ARMIES OF HEAVEN

 

“If evil spirits could come to me, cannot ministering spirits and angels also come from God? Of course they can, and…they can rush as an army going to battle…That is the God whom I serve, one who has millions of angels at His command…We do not see them, but they are here watching us….The Lord has hosts of angels who are qualified to defend us, and they have information enough to march armies and to select leaders to lead them against the enemy of the Saints.” (Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, 3:229-30)

President Heber C. Kimball and his wife Vilate Kimball were awakened by their neighbor on the night of September 22, 1827, to witness such an army in the sky:

“It was one of the most beautiful starlight nights, so clear we could see to pick up a pin. We saw a bow form in the sky and it grew wide enough to contain twelve men abreast. In this bow an army moved, commencing from the east and marching to the west. They continued marching until they reached the western horizon. They moved in platoons and walked so close that the rear ranks trod in the steps of their file leaders, until the whole bow was literally crowded with soldiers…..

“We….could discern the form and features of the men. The most profound order existed throughout the entire army. When the foremost man stepped, every man stepped at the same time. I could hear their steps. When the front rank reached the western horizon, a battle ensued, as we could hear the report of the arms, and the rush.

“No man could judge of my feelings when I beheld that army of men, as plainly as ever I saw armies of men in the flesh; it seemed as though every hair of my head was alive. This scenery we gazed upon for hours, until it began to disappear.

“After I became acquainted with Mormonism, I learned that this took place the same evening that Joseph Smith received the records of the Book of Mormon from the angel Moroni, who had held those records in his possession. “There were other witnesses to this event, and “the next night similar scenery was beheld in the west, by the neighbors, representing armies of men who were engaged in battle.”   (Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball, 15-17; see also McConkie, Angels, 100; Tullidge, Women of Mormondom, 107-9)

 

Angels, are you near me

To catch me if I fall?

Do you stand guard at the entrance

Of my heart

On God’s errand and sentinel’s call?

 

Do you pave the way

And steady my feet,

And ensure my enemy’s defeat?

 

You are unsung heroes

Of every journey’s flight

You are phantoms of love

Concealed from mortal sight.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Artist Unknown)