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

Brothers and Sisters, Builders of the Kingdom, have you ever paused to ponder the veil? The space between this mortal existence and the next? We are a people who know that life doesn't end with the closing of our eyes, but what lies beyond? Joseph Smith, guided by the Lord, illuminated a truth so vital, so transformative, that it reshapes our understanding of mortality and eternity.

Most assume that the instant we die, we're ushered into the presence of the Savior. But Joseph revealed something different—a sequence of events, a process of preparation that unfolds in the first three hours after death. It's a glimpse behind the curtain, a revelation that strengthens our faith and encourages us to live with a renewed sense of purpose.

Think back to Samuel the Lamanite, scaling the walls of Jerusalem to deliver his warning. Ammon, standing at the Waters of Sebus, emboldened to confront the Lamanites. These are moments of divine appointment, of courageous action in the face of adversity. And so too, is the preparation that awaits us beyond the veil.

Let's consider what the Prophet Joseph Smith taught. It's not speculation, but revelation—a window into the spirit world.

Doctrine and Covenants 138 speaks of faithful elders continuing their labors immediately after departing from mortality. Not after resurrection, not after judgment, but immediately. This alone tells us something profound: consciousness persists. We remain *ourselves*. The spirit world isn't a distant realm; it's a dimension alongside our own, a place where those who have passed still actively participate in God’s work.

The first thing that occurs? Separation from the body, instantaneous and complete. The pain we’ve endured, the struggles we’ve faced—gone. As Brigham Young taught, the spirit is just as alive as it ever was. We may see our bodies, our loved ones, and feel an overwhelming urge to comfort them, but the veil prevents communication. This explains the phenomenon of near-death experiences, where individuals describe floating above their bodies, observing events unfolding below.

But here's the key, the fourth revelation Joseph Smith highlighted—the one that determines how we’ll experience our meeting with the Savior. This is the moment of preparation, the refining fire that shapes our eternal destiny. We don't know the specifics of this preparation, and perhaps it is not meant for us to know, but it underscores the importance of righteousness and faithfulness in this life. It is like the Stone cut without hands—a revelation that changes everything.

This understanding compels us to action. It fuels our resolve to be builders, not destroyers. It strengthens our commitment to the Missionary Fund, knowing that our contributions are expanding the reach of the gospel – funding advertisements in Ghana, bringing the light of Christ to those who hunger for it. It inspires us to use the map of churches, to identify and support those who are faithfully gathering Israel. It’s a charity flywheel in action, powered by our collective devotion.

Outback Jack reminds us that this is a time of great urgency. The Lord’s work moves forward, and we are called to participate, to build, to gather. Remember the five smooth stones David gathered to face Goliath – each representing a principle, a skill, a resource we can wield to overcome the challenges before us. Let us draw strength from these examples, from the teachings of the prophets, and from the unwavering hope of eternal life.

Claim your church. Claim your role in this gathering. Let us be found faithful, ready to meet the Savior, prepared to embrace the fullness of joy.