~Matthew 18:10
Colloquially, we often speak of "guardian angels." Tradition has it that they watch over us and protect us, even intervening at times on our behalf. While the scriptures are replete with angelic ministrations, the term "guardian angel" is not found in the scriptures. It is a doctrinal concept about which we rarely speak, but in this passage the Savior makes clear reference to the fact that children have their own angels-and he implies that their status is great by virtue of their access to the Father. The doctrine of guardian angels has been discussed by latter-day prophets, including the Prophet Joseph Smith (see HOC 6:461).
Joseph F. Smith
"Jesus said (Matthew 18:10): 'Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you that in Heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven.'...The rule applies to all of God's children or little ones. But, the guardian angels of the pure, the innocent 'which believe in me,' as Jesus said, verse 6, are they which 'do always behold the face of my Father.' While those guardian angels of the disobedient, and etc., I would infer, cannot always bring up in remembrance before the Father such as are disobedient, and believe not in Christ." (From Prophet to Son: Advice of Joseph F. Smith to His Missionary Sons, compiled by Hyrum M. Smith III and Scott G. Kenney, 39 - 40.)
George Q. Cannon
"The agencies which our Father in heaven has at His control are utterly beyond our conception. Every department of His heavenly and illimitable Kingdom is under the immediate supervision of His agents...
"Lord Jesus plainly informs us concerning certain agencies which the Father uses to watch over his little ones-guardian angels, who always behold His face in heaven. They watch over those who are put in their charge, and no one can offend or despise them with impunity.
"What a consolation is this knowledge to the people of God. In distress, in trouble, in the midst of affliction or of persecution, they can go with confidence to the Lord. They can cry unto Him with faith, knowing that He will hear their supplications. They know, too, that His angels have charge concerning them and that they can have access to their Father in heaven in their behalf. Despised though they may be by the wicked, insignificant even in their own estimation, they may rest assured they are not overlooked or forgotten. The Lord watches over them; nothing can befall them without His knowledge. This is a glorious position to be in. (Jan. 15, 1889, JI 24:37)" (Gospel Truth: Discourses and Writings of President George Q. Cannon, 65.)
George Q. Cannon
"Now, this is the truth. We humble people, we who feel ourselves sometimes so worthless, so good-for-nothing, we are not so worthless as we think. There is not one of us but what God's love has been expended upon. There is not one of us that He has not cared for and caressed. There is not one of us that He has not desired to save and that He has not devised means to save. There is not one of us that He has not given His angels charge concerning. We may be insignificant and contemptible in our own eyes and in the eyes of others, but the truth remains that we are the children of God and that He has actually given His angels-invisible beings of power and might-charge concerning us, and they watch over us and have us in their keeping. . . .
"Those who otherwise might be thought to be contemptible and unworthy of notice, Jesus says, be careful about offending them, for 'their angels do always behold the face of my Father.' (Matthew 18:10.) We are in their charge. They watch over us, and are, to a certain extent, doubtless, responsible for the watchcare that they exercise over us, just as we are responsible for any duty that is assigned us." (Gospel Truth: Discourses and Writings of President George Q. Cannon, 4.)
Harold B. Lee
"Those in the spirit world may be guardian angels to those in mortality. Who are guardian angels? Well, it would appear that someone who is quickened by some influence, not yet celestialized, is permitted to come back as a messenger for the purpose of working with and trying to aid those who are left behind. (58-05)
"There may be times when we can feel the nearness of departed spirits. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: 'The spirits of the just are exalted to a greater and more glorious work; hence they are blessed in their departure to the world of spirits.' Now listen to this: 'Enveloped in flaming fire, they are not far from us, and know and understand our thoughts, feelings, and motions, and are often pained therewith.' (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 326)" (The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, 60.)
Joseph F. Smith
"Jesus said (Matthew 18:10): 'Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you that in Heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven.'...The rule applies to all of God's children or little ones. But, the guardian angels of the pure, the innocent 'which believe in me,' as Jesus said, verse 6, are they which 'do always behold the face of my Father.' While those guardian angels of the disobedient, and etc., I would infer, cannot always bring up in remembrance before the Father such as are disobedient, and believe not in Christ." (From Prophet to Son: Advice of Joseph F. Smith to His Missionary Sons, compiled by Hyrum M. Smith III and Scott G. Kenney, 39 - 40.)
George Q. Cannon
"The agencies which our Father in heaven has at His control are utterly beyond our conception. Every department of His heavenly and illimitable Kingdom is under the immediate supervision of His agents...
"Lord Jesus plainly informs us concerning certain agencies which the Father uses to watch over his little ones-guardian angels, who always behold His face in heaven. They watch over those who are put in their charge, and no one can offend or despise them with impunity.
"What a consolation is this knowledge to the people of God. In distress, in trouble, in the midst of affliction or of persecution, they can go with confidence to the Lord. They can cry unto Him with faith, knowing that He will hear their supplications. They know, too, that His angels have charge concerning them and that they can have access to their Father in heaven in their behalf. Despised though they may be by the wicked, insignificant even in their own estimation, they may rest assured they are not overlooked or forgotten. The Lord watches over them; nothing can befall them without His knowledge. This is a glorious position to be in. (Jan. 15, 1889, JI 24:37)" (Gospel Truth: Discourses and Writings of President George Q. Cannon, 65.)
George Q. Cannon
"Now, this is the truth. We humble people, we who feel ourselves sometimes so worthless, so good-for-nothing, we are not so worthless as we think. There is not one of us but what God's love has been expended upon. There is not one of us that He has not cared for and caressed. There is not one of us that He has not desired to save and that He has not devised means to save. There is not one of us that He has not given His angels charge concerning. We may be insignificant and contemptible in our own eyes and in the eyes of others, but the truth remains that we are the children of God and that He has actually given His angels-invisible beings of power and might-charge concerning us, and they watch over us and have us in their keeping. . . .
"Those who otherwise might be thought to be contemptible and unworthy of notice, Jesus says, be careful about offending them, for 'their angels do always behold the face of my Father.' (Matthew 18:10.) We are in their charge. They watch over us, and are, to a certain extent, doubtless, responsible for the watchcare that they exercise over us, just as we are responsible for any duty that is assigned us." (Gospel Truth: Discourses and Writings of President George Q. Cannon, 4.)
Harold B. Lee
"Those in the spirit world may be guardian angels to those in mortality. Who are guardian angels? Well, it would appear that someone who is quickened by some influence, not yet celestialized, is permitted to come back as a messenger for the purpose of working with and trying to aid those who are left behind. (58-05)
"There may be times when we can feel the nearness of departed spirits. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: 'The spirits of the just are exalted to a greater and more glorious work; hence they are blessed in their departure to the world of spirits.' Now listen to this: 'Enveloped in flaming fire, they are not far from us, and know and understand our thoughts, feelings, and motions, and are often pained therewith.' (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 326)" (The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, 60.)
