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What's On the Other Side? What the Gospel Teaches Us about the Spirit World
Brent Top a professor at BYU and author of many important books, highlights the wealth of information about the spirit world provided by latter-day prophets and apostles it's location, the nature of departed spirits, conditions there, and the work performed. Removing much of the mystery and fear associated with dying, his message demonstrates that knowing what life will be like there and then inspires us to live better live here and now.
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First published May 5, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
June 30, 2015
I will read this little, easy-to-read-and-understand book at least once a year. Brent L. Top has been fascinated with death for most of his life. He has researched everything he could find about what life is like on the other side for years, not only from LDS scriptures and words of prophets, but also other scholars--even ancient ones, and people who have had near-death experiences from all over the world.
Brent L. Top is a gospel scholar whose work I have admired for years. I was studying for a Sunday School lesson on post-mortal life, and that's why I ended up buying this book. Darwin and I read the first half together on a road trip, and we loved it. Not only is it filled with truth and light, it also has wit and humor.
Here's the thing: Any book that inspires you, makes you want to be a better person, not out of fear, but out of love--makes you want to serve and love your fellowperson (ha, ha, I did that on PURPOSE!!!)--is a great book. That's what this book does, dear reader. If you know me, you may borrow mine, if not--Amazon is a great source!!!
Brent L. Top is a gospel scholar whose work I have admired for years. I was studying for a Sunday School lesson on post-mortal life, and that's why I ended up buying this book. Darwin and I read the first half together on a road trip, and we loved it. Not only is it filled with truth and light, it also has wit and humor.
Here's the thing: Any book that inspires you, makes you want to be a better person, not out of fear, but out of love--makes you want to serve and love your fellowperson (ha, ha, I did that on PURPOSE!!!)--is a great book. That's what this book does, dear reader. If you know me, you may borrow mine, if not--Amazon is a great source!!!
March 7, 2014
I loved this book. It gave some great insights on life after death as explained through the scriptures and modern day prophets. It provided me with a knowledge and understanding that really helped bring hope. Most things I already knew but had never really thought about in depth. I loved how this book made me think more deeply and led to a better understanding, deeper meaning. I only read this book in small doses (and it is already a pretty short book) because I really wanted to ponder and think about things. I loved the time I spent in this book and it really has helped me as I've dealt with the passing of a loved one.
March 17, 2013
What's on the Other Side? is a brief book that compiles scriptural passages about death and the life after, in relationship to what other's have witnessed in near death experiences. The book is simply written. This combination makes it a great book for a person who is grieving and needing answers. The brain has a hard time maintaining its focus during periods of deep personal loss, so it was nice that this book didn't require a lot of energy. I didn't agree with all he said, but I did find the book comforting.
February 7, 2015
I lost my sweet mother, unexpectedly, only 2 weeks ago. While I didn't really learn anything new, I was grateful for the refresher course on the spirit world. I was underlining things constantly. Every page had something wonderful on it. A great read for anyone, but particularly if you're grieving and seeking comfort in gospel doctrine.
May 16, 2022
I listened to this book and man, it was just fantastic! You can hear Brent L. Tops enthusiasm for this particular topic. I love this book so much and I'm grateful for the growth I've had by reading it
December 16, 2019
EDIT: Don't read this book! I just read "Beyond Death's Door" by Brent Wendy Top, and that book is a much fuller version of this one. I know that it can be hard to find, because it's also called "Glimpses Beyond Death's Door," and it's often part of a 3-in-1 eBook bundle by Brent Top, which is how I found it. It's confusing, but I promise it's worth it. This book is a short, watered-down book of that one. Unless you are dying in the next few days, I think it's worth it for you to read "Beyond Death's Door" and get the full experience of this one.
Original Review: This book is a nice summary of Latter-day Saint doctrine about what happens after death, with many comparisons to near-death experiences (NDE's) of people from other religions. By my count, there were 16 NDE books cited, most frequently from Emanuel Swedenborg, Kenneth Ring, and Raymond Moody. Brent Top explains at the beginning that he was asked to make this book as an expansion of a talk he gave, and it is fairly short (less than 100 pages). I've always been fascinated by this subject, but never sure how seriously to take these accounts. I'll definitely look more into Brother Top's other books, and I may explore some of the ones he cited for comparison.
Original Review: This book is a nice summary of Latter-day Saint doctrine about what happens after death, with many comparisons to near-death experiences (NDE's) of people from other religions. By my count, there were 16 NDE books cited, most frequently from Emanuel Swedenborg, Kenneth Ring, and Raymond Moody. Brent Top explains at the beginning that he was asked to make this book as an expansion of a talk he gave, and it is fairly short (less than 100 pages). I've always been fascinated by this subject, but never sure how seriously to take these accounts. I'll definitely look more into Brother Top's other books, and I may explore some of the ones he cited for comparison.
August 7, 2014
I really liked reading this book especially after watching the movie, "Heaven is for Real". Brent Top took some of the talks he has given over the years and compiled it into a book. He researched several different near death stories of people who have gone to the "other side" and come back to talk about it. The stories came from different walks of life and he shares what they all have in common. The biggest things I remember from this book are that we are loved, we remain here on Earth as spirits but our senses will be heightened, we will not feel pain and be in an adult state with no limitations that our physical body have now, and we will love it! Most people who came back didn't want to but needed to for one reason or another. It is comforting to know that there is peace waiting for us and we need to complete our mission here or "test" before going on.
May 8, 2013
This book was shorter than I expected but a comforting perspective.
Some favorite lines:
"Not only biologically, but spiritually, we begin preparation for death the moment we are born. How we live is how we prepare." Chapter 8
"President Harold B. Lee once said: “What we are hereafter depends on what we’re after here.”" Chapter 8
"Another person who had gone into the spirit world described it this way: “Mine was not a review, it was a reliving. For me, it was a total reliving of every thought I had ever thought, every word I had ever spoken, and every deed I had ever done; plus the effect of each thought, word, and deed on everyone and anyone who had ever come within my environment or sphere of influence whether I knew them or not.”" Chapter 6
Some favorite lines:
"Not only biologically, but spiritually, we begin preparation for death the moment we are born. How we live is how we prepare." Chapter 8
"President Harold B. Lee once said: “What we are hereafter depends on what we’re after here.”" Chapter 8
"Another person who had gone into the spirit world described it this way: “Mine was not a review, it was a reliving. For me, it was a total reliving of every thought I had ever thought, every word I had ever spoken, and every deed I had ever done; plus the effect of each thought, word, and deed on everyone and anyone who had ever come within my environment or sphere of influence whether I knew them or not.”" Chapter 6
February 8, 2017
this book changed me! after reading chapter 6, I literally prayed longer than I ever have, and asked forgiveness for every single wrong deed I could remember doing! ! the description of one's "life review", was life changing. I want to be sure I cleared everything up before this happens to me! ! ! ! if you want to know what heaven is like, with lots of doctrine and stories to back it up...this is the book for you.
February 11, 2015
very comforting
November 7, 2018
This book was given to me by a friend after the passing of my mother and I'm grateful to have read it. It's a great book for any LDS person to read, but especially for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, because it's not very long and it's not particularly complex. When I say that it is not complex and feels simple, I mean nothing against the author -- the book is just very straightforward and easy to read. (Honestly, that's to its credit, because when you're mourning the loss of a loved one, I swear it's sometimes harder to mentally process things, especially in the early days and weeks of grief.) The book is well-researched and well-written. Although I can't help but be a little skeptical about stories of people visiting the afterlife, I think the author handled those stories well. I felt a lot of peace while I read this book and that in itself made it worth reading.
October 18, 2023
This book provided me a comforting perspective. I recently lost my brother and it affected me harder than I expected. A good friend who lost her husband this year recommended the book to me. Thank you Diane. I have heard Brent Top speak at Education Week a while ago and liked his presentation and his expertise with so many sources. The book is easy to read and reminded me of some things about the spirit world I had forgotten and not thought about for a long time.
The one thing that so many sources talked about was the immense feeling of love all around. That was the main thing. Those feelings.
Hard to imagine but sounds so wonderful!!
It's exciting to think about Bruce and our parents being so close and happy and attentive!!
This book would be enjoyed by anyone, especially members of our church. Really no reason to be afraid to die. Except maybe the suffering to me and those I love. I just need more faith that everything will be okay.
The one thing that so many sources talked about was the immense feeling of love all around. That was the main thing. Those feelings.
Hard to imagine but sounds so wonderful!!
It's exciting to think about Bruce and our parents being so close and happy and attentive!!
This book would be enjoyed by anyone, especially members of our church. Really no reason to be afraid to die. Except maybe the suffering to me and those I love. I just need more faith that everything will be okay.
April 4, 2021
This short, well-written and thoroughly researched book gives a clear and well-rounded view about what life is like after we die - from the perspective of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It provides near-death accounts both from LDS and non-LDS people. And all the accounts are very similar, which academically is telling, and religiously is hopeful. Doctrines related in this book are from the Church and fit perfectly into these accounts as well.
If you’ve ever wondered about what happens to you after you die, this is a comforting and thorough explanation.
If you’ve ever wondered about what happens to you after you die, this is a comforting and thorough explanation.
April 15, 2024
What an amazing little book. I didn’t expect to get so much out of it. This has been very comforting for me to read as well as insightful. I’ve recently had so many questions about the specifics of the spirit world. This has helped me feel so much peace, instead of fear. So much love and understanding. I also feel an extreme pull to live life better. This book has inspired me so much to be more Christlike, love others, and to stop sweating the small pointless stuff this world makes us feel is important. I learned so so much and am grateful for this book at a difficult time of grieving in my life.
December 27, 2017
After a discussion in Sunday School about the spirit world, I felt like I had more questions than answers. I listened to this audiobook and learned so much! I highly recommend it if you want to know more about where we go when we die!
November 7, 2018
I've read this book several times and am always inspired by the thoughts here. This time I read it again before sharing it with a friend who is terminally ill. This is an enlightening book of hope.
April 6, 2024
“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…for where your treasure is there will your heart be also.” Matt 6: 20-21
A comforting and encouraging read.
A comforting and encouraging read.
November 1, 2020
Insightful and uplifting book! Here are some good quotes:
"We live to die. In fact, the seeds of death are sown at the same instant life is conceived. That is just part of mortality, in the literal sense of that world. In the eternal scheme of things there can be no life--eternal life--without death. We must die to really live (p. 1)."
"'I'm not afraid of death... I'm just afraid of what I will have to go through to get there.'... The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that 'the Lord in his wisdom has implanted the fear of death in every person that [we] might cling to life and thus accomplish the designs of [our] creator (p. 1).'"
"No matter our age or circumstances, death is a new experience for each of us (p. 2)."
"Death is a vital gateway to immortality, an important milestone along the road of eternal progress (p. 2)."
"'Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it' (Ecclesiastes 12:7, p. 3)."
"'It's not death. It's another kind of life.'... 'Death is simply an open door.'... Death is not the end but only a change, a transition from one condition to another... Without minimizing the sadness that occurs with the loss of a loved one, I like to think of death as walking from one room in the house to another (p. 4)."
"'Those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them' (Doctrine and Covenants 42:46, p. 5)."
"'The spirit of man is in the form of man (p. 6).'"
"President Boyd K. Packer compared the body and spirit to a hand and glove. The glove covers the hand, but the hand is the real living part. Death is like taking off the glove. President Brigham Young stated: 'Take the spirit from the body, and the body is lifeless (p. 7).'"
"At death, the spirit body is liberated from the adverse effects of aging, disease, or handicaps (p. 8)."
"'The brightness and glory of the next apartment is inexpressible. It is not encumbered with the 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... But yonder, how different!... Here, we are continually troubled with ills and ailments of various kinds,... but in the spirit world we are free from all this and enjoy life, glory, and intelligence (Brigham Young, p. 8).'"
"The powers and capacities of the spirit body surpass even those of physical bodies in the natural world when it comes to communication and feelings, movement and travel, and learning and comprehension. From the Doctrine and Covenants we learn that 'all spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes' (D&C 131:7). The refined, pure nature of spirit matter affects how the spirit moves about, communicates, learns, and comprehends (p. 10)."
"'As quickly as the spirit is unlocked from this house of clay, it is free to travel with lightning speed to any planet, or fixed star, or to the uttermost part of the earth, or to the depths of the sea, according to the will of Him who dictates (Brigham Young, p. 10).'"
"'Time, as much as any one thing, whispers to us that we are strangers here (Neal A. Maxwell, p. 11).'"
"The Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith that the means whereby God communicates with man is through the mind and in the heart (see D&C 8:2). He later taught that divine messages from the eternal realm come to us 'independent of affinity of this mortal tabernacle, but are revealed to our spirits precisely as thought we had no bodies at all.' The spirit of revelation is the divine means of communication not only here in mortality, but also in the next life. Such divine communication transcends words and language. Elder Orson Pratt taught: 'How do you suppose that spirits after they leave these bodies, communicate one with another? Do they communicate their ideas by the actual vibrations of the atmosphere the same as we do? I think not. I think if we could be made acquainted with the kind of language by which spirits converse with spirits, we would find that they... have undoubtedly a more refined system among them of communicating their ideas. This system will be so constructed that they can, not only communicate at the same moment upon one subject, as we have to do by making sounds in the atmosphere, but communicate vast numbers of ideas, all at the same time, on a great variety of subjects; and the mind will be capable of perceiving the... If the mind has such faculty as this, then there must necessarily be a language adapted to such a capacity of the mind... 'Can you imagine up any such system, or language in this world?' I can imagine up one, but it cannot be made practicable here, from the fact that the mind of man is unable to use it... Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, and man when under the influence of it, speaks the language of angels... the Holy Ghost suggests the ideas which he speaks; and it gives him utterance to convey them to the people... Suppose instead of having arbitrary sounds, such as we have here, to communicate these ideas, that the Holy Ghost itself, through a certain process and power should enable him to unfold that knowledge to another spirit, all in an instant (p. 12).'"
"Another important capacity of the spirit body is the ability to learn and comprehend. We know that the spirit world is a place of learning. The gospel teaches us that the most important learning is acquired through spiritual means (p. 13)."
"'I shall not cease learning while I live, nor when I arrive in the spirit world... but shall there learn with great facility (Brigham Young, p. 13).'"
"'We shall learn many more things... I believe we shall be freed, in the next world, in a great measure, from these narrow, contracted methods of thinking. Instead of 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 (Orson Pratt, p. 14).'"
"'Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject (Joseph Smith, p. 15).'"
"'Where is the spirit world? It is right here. Do the good and evil spirits go together? Yes, they do... Do they go to the sun [or some other planet]? No. Do they go beyond the boundaries of this organized earth? No, they do not. They are brought forth upon this earth, for the express purpose of inhabiting it to all eternity (Brigham Young, p. 17).'"
"'There is no river... there is no curtain, there is not even a line that separates this life from the other life (p. 18).'"
"'This spirit world...surrounds our present life (p. 18).'"
"'This other world is not way off in the sky someplace, but... it is superimposed upon the world in which we live. The other world is simply on a higher, or... different frequency than we on earth occupy (Reverend Norman Vincent Peale, p. 19).'"
"'I believe we move and have our being in the presence of heavenly messengers and of heavenly beings. We are not separate from them... And therefore, I claim that we live in their presence, they see us, they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more than ever (Joseph F. Smith, p. 19).'"
"'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 fifty to a hundred different colored flowers growing upon one stalk (Jedediah M. Grant, p. 21).'"
"No wonder Brigham [Young] said that it took far greater faith than he had ever before exercised for him to desire to continue to live in mortality (p. 21)."
"'Same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory' (D&C 130:2)."
"'Spirits talk with each other just the way people in the world do, and they talk of various things--household [family] matters, political matters, issues of moral life and issues of spiritual life... There is no noticeable difference, except that they talk with each other more intelligently than men do, since they talk more profoundly, from thought (Emanuel Swedenborg, p. 25).'"
"'Righteous spirits are close by us... They are organized according to priesthood order in family organizations as we are here; only there they exist in a more perfect order (Ezra Taft Benson, p. 27).'"
"'Our Father in Heaven organized the human family, but they are all disorganized in great confusion (Joseph Smith, p. 27).'"
"'When in the spirit world, I saw the order of righteous men and women... I looked to see whether there was any disorder there, but there was none... all were organized... in perfect harmony (Jedediah M. Grant, p. 27).'"
"Just as we have responsibilities here in this life, we will have responsibilities and work to do there (p. 28)."
"The spirit world is indeed a place of peace and rest for the righteous: rest from earthly concerns, freedom from mortal aches and pains and vexing problems, and peace in knowing that our probation is ended and that we have endured faithfully. However, 'a state of rest' does not mean lounging about with nothing to do. It is peaceful and spiritually restful to be engaged in the work of the Lord. That is the greatest work to be done on the other side of the veil (p. 29)."
"'Every dispensation that has had the priesthood on the earth and has gone into the celestial kingdom has had a certain amount of work to do to prepare to go to earth with the Savior when he goes to reign on the earth. Each dispensation has had ample time to do this work. We have not. We are the last dispensation, and so much work has to be done, and we need to be in a hurry to accomplish it (Joseph Smith, p. 31).'"
"Urgency would describe the work on the other side of the veil (p. 31)."
"'I beheld that they were filled with joy and gladness, and were rejoicing together because the day of their deliverance was at hand. They were assembled awaiting the advent of the Son of God into the spirit world, to declare their redemption from the bands of death (Joseph F. Smith, p. 31).'"
"He then saw how the Lord 'organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead' (D&C 138:28, 30). That is the urgent work in which all faithful spirits will find themselves engaged when they depart this life and enter into the world of the spirits (p. 32)."
"Each release of a righteous individual from this life is also a call to new labors (p. 34)."
"Can you imagine the happiness in the hearts of both spirit world 'missionaries' and their 'converts' when that kind of success accompanies the work (p. 35)?"
"Even though the spirit world is the same place for all, there appears to be some sort of segregation of spirits. It may be something of self-segregation, according to those things we love and those principles that have guided our lives... We tend to associate with those we feel comfortable around (p. 36)."
"Liberation and light comes in the spirit world, as it does here, by learning, accepting, and living the principles and ordinances of the gospel (p. 37)."
"In some significant way, the spirit world will have a feeling of home. It is not the final stop in our eternal journey, for we will still be resurrected and enter into an eternal kingdom of glory (p. 38)."
"'They are only absent for a moment. They are in the spirit, and we shall soon meet again... When we depart [from this life], we shall hail our mothers, fathers, friends, and al whom we love, who have fallen asleep in Jesus... It will be an eternity of felicity (Joseph Smith, p. 43).'"
"'When messengers are sent to minister to the inhabitants of this earth, they are not strangers, but from the ranks of our kindred [and] friends (Joseph F. Smith, p. 45).'"
"We do work for them, but they are doing work for us in ways that we may not always recognize. The work of the Lord, for our salvation and theirs, goes forth 'nobly and boldly' on both sides of the veil. And all of this is for the intent to prepare us for the greatest and most glorious family reunion (p. 48)."
"'The spirit lives where the record of his deeds is kept--that does not die--man cannot kill it; there is no decay associated with it (John Taylor, p. 51).'"
"We will be seen as we really are (p. 53)."
"How thankful I am that because of the atonement of Jesus Christ my 'life review' can be modified to feature the new me instead of the old one (p. 55)."
"We take with us into the spirit world the same attitudes, dispositions, and desires we have here. What we love here we will love there... 'If men and women do not qualify themselves and become sanctified and purified in this life, they will go into the world of the spirits where they will have a greater contest with the devils than [they] had with them here (Heber C. Kimball, p. 56).'"
"'This life is the time in which men are to repent... It is my judgment that any man or woman can do more to conform to the laws of God in one year in this life than they could do in ten years when they are dead... It is much easier to overcome sin and serve the Lord when both the flesh and spirit are combined as one (Melvin J. Ballard, p. 56).'"
"We get what we gave. We reap what we sowed. We experience all the effects of our own choices (p. 58)."
"Most of the people who encountered the spirit world… came back from that experience with a new sense of purpose and priorities in life (p. 62)."
"'The most important thing that we have are our relationships with other people... It all comes down to caring and compassion and love for your fellowmen... Love is the answer. It's the answer to everything (p. 63).'"
"Everything hinges on these two things: first and foremost, loving God, and then loving others--our family, friends, neighbors, strangers, everyone--including our enemies (p. 63)."
"The light and glory that fills our souls and radiates in God's realm is also God's perfect love (p. 64)."
"'What we are hereafter depends on what we're after here (Harold B. Lee, p. 69).'"
"The gospel of Jesus Christ doesn't just...prepare us for eternity; that preparation also blesses and enriches our lives right now (p. 69)."
"What mark am I leaving?... Are my priorities right (p. 72)?"
"'O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?... Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (1 Corinthians 15:55, 57, p. 78).”
"We live to die. In fact, the seeds of death are sown at the same instant life is conceived. That is just part of mortality, in the literal sense of that world. In the eternal scheme of things there can be no life--eternal life--without death. We must die to really live (p. 1)."
"'I'm not afraid of death... I'm just afraid of what I will have to go through to get there.'... The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that 'the Lord in his wisdom has implanted the fear of death in every person that [we] might cling to life and thus accomplish the designs of [our] creator (p. 1).'"
"No matter our age or circumstances, death is a new experience for each of us (p. 2)."
"Death is a vital gateway to immortality, an important milestone along the road of eternal progress (p. 2)."
"'Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it' (Ecclesiastes 12:7, p. 3)."
"'It's not death. It's another kind of life.'... 'Death is simply an open door.'... Death is not the end but only a change, a transition from one condition to another... Without minimizing the sadness that occurs with the loss of a loved one, I like to think of death as walking from one room in the house to another (p. 4)."
"'Those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them' (Doctrine and Covenants 42:46, p. 5)."
"'The spirit of man is in the form of man (p. 6).'"
"President Boyd K. Packer compared the body and spirit to a hand and glove. The glove covers the hand, but the hand is the real living part. Death is like taking off the glove. President Brigham Young stated: 'Take the spirit from the body, and the body is lifeless (p. 7).'"
"At death, the spirit body is liberated from the adverse effects of aging, disease, or handicaps (p. 8)."
"'The brightness and glory of the next apartment is inexpressible. It is not encumbered with the 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... But yonder, how different!... Here, we are continually troubled with ills and ailments of various kinds,... but in the spirit world we are free from all this and enjoy life, glory, and intelligence (Brigham Young, p. 8).'"
"The powers and capacities of the spirit body surpass even those of physical bodies in the natural world when it comes to communication and feelings, movement and travel, and learning and comprehension. From the Doctrine and Covenants we learn that 'all spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes' (D&C 131:7). The refined, pure nature of spirit matter affects how the spirit moves about, communicates, learns, and comprehends (p. 10)."
"'As quickly as the spirit is unlocked from this house of clay, it is free to travel with lightning speed to any planet, or fixed star, or to the uttermost part of the earth, or to the depths of the sea, according to the will of Him who dictates (Brigham Young, p. 10).'"
"'Time, as much as any one thing, whispers to us that we are strangers here (Neal A. Maxwell, p. 11).'"
"The Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith that the means whereby God communicates with man is through the mind and in the heart (see D&C 8:2). He later taught that divine messages from the eternal realm come to us 'independent of affinity of this mortal tabernacle, but are revealed to our spirits precisely as thought we had no bodies at all.' The spirit of revelation is the divine means of communication not only here in mortality, but also in the next life. Such divine communication transcends words and language. Elder Orson Pratt taught: 'How do you suppose that spirits after they leave these bodies, communicate one with another? Do they communicate their ideas by the actual vibrations of the atmosphere the same as we do? I think not. I think if we could be made acquainted with the kind of language by which spirits converse with spirits, we would find that they... have undoubtedly a more refined system among them of communicating their ideas. This system will be so constructed that they can, not only communicate at the same moment upon one subject, as we have to do by making sounds in the atmosphere, but communicate vast numbers of ideas, all at the same time, on a great variety of subjects; and the mind will be capable of perceiving the... If the mind has such faculty as this, then there must necessarily be a language adapted to such a capacity of the mind... 'Can you imagine up any such system, or language in this world?' I can imagine up one, but it cannot be made practicable here, from the fact that the mind of man is unable to use it... Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, and man when under the influence of it, speaks the language of angels... the Holy Ghost suggests the ideas which he speaks; and it gives him utterance to convey them to the people... Suppose instead of having arbitrary sounds, such as we have here, to communicate these ideas, that the Holy Ghost itself, through a certain process and power should enable him to unfold that knowledge to another spirit, all in an instant (p. 12).'"
"Another important capacity of the spirit body is the ability to learn and comprehend. We know that the spirit world is a place of learning. The gospel teaches us that the most important learning is acquired through spiritual means (p. 13)."
"'I shall not cease learning while I live, nor when I arrive in the spirit world... but shall there learn with great facility (Brigham Young, p. 13).'"
"'We shall learn many more things... I believe we shall be freed, in the next world, in a great measure, from these narrow, contracted methods of thinking. Instead of 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 (Orson Pratt, p. 14).'"
"'Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject (Joseph Smith, p. 15).'"
"'Where is the spirit world? It is right here. Do the good and evil spirits go together? Yes, they do... Do they go to the sun [or some other planet]? No. Do they go beyond the boundaries of this organized earth? No, they do not. They are brought forth upon this earth, for the express purpose of inhabiting it to all eternity (Brigham Young, p. 17).'"
"'There is no river... there is no curtain, there is not even a line that separates this life from the other life (p. 18).'"
"'This spirit world...surrounds our present life (p. 18).'"
"'This other world is not way off in the sky someplace, but... it is superimposed upon the world in which we live. The other world is simply on a higher, or... different frequency than we on earth occupy (Reverend Norman Vincent Peale, p. 19).'"
"'I believe we move and have our being in the presence of heavenly messengers and of heavenly beings. We are not separate from them... And therefore, I claim that we live in their presence, they see us, they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more than ever (Joseph F. Smith, p. 19).'"
"'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 fifty to a hundred different colored flowers growing upon one stalk (Jedediah M. Grant, p. 21).'"
"No wonder Brigham [Young] said that it took far greater faith than he had ever before exercised for him to desire to continue to live in mortality (p. 21)."
"'Same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory' (D&C 130:2)."
"'Spirits talk with each other just the way people in the world do, and they talk of various things--household [family] matters, political matters, issues of moral life and issues of spiritual life... There is no noticeable difference, except that they talk with each other more intelligently than men do, since they talk more profoundly, from thought (Emanuel Swedenborg, p. 25).'"
"'Righteous spirits are close by us... They are organized according to priesthood order in family organizations as we are here; only there they exist in a more perfect order (Ezra Taft Benson, p. 27).'"
"'Our Father in Heaven organized the human family, but they are all disorganized in great confusion (Joseph Smith, p. 27).'"
"'When in the spirit world, I saw the order of righteous men and women... I looked to see whether there was any disorder there, but there was none... all were organized... in perfect harmony (Jedediah M. Grant, p. 27).'"
"Just as we have responsibilities here in this life, we will have responsibilities and work to do there (p. 28)."
"The spirit world is indeed a place of peace and rest for the righteous: rest from earthly concerns, freedom from mortal aches and pains and vexing problems, and peace in knowing that our probation is ended and that we have endured faithfully. However, 'a state of rest' does not mean lounging about with nothing to do. It is peaceful and spiritually restful to be engaged in the work of the Lord. That is the greatest work to be done on the other side of the veil (p. 29)."
"'Every dispensation that has had the priesthood on the earth and has gone into the celestial kingdom has had a certain amount of work to do to prepare to go to earth with the Savior when he goes to reign on the earth. Each dispensation has had ample time to do this work. We have not. We are the last dispensation, and so much work has to be done, and we need to be in a hurry to accomplish it (Joseph Smith, p. 31).'"
"Urgency would describe the work on the other side of the veil (p. 31)."
"'I beheld that they were filled with joy and gladness, and were rejoicing together because the day of their deliverance was at hand. They were assembled awaiting the advent of the Son of God into the spirit world, to declare their redemption from the bands of death (Joseph F. Smith, p. 31).'"
"He then saw how the Lord 'organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead' (D&C 138:28, 30). That is the urgent work in which all faithful spirits will find themselves engaged when they depart this life and enter into the world of the spirits (p. 32)."
"Each release of a righteous individual from this life is also a call to new labors (p. 34)."
"Can you imagine the happiness in the hearts of both spirit world 'missionaries' and their 'converts' when that kind of success accompanies the work (p. 35)?"
"Even though the spirit world is the same place for all, there appears to be some sort of segregation of spirits. It may be something of self-segregation, according to those things we love and those principles that have guided our lives... We tend to associate with those we feel comfortable around (p. 36)."
"Liberation and light comes in the spirit world, as it does here, by learning, accepting, and living the principles and ordinances of the gospel (p. 37)."
"In some significant way, the spirit world will have a feeling of home. It is not the final stop in our eternal journey, for we will still be resurrected and enter into an eternal kingdom of glory (p. 38)."
"'They are only absent for a moment. They are in the spirit, and we shall soon meet again... When we depart [from this life], we shall hail our mothers, fathers, friends, and al whom we love, who have fallen asleep in Jesus... It will be an eternity of felicity (Joseph Smith, p. 43).'"
"'When messengers are sent to minister to the inhabitants of this earth, they are not strangers, but from the ranks of our kindred [and] friends (Joseph F. Smith, p. 45).'"
"We do work for them, but they are doing work for us in ways that we may not always recognize. The work of the Lord, for our salvation and theirs, goes forth 'nobly and boldly' on both sides of the veil. And all of this is for the intent to prepare us for the greatest and most glorious family reunion (p. 48)."
"'The spirit lives where the record of his deeds is kept--that does not die--man cannot kill it; there is no decay associated with it (John Taylor, p. 51).'"
"We will be seen as we really are (p. 53)."
"How thankful I am that because of the atonement of Jesus Christ my 'life review' can be modified to feature the new me instead of the old one (p. 55)."
"We take with us into the spirit world the same attitudes, dispositions, and desires we have here. What we love here we will love there... 'If men and women do not qualify themselves and become sanctified and purified in this life, they will go into the world of the spirits where they will have a greater contest with the devils than [they] had with them here (Heber C. Kimball, p. 56).'"
"'This life is the time in which men are to repent... It is my judgment that any man or woman can do more to conform to the laws of God in one year in this life than they could do in ten years when they are dead... It is much easier to overcome sin and serve the Lord when both the flesh and spirit are combined as one (Melvin J. Ballard, p. 56).'"
"We get what we gave. We reap what we sowed. We experience all the effects of our own choices (p. 58)."
"Most of the people who encountered the spirit world… came back from that experience with a new sense of purpose and priorities in life (p. 62)."
"'The most important thing that we have are our relationships with other people... It all comes down to caring and compassion and love for your fellowmen... Love is the answer. It's the answer to everything (p. 63).'"
"Everything hinges on these two things: first and foremost, loving God, and then loving others--our family, friends, neighbors, strangers, everyone--including our enemies (p. 63)."
"The light and glory that fills our souls and radiates in God's realm is also God's perfect love (p. 64)."
"'What we are hereafter depends on what we're after here (Harold B. Lee, p. 69).'"
"The gospel of Jesus Christ doesn't just...prepare us for eternity; that preparation also blesses and enriches our lives right now (p. 69)."
"What mark am I leaving?... Are my priorities right (p. 72)?"
"'O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?... Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (1 Corinthians 15:55, 57, p. 78).”
December 23, 2024
4.25 ⭐️ Had a great LDS book club discussion with this book and it impacted me spiritually. The slightly lower rating is I thought there could have been a bit more editing in the writing. But I wouldn’t let that stop me from revisiting this book again and again.
May 14, 2014
I loved this book. Firstly it was super short. On the first page I was like ya ya I know this but that quickly turned into hmmm... this is what I know but enhanced and went from there to Wow! I really needed to hear, learn, ponder this! It was fascinating but also sobering and most of all hopeful and inspiring! I will revisit this book in the future and I will most likely look into more books written by this author.
Makes me not want to waste time-focus on eternity and those things that matter most. One favorite quote by a Greek philosopher taught....."Keep death daily before thine eyes...then wilt thou never think a mean thought, nor covet anything beyond measure."
Two thumbs up!
Makes me not want to waste time-focus on eternity and those things that matter most. One favorite quote by a Greek philosopher taught....."Keep death daily before thine eyes...then wilt thou never think a mean thought, nor covet anything beyond measure."
Two thumbs up!
January 5, 2013
I first listened to this as an audio--rather as a series of live addresses given by the author. He was requested to put them in book form. Great follow-up book to Proof of Heaven. Recently handed out multiple copies of this to family and friends at the time of my 93 year old aunt's death.
December 30, 2012
I learned a great deal from this book, not only about the next life, but about life here and now. I would highly recommend this book.
October 2, 2012
This book provides comfort and hope that we will be reunited with loved ones who have passed on and that we will develop into our best selves.
April 1, 2015
Hva skjer når vi dør? Hva kan vi lære av dem som har hatt nær-døden-opplevelser? En tankevekkende og inspirerende bok!
July 16, 2021
A must read it was really good. I highly recommend it!
October 24, 2025
I appreciate the intro to the book because that sets the tone of it not all being entirely doctrinal. However there were parts that were unsettling are the descriptions of “class”and that there is groupishness in Heaven. The part of women teaching women and don’t know if I necessarily have a belief with that so that’s why I give it 4 stars.
•The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that "the Lord in his wisdom has implanted the fear of death in every person that [we] might cling to life and thus accomplish the designs of [our] creator."
•A near-death experience said, "It's not death. It's another kind of life."
•” I had to exercise a great deal more of faith to desire to live than I have ever exercised in my whole life to live.”
•…it was created first spiritually and then temporally, and spiritually it still remains.
•Prophet Joseph Smith was referring to when he declared: "Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject."
•D&C77:2 "…that which is temporal [is] in the likeness of that which is spiritual." From that we can assume the spirit world is much like this world.
•President Brigham Young declared: "There is no music in hell, for all good music belongs to heaven."
•"[It was a] homecoming... have never really verbalized that before. It was really like a homecoming.
•Jospeh Smith thought concerning the death of little children who die before accountability, "too pure, too lovely to live on earth." That doctrine comforts grieving mothers and fathers. I know it comforted my mother. In light of what the prophets have declared, I believe that my parents at their deaths were reunited with their son and are now laboring side by side with him in the great work of the Lord in the spirit world sharing the gospel, teaching, blessing and strengthening others, and that he will continue that great service until the morning of the first resurrection. Then my mother and father will realize another one of the most comforting promises of the gospel, another kind of reunion. They will be able to raise my brother in the resurrection. When they come forth on the morning of the first resurrection, my mother will once again have a babe in arms to love and nurture and rear. President Joseph F. Smith stated: "Joseph Smith declared that the mother who laid down her little child, being deprived of the privilege, the joy, and the satisfaction of bringing it up to manhood or womanhood in this world, would, after the resurrection, have all the joy, satisfaction and pleasure, and even more than it would have been possible to have had in mortality, in seeing her child grow to the full measure of the stature of its spirit.")
•Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the more righteous a person is "the clearer are his views"13 and the more he
will understand God. Perhaps we can take that statement and say that the more righteous one becomes, the thinner the veil becomes.
•When I die, I shall not cease to love you. I shall not cease to pray for you. I shall not cease to labor in your behalf."
•"When messengers are sent to minister to the inhabitants of this earth, they are not strangers, but from the ranks of our kindred [and] friends. ... In like manner, our fathers and mothers, brothers, sisters and friends who have passed away from this earth, having been faithful, and -worthy to enjoy these rights and privileges, may have a mission given to them to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth again, bringing from the divine Presence messages of love, of warning, or reproof and instruction, to those whom they had learned to love in the flesh."- Joseph Smith
•"One of the most solemn and sacred meetings of the Church is the funeral for a departed member," President Boyd K Packer
•Revelation 7:17 “…and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
•The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that "the Lord in his wisdom has implanted the fear of death in every person that [we] might cling to life and thus accomplish the designs of [our] creator."
•A near-death experience said, "It's not death. It's another kind of life."
•” I had to exercise a great deal more of faith to desire to live than I have ever exercised in my whole life to live.”
•…it was created first spiritually and then temporally, and spiritually it still remains.
•Prophet Joseph Smith was referring to when he declared: "Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject."
•D&C77:2 "…that which is temporal [is] in the likeness of that which is spiritual." From that we can assume the spirit world is much like this world.
•President Brigham Young declared: "There is no music in hell, for all good music belongs to heaven."
•"[It was a] homecoming... have never really verbalized that before. It was really like a homecoming.
•Jospeh Smith thought concerning the death of little children who die before accountability, "too pure, too lovely to live on earth." That doctrine comforts grieving mothers and fathers. I know it comforted my mother. In light of what the prophets have declared, I believe that my parents at their deaths were reunited with their son and are now laboring side by side with him in the great work of the Lord in the spirit world sharing the gospel, teaching, blessing and strengthening others, and that he will continue that great service until the morning of the first resurrection. Then my mother and father will realize another one of the most comforting promises of the gospel, another kind of reunion. They will be able to raise my brother in the resurrection. When they come forth on the morning of the first resurrection, my mother will once again have a babe in arms to love and nurture and rear. President Joseph F. Smith stated: "Joseph Smith declared that the mother who laid down her little child, being deprived of the privilege, the joy, and the satisfaction of bringing it up to manhood or womanhood in this world, would, after the resurrection, have all the joy, satisfaction and pleasure, and even more than it would have been possible to have had in mortality, in seeing her child grow to the full measure of the stature of its spirit.")
•Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the more righteous a person is "the clearer are his views"13 and the more he
will understand God. Perhaps we can take that statement and say that the more righteous one becomes, the thinner the veil becomes.
•When I die, I shall not cease to love you. I shall not cease to pray for you. I shall not cease to labor in your behalf."
•"When messengers are sent to minister to the inhabitants of this earth, they are not strangers, but from the ranks of our kindred [and] friends. ... In like manner, our fathers and mothers, brothers, sisters and friends who have passed away from this earth, having been faithful, and -worthy to enjoy these rights and privileges, may have a mission given to them to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth again, bringing from the divine Presence messages of love, of warning, or reproof and instruction, to those whom they had learned to love in the flesh."- Joseph Smith
•"One of the most solemn and sacred meetings of the Church is the funeral for a departed member," President Boyd K Packer
•Revelation 7:17 “…and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
October 24, 2017
This is more recent book fro Brent Top on what we can expect from the Spirit world after death. Top has done significant research into near-death experiences, as well as research into how the information coming from these experiences coincide with Gospel principles. I've actually read his earlier book on near death experiences "Glimpses Beyond Death's Door". I find his books to be good learning material for me, and gives me a lot of hope. Both my parents died in 2010 within a month, and just recently my mother-in-law died after caring for her for a year. She had Lewy Body dementia, and she wasn't herself for a while. It's is so comforting to know that our loved ones are no longer in pain, but are themselves again. And this book and near death experiences really help to confirm these truths.
For members of the church, and those seeking answers about death...this is a comforting 'must read'. Not only does it relieve the mind about the death of others, but it also makes death not as scary.
For members of the church, and those seeking answers about death...this is a comforting 'must read'. Not only does it relieve the mind about the death of others, but it also makes death not as scary.
November 21, 2018
This will be a book I will certainly hope to review every year or two. I'm going to need to buy the paperback or hardcopy simply to go through it again and take notes/underline. The audiobook (which I listened to) was simply the author giving a 2.5 hour talk on the subject material but it was so good that it seemed like he was reading his own book for the lecture. The good thing is that he has good public speaking experience so it was very easy to listen to. Filled with wonderful stories about those who have seen the other side was almost as exciting as hearing him quote numerous prophets, general authorities and those of other faiths speaking about the subject matter. He seemed to uncover more details and questions about death and the other side than I have ever heard before. A wonder byproduct of this book is that it has made me want to repent deeper, love deeper and qualify myself for the wonderful things that await me after death. I now find myself more unafraid of death and even more of a welcoming calm for my day when it comes. This was a very nice testimony builder.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2018
This is the kind of book where I bookmarked a lot of pages! Death is the portal through which we must all go through and this book brings comfort by sharing what those who have experienced near death experiences have learned and it is that death is not to be feared. Heaven will be very familiar and we will again be reunited with those who love us. I was particularly excited to read that "[spirits] move with ease and like lightning....and I presume we will be permitted if we desire...to behold Jerusalem at it was in the days of the Savior..or the Garden of Eden when it was created...behold the earth as at the dawn of creation...visit any city we please that exists upon its surface." And this book offers many other glimpses into the next world as reported by those who came back.
August 27, 2018
It has been a few years since the death of my dad and my mom was reading this book. Partially to get a sense for what she was reading, but also for myself, I read this book. This book is really a compilation of two talks by Brother Top given during Education Week at BYU. The book is short and easy to read. I especially liked the chapter on the immortal spirit. Two of the most comforting aspects for me were that my relatives can see and love me. As well as being aware of what I'm doing. Another affirming thought was that no one dies in life before their time even if it is inopportune. If it happens early it could be they are needed for services in the spirit world. This is a helpful book for any LDS reader grieving the loss of a loved one.
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