Donny Osmond

Question: What are the beliefs of the LDS regarding life after death, and what happens to the soul when we die? I ask this because as a 14 year old, I had a very bad car accident. I was run over and had very bad injuries. I died twice so I am told. I felt I was rising above the bed and looking down on my grandparents. I believe that if I had not had my faith I would have died and stayed dead, like the Lord was not quite ready for me. It puts your whole live into perspective and gives you a wider outlook on life and others life.

Response: Thank you for your question. It sounds like you had a horrendous accident. I'm very sorry.

The experience you had of your spirit leaving your body and looking down upon your grandparents, I'm sure was real and I have read that there have been many thousands of similar experiences recorded. These experiences are just one more verification of something we already know, and it is that when the body dies, the spirit leaves and goes to the spirit world to await the resurrection.

There are some indications in the Bible of this; for instance, when Jesus was hanging on the Cross, he said to the thief dying beside him, "To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." (New TestamentJohn 20:17). We can conclude that Paradise is not where the Father dwells, but a world of spirits.

Luke 23:43) The morning of the resurrection, when Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, he said, "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." (New Testament

We have a record of scripture called the Book of Mormon, written by ancient American prophets which really sheds light on this subject. It says,

"Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection... the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow. And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked... shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil." (Book of Mormon | Alma 40:11-14)

Thanks again for the question. I hope this helps.