Angels at Christmastime - Katrina Smith

Dear Sisters of the Oak Hills 8th Relief Society,

Oh how we love you.  We think about you and pray for you daily.  I feel it a privilege and honor to be able to write and share a brief message during this special time of year.

These past few weeks, my testimony of angels has increased immensely.  I believe they are sent to help us and are more involved in our lives than we realize.  I love the scripture in D&C 84:88 which reads, "...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."  I love the stories told of pioneers who experienced the help of angels as they crossed the plains.  One man expressed, "I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot ahead of the other.  I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said, I can go only that far and there I must give up, for I cannot pull the load through it. ... I have gone on to that sand and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me.  I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my cart, but my eyes saw no one.  I knew then that the angels of God were there."

I testify that angels are sent to help us as we push the handcarts of our day.

Speaking of angels, Elder Holland states, "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."

Elder Holland goes on to talk about how angles are not just limited to those who are on the other side of the veil.  We are surrounded by them and interact with them daily.  

May we ever recognize the love of the Lord through the ministering of his angels.  May we also find opportunities to provide angelic relief to those around us, not only during this holiday season, but throughout the year.

Merry Christmas, everyone!!!

P.S.  Here is the link to Elder Holland's wonderful talk, "Ministry of Angels":  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/the-ministry-of-angels?lang=eng