Table of Contents
Foreword xiii
Introduction-If You Could Gaze into Heaven 1
Chapter 1 What Happens First During a Near-Death Experience 11
See Lifeless Mortal Body 11
Pain Is Gone 15
Met by a Spiritual Guide 19
Chapter 2 Arrival in the Spirit World 23
Life Continues, Feeling Natural and Real 24
Same Person as Before Death 26
Feel Joy, Peace, Love, and Happiness 30
Have a Review of Life 31
Chapter 3 Meet with Loved Ones 35
See Jesus, Joseph Smith, or Other Prophets and Leaders 38
Chapter 4 Light in the Spirit World 47
Light Around Spiritual Personages 49
Chapter 5 Attributes of the Spirit Body 53
Spirits Are Composed of Pure, Refined Matter 53
The Spirit Body Looks like the Physical Body 53
Vision Is Increased 54
Able to Move Quickly and Effortlessly 56
Resurrected Personages 60
Chapter 6 Mental Characteristics of the Spirit Body 69
Mental Faculties Are Quickened 69
Able to Read Thoughts 72
Memory Is Restored 74
Chapter 7 General Appearance of the Spirit World 79
Trees, Flowers, Rivers, and Lakes 81
Animals, Fish, and Birds 83
Chapter 8 Cities in the Spirit World 87
Buildings 91
Chapter 9 Other Aspects of the Spirit World 97
Time is Different 97
Music 102
Clothing 108
Chapter 10 People in the Spirit World Are Active and Busy 111
'Earthly' Activities in the Spirit World 113
Chapter 11 The Restoration of the Gospel 125
Chapter 12 The Gospel Is Taught in the Spirit World 129
Some Mortals Are Called to the Spirit World to Teach 134
The Gospel Is Taught to Those in Prison 136
Chapter 13 Agency and Repentance 139
Chapter 14 There Are Different Spheres in the Spirit World 143
Children Are Saved in the Celestial Kingdom 146
Chapter 15 The Spirit World Is Organized and Is Governed by the Priesthood 151
Requests Made to Priesthood Authorities 154
Chapter 16 The Importance of Ordinance Work 157
Ancestors Are Anxious to Have Ordinance Work Done 160
Chapter 17 Those in the Spirit World Ask What People on Earth Are Doing 165
Chapter 18 See Someone They Didn't Know Was Dead 175
Discover That a Mortal Is Going to Die Soon 176
Chapter 19 Message Is Given 181
Tell Loved Ones to Stop Grieving 183
Chapter 20 Given Choice to Stay or Return to Mortality 187
Told They Must Return 191
Chapter 21 Coming Back to Mortality 195
Return Occurs Because of Prayer or a Priesthood Blessing 195
Physical Sensations Upon Re-entering Physical Body 199
Don't Want To Return-Body Appears Loathsome 201
Chapter 22 How People Were Affected by Their Near-Death Experiences 205
Chapter 23 Comparing Modern-Day and Early Church Near-Death Experiences 209
Chapter 24 What Can Be Learned by Gazing Into Heaven 213
Chapter 25 Near-Death Experiences Are of Great Worth 219
Appendix 1 Common Elements in LDS Near-Death Experiences with a List of Corresponding Accounts 225
Appendix 2 Index of Names 249
About the Author 255
