Angels that Aid and Sustain Children by Anne Hinton Pratt

 

Angels that Aid and Sustain Children

By Anne Hinton Pratt · June 16, 2021

 

Children are our most priceless treasures, and we want to protect them at all costs.  Sometimes children get in a situation where they are in harm’s way.  When we can’t be there, or can’t help them, angels are often sent to succor and assist our little ones.

Angel Saves Toddler from Oncoming Traffic                                                                  

When my son Gary was about 18-months-old, he somehow finagled a way to open our locked and bolted back door and started toddling away from our home without me knowing.  We lived one street over from a very busy highway. 

I was occupied in a back room when I got a knock at the door.  When I opened the door, I saw an unfamiliar woman standing there holding Gary’s hand. She was tall and stately. I was astounded because I hadn’t even noticed that he was gone.

She simply said, “Your son was out walking on the highway.”  I took his hand while my mouth was hanging open.  I quickly thanked her and then took him inside embarrassed and horrified for what could have happened. I began to wonder, “Who was that woman?”  How did she know Gary was my son?  How had she found me?  She was dressed differently from people where I lived.  I looked out the window to get a better view of her, and she was gone.  I was suddenly struck with the awareness that she had been an angel…    

Angels That Are Assigned to Children

I love the scripture that talks specifically about children’s angels:

 “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.”[1]

I have collected several first hand accounts of children who, even during abuse or trauma, see and feel angels helping them.  Here is one that is truly inspiring.

Children Being Sustained from Evil

A woman told me about an experience she had as a young child where an angel sustained her through a very traumatic event.  She wrote,

“When I was very young, between the ages of 5 and 6 years old, I was in a situation that would be described as very unfortunate. A few years ago, as I reflected on that memory one day, I had what I believe was revelation regarding this incident. I could see myself and another little fellow who was also present, and we were suffering and scared, along with other people not far from us. Suddenly, I recognized that there were several angels ministering specifically to the two of us. They were very near, right next to us, and I knew that they were nursing us, so to speak, in the midst of these circumstances.

“As I saw this revelation, I instantly also perceived that the angels’ time—God’s time—was not the same as our earthly time. With the activities going on around me, the angels were in a space unlike ours here on earth, yet they were very close to us, busily protecting us and guarding our spirits. From that point on, I have known that the spirit world is right here among us, even though we cannot see it. There are angels and spirits engaged in our lives to various degrees. I now often pray specifically for their assistance in my life and those around me and know they are here for us. It is such a comfort to me, and I’m positively sure they are helping God’s children all over the world to endure their trials and struggles. Heavenly Father does not leave us alone—ever.”[2]

Her insights are inspiring.  Angels are given assignments to help children through many storms; sometimes these storms are literal, as in the following account.

Protected During Tornado

Elder Rasband taught: “While in Oklahoma, I had the opportunity to meet with a few of the families devastated by the mighty twisters. As I visited with the Sorrels family, I was particularly touched by the experience of their daughter, Tori, then a fifth grader at Plaza Towers Elementary School.

“Tori and a handful of her friends huddled in a restroom for shelter as the tornado roared through the school. Listen as I read, in Tori’s own words, the account of that day:

‘I heard something hit the roof. I thought it was just hailing. The sound got louder and louder. I said a prayer that Heavenly Father would protect us all and keep us safe. All of a sudden we heard a loud vacuum sound, and the roof disappeared right above our heads. There was lots of wind and debris flying around and hitting every part of my body. It was darker outside and it looked like the sky was black, but it wasn’t—it was the inside of the tornado. I just closed my eyes, hoping and praying that it would be over soon.

‘All of a sudden it got quiet.  When I opened my eyes, I saw a stop sign right in       front of my eyes! It was almost touching my nose.’

“Tori, her mother, three of her siblings, and numerous friends who were also in the school with her miraculously survived that tornado; seven of their schoolmates did not.

“…That weekend the priesthood brethren gave many blessings to members who had suffered in the storm. I was humbled to give Tori a blessing. As I laid my hands on her head, a favorite scripture came to mind: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.”[3]

“I counseled Tori to remember the day when a servant of the Lord laid his hands on her head and pronounced that she had been protected by angels in the storm”[4]

Angels can safeguard children from danger as well as to aid in their healing.  In Psalms it states that, “…he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”[5]

Sometimes it’s the mothers of sustained children that see or feel the angels.

Her Son’s Angel Doctor 

Sherry Bonneau shared a very touching story where an angel was sent to save her baby.  Since birth her 2-year old son Richard, had battled severe health problems and nearly died on several occasions. One day, on a holiday weekend, when no doctors were scheduled at the facility, Richard had a very bad reaction to the sedation he just received for a biopsy, and all the alarms were going off.  She writes,

“His fever was 105 and he barely had a pulse. I knew he was dying. I pleaded with Heavenly Father that surely he hadn’t allowed Richard to survive all the other near deaths, only to take him now!

 “As I looked up with tears running down my face an unfamiliar doctor was in the doorway.  He asked me a couple of questions and then turned to the nurse and told her to open his IV wide open and run two bags of this medication through. Once the first bag went through, his temperature started to come down and his blood pressure started coming up. The alarms stopped ringing. By the time the second bag went through my son was fully awake.

“I looked up to thank the doctor, but he wasn’t there. I asked the nurses to tell me who he was.  When they checked, they discovered that he didn’t sign the logbook and no one saw him pass the desk on his way in or out. The only nurses who actually saw him were the ones in our room that had been instructed to save my baby’s life.”

“I know Heavenly Father sent the angel doctor that day, and I will be forever grateful.”[6]

Beautiful Authority

Angels are given the beautiful authority to oversee children and shield them from the worst things in life, or if they must go through the trial, angels are often allowed to support them through it. 

Children’s angels are in the Presence of the face of God, and are especially equipped to protect little ones.  Someday we’ll have the full report of how we were protected and sustained as children by our angels.  What a revelation of God’s grace that will be.

You Can CONTACT ME at annehpratt@hotmail.com

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[1] Matt. 18:10, italics added.

[2] Name withheld, personal correspondence.  Used with permission.

[3] Doctrine & Covenants 84:88.

[4] Ronald A. Rasband, “The Joyful Burden of Discipleship” April Conference, 2014.

[5] Psalm 91:11 (Italics added)

[6] Sherry Bonneau, personal correspondence.  Used with permission.

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A Mother's Prayer and Attending Angels By Tanya Neider

 

A Mother’s Prayer and Attending Angels

By Tanya Neider · May 11, 2021

 

Motherhood with all of its complexities can encompass a wide berth of experiences. How and when we relate events to our children can be enlightening to them and to us. Spiritual experiences that remind us who we really are, and what our missions are, are something we should never refrain from sharing. In fact, experiences which our children are the principal focus, should be recounted as a reminder of our Heavenly parents’ love for them.

Spring of 1994

The anticipation for the spring soccer season was now at an end. April was here, and I would play in my first game Saturday morning. When Saturday arrived as I was getting ready, I felt the presence of a spirit standing in front of me. This spirit asked me, “If your children needed you, would you stay home?” “Yes,” I replied, but immediately the thought, “they wouldn’t need me”, entered my mind. I knew they would be safely at home while I played.

Then suddenly, I felt the presence of another spirit. This spirit was clearly different from the first, negative in nature, and pounced on the thought with encouragement that my children didn’t need me. Why I heeded this negative spirit still troubles me at times. My desire to play soccer and feeling my children would be fine helped me justify why I didn’t follow the spirit that simply asked me a question, leaving me my agency and reasoning, with no prolonged badgering. What is even more alarming is that during my soccer years, I asked the Lord not just to protect me from injury, but to warn me of injury. When He did, I did not heed the counsel.

Well, I played for about 5 minutes that spring season. Touching the ball for the first time in the game, I sprinted down the left sideline of the field, cutting around the last defender toward the goal. As I turned to shoot, my knee buckled tearing my anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). I would not play soccer again for a year.

Summer of 1994

With my leg still in a brace in July, I took my three children to upstate New York, to vacation at Keuka Lake and to see the Hill Cumorah Pageant in Palmyra. My parents, a few other family members, and my best friend, Rita, would meet us at the lake house.

On a beautiful sunny day, Rita and I took my three children, Sam age 7, Jake 6, and Stephen 4; two nieces, Sara 11 and Becky 9, and my autistic, older brother Lance and his friend Claudia, to visit with Vera, a family friend.  Vera had a lakefront home with a dock, pedal boat, and floats. The children played in the chilly lake water staying close to shore. Being fairly incapacitated with my leg in a brace and unable to swim or move quickly, I watched from the deck.

Earlier that morning I had prayed for protection for my family as I often do, but it felt different. I could sense a calm feeling as I requested this blessing. I didn’t know quite what it meant, but I “marked it” in my memory.

After a little while, Lance pulled the pedal boat into the water. My niece, Sara, and Stephen clambered aboard as Lance and Claudia took the front seats. Immediately I yelled to Lance, “Stephen can’t swim! He needs a life jacket.” My voice faded into the void as Lance, filled with excitement, continued to pedal out. Rita grabbed a few life vests and ran to the dock calling to Lance. Awakening to her voice, Lance began peddling toward the dock being about 20 feet from it and shore.

As I watched, I could clearly see the small boat with my four-year old, Stephen, was sinking! Lance immediately went into action telling Sara to go to the front of the boat believing it would balance it out. I knew it would flip it and screamed, “NO!”  Rita saw it, too. She dove in the water although she was fully dressed including her sandals and glasses.

As Sara and Claudia leapt off, I could see Stephen falling down from the back of the vertically inclined boat, toward the water as it capsized, certain he would be trapped underneath. Once the boat was upside down, I lost view of Stephen and Lance.

I was praying Lance had Stephen on the other side as I hobbled as fast as I could toward the water. Lance emerged. His head was bloodied, and he didn’t have Stephen. I screamed, “Get Stephen!” Lance quickly dove down in the water, but I knew it was too late. Lance and Rita would never find him under the water. Yet, several seconds later, to my overwhelming joyous astonishment, Lance came from the blind side of the boat with Stephen in his arms.

Soon after, Rita, who had collected Stephen from Lance, brought him to shore. Incredibly, his hair wasn’t even wet. Lance told us he found Stephen clinging to the side of the boat. In an effort to calm Lance and Claudia who were both extremely upset, we just laughed off the incident even though I knew we could have easily had two deaths that day.

Later that evening as we recounted the events of the day to my parents, I described how Stephen had grabbed the side of the boat as he fell. Stephen, who is usually quite quiet, heard me, then corrected me. He said, “No Mommy, I couldn’t reach the boat. Sara pushed my feet so I could reach it.” I answered him by saying I could see Sara who was clearly on the other side of the boat and couldn’t have helped him. He then insisted that Sara had pushed his feet; so he could reach the boat. That is when I knew I had witnessed a miracle; Stephen had been rescued and preserved so he could continue his life’s mission.

I was overcome with gratitude as I had never felt previously. For the next few weeks my humility deepened. Every time I looked upon my children, I felt this penetrating gratitude. I also noticed my children were much calmer. I was much more at peace. Not only that, I could feel two angels around me constantly. They walked with me daily and stood as sentinels on either side of me. 

Then it happened. My precious four-year old did some small thing and I felt irritation. With some annoyance, but not raising my voice, I snipped, “Stephen, stop that.” I felt the angels gasp at my reaction to Stephen! I was surprised since this was not an act of strong discipline. It was then these angels left me.

I am sad to say after that I was left to my own devices; the deep humility I felt left me. Yet, I remember the feelings, and still desire to always have true humility and gratitude as my companions.

I share this tale with Stephen, who is now in his thirties, from time to time, reminding him of this saving miracle. Relating this spiritual event to him, and those I feel impressed to tell, can be a source of light, a reminder, or impact them in ways I cannot see. This spiritual experience not only reminded me of who we really are, but also helped me to see who I am.

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Temple Angels: Heavenly Help Through the Veil By Anne Hinton PRatt

 

Temple Angels: Heavenly Help Through the Veil

By Anne Hinton Pratt · May 5, 2021

 

There are incredible rewards for those who seek ancestors and do their temple work. As we sacrifice to assist them, we become their angels, and they become ours, and in that symbiotic process we help them and they are allowed to bless us in many ways…

One of the fascinating commonalities with people who do a lot of family history, is that they are UTTERLY DRIVEN by the passionate need to do this work. 

Sucked into the Vortex of Family Beyond the Veil

“The Spirit of Elijah” by Kenneth Turner, http://kennethturnerart.com/lds.html.

Ann Laemmlen Lewis feels like she is the only hope to a small village in southern Germany and is one of the few anywhere who can read their old German records, She writes,

 “When I’m in my Family History zone, ‘compelled’ is the word that keeps coming to mind. It’s one of absolute URGENCY that requires all my attention.  It’s like I’m behind a closed door, alone.  On the other side of the door are thousands of people pushing and shoving to get close to the door.  Then, I take a key and unlock the door, and crack it just a tiny bit, but the door’s been opened and everyone on the other side heaves and pushes with all their might to get through that door to where I am because they know the way has finally been opened!   Of course, I’m never happier than when I know absolutely that what I’m doing absolutely matters to them and the feeling is that there is No Other Thing more important for me to be doing than that.”[i]

Ann is an angel to her little German village, so far extracting 18,000 names from there. 

We most likely don’t have the same opportunities as Ann, but when we help with the work in any way, there are breathtaking rewards, and validations.  I’d like to share a few:

She Witnessed the Angels

Helen Condon had a spiritual experience that she knew was orchestrated because of her efforts to do a particular family name.   She said,

“While on a trip to my Alma Mater, Church College of New Zealand, I took my beloved Uncle Albert’s name to the Hamilton temple and asked for a male to do his work while I was there.

“As I sat behind a window watching his confirmation, I saw the two mortal witnesses and at the same time felt two spirit witnesses standing on either side of me.  Truly that day I knew that what we record on earth is recorded in Heaven.”[ii]

Helen’s ancestors are forever blessed by her labors and so is she.  

“Elder Richard G. Scott taught that family history is a “monumental effort of cooperation on both sides of the veil, where help is given in both directions.”[iii]

Much effort at times to give, but oh so much to receive…

“Don’t Forget Me!”

Larry James shared a marvelous experience that motivated him to seek out a specific family member as he was helping with sealings in the Mount Timpanogos Temple.   He writes,

“I was sitting in one of the witness chairs when the sound in the room became very still. I heard a female voice speak to my mind. She said,

 “Don’t forget me.”

“It was the voice of my younger sister. This had never happened to me and I began to weep. My sister had been dead for over four years. She was baptized at the age of 8 as we all were, but she was never active in the church. She had been married 5 times and had 6 children by different men. I had written her off as having made her decision as to the gospel of Christ. Well, because of hearing her voice, my wife and I had her Temple Endowment completed in the Temple within a week.”[iv]

When loved ones are ready, we are their angels to help them get to the next level in their progression, and when we help them, we open ourselves to stunning spiritual experience.

Developing a Relationship with Father After His Death

Peter Emery never really bonded with his often-absent father, and always yearned that they could have been closer and could have spent more loving time together.  He had that desire fulfilled in the Salt Lake Temple as he did the endowment for his now-deceased father. Peter shares,

“This was a time both Jan (my wife of 7 years) and I would remember because there, that week at the temple, the veil was thin. In my case he was there with me as I passed through the veil of the temple in his behalf.

He was there waiting for me! We touched, spirit to spirit. It was inexplicable in every day terms yet it was so right!  It was the most powerful spiritual experience I had had until then.  

“It was almost the only time that my father and I truly genuinely communicated – normally it was receiving commands or answering demands… an authority – subordinate way of life.  It changed the way I thought about my father forever. I finally felt that we were family.”[v]

Forever Connections

Making eternal connections. This is what temple work is all about!

Sister Wendy Nelson admonishes us to,

”Make time to help those on the other side make covenants with God! As you do so, the power of  God will flow into your life in an unprecedented way.”[vi]

The power of God does flow into those doing research and temple work for others. There can even be unusually profound recompenses as in the following story.

“Temple Angels Can Give Us Specific Knowledge

 A few years ago, Timmi Lynn Webster had a marvelous angelic experience. Her daughter Kylie was attending college, but learning had always been difficult for her because Kylie was handicapped and had special needs. Timmi Lynn recounts:

“That morning Kylie called and asked that I pray for her (because she was going to have a very difficult math mid-term exam). I told her I was going to the temple right then and would do so.

As I was getting out of the car, I remember looking at the temple card. The name of the person I was doing was Matilda. I literally talked aloud and said, ‘Matilda, I am going to do your work. I need a favor too. Can you help my daughter on her math test? If you aren’t good at math, could you find someone who is?

“I have never had such a sacred experience in the temple or ever felt so close to the person I was doing work for.

“When I got home, I got a call from Kylie. I was surprised because she was finished so quickly. She told me she couldn’t believe how easily the answers came to her and that she felt like she had done very well (which she did). She told me she felt as though someone was sitting next to her and helping her. I told her it was Matilda, and that one day I would tell her about it.

“This was a turning point for me. It was the first time I believed that Kylie really could succeed in college because I literally understood then that she could access not only the quickening power of the Holy Ghost, but that she had angels beyond the veil who would aid her in ways I never imagined. I also learned that when we go to the temple it can be a two-way street. As we help those beyond the veil through temple work, there are those who can help us as well. I look so forward to one day meeting Matilda. I feel as though it will be like meeting an old friend.”[vii]

Like Timmi Lynn, many meet and reconnect with dear pre-mortal friends as well as family members through family history work.

We Are Their Angels and They Are Ours

As we help ancestors and friends from the other side open up to eternal connection, they are permitted to help us have spiritual experience and intercession in our lives.  It’s a two-way street that benefits people on both sides of the veil.

You Can CONTACT me at annehpratt@hotmail.com.

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[i] Ann Laemmlen Lewis, personal correspondence.  Used with permission.

[ii] Helen Condon, personal correspondence.  Used with permission.

[iii]Richard G. Scott, “The Joy of Redeeming the Dead,” October Conference 2012.

[iv] Larry James, personal correspondence.  Used with permission. Also in https://unexpectedmiraclebook.com by Craig Jenkins.

[v] Peter Emery, personal correspondence.  Used with permission.

[vi] Wendy Watson Nelson, Covenant Keepers, p. 58.

[vii] Timmi Lynn Webster, personal correspondence.  Used with permission.

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We're Not Alone: How Angels Bring Us Support and Peace in Troubled Times By Anne Hinton Pratt

 

We’re Not Alone: How Angels Bring Us Support and Peace in Troubled Times

By Anne Hinton Pratt · March 23, 2021

 

Sometimes on our life’s journey we feel alone, forgotten, or unsupported.  Even though it may feel that way, it is not true. The truth is that whether we’re aware of it or not, when the need arises, God often sends His angels to be “round about” us to bear us up[i]…

No More Fear

All her life Lois Cottle had a fear of dying.  She told me about a poignant angelic experience that ended that fear.  She writes,

“I was in our garden one evening, in a hurry to get some kale leaves for a salad for dinner.  Somehow, I slipped and fell forward on a piece of rebar. The rebar entered in the front of my leg just above the ankle and went up 10 ½ inches to the back of the calf.  It stopped just before it broke the skin a few inches below the back of my knee.

“I tried to lift my leg off the rebar, but it was in too far and I couldn’t move.  I called for help, knowing that our neighbor was in the front yard and prayed she would hear my cries.  She finally did hear me then ran to get my husband. 

“While I was struggling to lift my leg off the rebar, I had the sweetest peaceful feeling come over me.  I knew there was someone from the other side with me and all fear left!  That sweet feeling stayed with me until my husband came to my aid and took me to the hospital.  Miraculously, it did not hit a bone or any nerves.

I have always had a fear of dying.  While that peaceful feeling was there, I was reassured that someone would be with me when that time comes also.  I am no longer afraid.” [ii]

Peace will always overcome fear when God dispatches His angels to help us in our extremities… 

Hillside Filled with Angels

Janet Johnson shared a marvelous experience where she was surrounded by many angels helping her in a time of urgent need.  She was at the Oregon Coast with her family and for fun they decided to dig huge side-by-side pits, and then dig a hole between them to touch hands. She writes,

“My husband did most of the digging, of the two five-foot deep pits.  He was in one pit and our 7-year-old daughter, Kristie was in the other one. They had just touched fingers and had drawn back and were laughing when my husband heard an odd sound. Whump! When he stood up in the second pit, there was no longer ANY sign of the first pit. The sand hole had collapsed on our daughter.  My husband dug furiously, and we sent for help.

“I gathered my three other children and said a prayer. I knew that no one can breathe under sand for 20 minutes and prayed that we could all accept the outcome.

“As I tried to figure out how to word my prayer, help came and they found Kristie’s fingers and followed her arm to her shoulder, and her head. The paramedics arrived on the scene soon after.  They told us she was close to dying. Her limbs were already gray. They released her from the grip of the sand which had been crushing her chest. The amazing news is that she lived and has no lingering effects.

“Later as I was reading about the angel appearing to Alma, and thinking of how he came because of the prayers of Alma’s father, I had a very strange vision of all of our family and the two brothers, digging for my daughter Kristie. In my mind, I was high above us, looking down. I saw me kneeling in prayer with my kids, and I saw the hole and the men digging for her, but I also saw the hillside of the sand dune, filled with angels, all surrounding us. There were probably 40-50 angels, all ministering to us.

“I don’t believe I could have survived that time without the help of angels. I didn’t see them at the time, but I feel strongly that I was given that insight to remind me that I am indeed surrounded by help when I need it.”[iii]

Armies of Heaven in Our Defense

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland echoes Janet’s experience when he reminds us of the angelic help we can depend on in times of trouble.  He said,

“In the gospel of Jesus Christ, you have help from both sides of the veil, and you must never forget that… if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham’s seed.”[iv]

What a privilege it is to be the object of protection and assistance from angels.

Familiar Gesture from Deceased Mother

Kristen Openshaw gives an account of her “angel” mother helping her. She writes,

“My mother got sick and died of breast cancer when I was a teenager, but I remember how she always patted and comforted us.

“During my 11-year-old daughter’s cancer surgery, I was overcome with fear. While waiting for a doctor to come to the waiting room to tell us the results, I felt a soft hand on my cheek, gently cupping and patting my face. I knew that my mother was there in the room, waiting with me.”[v]

No more fear indeed!  Angels can take away our fear as well as succor us in tremendously painful circumstances…

“Borne Up” from Anguish by an Angel  

A woman named Kathy shared this transcendent experience she had at a time of great emotional upheaval.

“In the summer of 2011, my husband confirmed to me that he had had an affair. After a temple sealing, 3 children and 21 years of happiness, you just don’t expect anything like this to happen. I was devastated and he was confused.  My first instinct was to bolt, so I jumped into the family van and drove a block and a half away up a hill to a nearby park.

 “As I parked on an outcropping overlooking the town, I contemplated what my next move should be. I had one of those deep-down cries that causes your whole body to shudder upon simply trying to take a breath.

“Pouring my heart out in prayer to my Heavenly Father, I began begging for him to help me to know what to do next, and to please bless my children. As I was fervently pleading, asking through my tears, “What do I do?” I felt so very alone! “Gradually, I began to feel a warmth that began in my chest and grew outward. I then felt tangible arms envelope me and give me the biggest, most comforting hug I had ever experienced. I felt pure love. I was sitting alone in the driver’s seat of my van, and I knew a steering wheel was in front of me, but I knew if I just opened my eyes, I would see who was there, holding me.

“I thrust my tightly squeezed eyes open. My physical eyes could see no one, but my body and my heart knew otherwise. I don’t know who Heavenly Father permitted to come and comfort me, but I felt a love so strongly that I knew a family member was before me, and I knew in that moment that I was not alone and that Heavenly Father was mindful of me. I distinctly heard, ‘Keep your family together,’ and I knew I could go on, come what may. I then began thanking my Heavenly Father…  I was strengthened with a resolve no one or no thing could break.

“I will be forever grateful to my Heavenly Father for sending me a personal comforter who helped me through the most difficult time of my life. We are never alone!” [vi]   

Angels Assigned to Care for Us

Elder John A. Widtsoe confirmed Kathy’s sentiments when he taught,

“Many other intelligent beings, superior to us, no doubt take part in helping man to do his work on earth. There are angels and spirits who, no doubt, have assigned to them the care of the men and women who walk upon earth. Man is not alone; he walks in the midst of such heavenly company, from whom he may expect help if he seeks it properly and strongly.”[vii]

Asking for Angels

Sister Wendy Nelson agrees that we can “properly and strongly” seek and expect angelic help.  She declares,

“Pray.. to our Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ for those on the other side to be ‘dispatched’ to assist us.  Perhaps a departed loved one could be sent to help you with whatever you need. 

“Can you imagine the effort it took those angels who pushed from the rear of handcarts as they helped the  pioneers over the steep, snowy, windy, freezing, jagged terrain of Rocky Ridge?  If angels can manage that, they can certainly help you and me over our present-day Rocky Ridges!”[viii]

I doubt there has been a time in the earth’s history where there is more need for angelic intercession.  We need to ask…

Never Alone

President Russell M. Nelson recently gave us a marvelous speech where he said this,

“When Joseph [Smith] was repeatedly betrayed by close associates or falsely accused or unjustly imprisoned, he was never alone. He trusted in the Lord and relied on familiar ‘divers angels’ he had come to know over many years. “You, too, can and will be guided by heaven in your work as you seek direction, guidance and inspiration from on high…In the same manner… you will never be left alone…The Prophet Joseph’s experience can also be your experience, as you seek for — and prepare yourself — to receive heaven’s help.  I promise you that this is true.”[ix] 

The more we seek heaven, the closer it will feel, and the less fear we will have. We are NOT alone! As we’ve seen in this article, we are frequently defended and buoyed up by beings who are marvelous extensions of God’s great love for us.  Are we seeking and preparing for heaven’s help?  It is there for the asking.

https://latterdaysaintmag.com/were-not-alone-how-angels-bring-us-support-and-peace-in-troubled-times/?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=scot-maurine-proctor&utm_content=Wednesday+24+March

Something Only Angels Could Help Me With By Rebecca Wood

 

Something Only Angels Could Help Me With

By Rebecca Wood · March 18, 2021

 

I had a sweet Temple experience when my daughter Lauren was serving a mission in Peru. At the time she was serving in the southern part of Peru in the little city of Tacna. In her weekly email home, she casually mentioned to me that she had developed lice, which was probably from the children whom she loved so very much. It was just a side note and she didn’t expand on it. The weeks went by and although she still had the lice she never really acted like it was a problem. She indicated that she thought it was going away. She and her companion were having some incredible experiences that overshadowed the lice. But as her Mother, I was getting a little worried. 

After about 5 weeks, I received an email that read, “Mom… the lice is back, and worse than before. All week my head has been itching like crazy and finally, yesterday, I couldn’t take it any longer. Especially walking all day in the burning sun. So we went back to our room for my comp to check my head, and sure enough, not just the dead little guys from last week, but a new army of lice running all through my hair with plenty of eggs. It is THE most uncomfortable thing. We have spent the day cleaning any sheet, shirt, and brush that my hair has touched in the last week. My head is still full of it even though my companion pulled so much out yesterday, Mom, I have lost so much of my hair and I’m afraid we might have to cut it off. But, we saw so many miracles this week so I can’t complain because I think Heavenly Father is just blessing me more for my patience.” 

My heart sank when I read this. I called her sister who is out of state and we just cried. Lauren has long, thick beautiful hair that nearly goes to her waist. We talked about how helpless we felt and that if we were there the two of us would help her get rid of the lice. The next day was my Temple day. Knowing what Lauren was going through, I had her on the forefront of my mind during my visit.

That day, I had planned to do initiatory work with some family names. I was called back, and while waiting in the little room, I read the family name on my card. I immediately had this overwhelming feeling that started from my head and went down through my body. I knew at that moment that the sister’s name I had just read was in the room. I could feel her and I quickly started expressing to her my love for the Gospel. I bore my testimony and told her that I was doing a work for her that would make her so happy if she accepted it. I was then impressed to ask for a favor. 

I told her that just as I was doing something for her that she could not do for herself, I also needed help on something I couldn’t do for myself. I told her I had a daughter that was in a country far away in Peru that needed help. I told her how helpless I felt and how much I was worried about her condition. I asked her if she could please find 2 women that could take the place of her sister and me and do whatever it took to get rid of the lice. I then had the most calm feeling and by the time I left the Temple I was no longer uptight or worried. If anything, I just knew that I had been given peace.

Fast forward to the next Monday when I received an email from my missionary. The caption read  “Angel’s came to my rescue”. She went on to say that her Pencionista and sweet daughter had come to her rescue. It took them 5 hours, but they got all the lice out. Lauren said, “I just imagined them being you two because I know if I were home, it would be you two saving me.” She had no idea about the Temple experience I had just days earlier. I was so overcome with emotion seeing a picture of her with these two “Angel’s” that stepped in to help. My prayer was answered exactly how I requested. Our ancestors need us, but my testimony of us needing them was magnified. We can ask for their help and they are able to do things that we can’t do.  This strengthened my testimony of the work that goes on in the Temple. How grateful I am for a loving Heavenly Father who loves his missionaries and loves their Mothers enough to answer a prayer from another side of the world. 

https://latterdaysaintmag.com/something-only-angels-could-help-me-with/?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=scot-maurine-proctor&utm_content=Friday+19+March