Dear Gramps,

D&C 129 discusses spirits and how to differentiate between them. As I understand it, all angels have resurrected bodies and are capable of being physically felt. The spirits of just men made perfect have only spiritual bodies and can’t be felt as they are not yet resurrected. And, of course, evil spirits cannot have physical bodies. There are many stories where the deceased has been permitted to return to do a service or protect a loved one. In many of these stories, they have some physical contact with the person or some thing. Also, many times these spirits are not Church members. How is this explained?

(Being in a small community, I enjoy this opportunity to get information from someone knowledgeable about the Church and its teachings.)

Anonymous, from Oklahoma

Dear Anonymous,

Any account that you have heard of unembodied spirits having physical contact with mortals is spurious. If there is a difference between what the scriptures say and the account of some individual, I would rely immediately and without question on the scripture.

Incidentally, not all angels have resurrected bodies. The Greek term “aggelo,” from which we get the term “angel,” literally means “messenger.” An angel is a messenger from God. Therefore, angels may be resurrected beings, unembodied spirits, or mortals, when acting is such capacity.

Gramps