The Night President Nelson's Grandfather
Spoke to His Deceased Dad in a Dream (+ His Comforting Message)
byMary Jane
Woodger, Kenneth L. Alford, Craig K. Manscill, excerpted from "Dreams as
Revelation" | Jul. 30, 2019
Like birth, death is a necessary and essential part of the plan of
salvation (see Moses 6:59–62)—which
Jacob and Alma both called the “great plan of happiness” (2 Nephi 9:6; Alma 42:8).
Facing death can be one of the most fearful experiences of mortality. For the
righteous, though, death can be sweet and need not be feared (see Alma 27:28).
Indeed, the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that “those that die in me shall not
taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them” (Doctrine and
Covenants 42:46). On the other hand, for people who die not in
Christ, death can be a bitter experience (see Doctrine and
Covenants 42:47), and the thought of an approaching death can create
foreboding, trepidation, and fear. Dreams regarding death can serve as a
powerful reminder that this life is the time for us to prepare to meet God
(see Alma 12:24;
34:32). . . .
Even if death is not imminent, our Heavenly Father can send
comfort through dreams that testify to the fact that our existence will not end
with our last breath. These dreams testify that the sting of death is swallowed
up in the victory of Christ’s Atonement (see 1 Corinthians 15:55; Mosiah 16:7–8; Alma 22:14).
Dreams associated with death can cause us to reflect on the core principles of
the plan of salvation. They are a testimony that God loves and succors His
children.
Learn more about how we receive revelation through dreams in the
podcast with Dr. Kenneth L. Alford below:
“I Received My Commision to
Preach the Gospel”
Andrew C. Nelson, grandfather of President Russell M. Nelson,
reported:
“On the night of April 6th, 1891, I had a strange dream or vision
in which I saw and conversed with my father who died January 27, 1891.”
“When father came to the bed, he first said: ‘Well, my son, being
you were not there . . . when I died, so that I did not get to see
you, and as I had a few spare minutes. . . .’
“‘What have you been doing since you died, father?’
. . .
“‘My son, I have been traveling together with Apostle Erastus Snow
ever since I died; that is, since three days after I died; then I received my
commission to preach the Gospel. You can not imagine, my son, how many spirits
there are in the Spirit world that have not yet received the Gospel; but many
are receiving it, and a great work is being accomplished. Many are anxiously
looking forth to their friends, who are still living, to administer for them in
the Temples. I have been very busy in preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.’
“‘Will all the spirits believe you, father, when you teach them
the Gospel?’ ‘No, they will not.’
“‘How are you and mother, the boys, Emillie and the girls getting
along?’ ‘I am well, father, and when I last heard from Redmond the folks there
were well.’
‘Father, can you see us at all times, and do you know what we are
doing?’ ‘No, my son, I can not. I have something else to do. I can not go when
and where I please. There is just as much, and much more, order here in the
Spirit world than in the other world. I have been assigned work and that must
be performed.’
“‘We intend to go to the Temple and get sealed to you as soon as
my school is closed. I have talked with the girls about it and they want to be
sealed to you.’ ‘That, my son, is partly what I came to see you about. We will
yet make a family and live throughout Eternity.’
“‘How do you feel at all times, father?’ ‘I feel splendid, and
enjoy my labors; still, I must admit that at times I get a little lonesome to
see my family; but it is only a short time till we will again see each other.’
“‘O, father, how glad I am that you died in full faith in the
Gospel, and in full fellowship in the Church.’ ‘Well, my son, your father
always did know since he joined the Church that the Gospel was true, and you
know that I always taught it to you, when you were a small boy. I got a little
stubborn, but who is there of us that has not been a little cross and naughty
at times. The short time that I was cross does not amount to 15 minutes in
comparison to Eternity. I was punished for it. But it is all right. My son, you
take care that you do not get that way.’
“‘Father, is it natural to die? Or does it seem natural? Was there
not a time when your spirit was in such a pain that it could not realize what
was going on or taking place?’ ‘No, my son, there was not such a time. It is
just as natural to die, as it is to be born, or for you to pass out of that
door (here he pointed at the door). When I had told the folks that I could not
last long, it turned dark and I could not see anything for a few minutes. Then,
the first thing I could see was a number of spirits in the Spirit world. Then,
I told the folks that I must go. The paper you gave me, my son, is dated wrong,
but it makes no particular difference; correct records are kept here.’
“‘Father, is the principle and doctrine of the Resurrection as
taught us true?’ ‘True. Yes, my son, as true as can be. You can not avoid being
Resurrected. It is just as natural for all to be Resurrected as it is to be
born and die again. No one can avoid being Resurrected. There are many spirits
in the Spirit world who would to God that there would be no Resurrection.’
“‘Father, is the Gospel as taught by this Church true?’ ‘My son,
do you see that picture’ (pointing to a picture of the First Presidency of the
Church hanging on the wall)? ‘Yes, I see it.’ ‘Well, just as sure as you see
that picture, just so sure is the Gospel true. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has
within it the power of saving every man and woman that will obey it, and in no
other way can they ever obtain a salvation in the Kingdom of God. My son,
always cling to the Gospel. Be humble, be prayerful, be submissive to the Priesthood,
be true, be faithful to the covenants you have made with God. Never do anything
that will displease God. O, what a blessing is the Gospel! My son, be a good
boy.’
“‘Good bye.’
“I then saw him leave the room. He was neatly dressed in a suit of
light gray clothes, which I had never seen him wear when alive.’”
Source: Spencer J.
Condie, Russell M. Nelson, 9–11.
