The Message

The Message

4.2 of 5 stars 4.20  ·  rating details  ·  1,460 ratings  ·  482 reviews
On Christmas Day, 1998, Lance Richardson was involved in an accident which later left him in a comatose state for several weeks. While his body was being kept alive by medical support equipment, his spirit passed into the world beyond. In "The Message," Lance describes his experience in the world of spirits and delivers to us a message giving a greater understanding of the...more
Paperback, 160 pages
Published December 1st 2000 by American Family Publishing
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Tim
Jul 17, 2008 Tim rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone
Recommended to Tim by: Josh
This book has a great message. I was truly inspired by this account of the life hereafter and the lessons he learned I could hear ring true. I actually appreciate the length of the book and how Lance doesn’t mess around with adding a lot of extra stuff. He gets strait to the point and tells it like it happened. I was really surprised at everything he was able to remember and I am ashamed to say the skeptic in me was trying to break free but I honestly believe this story to be true and I am excit...more
Jeana
Nov 13, 2008 Jeana rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Susannah
Recommended to Jeana by: Michelle Willis
Yes, I read an "inspirational" book and the worst part was that I liked it and I was inspired. Geez. What's wrong with me?

This story is about a man who has a near-death experience and writes down what he saw. I have read other books like this and this tends to be similar (regardless of faith if any), so I can't help but believe that they're telling the story the way they remember it.

I found several points interesting: First, I liked the idea that when we on earth need help it's our loved ones i...more
Brittany
Dec 12, 2007 Brittany rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who has ever lost someone they love. This book brings so much peace.
I don't give 5 stars very often. But this is a must read. It is short and you can finish it in a day. This is a true story about a man who was in a coma for two weeks and wasn't suppose to live. He visited the spirit world and was sent back to earth to read this book. I know that it sound suspicious but even the harshest critics have read it and liked it. It is written by an LDS man and follows the LDS beliefs. I walked away with a sense of overwhelming love that our Heavenly Father has for each...more
Blessedmomfxs
A friend lent me this book recently and I think it is so encouraging! If you’ve ever wondered what happens after we die, this book is amazing. The author suffered severe complications after an accident that left him comatose for some time. During this time, he visited the Spirit World three times and returned with a message to share. God lives and He loves us as His precious children. I loved the idea that we will speak spirit-to-spirit, as well as verbally, on the other side of the veil. There...more
Hawkley Davis
The Message was a story about a man named Lance Richardson who is put in a coma after a motorcycle accident. He was then rushed to the hospital and went under surgery. After that he got an infection in his lungs that made it so he couldn’t breathe. He then was put in a drug induced coma. While he was in the coma he was sent through the veil and was greeted by his family that has died. They were so excited to have him there so they could teach him things. His family showed him around Paradise an...more
Cody Kramer
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Dave
I have read in the neighborhood of 2000 "Near Death" experiences in books, videos, interviews, articles, television reports, etc. Most of the stories I have read are on the websites NDERF and ILANDS. I consider myself an "expert" on the NDE, at least as far as having been exposed to a broad spectrum point of view on them, and at least more reading done on them than the average person. Also having been an active Mormon for several decades has given me somewhat of a not-so-easily-discounted opinio...more
Kristi
This is a NDE book. So, it is controversial from the get go. The Author never says what religion he is, but is quite obviously LDS. I understood his need to make the dialogue flow, so I believe he tried to get what was said across, instead of constantly telling us, "I can't remember exactly what was said here, but it was some thing like..." I can appreciate that. Do I think some may have been embellished? I can't say. I didn't read this book expecting it to be gripping and well plotted. I read i...more
Sarah Capps
My favorite part

the young soldier looked back at his friends and fellow warriors. Then turning back to me, he looked directly into my eyes and said, "We have given our all for the preservation of the United States of America, in order that Zion of the last days may one day be built upon her soil. We continue to serve God in this effort, working upon the people of the nation to continue to choose sovereignty, peace, and freedom based upon the inalienable rights grantee by God. We have and still a...more
Suzan
The LDS author has a near-death experience. He is taught in the Spirit World by deceased relatives and friends. The Message he shares is: The importance of the family in time and Eternity, and the need to strenghten and fortify families. Our deceased relatives give us help and assistance...they are part of how Heavenly Father answers our prayers. The importance of Service and how it makes a Zion society as we serve others and care deeply about their needs. Our nation is on the brink of self dest...more
03rustynm
The book "The Message" is about a man by the name of Lance Richardson. On Christmas morning he was in a terrible accident which put him in a coma for about two weeks. While in this coma. He was not in is body. His spirit was taken to Heaven. He was confused of where he was at. He thought he might be in a dream, but is was far from it. He saw relatives that had passed away long ago. When he finaly realized that he was in Heaven he started asking a lot of questions to his good cousin who had died...more
Summer
This book was so interesting. Lance relates his own experience of 'dying' and recounts some pretty vivid details of the afterlife as he saw it. I liked that it was upbeat, personal and detailed. Some books that deal with this topic leave me feeling freaked out (for lack of a better temr) but this book was actually uplifting. I recommend reading "And Should we Die" by Ron and Randy McMillan before reading "The Message". You'll be glad you did.

I would recommend this book to someone just so I could...more
James Hofheins
The first time Lance Richardson died, he found himself in Paradise - the part of the Spirit World where all who have lived good, God-fearing lives go to await the Great Judgment.

Lance's experience is unique among "near-death" experiences. He met friends he had known ages ago, before he was sent to begin his mortal mission on Earth. He was shown how corrupt and degenerate our country had become, and how that corruption was leading to consequences that are anything but pleasant. He was reminded th...more
Bryce
Overall, I thought this book was good. My mother, who recently discovered she has metastatic breast cancer, recommended this book to me. As a believing Latter-day Saint, I found this story about the life beyond mortality very interesting and credible. However, the more skeptical, suspicious side of me began to wonder about halfway through the book whether the author's profit motive had obscured the honesty of his telling. That said, the fruits he seems to be bringing forth - the encouragement to...more
Carrie
I really loved this book. it is a quick easy read and the author gets right to the point of the experience, which i appreciated. there are many aspects of this book that were so interesting. i don't want to give them all away--and stop reading now if you want to read it for yourself and be surprised, but i loved how Lance (the author) says that before we are even born some of us agreed to die early in life so that we could become spiritual helpers to those family members and friends that we left...more
Leslie
The account of a man who has a NDE (near death experience) after years of health problems that began while serving a mission to Finland, who chooses to live so that he can finish his work and share "the message" from beyond the veil. He is quite obviously a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, though that is never said explicitly. The writing is simple and straightforward, and sometimes repetitive. Because of that I rated it four stars, though it is a five star for my heart...more
Camille
Mar 16, 2008 Camille rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: To my chidren and spouses
Recommended to Camille by: My bishop
Shelves: biography
I learned so many things, actually had reinforced what I already knew. I would love others to read it and share what they think.

One thing I learned was that this man's life was so very difficult, but the courage and love he and his family developed because of the author's trials was remarkable. Family relationships are most important. You can go through anything with god's help and the love of family.
Amy
Just before Christmas I went to visit a friend of mine who just lost her son not too many months ago, she sent me home with this book to read. My husband and I read it together. It was soooo inspiring. I am so thankful that this man shared his experience with us. I was intrigued with many parts of his story. I loved the part where he talks of his grandfather and himself going in the spirit to his dad to inspire him to come quickly and give his son a blessing. Another idea I loved was a quick com...more
Kristie
This was given to me as a gift a few days after my mom past unexpectedly this spring. I wasn't prepared to read anything and was shocked when my husband breezed right through it! I soon read it and found so much peace and comfort from the truths written in its pages! It was a gift given to mr. Richardson to be able to recount his near death experiences and share them so eloquently.

After reading I realized that I had met this man while working at Barnes and Noble. He came in to sign some copies...more
Haley
This book is the most inspiring book to me. I read this book because it's an autobiography about a man named Lance Richardson, who has a near death experience and his spirit traveled into the world beyond us. He travels with his uncle all through the next world. The man is in a coma for several weeks in severe pain. The man was able to reenter his body several times. Everytime causing severe pain.
The Message is a definate read. I'm not a big reader, but this book has me on the edge of my seat...more
Jeannie Lee
I have borrowed this book out to my friends so many times, I am on my 3rd copy as it seems to never return! Lance had a special experience, that he shares here so well. It is touching. It is also true. I know that from deep inside, beyond any shadow of a doubt that the experiences he had and shares in this book are true. I know of 2 others in my life personally who have been where he was, and experienced things as well. Both of them have borne their testimonies to me of the truthfulness of the b...more
Sara
Short Book but Powerful - I read it in a few hours - Here's the synopsis:

"On Christmas Day 1998, Lance Richardson was involved in an accident which later left him in a comatose state for several weeks. While his body was being kept alive by medical support equipment, his spirit passed into the world beyond. In The Message, Lance describes his experience in the world of spirits and delivers to us a message giving a greater understanding of the importance of families and the future of America. He...more
Janie Peckles
This is a NDE book, and I actually read this book days after my husband's grandmother died (who I was very close to and greatly admired). Some interesting and faith building things happened during that time that just didn't make sense to me until after reading this book. The closeness between us and our loved ones who have passed on became incredibly real to me.

I do feel that this account is true, and I do believe in the message Lance was to bring back. It impressed me so much that I realized I...more
Lauren
This is one book with a message that has stuck with me. Some might not like it because it records a near-death experience with some specific details that others may or may not find strange or hard to believe. I personally haven't exerted much effort in formulating my own opinion about the specifics in this book, i.e. exactly what the afterlife looks like and such, since I figure those things don't make a huge difference to me at this point in time. However, one simple message in this book that h...more
Teri

The Message by Lance Richardson

My good friend and former VT highlyrecommended this amazing book to me a few months ago and found that my regional library had a copy, so checcked it out. Since I wanted my own copy and two of Lance's other b ooks, I called Lance's widow Jozete to request review copies and she sent them to me. I read the library copy and loaned my copy to my caregiver and close friend from another ward here.

Since I have read several near death experience books over the past server...more
Kimbolimbo
I shouldn't be so severe, but I am not a fan of afterlife accounts. I guess you can call me a believing skeptic. I don't doubt that someone has had an afterlife experience and returned to tell about it. But I don't believe every account I hear. This one sounded more like a dream where the man's mind recalled a lot of good things he has learned over the course of his life and put them together into a scenario/dream while he was in a coma. I might even agree that his spirit left his body for a tim...more
Linda
In a coma for several weeks, Lance Richardson had several out-of-body experiences. "The Message" contains an inspiring account of life after death, and how our relationships will continue. The book is simple and brief. His description of how people live, love, and communicate is beautiful. His main point goes beyond his description of the afterlife, and it is that we must be kind to and serve one another.
Reading this book is like hiking up to the top of a mountain, and while there, having a cle...more
Liesl
Aug 23, 2008 Liesl rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who has lost a loved one
Recommended to Liesl by: Gift at Jeff's passing.
An easy read and a good one. Deals with an after death experience. Talks about the role those that have passed before us play in our lives. I am going to a lecture by the author's wife next Sunday.
Kaleen
Mar 18, 2008 Kaleen rated it 4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Kaleen by: Tim Peak
I really enjoyed the story. It is a quick read. The message of the book is a great message and I agree. I think it would help anyone who has lost a loved one. I think they would find comfort in the book.
Eduardo
One of the best books I ever read because it adds up to something very important that should be part of everyone's life: hope. I think what gets me in trouble sometimes is that I forget that there is a life after this one, that it may be better if I live well, that there is so much light and love there. As I read the book I could not stop because the author is talking about a very personal experience of which he was not the only one participating. While outside of the body he sees his family and...more
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