“For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory.”
If “angels are declaring it unto many” at the time of Alma’s remarks, why are they not declaring it unto many now? Are we any less important than they were? If we are as important, then why are we not hearing of this now?
What is the definition of “angels” who are doing this “declaring” to “many?” Was Alma included? If so, what is it that turns a man from a mortal to ministering angel? Can a mortal become a ministering angel? How would that occur? What would it require? Can we thereby entertain angels unawares? (Heb. 13: 2.)
If an angel comes to visit with a man, gives him a message, and the man then declares it, are they both made “angels” by this message? Are “angels” always either deceased or unborn? If they are, then why did Joseph teach that “there are no angels who minister to this earth but those who do belong or have belonged to it?” (D&C 130: 5.) If angels “do belong” to the earth are they still mortal?
How would you recognize such a person? Would it be the same way the Lord was known before He showed Himself to the disciples on the Road to Emmaus? (Luke 24: 32.)
If it is the “hearts” which are to be prepared, then does this relate to the disciples “hearts burning within them” as the Lord spoke to them while in the way? Why do His sheep hear His voice? How do they hear his voice?
Why is preparing “the hearts” enough to prepare a people to “receive His word?” Is it more important to “receive His word” than to receive His person? Why would that be so?
Why are we unable to receive Him in His glory until after our hearts have first “received His word?”
It is more difficult to be taught than to have faith for miracles. (3 Ne. 17: 2-8.) Even should you behold the Lord “in His glory” just as the Nephites, it would still be more difficult for you to have the faith to be taught by Him and accept what He has to teach than for Him to perform a miracle.
How alike all the generations of men are. How very relevant, therefore, these words remain for us!
This entry will have me thinking and searching for quite a while. I know little about angels. One question I have is, can a person be an angel and not know it? Can they be teaching by the power of God and not know they are actually angels? Or do they have a commission or an assignment? Any help on this would be appreciated.
I posted a comment two days ago expressing my opinion that many of the angels Alma referred to in verse 22 of Alma 13 were mortals that were speaking the words of Christ by the power of the Holy Ghost. I based this on a number of scriptures including 2 Nephi 32:2-3 and D&C 130:5. Denver now quotes D&C 130:5 which states in part: “[T]here are no angels who minister to this earth but those who do belong or have belonged to it.” He then asks the question: “If angels ‘do belong’ to this earth are they still mortal?” The answer is they can be but do not have to be. In my previous post under Alma 13:21-22, I reason that “angels” can be mortals in the are inspired by the Holy Ghost to “speak the words of Christ”. This would include many worthy missionaries. But the answer to Denver’s question above is that they do not have to be mortal. Clearly all angels that come from God’s presence “belong to or have belonged to the earth” but the “belong to” category would include (1) mortals, (2) beings such as John the Beloved and the Three Nephites (who have had a change come over their bodies but are not resurrected and have not died), and spirits sent from God who have not yet been born, but will be born upon the earth at a later date. An example of this third type of angel is found in Moses 5:6-8 wherein it states:
“6. And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying, Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.
7. And they the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.
8. Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore.”
At this point in time in the earth’s history it is not recorded that any human had died. It appears that Able may have been the first mortal to die upon this earth. Therefore the angel that appeared unto Adam had to “belong” to the earth, but had not yet been born and thus would NOT be in the category of those who “have belonged to it”.
Now that is a piece of trivia that will not do anyone any good!
Jim Boud