top, chair of the Department of Church History and Doctrine, Brigham Young University, for reading the entire manuscript and making many helpful suggestions. I thank Amanda Taylor and Jared Pfost, who served well in conducting the source-checking efforts for this volume; they examined more than three hundred footnotes that accompany the body of the text.

And I will be eternally thankful to my parents, Atwell and Elaine Parry, for teaching me to love the sacred word of God, as revealed to both ancient and modern prophets and apostles.

Introduction

We Believe in the Ministry of Angels

I believe we need to speak of and believe in and bear testimony of the ministry of angels more than we sometimes do.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

An angel from another sphere came to planet Earth, our modest little planet in a vast assembly of galaxies and constellations; he came to a young prophet who lived in a humble home near an inconspicuous village. This angel knew where Joseph Smith lived, he spoke English, and he knew Josephs name. Moreover, this angel apparently did not enter through a door or window; he stood in the air, wore a robe of most exquisite whiteness, and filled the room with light until it was lighter than at noonday. This angels whole person was glorious beyond description. Furthermore, he cited scriptures from ancient prophets from our very own planet Earth. This angels name was Moroni (an unusual name to a frontier boy). Moronis exit from the Prophets home was as dramatic as his entry. After delivering his message, he ascended in a conduit open right up into heaven (Joseph SmithHistory 1:3033, 3641, 43).

Who was this angel? He was Gods messenger, sent from Gods presence. When did he make his appearance? On a September 21, 1823.

How remarkable and how wonderful is this account, which is not only captivating but also sacred. It makes me joyful and draws me closer to my Heavenly Father. Who is not spiritually affected when reading this account with an open heart?

On account of his visits to Joseph Smith, this angel is well-known to Latter-day Saints and others. A statue representing Moroni stands prominently on top of scores of LDS temples throughout the world. Book of Mormon introductory pages feature the account of Moronis visits to Joseph Smithand millions of copies of the Book of Mormon have been distributed among many peoples and nations. Tens of thousands of full-time missionaries have testified to investigators regarding Moronis visits to Joseph Smith. I, too, have testified, again and again, to many individuals, families, and groups of the truth of Moronis visit to Joseph.