I love this book SO much that I am giving away a copy.
Leave me a comment with your e-mail address
and tell me which one of your family members
you are most anxious to meet in the next life
and I will pick one VERY lucky person
to get their own free copy.
Giveaway closes on Friday the 15th at 11:59 p.m.
Disclaimer: I received a book in exchange for this review
but my opinions are always true and 100% right.
Gaze Into Heaven: Near-Death Experiences in Early Church Historyby
Marlene Bateman Sullivan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the best book that
I have read in several years.
It has completely
changed the way
I view my mortal life.
I have sincerely
become a better
person just by
reading this book.
All of my Mormon friends
MUST READ this book.
And even you non-Mormons
will find this absolutely fascinating.
Gaze into Heaven is a book of complied true near death stories organized in a way that is easy to read. Each chapter is a piece of the after-life puzzle answering individual questions like what is a spirit body like and are there cities in paradise? What a wonderful compilation of early church (Mormon) history this is. The stories are eerily similar. Maybe eerily is the wrong word - I found it absolutely testimony building that all the accounts concurred with one another. "By the mouth or two or more witnesses" and witness they did.
These people who died and went to the other side and came back to tell us what they experienced did not know one another, but as I read their accounts I was stunned at the similarities. As I read the pages my life-long fear of dying dissipated. These Mormon pioneers described the freedom they felt as their spirits separated from their bodies, the joy they felt in the world with other kindred spirits, and the peace they felt in their passing and I found myself looking forward to the experience. For me that is a huge breakthrough. I cannot even explain my phobia of dying, its been debilitating at times. I am truly grateful to Marlene for writing this book and helping me have a greater understanding of my life now and into the eternities.
This book has power in its pages. After getting acquainted with just the first few chapters I felt like I was on hallowed ground just viewing the cover. I didn't even have to open it to feel inspired although I did as frequently as was possible in receiving this balm to my soul. These stories are sacred like the temple and I am so grateful they have been shared.
Buy the book in the stores or online at
Go to Marlene's website to learn more about the author.
Here is one of Marlene's favorite quotes in the book from the experience of Thomas S. Thomas.
Thomas' story was one of my favorites also.
Thomas describes what he learned in his near-death experience in the spirit world.
"All mental powers were restored. The fond memories of the past returned...your soul is endowed with wisdom and knowledge and filled with everlasting love...Distance is no barrier to transmit thought without instruments, or to travel under your own power. Your vision is magnified there; your future view is plain; desire for knowledge is inexhaustible; you are master of yourself intelligence is the key to all realms which makes an endless trail to all advancement and is a place of satisfaction and joy to the soul...
The grand greeting you first receive is from your closest of kin - father, mother, brother and sisters - and all that are near and dear to you who passed from earthly life and arrived in the Great Beyond before you. Your nearest and dearest friends and many others come to greet and converse with you. They ask about the conditions of their kin, those whom you were acquainted with on earth, and all are anxious to learn of their kin's surroundings and conditions. You will find this a great meeting place of all souls, where information is eagerly sought, concerning earth's conditions, by those who have passed from earthly life and are in this stage of existence. These souls are now busy, in the future existence, working in different habitations. Many are from different spheres. All souls are fully enjoying their positions and surroundings. You read from their cheerful countenances a condition of contentment.."View all my reviews
Let's see....I want to hug my Grandma Naylor. Can't wait to see her again.
ReplyDeleteThanks,Ali!
My brother Sonny. He drowned at Scout Camp when he was 11 and I was 12. He was/is my best friend. I miss him everyday and how I wish my boys could have known their Uncle Sonny here on earth.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your review! It made me want to read it. :)
ReplyDeletewould love to read this book.i'm always open to good reading!
ReplyDeleteI would love to see my grandparents from my dads family as I never have met them. Or any of the McGugins cause I was adopted and never met them.
ReplyDeleteI would like to meet my Grandpa Elison. He was gruff on earth and I hope he will be happier in heaven. Lori Edwards
ReplyDeleteThank you for the book review. I would like to read it. Sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteI want to meet my aborted grandchildand tell him or her that I loved him even though we never got the chance to meet.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to meet my grandpa Shelby. I never knew him but he had such a great reputation. Growing up, family, friends, and strangers continually told me, "your grandfather was such a great man." Person after person told me this...and I never got tired of hearing it. I named my youngest daughter Shelby.
ReplyDeleteLost babies, Will they be little enough to hold? Or will they appear as if they had a chance to age?
ReplyDeleteThe idea of my memories being restored--at least the good ones--sounds so comforting to me. I remember so very little of so many important days of my life...
ReplyDeleteI definitely want to meet my aunt that died before I was born. Everyone says I look like her and I am named after her!
ReplyDeleteI would love to meet my great great grandfather. He left home when he was a teenager and made a life for himself. I would love to know more about his family and why he left. He never talked about it apparently. I love a good mystery!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to visit with my Grammie. She died when I was 19, but was interested in the church before she died. I'd love to see her again and see if she has accepted the work we've done on her behalf.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hang out with my dad again and have him answer so many questions that I have now.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great book that I actually would love to read! I haven't read a book in a few years (besides children books and the scriptures of course). Sad I know, but a book has got to be excellent and somewhat realistic for me to want to read it. Your review has sparked my curiosity. If I won this book then I would definitely read it. In fact, if I don't win then I may have to order it because it sounds so intriguing and inspiring. :)
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to see so much interest in this book. I wish I could send you all a copy. I can't wait for all of us to be reunited with loved ones.
ReplyDeleteThere are a couple of people I really miss. My Grandma Rosalie, But I have the most questions for my great Grandma about my grandfather's biological father.
ReplyDeleteCant wait to read it
ReplyDeleteTrying this again...
ReplyDeleteI would love to see my grandparents, who I miss terribly. They helped raise me and both passed away when I was a teenager. I wish they could have met my children! Also, the baby girl I lost at 20 weeks of pregnancy. I'm sure I could think of so many...
Your review has me intrigued about this book!
I'm curious to meet my Grampa Pearson who died 2 days after I was born. I think my love of music came through that line. AnneMarie
ReplyDeleteNo doubt, my dad!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading just the first 2 chapters of this book, I sit, and in my mind, create a perfect scene of the after life and what I think it will be like when my time comes to leave this world. I imagine my sweet mother welcoming me with open arms with the most radiant smile that I so dearly remember. She was needed in heaven for greater things when I was 9 years old, and has been so greatly missed ever since. Death will never be a scary thought to me, it will be a welcomed thought full of inconceivable joy as i'm reunited with her.
ReplyDeleteThis book has helped me paint a beautiful picture of the unknown, and I would love to share it with others in my family.
My Grandpa Wilson. Can't wait to get another hug and see his smile again. I know families are forever!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to meet my mom again. I'm sure she will be there with open arms, smiling at me, and ready to give me all the advice that I need. Then I want to see both sets of grandparents and my cousin who died very young. The list is numerous. There are so many questions that need to be answered. Thanks for the review Ali. Sounds like a great read.
ReplyDelete