Dream of the Spirit World from President Russell M. Nelson's Family

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The family of Russell M. Nelson was given a beautiful vision, to the paternal grandfather of President Russell M. Nelson, Andrew Clarence Nelson(when by the name A.C.).

On April 6, 1891, when A.C. was only twenty-seven years old, he had a dream or a vision where he spoke with his father, Mads Peter Nelson, who had died on January 27th of that year. A.C. recorded the experience in his journal which later became a prized family memory for Russell M. Nelson.

In A.C.'s journal entry he said he realized there were those who wouldn't believe his account and would even "scorn and laugh at the idea of such a visitation," but he knew it was real.

It began after A.C. had gone to bed. His "father came in or entered the room; he came and sat on the side of the bed" and began to talk. "Well, my son, as I had a few spare minutes, I received permission to come and see you for a few minutes. I am feeling well, my son and have had very much to do since I died."

When A.C. asked what his father, Mads, what had been doing in the spirit world, he answered, "I have been traveling together with Apostle Erastus Snow ever since I died. That is, since three days after I died. I received my commission to preach the gospel. You cannot imagine, my son, how many spirits there are in the Spirit world that have not yet received gospel. But many are receiving it, and a great work is being accomplished."

Mads told his son that one of the reasons he had come to visit A.C. was because he and his sisters weren't yet sealed to Mads and his wife, Margrethe Christensen. "That, my son, is partly what I came to see you about. We will yet make a family and live throughout Eternity."

A.C. asked, "Father, can you see us at all times, and do you know what we are doing?" "No, my son, I cannot. . . " his father replied. "There is just as much, and much more, order here in the Spirit World than in the other world. I have been given assigned work and that must be performed."

A.C. told his father that he was very grateful he'd died in full fellowship in the Church. "Well, my son, your father always did know since he joined the Church that the Gospel was true. . . I got a little stubborn, but who is there of us that has not been a little cross and naughty at times. The short time that I was cross does not amount to 15 minutes in comparison to Eternity."

A.C. then asked if it felt natural to die, and, being reassured that it felt very natural, he asked if the Resurrection was a reality. "Yes, my son, as true as can be. You cannot avoid being Resurrected. It is just as natural for all to be Resurrected as it is to be born and die again. No one can avoid being Resurrected. There are many spirits in the Spirit world who would to God, that there would be no Resurrection."

Finally, A.C. asked his father if the gospel, as taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was true. "My son, do you see that picture," pointing to a picture of the First Presidency on the wall. When A.C. said yes, he saw it, his father said, "Well, just as sure as you see that picture, just so sure is the Gospel true. The gospel of Jesus Christ has within it the power of saving every man and woman that will obey it. . . My son, always cling to the Gospel. Be humble, be prayerful, be submissive to the Priesthood, be true, be faithful to the covenants you have made with God."

President Nelsons grandfathers visit with his father occurred twenty-seven years before President Joseph F. Smith's 1918 vision of the redemption of the dead in section 138 of the Doctrine and Covenants. "From President Smith's experience, he taught that faithful elders continue doing missionary work after they depart from this mortal life," President Nelson would say years later. "And I'm sure that's not just the elders. It would be the sisters too. So many of our sisters are exceptional missionaries."

President Nelson said "It is so precious to me that my grandfather would leave that record for us." He later said "We learned that his children were subsequently sealed to him. So the reason for that visit was accomplished."

References:

"Insights from a Prophets life, Russell M. Nelson" by Sheri Dew, Pages 8-11