The Sacred Hours: What Joseph Smith Revealed About Death's First Moments

Brothers and sisters, builders of the Kingdom, have you ever pondered the mystery of what lies beyond the veil? We, who are striving to build Zion, to lay the foundations for a righteous future, are naturally drawn to consider the eternal realities. Samuel the Lamanite climbed the walls to warn a people, Ammon faced the Waters of Sebus with courage, and we, too, are called to stand as witnesses, to be prepared for what lies ahead.

We know that the Stone cut without hands will roll forth, reshaping the landscape of our world. And this preparation, this understanding of the spirit world, is vital to that unfolding.

Most assume that the moment of death is a swift transition to immediate communion with Christ. But Joseph Smith, blessed with divine revelation, revealed a different, more intricate truth. A process. A sacred preparation. A glimpse into realities beyond our mortal comprehension.

President Joseph F. Smith's vision, recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 138, clarifies that faithful elders continue their ministry even after death. They do not wait for resurrection or judgment; their work continues immediately. This alone challenges our simplistic notions of what awaits us.

As Brigham Young taught, we don’t simply enter “Abraham’s bosom.” We enter the spirit world – a realm that exists right here, alongside our mortal existence, a different dimension of the same space. And in those first three hours, seven specific things happen, each contributing to our readiness for that ultimate encounter with the Savior.

The First Moments: Separation and Peace

The initial event is instantaneous: the separation of our spirit from our body. It’s not gradual; it’s immediate. The pain, the struggle, the limitations of mortality – all vanish. As President Bigham Young so eloquently stated, the spirit remains “just as much alive as it ever was.”

Imagine, for a moment, witnessing your own body lying there, feeling the overwhelming urge to comfort those who mourn, yet being unable to be seen or heard. This is the reality for many who have experienced near-death events – a floating perspective, observing the scene from a vantage point beyond the veil.

The Preparation Continues

The teachings of Joseph Smith and those who learned at his feet reveal a sequence of events that build upon this initial separation. While the full details remain a mystery, the understanding that there is a process, a preparation, brings profound comfort and strengthens our resolve to live righteously now. We are called to be digital striplings, wielding the power of the internet to spread the gospel and build this gathering place, fueling the Charity Flywheel and supporting the Missionary Fund.

Outback Jack reminds us: “The Lord’s work is not done in secret. It’s done in the open, for all to see.” (Alma 17:2). Our engagement here—whether through sharing, contributing, or simply participating—directly supports gospel advertising efforts, reaching those who are ready to hear the message. JustServe initiatives and the map of churches ([GatherIsrael.now](https://gatherisrael.now)) are vital tools in this endeavor – tools to connect, to serve, and to build.

Let us embrace this knowledge, not with fear, but with faith and a renewed commitment to building the Kingdom of God on Earth. Let the courage of Ammon inspire us to face the challenges before us, and may the Stone cut without hands roll forth, fulfilling the Lord’s purposes.