Angels (Definition)

Angels. According to D&C 132:16-17, angels are those who did not qualify for the celestial kingdom. Instead, they have become ministering spirits to serve those who are more worthy. Probably the most famous angel is “Moroni,” the son of the Book of Mormon character Mormon. Moroni was a human in the fifth century AD and died as the last Nephi, leaving behind the gold plates containing the Book of Mormon record. He returned to earth as a human in 1823 and appeared as an angel to Joseph Smith.

According to twelfth President Spencer W. Kimball,

“Now, the angels will be the people who did not go to the temple, who did not have their work done in the temple. And if there are some of us who make no effort to cement these ties, we may be angels for the rest of eternity. But if we do all in our power and seal our wives or husbands to us…then we may become gods and pass by the angels in heaven. (75-39) Some might say, ‘Well, I’d be satisfied to just become an angel,’ but you would not. One never would be satisfied just to be a ministering angel to wait upon other people when he could be the king himself. (76-59)” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 51).

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