Dear Gramps:
I recently attended the funeral of relatives of mine…a couple who died under the tragic circumstances of murder and suicide. I went with only sympathy and compassion in my heart. Ill will towards the perpetrator of this tragedy had not crossed my mind. When I arrived at the viewing, I felt a distinct “spirit” lingering. I have never experienced that when viewing any other deceased individuals. I felt the personality of the wife present, and felt she was extremely mad…very furious over the circumstances of her death. The husband’s presence I did not feel as strongly. Yet, it was there and I felt an evil that I was very surprized by. My husband later said he had exactly the same manifestation.
Are we imagining this? I always thought the spirit left the body immediately and went to the Spirit World and did not return to this realm until the resurection. What were we experiencing?
Brenda
Dear Brenda,
The spirit world is on this earth and in our surroundings. If we could see into the spirit world we would see that we are not alone. President Brigham Young has said–
“It reads that the spirit goes to God who gave it. Let me render this scripture a little plainer; when the spirits leave their bodies they are in the presence of our Father and God, they are prepared then to see, hear and understand spiritual things. But where is the spirit world? It is incorporated within this celestial system. Can you see it with your natural eyes? No. Can you see spirits in this room? No. Suppose the Lord should touch your eyes that you might see, could you then see the spirits? Yes, as plainly as you now see bodies, as did the servant of Elijah. If the Lord would permit it, and it was his will that it should be done you could see the spirits that have departed from this world, as plainly as you now see bodies with your natural eyes” {Discourses of Brigham Young, p.376 – p.377.)
Gramps