Laurel Lawrence 11/18/2021
When people wonder where we came from, why we are here and where
we go after we die, we can remember that basically, we are God’s children who
have gone away to school.
In actuality, if we understand God’s plan for life, funerals are
graduation exercises.
SPIRIT WORLD
At death we go to the Spirit world. The Spirit world has 2 main
sections – Paradise and Spirit Prison. Spirit Prison is divided into 2 sections
– school and prison.
Spirit prison is here on the earth in a different dimension –
Matt 12. It is located in the heart of the earth, like just being “in the next
room” from us.
Spirit world is like a big city – like L.A. there is a temple,
big universities, prisons.
The gospel is taught there.
In Paradise, we continue to progress.
President Nelson’s grandfather was in bed one night and saw his
father who had died. The father told him he got permission to visit. The grandfather
got to ask his father a bunch of questions.
1. What do you do there? He said he
had a commission to teach the Gospels. His companion was Erastus Snow – he was
very impressed to have such an impressive person for a companion.
2. He said you can’t see us, and we
can’t come here because we are too busy.
3. What is heaven like – there is
much more order there. They have councils like we do here.
4. Is it natural to die? He said it is just like passing through this door (and motioned to the bedroom door.)
Sometimes active members are “called to die” because they are
needed on the other side.
D&C 138 – Faithful elders and sisters are called to be
missionaries on the other side. Some people are commissioned to keep records,
some called to bring messages to people they loved in the flesh.
Hyrum’s son and his sister (Martha Ann) knew they had deceased
ancestors helping them because their father ( Hyrum) died when they were so
young.
Laurel knew of a sister missionary in Russia who was told when
set apart as a missionary that her “angel mother” would be at her side on her
mission. After she began her mission, her mother died. She said she frequently
felt her mother with her and helping her.
In Paradise, we will have a rest from Satan. He can’t bother us.
Once we die, he can’t touch us anymore. This is an immediate reward for the
righteous dead – those who endure to the end. Also the same for children who
die.
It is more important how we are when we cross the finish line
than how we were during the rest of our life.
Those who never heard of the Gospel during their life will get
taught in the school part of spirit prison. Satan can still influence them.
Elder Christofferson was a painter – 1893. One day he was
sitting alone in his dining room. Alfred sat at his table and said he had just
come from the spirit world. He said he had started attending the Mormon
meetings, and told him he needed him to do their work. He told him that many in
the spirit world weep because those responsible for them are careless and not
doing the work in the temple that they need.
When children die and go to paradise, their spirits are at their
prime – not still children. All of our spirits will look like we did in our
prime.
President Jedediah Grant (called Mormon Thunder), was a counselor
of Heber J Grant. He visited the spirit world 2 times before dying. He recounted
that people are busy, energetic, and working in a very organized way. In the scripture
that says, “My house is a house of order”, the spirit world is a room in that
house.
He said that the houses and buildings are more beautiful than Solomon’s
temple and the gardens are lovely, bathed in golden light.
In the spirit world, travel is easy, like lightening, with
permission. If you want to go, and get permission, you can be in Jerusalem
immediately.
In the spirit world, the Father and angels will come to visit
and teach. All are busy preparing for the 2nd coming.
At the 2nd coming, the Paradise part of the spirit
world will be emptied out.
RESURRECTION
We are not the only church that believes in the resurrection,
but we are the only church that teaches a literal physical resurrection.
When we are resurrected, we will not have blood. A mortal person
is flesh and blood; a resurrected person is flesh and bones.
We left our heavenly home so that we could become resurrected beings.
Only resurrected beings can have a fulness of joy.
Jesus was the only one who could lay down his own life and
resurrect because he was half immortal. He had the power to lay down his life voluntarily.,
All will resurrect including the earth, the beats, animals,
plants, etc.
The earth will be celestial, like a diamond in the sky. It will
be a urim and Thummim.
D&C 88 – final judgement. By the time we get there, we will
be judged because our body will be celestial, then we will get a celestial
glory.
All righteous before Christ resurrected with Him - the first fruits. It was only those who would
qualify for the Celestial Kingdom.
The apostles who died after Christ are still waiting to resurrect.
There are a few who resurrected after Christ like Peter, James,
and John, Moroni and Jon the revelator (had been translated). They had to be
resurrected out of turn so they could restore the Priesthood, etc.
Joseph Smith has not resurrected because he is needed to t4each
in spirit prison.
Those alive on the earth at the 2nd coming will
resurrect at age 100, in the twinkling of an eye. D&C 101:30, D&C 63,
Brigham Young discourses, p 68.
During the millennium, the resurrection will be as common as
births are now. Isaiah 64:20
Those who qualify for the Terrestrial glory will resurrect right
after the first resurrection – in the afternoon, aftr all the celestial have
resurrected.
Those who qualify for the Telestial will resurrect at the end of
the millennium because they have to atone for their own sins and then be
taught.
The sons of perdition will resurrect last then be cast out to
outer darkness.
The spirits in spiritu prison are in “hell” and will have to
suffer as Christ. It is a temporary outer darkness.
At the resurrection, all will come out of their graves at the
same age that they died. Then they will bee restored to their perfect frame. Immediately,
they will be restored to their prime with a perfect body.
Resurrected beings can pass through walls. They have uncorruptable
bodies – can’t age, no sweat, no waste, etc.
The difference between the Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial
bodies is like the difference in brightness in a 3-way lightbulb.
The resurrected beings in the Celesital kingdom can have
children.
Resurrection is an ordinance like baptism, done by one who is
already resurrected. It will start with Joseph Smith, then he will be in charge
of the process of helping all others get it done by one with authority. It will
be very organized.
President Nelson was asked how he could believe in the
resurrection, being a scientist. He said that he can believe in it BECAUSE he
is a scientist. He said every body part is coded and can be put back together right.
Resurrection is a miracle, to change from a dead body to a
perfect body!! Miraculous!
The Prophet Joseph said: "If we have claim on our heavenly father for anything, it is for knowledge on this important subject." (Teachings pg. 324)
Brigham Young liked to call the spirit world the "next room" or the "next apartment" because it is so close by. Our loved ones who have passed on are "not far from us"... Not far at all. Discourses of Brigham Young: 33:379
Brigham explained further that the spirits of the righteous and the spirits of the wicked all go to the same world of spirits. However, within the spirit world, spirits are separated into different and distinct groups. (Discourses of Brigham Young pg. 376)
Joseph Smith said that as soon as our spirit leaves our body - we will be shaking hands with our family and friends on the other side. (TK p. 139)
Wilford Woodruff taught that priesthood leaders (on the other side of the veil) meet together in councils. At these councils, they decide when to extend callings to righteous men and women who are still alive on the earth. (JD 22:334)
President Joseph F. Smith beheld that "The faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel." (D&C 138:57) He explained that "righteous women, who have been endowed in the temple, are also authorized to teach the gospel in the spirit world." D&C 138:57). (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 461).
Pres. Joseph F. Smith taught that some who pass away "may have a mission given to them to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth. He said - "They bring messages of love, of warning, and of instruction to those whom they had learned to love in the flesh." (Gospel Doctrine, pg. 436)
Brigham Young explained: "If we are faithful to our religion, when we go into the spirit world... Lucifer and the third part of the heavenly hosts that came with him...will have no influence over our spirits." Then Brigham asked: "Is not this an advantage? Yes!! Because the rest of the children of men (who have died) are more or less still subject to these evil spirits... Just as they were while here in the flesh."(JD 7:240)
The righteous are those people who have been baptized by authority and are faithful at the time of their death. (Doc. of Salv. II: pg. 230)
“It's how you cross the finish line that matters.” Elder Robert Hale
The Gospel Principles manual teaches us that "all spirits are in adult form", so no matter what age we are when we die - our spirits look like beautiful young adults. (pg. 242) our spirits reflect what we looked like in our prime.
Jedediah Grant observed that people in the spirit world were not floating around on clouds and playing harps as some have imagined. Instead, they were busy and energetic and productive, working in an orderly way. He was most impressed with how "perfectly" everything was organized on the other side of the veil. (Mormon Thunder - History of Jedediah Morgan Grant by Gene E. Sessions, pg. 213-215)
Pres. Grant described the buildings in the spirit world as being "more beautiful than any he had ever seen". He claimed that: "the most ordinary building in paradise was more impressive than Solomon’s famous temple". He was also impressed with the lovely gardens that he saw there. The flowers were extraordinary - with a variety of colors growing on a single stem. President Grant explained that the entire spirit world was bathed in a beautiful golden light. (Mormon Thunder, Biography of Jedediah Grant)
Brigham Young taught about travel in the spirit world, explaining that spirits move easily there. They are not hobbling along or falling down. They move "like lightning". He said that if we want to visit Jerusalem or some other place after we die- and if we receive permission - we can be there- (immediately) -looking at its streets. (JD 14:231)
Brigham assured the saints that in spirit paradise - "We will have the father to speak to us, Jesus to speak to us, and angels to speak to us." It is impossible to imagine such an amazing opportunity. (JD 14:231)
Here on earth, the Lord has asked us to hasten the work of salvation. In the spirit world, Pres. Monson taught that the saints are also hastening the work of salvation. (June Ensign 2014)
In the scriptures, mortals are sometimes referred to as "flesh and blood", but resurrected bodies are referred to as "flesh and bones." (Doc. of Salv. Vol II, pg. 285)
Restored scriptures teach that only when a person is resurrected can he have a fulness of joy! (D&C 93:33, 138:17)
Brigham Young asked: "Is Joseph glorified yet? Then he explained: "No, he is preaching to the spirits in prison. He will get his resurrection first of anyone in the kingdom, for he was the first that God chose to bring forth the work of the last days." Discourses of Brigham Young, pg. 68.
Brigham Young explained that during that 1000 year period of peace [the millennium], resurrection will become a "commonplace miracle" just like birth has become.
Joseph Smith: "As concerning the resurrection, I will merely say that all men will come from the grave as they lie down, whether old or young; there will not be added unto their stature one cubit... All will be raised by the power of God, having spirit in their bodies and not blood. "HC 4:555
Joseph Fielding Smith explained about those who died in "old" age: "their bodies will come up, of course, as they were laid down, but will be restored to their proper, perfect frame immediately. Old people will not look old... Scars will be removed. No one will be bent or wrinkled." Doctrines of Salvation, 2:292.
“Resurrection” Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
suggested that "proper and perfect frame" means we will be restored to our "prime". Https://www.
Children who died as babies will be raised by righteous parents, either their own parents ---or if their parents are not worthy, they will be "adopted into the families of those who are worthy". (Doc of Salv 2:56)
MARTHA ANN’S VISION: (YOUNGER SISTER OF JOSEPH F. SMITH) SHE WAS 11
YEARS OLD WHEN HER MOTHER DIED, MAKING HER AN ORPHAN.
(dictated to her older brother, Joseph, who wrote it out in pencil)
“I saw my mother and father sitting on the white horse my father used to
ride, dressed in white robes with veils over their faces. The horse was also
clothed in white. Their hands were transparent. There feet were covered with
their robes. The horse’s feet looked beautiful standing on a pavement of gold,
smooth like glass.
My father asked me if we were all well. . . Then mother explained that she
had worried about going and leaving her children when she died. She had asked
Hyrum: “How can I leave the children?” He answered: “The children will be
taken care of” - and that he would be with them, and watch over them.
My father then told my mother she had done well by them and he was
perfectly satisfied. . . and that he would be with them from this time
henceforth and forever.
I asked my father if I had been faithful. He said, “yes, thus far.” They said I
must stay and take care of Joseph and tell him to be a good boy and tell all the
children to be good and they should soon be together again.
Mother asked me if Sister Grennels tried to get Joseph to read. I said yes.
She said she was glad and she thought the world of her for that, and she would
like him to go to school if it were possible.
I asked Mother why they wore veils. She said if they should remove them I
could not look upon them. I kissed them both through their veils. Their breath
smelled like sweet ointment. Their voices sounded like sweet music.
She said she had seen her mother and that they had a joyful time, and they all
dwelt in the same mansion.
Mother said: “Be kind to Aunt Thompson. She will soon come to us.” (Mercy
Thompson was Mary Fielding’s sister, and apparently it would soon be her time
to go. ) She then told me to tell John to be kind to her horse, Fanny, that she
would want her soon – but she was going to have one of her mother’s horses for
the present.”
