On Life in
the Hereafter:
Testimonies of saints in the hereafter
by Lynn Ridenhour
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Date: Saturday, November 06, 1999 5:36 PM
Subject: (888) On Life in the Hereafter
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On Life in the Hereafter:
Testimonies of saints in the hereafter
by
Lynn Ridenhour
(Part One)
I find the following passage fascinating.
"……All men know that they must die. And it is important that we
should understand……our departure hence……It is but reasonable to
suppose that God would reveal something in reference to the matter, and it is
a subject we ought to study more than any other. We ought to study it day and
night, for the world is ignorant in reference to their true condition and
relation. If we have any claim on our Heavenly Father for anything, it is for
knowledge on this important subject." --Joseph Smith LDS HC, Vol.VI, p.50
Joseph says, here's a subject as believers "...we ought to study more
than any other. " In fact, he says "...we ought to study it day and
night." I must confess, having been reared a Protestant for over 36
years, the subject of life after death was not an integral part of my
upbringing. We certainly didn't entertain the subject in our daily
conversations. Didn't hear that many sermons on life in the hereafter either.
Only at funerals might we bear an inspiring sermon on heaven and life
everlasting. I must admit, those were inspiring moments. Protestant preachers
just don't make that big a deal out of the hereafter. I think I know why.
There's not that much said about heaven and hell in the Bible. Just glimpses
is all we get.
Don't get me wrong. Protestant preachers embrace the hereafter. And
Protestants have a strong belief in it. But our belief in heaven and hell is
fairly "cut and dry." We know, for instance, the "saved"
go to heaven and the "lost" go to hell. That's about it. Even though
Paul, the apostle, tells us there are degrees of glory in heaven (I Cor.15),
hinting the hereafter may not be as static as we make it out to be, still--I
never heard one sermon preached on the matter in all my years growing up,
sitting in a conservative Baptist church down in the hills of the Ozarks.
That's one reason I was thrilled when I came to the restoration.
Restoration theology is "jammed packed" full of testimonies and
stories of saints meeting with personages, friends and relatives, on the other
side and coming back to tell of it. Saints tell stories of beautiful gardens
and flowers, buildings and houses; stories describing landscaped parks and
temples with golden domes.
I must say--there is a definite theology of the hereafter among saints of
the restoration. But you know what amuses me? My mother has a testimony of the
hereafter and she's "high church" Protestant. About as "high
church" German as you get. I'm amused, for I believe that stories of the
hereafter are much more common among Christians of all backgrounds than we let
on. But here's the rub. If my particular group has no place for such stories,
one simply keeps quiet ...like mother.
I find mother's story quite remarkable for two reasons: 1) Dad had passed
away thirty-five years ago, and 2) her experience occurred within this past
year. The story is fresh in my mind, for she just told it to me two weeks ago.
A Walk with Dad:
Let me share it with you...
I was on one of my regular visits home to see my family. I have three
sisters. A few times a year, especially during the holidays, we get together
with mom. One morning we were sitting around the breakfast table, musing as we
sometimes do. And mother began talking, "……son, I've never told you
this." Then she began. "This past spring I was taking my usual walk
when I felt a hand from behind me reach out and take a hold of mine."
We were all listening...
"I turned around and it was Harry. Your father appeared to me. I said,
'O, Harry, it's been so long.' And he said, '……it has been a long time,
hasn't it.'" I must say, she had my attention. Mom is a very
down-to-earth person. I stopped her, "Mom, you weren't dreaming, were
you.? " She shook her head "no." I asked her again, "You
say, dad appeared to you in broad daylight?" She said, "yes."
"You could see him with your eyes?" I wanted to make sure.
"Yes."
"And you felt his hand?"
"Yes, son."
"Then what happened?..." I'm really listening now. So are my
sisters. "I said, 'O, Harry. I don't know what to do. I've
remarried.'" It was real quiet around the breakfast table. "He said,
'Everything's alright,' and then he left me. He let go of my hand."
"What do you mean, 'he left me.'"
"He disappeared."
Well, I must say, I was stunned, blessed, a little confused, and filled
with lots of joy--all at the same time. I believed every word my mother was
telling me. Mother never made up a story in her life! I just didn't know where
to file this. Mom's story didn't fit a vision or dream. And Protestant
theology doesn't leave room for appearances of personages from the other side.
Not in broad daylight! For a moment I was reverting back to my Protestant
days. Then it dawned on me...
"……wait a minute; this sounds like so many stories I've heard in
the restoration."
And that's what this post is about: saints' testimonies of life in the
hereafter. Entering the Spirit World:
Joseph made an interesting comment:
"Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you
would by reading all that ever was written on the subject." --Sermon,
October 9, 1843
I believe that. Mother's experience is worth more than ten years of
seminary classes. Many saints have seen into paradise, been visited. They've
peeked into the spirits in prison. They've been to hell and back. They've seen
the glories of resurrection morn. Let's listen in...
Reception by your guardian angel:
Peter Johnson, a Latter-day Saint, tells this story back in September,
1898:
"...My spirit left the body; just how I cannot tell. Bill I perceived
myself standing some four or five feet in the air, and saw my body lying on
the bed. I felt perfectly natural, but as this was a new condition, I began to
make observations. I turned my head, shrugged my shoulders, felt with my
hands, and realized that it was myself. I also knew that my body was lying
lifeless on the bed. While I was in a new environment, it did not seem
strange, for I realized everything that way going on, and perceived that I was
the same in the spirit as I had been in the body. While contemplating this new
condition, something attracted my attention, and on turning around I beheld a
personage, who said, 'You did not know that I was here.' I replied, 'No, but I
see you are. Who are you?' 'I am your guardian angel; I have been following
you constantly while on earth.' I asked, 'What will you do now?' He replied,
'I am to report your presence, and you will remain here until I return.'"
--The Relief Society Magazine, Vol.VII, No.8, p.451, August 1920* (* Credit is
given to Duane Crowther for providing the sources for many of the saints'
testimonies.)
It seems, there's always some form of reception into the spirit
realm--either by your guardian angel, your closest relative, or, in some
cases, your distant relatives. The main thing is...there is a reception. I
like what Joseph said:
"……I have a father, brothers, children, and friends who have gone
to a world of spirits. They are only absent for a moment. They are in the
spirit, and we shall soon meet again……When we depart, we shall hail our
mothers, fathers, friends, and all whom we love, who have fallen asleep in
Jesus……it will be an eternity of felicity." --LDS Church History,
Vol. VI, p.316
Joseph is speaking of a happy reunion here. 0, the joy of meeting again
with our loved ones. Often family members come to welcome the latest arrival.
Sometimes, the plan was prearranged. Listen again to Peter Johnson:
"……Just before my eldest sister died she asked me to enter into
this agreement--that if she died first, she was to watch over me, protect me
from those who might seek my downfall, and that she would be the first to meet
me after death. If I happened to die first, she wished me to do the same for
her. We made this agreement, and this was the reason that my sister was the
first one of my relatives to meet me. After she arrived, my mother and other
sisters and friends came to see me, and we discussed various topics, as we
would do here on meeting friends. After we had spent some little time in
conversation, the guide came to me with a message that I was wanted by some of
the apostles who had lived on the earth in this dispensation." --Relief
Society Magazine, Vol. VII p. 451
If the individual had no immediate family members awaiting him in the
spirit world, the reunion with distant relatives is more casual. Such was the
case with Ella Jensen:
"……As I went through the throng, the first person I recognized was
my grandpa, H.P. Jensen, who was sitting in one end of the room, writing. He
looked up, seemed surprised to see me and said, 'Why! There is my
granddaughter, Ella.' He was very much pleased, greeted me and, as he
continued with his writing, I passed on through the room and met many of my
relatives and friends……Some seemed to be in family groups……Some
inquired about their friends and relatives on the earth. Among this number was
my cousin." --Improvement Era, Vol.XXXII p.973-74
I love the casual nature here. It almost seems like a typical annual family
reunion out at the park. Which brings up the point...
Spiritual realm not far from any of us:
Paul, the apostle, made an interesting comment in his sermon at Athens:
"...that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after
him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us. For in him we
live, and move, and have our being……For we are also his offspring."
--Acts 17:27,28
Paul is saying, the spirit world is not far from any of us. Joseph taught
the same thing:
"……The spirits of the just," says Joseph, "are exalted
to a greater and more glorious work; hence, they are blessed in their
departure to the world of spirits. Enveloped in flaming fire, they are not far
from us." --October 9, 1843
In other words, the spirits of the dead remain associated with the earth.
Latter-day saint leaders taught, the spirit world was on this earth, though
unseen to these mortal eyes. Listen to Elder Parley P. Pratt:
"...As to its location, it is here on the very planet where we were
born; or, in other words, the earth and other planets of a like spheres, have
their inward or spiritual spheres, as well as their outward, or temporal. The
one is peopled by temporal tabernacles, and the other by spirits. A veil is
drawn between the one sphere and the other, whereby all the objects in the
spiritual sphere are rendered invisible to those in the temporal." --Key
To The Science Theology, pp.126-27
I have heard saints walking close to the Lord say things like, "……I
can sense the spirits of the deceased walking around in this grave yard."
The Hebrew writer said it this way: "……we have a huge crowd of men of
faith watching us from the grandstands……" --Hebrews 12:1 (Living
Bible)
The writers are suggesting, there is but a thin veil between the two
worlds. Heber Q. Hale, who went into the spirit realm on January 20, 1920,
describes the experience as passing through a film into the world of spirits:
"……I passed but a short distance from my body through a film into
the world of spirits. This was my first experience after going to sleep. I
seemed to realize that I had passed through the change called death and I so
referred to it in my conversation with the immortal beings with whom I
immediately came into contact. My first impression was the nearness of the
world of spirits to the world of mortality. The vastness of this heavenly
sphere was bewildering to the eyes of a spirit-novice." -- "A
Heavenly Manifestation, " by Heber Q Hale
"……passing through a film……."
The "film" separating mortality from the spirit world is seen by
others as well. Harriet Salvina Beal describes being escorted by her deceased
mother into the spirit world. Mrs. Beal wrote, "We then left the earth
and floated through the air, side by side. When we came to a certain place
Mother said to me, 'Now hold your breath until we pass the place as the air is
too light for mortals!'" --Biography of William Beal, p. 7
You might be thinking, "...these stories don't sound like the typical
deaths I've read about or heard described." And they're not. In fact,
Heber Q. Hale, while talking with his guides in the spirit world,
"...Readily observed their displeasure at our use of the word 'death'
which we attach to it. They use there another word in referring to the
transition from mortality, which word I do not now recall, and I can only
approach its meaning, as the impression was left upon my mind, by calling it
the 'New Birth.'" --Journals of Discourse, Vol. XXII, p. 348
Entry into the spirit world is meant to be a joyful experience. It's
a...New Birth. Not a death. What do we mean, New Birth? And what exactly are
spirit beings like? Again, I find testimonies of earlier Latter-day Saints to
be quite fascinating. Listen to Brigham Young:
"……The brightness and glory of the next apartment is
inexpressible. It is not encumbered with this clog of dirt we are carrying
around here so that when we advance in years we have to be stubbing along and
to be careful lest we fall down. We see our youth, even, frequently stubbing
their toes and falling down. But yonder, how different! They move with ease
and like lightning. If we want to visit Jerusalem, or this, that, or the other
place—and I presume we will be permitted if we desire—there we are,
looking at its streets……If we wish to understand how they are living here
on these western islands, or in China, we are there; in fact, we are like the
light of the morning, or, I will not say the electric fluid, but its
operations on the wires." --Sermon delivered at funeral of Aurelia
Spencer, Sept.16, 1871, by Brigham Young.
Moving with ease like lightning, increased capacity of spirit beings, rapid
movement by thought--that's what spirit beings are like! But that's not all...
(to be continued……)
From: L.M. Enterprises <htrails@solve.net>
To: Davids_Outcasts@listbot.com
<Davids_Outcasts@listbot.com>
Date: Sunday, November 07, 1999 6:51 PM
Subject: (888) More on Life in the Hereafter
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More on Life in the Hereafter
(Part Two)
by
Lynn Ridenhour
I'll say it again. This subject fascinates me. Joseph said, "...it is
a subject we ought to study more than any other. We ought to study it day and
night...."
Let's pick up where we left off.
Traveling through time and space:
In those rare moments of spiritual reminiscing, I've often wondered what it
would have been like to have lived in another time period—say the time of
Christ, or Moses, or Joseph Smith's day. I'm fascinated with the early 1800s—Joseph's
day. I must confess, nostalgia almost overtakes me when I think of the joy of
being able to visit other time zones.
Well...
According to saints' testimonies, that's part of the package. We will have
the capacity to travel through time! Or at least, envision things as they were
in the past or how they will be in the future.
Listen to the early restoration saints:
"...If we want to behold Jerusalem as it was in the days of the
Savior; or if we want to see the Garden of Eden as it was when created, there
we are; and we see it as it existed spiritually, for it was created first
spiritually and then temporally, and spiritually it still remains. And when
there we may behold the earth as at the dawn of creation, or we may visit any
city as we please that exists upon its surface." --Brigham Young, JD,
Sept.16l, 1871
That thrills my soul. The Lord has so many good things in store for his
people.
Scripture, as well as testimonies, also records instances of saints seeing
into the past and into the future. For example, the brother of Jared was
granted the privilege of beholding both the past and the future with the eyes
of the spirit as he talked with the Lord on Mr. Shelem. The Lord "……showed
unto the brother of Jared all the inhabitants of the earth which had been, and
also all that would be; and he withheld them not from his sight..."
(Ether 3:25).
The ability to see into other eras of time! What a treat from the Master.
But there's more...
New Senses:
C.S. Lewis, the late English theologian, wrote a space trilogy that has
fascinated both children and adults for decades. Lewis writes his trilogy from
the point of view that the fall of man never occurred. That is, in his three
novels, some of his characters are able to use additional powers and senses,
for they live in an unfallen world. What would it be like to possess
additional senses? Science fiction, you say. Perhaps. Perhaps not. The early
saints believed that those who dwell in the spirit world enjoy the use of
other powers and senses which are not available to mortal beings. Hear Orson
Pratt:
"...We shall learn many more things there; we need not suppose our
five senses connect us with all the things of heaven and earth, and eternity,
and space; we need not think that we are conversant with all the elements of
nature, through the medium of the senses God has given us. Suppose He should
give us a sixth sense, a seventh, an eighth, a ninth, or a fifteenth. All
these different senses would convey to us new ideas, as much so as the senses
of tasting, smelling, or seeing communicate different ideas from that of
hearing." JD, 2:247, Oct.15,1854
What about 50 senses?!
Maybe the hereafter is better than science fiction!
Increased Memory:
Again, according to Elder Pratt, spirit beings possess just such an
ability:
"...We read or learn a thing," says Pratt, "by observation
yesterday, and today or tomorrow it is gone……some of the knowledge we
receive here at one time becomes so completely obliterated, through the
weakness of the animal system [don't you love that 19th century prose] that
cannot call it to mind, no association of ideas will again suggest it to our
minds; it is gone, erased, eradicated from the tablet of our memories. This is
not owing to the want of capacity in the spirit; no, but the spirit has a full
capacity to remember……it is not the want of capacity in the spirit of man
that causes him to forget the knowledge he may have learned yesterday; but it
is because of the imperfection of the tabernacle in which the spirit dwells……It
is not so with the spirit when it is released from this tabernacle……Wait
until these mortal bodies are laid in the tomb; when we return home to God who
gave us life; then is the time we shall have the most vivid knowledge of all
the past acts of our lives during our probationary state." JD, 2:247,
p.239, Oct.15, 1854
Perfect knowledge awaits us.
But there are still more powers awaiting us.
Multiple Ideas at Once:
Early saints also believed as spirit beings, we obtained the ability to
consider many different ideas at the same time. Again, Orson Pratt:
"...There is a faculty mentioned in the word of God, which we are not
in possession of here, but we shall possess it hereafter; that is not only to
see a vast number of things in the same moment, looking in all directions by
the aid of the Spirit, but also to obtain a vast number of ideas at the same
instance……Instead of thinking in one channel, and following up one certain
course of reasoning to find a certain truth, knowledge will rush in from all
quarters; it will come in like the light which flows from the sun, penetrating
every part, informing the spirit, and giving understanding concerning ten
thousand things at the same time; and the mind will be capable of receiving
and retaining all...." JD 2:246, Oct.15, 1854
So much awaits us!
Passage into the spirit world will permit us, as His children, to regain
those powers which have been so limited by our mortality. How many times have
we caught ourselves saying, "...look, I can only concentrate on one thing
at a time." What sweet release.
Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.
(to be continued...)
Still More on Life in the Hereafter (Part Three)
by Lynn Ridenhour
We've been looking at some of the glories of the hereafter that await the
Saints. Let's continue.
Greater Powers of Vision:
I like this one.
Joseph received a very interesting revelation on April 2nd, 1843 at Ramus,
Illinois:
".The place where God resides," wrote Joseph, "is a great
Urim and Thummim. This earth, in its sanctified and immortal state, will be
made like unto crystal and will be a Urim and Thummim to the inhabitants.The
white stone mentioned in Revelation 2:17, will become a Urim and Thummim to
each individual who receives one.and a white stone is given to each of those
who come into the celestial kingdom, whereon is a new name written.The new
name is the key word." --April 2, 1843
In other words, we will look upon the earth, much like looking into a
mirror. We will see things like never before-even as we are seen. John Taylor,
having read this particular revelation, commented:
".It is written here in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, that the
planet on which he [God] lives is a great Urim and Thummim, which reveals
everything pertaining to this lower world and its inhabitants. And the holy
beings who reside there can gaze upon us mortals whenever they please, looking
also into the future or the past; hence they know it as it is." --JD
18:328
Brigham Young said,
".This earth, when it becomes purified and sanctified, or
celestialized, will become like a sea of glass; and a person, by looking into
it, can know things past, present and to come; though none but celestialized
beings can enjoy this privilege. They will look into the earth, and the things
they desire to know will be exhibited to them, the same as the face is seen by
looking into a mirror." --JD 9:87
O, the thought of it!
Orson Pratt taught that the saints in the spirit world will be able to see
with all parts of their body:
".We become acquainted with light and color through the organization
of our bodies.suppose that the whole spirit were uncovered and exposed to all
the rays of light, can it be supposed that light would not affect the spirit
if it were thus unshielded, uncovered, and unclothed?.The spirit is inherently
capable of experiencing the sensations of light; if it were not so, we could
not see. You might form as fine an eye as ever was made, but if the spirit, in
and of itself, were not capable of being acted upon by the rays of light, an
eye would be of no benefit. Then unclothe the spirit, and instead of exposing
a small portion of it about the size of a pea to the action of the rays of
light, the whole of it would be exposed. I think we could then see in
different directions at once, instead of looking in one particular direction,
we could then look all around us at the same instant.when this tabernacle is
taken off; we shall look, not in one direction only, but in every
direction." --JD, 2:242-44, Oct.15, 1854
It appears that a portion of this power was briefly granted to Joseph when
he and Sidney saw "The Vision" of the three degrees of glory. Philo
Dibble, a recent convert, had this to say about the incident. "The vision
of the three degrees of glory," says Dibble, ".was given at the
house of 'Father Johnson' in Hiram, Ohio.Joseph wore black clothes, but at
this time seemed to be dressed in an element of glorious white, and his face
shone as if it were transparent.." --January 1, 1892
Mrs. Sarah N. Williams Reynolds, neighbor to Mr. Dibble, has a very
interesting commentary to the above experience:
".I was a close neighbor of Philo Dibble," she says, "who
visited me very often. He had been very familiar and intimately acquainted
with the Prophet Joseph Smith, and took great delight in rehearsing his wealth
of information concerning this acquaintance. Brother Dibble stated to me that
the Prophet Joseph told him in connection with the others who were present in
Father Johnson's home at the time the Vision was given to the Prophet Joseph
and Sidney Rigdon, that (the Prophet speaking), '.My whole body was full of
light and I could see even out at the ends of my fingers and toes." --The
Vision, p.11
What an experience.
Let's review. According to the testimonies of early restoration saints,
here's some of what awaits us:
Reception into spirit world by loved ones and angels Spirit world not far
from any of us Travel through time and space New senses Increased memory
Multiple ideas at once Greater powers of vision.
You've heard the clichéé: sometimes fact is stranger than fiction.
Let's turn out attention now to.
Paradise: What's it like?
First, the term "paradise."
No doubt about it, there's confusion in theological circles of Christendom
concerning the term. To most Protestants, when Jesus hung on the cross and
said those memorable words to the thief, ".today shalt thou be with me in
paradise," according to the Protestant theologian, He was promising the
thief he would go to heaven that day with Jesus. But Jesus didn't go to heaven
that day. In fact, three days later he told Mary Magdalene, ".touch me
not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father." Scratch that.
Bear in mind, the term "paradise" is used in different ways. To
the Protestant, it means: heaven, the final resting place of the righteous. To
the Latter-day Saint, the term means: the entire spirit world, or more
specifically-the habitation of the righteous within the spirit world. It is
this latter usage we want to explore. Let'' look at...
Descriptions of Paradise:
Saints of the early restoration have given us such wonderful descriptions
of paradise. Trees, shrubs, rich foliage, beautiful landscapes. George Albert
Smith described trees and a beautiful lake he saw in the spirit world:
".I found myself standing with my back to a large and beautiful lake,
facing a great forest of trees.I realized, or seemed to realize, that I had
finished my work in mortality and had gone home. I began to look around, to
see if I could not find someone. There was no evidence of anyone living there,
just those great beautiful trees in front of me and the wonderful lake behind
me. I began to explore, and soon I found a trail through the woods which
seemed to have been used very little, and which was almost obscured by grass.
I followed this trail, and after I had walked for some time and traveled a
considerable distance through the forest, I saw a man coming towards me."
--Sharing the Gospel with Others, Preston Nibley, p.111
Jacob Hamblin, who entered into the spirit world in the summer of 1858,
said,
".The place where I was, seemed very desirable to remain in. It was
divided into compartments by walls, from which appeared to grow out vines and
flowers, displaying an endless variety of colors."
Heber Q. Hale saw gorgeous colors of foliage and attractive parks.
".The vegetation and landscape was beautiful beyond description; not
all green as here, but gold with varying shades of pink, orange, and lavender,
as the rainbow. A sweet calmness pervaded everything.I moved forward, covering
an appreciable distance and consuming considerable time viewing the wonderful
sights of landscape, parks, trees and flowers and meeting people, some of whom
I knew, but thousands of whom I did not recognize as acquaintances. I
presently approached a small group of men standing in a path lined with
gorgeous trenches of flowers, grasses and shrubbery, all of a golden hue,
marking the approach to a beautiful building."
Jedediah M. Grant commented on the beautiful flowers he saw while visiting
paradise:
".I have seen good gardens on this earth, but I never saw any to
compare with those that were there. I saw flowers of numerous kinds, and some
with from fifty to a hundred different colored flowers growing upon one
stalk." --JD, 4:136, Dec.4, 1856
In the midst of this beautiful foliage and shrubbery, perhaps is the tree
of life, for the Lord has revealed that it stands ".in the midst of the
paradise of God" (Rev.2:7, I Nephi 15:35-36).
And what about seasons? According to 19 year-old Merrill Neville, who
passed into the spirit world in January, 1917, there were no change of season
in paradise. ".it was always springtime over there. -Deseret Evening
News, May 18, 1918
According to the newspaper account, Merrill Neville died and then summoned
his sister into the spirit world where he gave instructions for her to carry
back numerous messages to his family. His sister, Mary, returned to life,
delivered the messages, lived another ten days, and then died again.
And buildings.
Saints speak of buildings in paradise. Jedediah M. Grant's testimony of the
spirit world to Heber C. Kimball said that...
".He also spoke of the buildings he saw there, remarking that the Lord
gave Solomon wisdom and poured gold and silver into his hands that he might
display his skill and ability, and said that the temple erected by Solomon was
much inferior to the most ordinary buildings he saw in the spirit world."
--JD 4:136, Dec.4, 1856
David P. Kimball, son of Heber C. Kimball, gives us a most interesting
description:
".I was then taken in the vision into a vast building which was built
on the plan of the Order of Zion. I entered through a south door and found
myself in a part of the building which was unfinished, though a great many
workmen were busy upon it. My guide showed me all through this half of the
house, and then took me through the other half, which was finished. The
richness, grandeur and beauty of it defied description. There were many
apartments in the house, which was very spacious, and they differed in size
and the fineness of the workmanship, according to the merits on earth of those
who were to occupy them. I felt most at home in the unfinished part, among the
workmen. The upper part of the house was filled with Saints, but I could not
see them, though some of them conversed with me, my father and mother, Uncle
Joseph Young and others." --Helpful Visions, p.13
Merrill Neville, in his newspaper account of the spirit world, also
commented on buildings there:
"He told here that his grandparents had met him when he died, and he
was with them now. They had a beautiful home, and were preparing a beautiful
home for his mother and her family." --Deseret Evening News, May 18, 1918
And there is a temple.
Heber Q. Hale, while a visitor in paradise, saw a beautiful temple with
golden domes:
"I moved forward feasting my eyes upon the beauties of everything
about me and glorying in the indescribable peace and happiness that abounded
in everybody and through everything. The farther I went the more glorious
things appeared. While standing at a certain vantage point, I beheld a short
distance away a wonderfully beautiful Temple, capped with golden domes, from
which emerged a small group of men dressed in white robes who paused for brief
conversation. These were the first I had seen thus clad."
What glorious descriptions!
We could go on and on, but most of all.
Our Lord Visits Paradise:
Two days before he died, David Whitmer went beyond the veil and saw Jesus.
".On Monday last (Jan.23, 1888), at 10 o'clock a.m., after awakening
from a short slumber, he said he had seen beyond the veil and saw Christ on
the other side." --Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, Vol.1,
p.270
I think Heber Q. Hale said it best:
".In the little group of men my eyes rested upon one more splendorous
and holy than all the rest. While I thus gazed, President Joseph F. Smith
parted from the others and came to my side. 'Do you know him?' he inquired. I
quickly answered, 'Yes, I know him.' My eyes beheld my Lord and Savior. 'It is
true' said President Joseph F. Smith, and oh how my soul thrilled with
rapture, unspeakable joy filled my soul."
".my soul thrilled with rapture.."
Need we say more.
