President Russell M. Nelson
When my grandfather A. C. Nelson was a young
husband and father, just 27 years old, he saw and conversed with his father who
died on January 27, 1891. About three
months after his death. His deceased father, my great-grandfather, came to
visit him. My grandfather kept a journal but it is not more than a half a dozen
pages long. This is the main entry in the journal. The date of that visit was the night of April
6, 1891. Grandfather Nelson was so impressed by his father’s visit that he
wrote the experience in his journal for his family and friends.
“I
was in bed when Father entered the room,” Grandfather Nelson wrote. “He came
and sat on the side of the bed. He said, ‘Well, my son, as I had a few spare
minutes, I received permission to come and see you for a few minutes. I am glad
to see you father how do you do? I am feeling well, my son. How are you and mother and the boys getting
along. I am well father. Can you see us at all times? Do you know what
we are doing? No, my son I cannot. I have something else to do. I have been assigned work that must be performed.
What have you been doing since you died father? He looked at me and smiled.
Son, I have received my commission to preach the gospel. I have been traveling
together with Erastus Snow ever since I died.
“You
cannot imagine, my son, how many spirits there are in the spirit world who have
not yet received the gospel,” he said. “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 preaching the gospel of Jesus
Christ. ”
Grandfather
Nelson told his father, “We intend to go to the temple and get sealed to you,
Father, as soon as we can.”
My
great-grandfather responded: “That, my son, is partly what I came to see you
about. We will yet make a family and live throughout eternity.”
Then
Grandfather Nelson asked, “Father, is the gospel as taught by this Church
true?”
His
father pointed to a picture of the First Presidency hanging on the wall of the
bedroom.
“My
son, just as sure as you see that picture, just as sure is the gospel true. The
gospel of Jesus Christ has within it the power of saving every man and woman
who will obey it, and in no other way can they ever obtain salvation in the
kingdom of God. My son, always cling to the gospel. My son, 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 would displease God.
Oh, what a blessing is the gospel. My son, be a good boy.”
I write it for the
benefit of my family and friends.
[A.C. Nelson received this private vision 27 years before
President Joseph F. Smith received D&C 138, the Vision of the Redemption of
the Dead. Both experiences testify of God’s plan of salvation and encourage us
to perform temple ordinances for those beyond the veil.]
Also video attached to Come Follow Me, Sunday school lessons
for D&C 125-128 November 1-7
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