The Living Spirits of Our Departed Ancestors

Hosts of Heaven

The Living Spirits of Our Departed Ancestors

It is October 31, 2014.  Tonight my 18 month-old grandson will come to my door, dressed in costume, to beg for candy and wonder why his mom makes him wear the uncomfortable wings of this Disney character, “Buzz Lightyear”?

As I walk my dog around in North Logan, we have some pretty amazing fake graveyards showing up at our neighbor’s homes as Halloween décor.  Our friends from Switzerland tell us that Halloween is even becoming a common Swiss celebration.  I wonder why? Is it for the “free treats”, for the chance to dress up in costumes, or because we like to celebrate the paranormal?

Perhaps the elaborate costumes and spooky stories are just a way to try and connect with departed spirits? 

Costume Advertisement from Target

In my favorite movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life” we meet a guardian angel who is invisible to all on earth but his assigned earthling. In this Frank Capra classic tale, George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) is visited by Clarence on Christmas Eve.  It is a powerful and moving script beloved by many even 60 years after its filming.

One of the favorite movies of all time!

In the popular TV series “Touched by an Angel” we saw one producer’s idea of how angels minister among the children of men. 

Popular TV series.

Halloween Day causes me to think about the spirits of my departed ancestors.  Mormons believe that spirits “from the other side of the veil” are real and that these ancestors are especially concerned about their descendants living upon the earth.

As I have come to know better the stories of the lives of my departed ancestors, they have become more “real” to me.  I would hope to actually be visited by one of them, but I haven’t…yet.

Angel Moroni from the LDS Nauvoo Temple.

In October 2008, Jeffrey R. Holland gave a classic talk to Latter-day Saints titled:  “The Ministry of Angels”  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/the-ministry-of-angels?lang=eng

“God knew the challenges (his children) would face, and He certainly knew how lonely and troubled they would sometimes feel. So He watched over His mortal family constantly, heard their prayers always, and sent prophets (and later apostles) to teach, counsel, and guide them.

“But in times of special need, He sent angels, divine messengers, to bless His children, reassure them that heaven was always very close and that His help was always very near.

“Indeed, shortly after Adam and Eve found themselves in the lone and dreary world, an angel appeared unto them, ² who taught them the meaning of their sacrifice and the atoning role of the promised Redeemer who was to come.

“From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children.

The Angel Moroni, a messenger who appeared to Joseph Smith in the 1820's, is typically found on the spires of Mormon temples around the world.

“Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times.”  (Holland)

I believe in ministering angels.  I have always loved this scripture that is one of the LDS church President Thomas S. Monson’s favorites:

“I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, … my Spirit shall be in your [heart], and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” D&C 84:88

For me, it is comforting to exercise faith in angels who are sent forth to deliver messages. (See Book of Mormon Alma 12:29, D&C 29:42).  Angels also "take home" the departed and greet the departed in a kind of reception (Alma 40:11-12). My mother, who is on Hospice care, will surely be escorted by family members into her "next life" and received there by her loved ones.  (See Book of Mormon Alma 40:11-12). 

One of my sisters has shared the very real experience of her father’s arms around her in a time of deep despair.

My son has strongly felt the spirit of his grandfather.

My husband has wondered if Chase ancestors have been instrumental in his generation returning  to the faith of their ancestors.

When Max Weiss departed earth life, his spirit left the room of his Salt Lake home in a way that his granddaughter, Rose Cross, noticed as very unusual.  (Recording in possession of Mark Weiss.)

Nauvoo Temple with horizontal Angel Moroni.

I have personally had very intense dreams where my angels flew in a horizontal fashion.  For that reason I love the angel weather vane originally on the top of the Nauvoo Temple.

I’m sure I could gather many other family stories to add here.

“Always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal.” (Holland)

Mormon angels don't usually have wings but the concept of transporting from place to place is symbolized here by wings.

I believe in the reality of the living spirits of our departed ancestors.  I haven’t seen them, but I have felt their guidance and the presence of the member of the Godhead that Christians call “The Holy Ghost”.  

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught:

“I testify that angels are still sent to help us, even as they were sent to help Adam and Eve, to help the prophets, and indeed to help the Savior of the world Himself. Matthew records in his gospel that after Satan had tempted Christ in the wilderness “angels came and ministered unto him.” ⁸ Even the Son of God, a God Himself, had need for heavenly comfort during His sojourn in mortality. And so such ministrations will be to the righteous until the end of time. As Mormon said to his son Moroni, who would one day be an angel:

“Has the day of miracles ceased?

“Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?

“Behold I say unto you, Nay; for … it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men. …

“For behold, they are subject unto [Christ], to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness.” ⁹

Halloween is celebrated for many reasons, but I am celebrating my belief that my departed ancestors are really very much alive in another realm.  

Happy Halloween!

 I believe in times of special need, God sends “His angels, divine messengers, to bless His children, reassure them that heaven was always very close, and that His help was always very near.” (Holland)

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[For more about about Mormon beliefs regarding angels, go to Encyclopedia of Mormonism found here:  http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Angels.

 Angels Angels: Archangels Angels: Guardian Angels The first article discusses the nature of angels as pertaining to their ministry to people on the earth, showing that different classes perform different types of service. The second article examines a hierarchy among angels, and identifies Michael as an archangel. The last article explores the concept of guardian angels, and examines what the scriptures and the Brethren have said. It proposes the Holy Spirit as a type of guardian angel. ]