Understanding the Scriptures

Doctrine and Covenants 129:1—What Is the Difference between an Angel and a Spirit?

Any messenger from God could be referred to as an angel, but inDoctrine and Covenants 129the termangelis limited to “resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and bones” (v. 1). “Spirits are children of God who have not yet entered [been born into] mortality, and are thus unembodied [without bodies]; or spirits are those whose spirits are separated from their bodies in death” (Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual,320).

In earlier instructions given to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in Nauvoo, the Prophet Joseph Smith “explained the difference between an angel and a ministering spirit; the one [an angel] a resurrected or translated body, with its spirit ministering to embodied spirits—the other [a ministering spirit] a disembodied spirit, visiting and ministering to disembodied spirits. Jesus Christ became a ministering spirit (while His body was lying in the sepulchre) to the spirits in prison, to fulfill an important part of His mission, without which He could not have perfected His work, or enter into His rest. After His resurrection He appeared as an angel [a resurrected being] to His disciples” (inHistory of the Church,4:425; also1 Peter 3:18–20).

Studying the Scriptures

Do activity A as you studyDoctrine and Covenants 129.