In a revelation on the priesthood, we learn that -
"The power and authority of the lesser, or Aaronic Priesthood, is to hold the keys of the ministering of angels..." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 107:20)
I believe that most of these ministering angels are those assigned to come forth in the flesh on this earth though they are not limited to remaining on this earth for as Jacob slept -
"...he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it." (Old Testament | Genesis 28:12)
Knowing that one third of the host of heaven that followed Satan was cast down to this earth, Elisha declared -
"...Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." (Old Testament | 2 Kings 6:16)
After Zion was taken up to heaven, Enoch -
"...beheld angels descending out of heaven, bearing testimony of the Father and Son..." (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 7:27)
Thus, the mission of ministering angels is much like the mission of the Holy Ghost. Where the Aaronic Priesthood is the preparatory priesthood, ministering angels are preparatory to receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Many call such angels, guardian angels.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught -
"In a closely related way, these ordinances of the Aaronic Priesthood are also vital to the ministering of angels.
“The word ‘angel’ is used in the scriptures for any heavenly being bearing God’s message” (George Q. Cannon, Gospel Truth, sel. Jerreld L. Newquist [1987], 54). The scriptures recite numerous instances where an angel appeared personally. Angelic appearances to Zacharias and Mary (see Luke 1) and to King Benjamin and Nephi, the grandson of Helaman (see
Mosiah 3:2;
3 Ne. 7:17–18) are only a few examples. When I was young, I thought such personal appearances were the only meaning of the ministering of angels. As a young holder of the Aaronic Priesthood, I did not think I would see an angel, and I wondered what such appearances had to do with the Aaronic Priesthood.
"But the ministering of angels can also be unseen. Angelic messages can be delivered by a voice or merely by thoughts or feelings communicated to the mind. President John Taylor described “the action of the angels, or messengers of God, upon our minds, so that the heart can conceive … revelations from the eternal world” (Gospel Kingdom, sel. G. Homer Durham [1987], 31).
"Nephi described three manifestations of the ministering of angels when he reminded his rebellious brothers that (1) they had “seen an angel,” (2) they had “heard his voice from time to time,” and (3) also that an angel had “spoken unto [them] in a still small voice” though they were “past feeling” and “could not feel his words” (
1 Ne. 17:45). The scriptures contain many other statements that angels are sent to teach the gospel and bring men to Christ (see
Heb. 1:14;
Alma 39:19;
Moro. 7:25, 29, 31–32;
D&C 20:35). Most angelic communications are felt or heard rather than seen.
"How does the Aaronic Priesthood hold the key to the ministering of angels? The answer is the same as for the Spirit of the Lord.
"In general, the blessings of spiritual companionship and communication are only available to those who are clean. As explained earlier, through the Aaronic Priesthood ordinances of baptism and the sacrament, we are cleansed of our sins and promised that if we keep our covenants we will always have His Spirit to be with us. I believe that promise not only refers to the Holy Ghost but also to the ministering of angels, for “angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ” (
2 Ne. 32:3). So it is that those who hold the Aaronic Priesthood open the door for all Church members who worthily partake of the sacrament to enjoy the companionship of the Spirit of the Lord and the ministering of angels." (Dallin H. Oaks, General Conference, October 1998)
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