“Seraphim”

“Seraphs are angels who reside in the presence of God, giving continual glory, honor, and adoration to him. …

“In Hebrew the plural of seraph is seraphim. … The fact that these holy beings were shown to him as having wings was simply to symbolize their ‘power, to move, to act, etc.’ as was the case also in visions others had received. (D. & C. 77:4.)” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 702–3). The basic meaning in Hebrew for seraph is “to burn,” perhaps to indicate the purified state necessary to be in God’s presence.