ANGELS.
Angels have acted an important part in every dispensation of the Priesthood. An angel first preached the Gospel of faith on the Son of God to Adam; P. of G. P., page 9. An angel of the Lord called to Abraham; Gen. 22. 11. An angel first attracted the attention of Moses to the burning bush; Ex. 3. 2. Their ministrations are often mentioned in the Old Testament history of ancient Israel. They were a prominent feature in the opening history of the New Testament dispensation. An angel appeared to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, and foretold his birth; Luke 1. 11, 12.
The angel Gabriel appeared to the virgin Mary and foretold the birth of the Savior; verse 31. An angel appeared to the shepherds, bringing the joyful news of a Savior's birth; 2. 10, 11. One warned Joseph to flee into Egypt to save the life of the child Jesus, and to return again after the death of Herod; Matt. 2. 13-15. According to the writings of the apostles they continued their ministrations, at least until John wrote his Revelation, for he was commanded to write to the angel of each of the seven churches of Asia; Chapters 2. 3.
According to prophecy, angels were to act an important part in the dispensation of the fulness of times. The dispensation was to be opened by one, for John the Revelator says, "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth;" Rev. 14. 6.
There is abundant evidence that an angel, calling himself Moroni, came to Joseph Smith, Jun., and taught him the principle and power of revelation from God, made known to him the real condition of the world, and when he had properly instructed him, delivered to him the record from which the Book of Mormon was translated by the power of God, containing the fulness of the everlasting Gospel; P. of G. P., pages 49-54.
The angel, John the Baptist, ordained Joseph Smith and O. Cowdery to the Priesthood of Aaron, "Which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the Gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins;" Doc. & Cov., 13. From this second angel they received authority to preach the Gospel, revealed by the first angel, and to minister in its ordinances among all nations, thus fulfilling the prophetic vision of St. John.
Angels are to accompany Jesus Christ when he shall come in the glory of his Father; Matt. 16. 27. They are to gather the elect from the four quarters of the earth; 24. 31. The inspired writings, and especially the Revelation of St. John, assures us that they will act an important part in the great work of the latter days. There can be no truly Gospel church in which their ministrations are not recognized.