Angels appeared during the imprisonment of Nephi² and Lehi, the sons of Helaman, after the two were seized by a Lamanite army on their way to the land of Nephi and held many days without food (Helaman 5:21-22). When the Lamanites and Nephite dissenters in the prison were overshadowed by a cloud of darkness, Aminadab, a Nephite by birth who had left the church (Helaman 5:35), saw through the cloud that the faces of Nephi and Lehi shone “exceedingly, even as the faces of angels,” and that the two were lifting their eyes to heaven as if speaking to someone they beheld (Helaman 5:36).
When the multitude asked with whom the men were conversing, Aminadab answered that they were conversing with the angels of God (Helaman 5:39). After the cloud of darkness dispersed, every soul in the prison saw that they were encircled about by a pillar of fire; Nephi and Lehi were in the midst of the flame yet it harmed no one, and those present were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke marvelous words (Helaman 5:43-45). They then heard a voice of peace (Helaman 5:47), and saw the heavens open and angels come down out of heaven and minister to them (Helaman 5:48). About three hundred people saw and heard these things and went forth to declare them, after which the greater part of the Lamanites were convinced and laid down their weapons (Helaman 5:49-51).