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What is spirit-to-spirit communication, and how does the ministering of angels actually work? In this in-depth LDS (Latter-day Saint) episode, Tia Smith takes a doctrinal deep dive into how spirits communicate with us from the other side of the veil — showing that it isn't mysterious or fringe, but a pattern taught throughout scripture and by latter-day prophets and apostles, given for the gathering of Israel.
The episode builds the doctrine piece by piece: that all spirit is matter, only finer and purer (D&C 131); that the medium of this communication is the Holy Ghost, so to "speak with the tongue of angels" (2 Nephi 32) is to speak by that same power; and that heavenly messengers reach us through thoughts, feelings, a still small voice, dreams, visions, impressions, touch, and even "pure intelligence" that flows directly into the mind as revelation. Tia teaches that most of these messengers are our own ancestors, sent for comfort, protection, and the work of redeeming the dead — and that it is all governed by divine order: spirits minister only by God's permission. Drawing on Boyd K. Packer, Dallin H. Oaks, Russell M. Nelson, Richard G. Scott, Orson Pratt, Joseph Smith, and Brigham Young, she connects this gift to the Aaronic Priesthood's "keys of the ministering of angels" and to the sacrament — teaching that worthily partaking each week opens the door to the companionship of the Spirit and the ministering of angels.
She's careful about the bounds (D&C 67), that these things are perceived with the spiritual mind, not the natural mind, and come as we humble ourselves, seek, and keep our covenants. And she centers the spirit of Elijah — described by President Nelson as a manifestation of the Holy Ghost bearing witness of the divine nature of the family — as the reason people across the world feel drawn to gather their kindred dead. Testifying as a mother with children beyond the veil, Tia bears witness that relationships can be strengthened across the veil, and that as the work accelerates, these manifestations will only increase.
Q: What is spirit-to-spirit communication, in Latter-day Saint doctrine?
A: It's communication between spirits — ours and those beyond the veil — through the medium of the Holy Ghost, who is a spirit. This episode teaches that because all spirit is matter (D&C 131) and angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, we can "speak with the tongue of angels" (2 Nephi 32) when we are clean and in tune, receiving thoughts, impressions, and even pure intelligence that flows into the mind as revelation.
Q: How do angels and spirits communicate with us?
A: Through many channels the episode traces in scripture: thoughts and feelings, a still small voice, dreams and visions, deep impressions, physical touch, and "pure intelligence." Drawing on Boyd K. Packer and Dallin H. Oaks, Tia Smith explains most of this is quiet and unseen — felt or heard in the mind rather than seen — and that the messengers are most often our own ancestors.
Q: How is the ministering of angels connected to the priesthood and the sacrament?
A: Citing President Dallin H. Oaks, the episode teaches that the Aaronic Priesthood holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and that worthily partaking of the sacrament each week opens the door for members to enjoy the companionship of the Spirit and the ministering of angels. This is why Tia stresses treating the sacrament with reverence if we hope to receive such communication consistently.
Q: What are the limits on communicating with those beyond the veil?
A: Tia Smith emphasizes that this is governed by divine order (Orson F. Whitney, Joseph Smith): spirits can minister only by God's permission, never at will, so the work isn't thwarted. And per Doctrine and Covenants 67, these things are discerned by the spiritual mind and come as we humble ourselves, seek, and keep our covenants — a process of learning to hear Him, not a shortcut around worthiness.
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CITATIONS:
Boyd K. Packer, "Revelation in a Changing World", Oct. 1989
Topics and Questions “Spirit or (Soul)”
Eldred G. Smith, Conference Report, Oct. 1964
JST, Genesis 19:15, Alma 12:3, Alma 18:16-, 2 Nephi 32:2
Guide to the Scriptures “Angels”
Charles W. Penrose, “Who and What Are the Angels,” Improvement Era 15 (Aug. 1912): 950.
D&C 131:7-8, Boyd K. Packer, “Mine Errand from the Lord”, Deseret Book, 2008, Boyd K. Packer, “The Spirit Beareth Record”, April 1971
Orson Pratt, “Language, Etc.”, JOD 3:97
Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Language of the Spirit”, 1975
Orson F. Whitney, Saturday Night THoughts, 307
What is the ministering of angels? And why is it linked to the authority of the Aaronic Priesthood?" Liahona, February 2025
Joseph Smith, TPJS pg. 325
Dallin H. Oaks, “The Aaronic Priesthood and the Sacrament,” Ensign, Nov. 1998, 39
John Taylor, The Gospel Kingdom, sel. G. Homer Durham [1943], 31
1 Nephi 17:45, Matthew 1:20
Richard G. Scott, How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life, April 2012
David A. Bednar, “The Spirit of Revelation”, Liahona, May 2011
Moroni 7:30, Daniel 8:15-18, 1 Kings 19:5-7, 3 Nephi 17:24-25, 3 Nephi 19:14-15, Moroni 7: 25,29, 31-32, Doctrine & Covenants 43:16, Mosiah 27:11-16,
Eldred G. Smith, “Gain A Testimony” April 1963
Russell M. Nelson, Conference Report, Apr. 1998, 43; or Ensign, May 1998, 34
Russell M. Nelson, “The Spirit of Elijah”, Oct. 1994
Introduction to Family History Student Manual, “Chapter 5: Personal Revelation”
James E. Faust, Conference Report, Oct. 2003, 59; or Ensign, Nov. 2003, 55)
Brigham Young, JOD 3:362
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