Dear Margene,

The New Testament was written first in Greek. The Greek word for messenger was (*******) (angelos–two adjacent gammas are pronounced as ‘ng’). As the New Testament was translated into other languages, this word was not translated as ‘messenger’, but left in the Greek form as a title, meaning ‘heavenly messenger’. Any heavenly messenger could be classed as a ministering angel. In some cases it is known that the angel appearing to men is a resurrected being, such as Moroni, who took custody of the gold plates after their translation into the Book of Mormon by Joseph Smith. In other instances ministering angels are known to be translated beings, living in a state between mortality and the resurrection, such as John the Revelator and the three Nephite disciples, who were promised that they could remain on the earth to do the Lord’s work until He was to come in his glory.

      Enoch and his city were probably the first translated beings, and any angelic ministration following their day could have been by one of that city. However, any angelic visitations prior to the time of Enoch would have been by a post-mortal spirit.

      That unembodied spirits may appear as angels (messengers) to those on the earth, is evident by the scripture recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 129:1-7—

There are two kinds of beings in heaven, namely: Angels, who are resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and bones— For instance, Jesus said: Handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. Secondly: the spirits of just men made perfect, they who are not resurrected, but inherit the same glory. When a messenger comes saying he has a message from God, offer him your hand and request him to shake hands with you. If he be an angel he will do so, and you will feel his hand. If he be the spirit of a just man made perfect he will come in his glory; for that is the only way he can appear— Ask him to shake hands with you, but he will not move, because it is contrary to the order of heaven for a just man to deceive; but he will still deliver his message.

      Concerning your second question as to whether others than Joseph Smith have had the ministering of angels, let me say that the ministering of angels is not at all an infrequent phenomenon, but is so sacred and personal in its nature that you will seldom find it written about. However, here are two references to the ministering of angels in our day that have been recorded by Parley P. Pratt. During the time of the construction of the Kirtland Temple, Parley P. Pratt recorded—

      “The ordinances of the priesthood were revealed to a greater extent than had been known among men since the prophets and Apostles of old fell asleep; and many were anointed to their holy calling, and were instructed in principles which were great and glorious in themselves, and calculated to enlarge the mind and prepare the chosen servants of God for the great work before them. Many great and marvelous things were prophesied, which I am not at liberty to record, and many of which have since been fulfilled to the very letter. Many persons were carried away in the visions of the Spirit, and saw and heard unspeakable things; and many enjoyed the ministering of angels, and the gift of healing and of speaking in tongues.” Parley P. Pratt, Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, edited by his son, Parley P. Pratt [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1985], 108)

      And from the Historians’ Corner, Edited by Ronald W. Walker, BYU Studies, vol. 27 (1987), Number 1 - Winter 1987 130, we read—

      “We feature in this issue's Historians' Corner a letter written by Elder Parley P. Pratt to President Joseph Smith. Written from Manchester, England, in late 1841,

      Now Dear Br, If you will answer this Letter the same night you get it and answer these six questions, and impart such other Advise or instruction as god may give you it will be a great Blessing to me.------

      as to news, the Lord is still working in power and signs in this land. Many of the sick are healed, many have visions, some in Dreams, and some in Open day. the ministering of Angels is frequently enjoyed, and in short all the gifts of God are frequently manifested, as far as they have been generally attended to attained to, in this age.

      —Gramps

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