Through the Window of Life by Suzanne Freeman

by Suzanne Freeman

In 1999, Suzanne Freeman briefly passed away during surgery before returning to mortality. While in the spirit world, she was taken by the Savior to the Window of Life. In this heavenly window, she was shown scenes of future events and how they will affect us all.

Suzanne was told that when she returned to earth, she should share what she had seen with others. Her message is a story of the faith and courage that Christ's followers will display in the coming years leading to the Savior's millennial reign

Genres: Lds, Religion, Spirituality

Paperback

First published November 1, 2005

Reviews

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives an LDS perspective on the events leading up the Christ's Second Coming based on a near-death experience by the author. I didn't like this as much as Visions of Glory, which is another LDS account of "the last days" but the principles covered are similar. My favorite takeaway is how crucial it is to be selfless and humble in order to access power and strength from God through His Holy Spirit. We should start living that way now, to prepare ourselves and the world for Christ's triumphant return.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always fascinated by stories like these. This one gave me such an interesting perspective about the events to come in the future. While I know that this is her personal experience, I did take from it a better feeling of peace for the foretold events that will come some day. Whether it happens the way she says or not, I feel better because of reading her story. If I live right, there's no need fear. Be prayerful, worthy and in the service of others and He will protect you. This has become ONE of my favorite life after death, then back to life stories. I recommend everyone reads this one. Its a very quick read and changed me for the better because of reading it. (There are a couple of parts confusing in the story, but there is a note at the beginning of the book that talks about how difficult it was to write this experience. I guess its one thing to experience it, its another to try and write about it. I highly recommend this one. :)

[Jayme · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting viewpoint. I personally wasn't a fan.

[Lorena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting near-death experience. I read this just after having read Visions of Glory, by John Pontius, and found the two experiences to be remarkably similar, although this book does not nearly have the depth or breadth that Visions does. I enjoyed how she talked about the food, and the people she cared for. It is definitely written more from a woman's perspective. It's a short book, and worth the read.

Follow-up: I just read this book again after having read many near-death experiences in the two years since I read this one. I enjoyed it much more the second time through. Not sure why that is, but one of the things that was more clear to me this time was the spiritual preparation that will be needed. That resonated deeply with me. This is a great read. Highly recommended!

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mom brought this book with her and encouraged me to read it when she came to help with my new baby. It was so interesting to read about what things might be like before the second coming. It was both comforting and disturbing. It made me really examine my own feelings about what I would do in these dire circumstances and how willing would I be to share what I had with strangers or risk my life to help someone else? Reading this book gave me an entirely different understanding of the scripture "Charity never faileth". I hope that my heart is as prepared as my pantry should I live to see the second coming.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I don't know if this is what will happen exactly, but the core message of the book, to love your neighbor and share what you have because our things (food etc.) does not really belong to us but to Heavenly Father and He expects us to share. Anyway, I love the feeling I get when I read it because it inspires me to be prepared for the 2nd coming and do the things necessary to become a better person.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but not my favorite NDE of the last days

Interesting read, but I didn't feel the spirit whispering truth to me with this book like it has on other NDE books about the last days. Felt more like a fiction story of what COULD happen. And I felt her interactions with "Christ" we're way too casual to be real. But again, it was interesting. Recommend to someone who maybe wants stories of possible happening, but not to someone who is seeking truth.

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting look at the possible challenges that may lay ahead as the last days wind down. I thought that this would be scary but it ended up being hopeful and comforting. I would recommend this book to anyone curious about the second coming.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the principles taught in this book...generosity, love thy neighbor, not to fear, and how more than anything all that matters is our relationship with the Savior. It made me contemplate more deeply why we've been asked to prepare for times ahead and what that really means for us.

[Eva · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read several books on near death experiences and this was my least favorite. The style of writing about the experience made it seem more like a nice story rather than something she actually experienced.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very consistent with LDS doctrine on prophecies about the second coming, and teaches a lot of true principles! A must read!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because it was reading that inspired Chad Daybell to write his "Standing in Holy Places" series. I most appreciated the messages of "do what you should and you'll be blessed."

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book

I have read this book several times and I love the feeling of hope that it gives me about the future.

[Michelle Llewellyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a scholar of the signs of the times with LOTS of free time to read (one of the-?blessings?-of being single) I was interested in what this woman had to say. Only took me about 45 minutes to skim through her book it's not long and not very well written anyway-reads more like a fictional story.
Since there's a kernel of truth to every story that's what I recommend you take from this book. There was lots I could agree on. Yes, there will be some epic AIDS-like-no-specific-details disease that will sweep North America (I've read Skousen's The Cleansing of America too). Yes, everyone will experience their share of natural disasters. Yes, someday there will be a mass pioneer-handcart-style-exodus to New Jerusalem. And, yes, Jesus eyes are most likely blue (Heimerdinger agrees). Suzanne Freeman takes it upon herself to share her prophetic knowledge of the Second Coming and tells us she's generously filling in all the details.
The only full of crap details I found annoying in her book is that every new character she introduces, besides the Lost Tribes (all single males) who miraculously aid them in their trek across the plains and the bad foreign invaders who'd shoot you quick as look at you, were all happy nuclear families with a gaggle of kids. No mention if any of these apocalypse survivors were affected by rampant divorce, the lack of worthy priesthood holders, the blended families, the single Moms heading so many of today's households. If no one's dating or getting married in these years leading up to the Second Coming then...where does someone like me fit into this happy utopia? Is she saying only MARRIED people with families will be welcome in New Jerusalem?
Um, Suzanne, could I have Jeremiah's phone number?

[Jenae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read and good reminders of the bigger pictures in life. It has a strong themes of overcoming fear and not giving in to our fears, as well as overcoming selfishness and loving our neighbor. It helped me to think of the fear and selfishness I see in myself and desire to overcome those things a little better.

"Our real selves do not come out until we are tried and tested. We may not even know ourselves what we are made of until we are faced with trials so severe that we are either broken or strengthened by the event. We grow more from pain and hardship than from when things are easy." -p. 86.

"There is no such thing as Doomsday, even though we have been taught from the very beginning of time that there is an end to all things on earth. The end of our current earthly era is the beginning of a new time of great peace and joy. Father in Heaven wants all of us to return safely to Him... we wouldn't be happy or comfortable there if we didn't truly do our part. The only Doomsday that we will feel within ourselves is one of our own making, a Doomsday that we will feel within ourselves if we don't live up to our potential, but it will be no one else's.

We cannot go on thinking that nothing will ever happen to us, but we need ot remember that we are saved through Christ and only through Christ. Fear is the killer. The devil loves to bring fear. If there is fear there is not faith. Faith is the key, knowing that Christ is with us always, and will help us get through tough times in His own omnipotent way. We cannot always understand why things are the way they are, but if we truly know that He loves us completely, we can trust Him to help us through anything in His own perfect timetable." p. 126

[A_Nicholle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have a slight interest in these types of LDS books because of some of my own Spiritual Experiences, Spiritual Dreams and some things that my Pat. Blessing mentions, all things that I tend to keep private. Visions of Glory and The Message were the books that felt the most similar to the content of the experiences I've had so I thought I would read this book.

It's a beautiful book but there was just something I couldn't quite put my finger on. I just didn't feel that confirmation of the Spirit when I read it like I had with the two previous books I mentioned. I put the book aside after I read and just stayed aware of those feelings. After having shared this with a dear friend he mentioned to me "Of course you didn't feel the Spirit, the experiences were altered and some were falsified." He directed my attention to a disclaimer that is in the beginning of the book prior to the first chapter (the part in books that I usually skip over) where it states very clearly that experiences were altered and stretched to the give the book a more flowy novel feel =/ Why you need to be careful when reading books like these even when by LDS Authors. Always acknowledge those feelings and don't push them aside. In addition to that, the Scriptures should always be our first source for any Latter-Day prophecies and revelation =)

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick read that I found very interesting and enjoyable. It really makes you think about the last days of our earth life, and what is most important to you. It also helped me understand why God allows us to go through tough times; they bring out our true nature. Under stressful times will we be selfish or show Christ-like qualities. Plus I learned little things like: using a pressure cooker while camping. I would never have thought of burying a pressure cooker in a pit with coals to cook tough meat or beans. I would recommend this book. (I read the 2005 version that Shirley Bahlmann wrote as told to her by Suzanne Freeman.)

[Roxie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt account of the unsure future.

I enjoyed the heart I felt coming through her writing. This was an enjoyable and fast read that really helps put a Christ centered perspective on the doom and gloom future events that await us in the future. It will not be all sunshine and roses but, I know through my own trials that they will certainly either draw you closer to Christ or you will distance yourself and be left to your own devices. I do believe this selfless perspective can certainly save many lives and souls.

[Dannika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd love to meet the woman that wrote this book. I could never discount her experience, but am not sure I can take all of it as fact. I was touched by the things she wrote about and feel better about myself and what to expect in the future. I think regardless of whether her experience is what will really happen, that the things she learned and the counsel she shares can help us prepare for whatever may come.

[Kris Irvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're reading this as a true story, yes, it's a little weird.

If you're reading it as a speculative fiction, it's pretty awesome. I really liked the whole Last Days perspective and thought it was interesting, and more than reasonable that stuff could fall out that way. Very interesting. Some of the descriptions were very poignant.

So I enjoyed it and might recommend it, on the note that you should read it as "maybe this could happen" instead of "this is real life history!"

[Amy Bryant schiavo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of my all time favorite books! You just have to read it to know what I mean. Suzanne tells of her amazing story about her near death experience and visiting the Spirit World and learning things that will happen in the future. It really changed my way of thinking about a few things gospel wise for the better. She says some fascinating thinks that really make you think. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone! It is a short read but awesome!

[Shiloah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story of a woman's vision she received with a near death experience. The overall message of the book is to never fear the future or the latter day trials. I had a hard time really getting into it as it seemed very unreal and I had remind myself much of it was symbolism. I do recommend reading it, though.

[K.L. Lantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistic and otherworldly, Suzanne Freeman's account of her near-death experience (ectopic pregnancy/ rupture) and her vision of the very last days before Christ comes is well worth a read. The lesson stays with you: pray, stay close to God, serve others, be generous at your core, and be patient in all your afflictions. This is an edifying book.

[Sandrine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know that this is a human's interpretation of events she claims to have seen while on the other side of the veil, regardless of wether it is exactly how it will happen does not deflect from the Christian message in this book. True or not, this book made me want to be better prepared for the Last Days - Physically and Spiritually.

[Thebarrys10 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different perspective on the pre-second coming of Christ. (Mt least favorite of all the books I've read on this topic). Still, it made me more convinced that I will give up my worldly goods when needed to help others. The most important thing I can do is to do all I can to learn the voice of the spirit better.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although much of what is in this book is really scary to think about. It really did strike me that fear really does come from Satan, and he feeds off of it. So it has helped me to not be so scared about the future. I know I have to control my fears.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great little read! Very spiritual. It really makes you think about the last days and what you need to do to prepare ourselves. If you believe in Christ then this is a must read for you! It is a little book of just over 100 pages but it packs a powerful punch.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of those life changing books. It put my beliefs and my fears and wondering about the future in a new perspective. One of hope and an "ah ha" moment. This is what it's all about. I think I can face the future with more anticipation and less trepidation.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting take on the events leading up to the second coming.

I was disappointed that she talked about peace, charity, etc. so much only to dedicate the book to those who would lead a foreign army to invade the US.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a interesting read. I enjoyed the book. Do I think everything in the book is correct? Not a chance; However, I think the author has a good message. Being prepared is a good message and reminder.