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Visions of Glory: One Man's Astonishing Account of the Last Days
In this true account of near-death experiences, we learn about the miracles of the millennium, the return of the Ten Tribes, the building of the New Jerusalem and Temple, and many other astonishing events long prophesied in scripture but never before described in such vivid detail. Visions of Glory is a mesmerizing and fascinating read that you will not be able to put down.
268 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 2012
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2107 people want to read
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August 12, 2013
If I could give the book zero stars I would. I know there are many people, mostly LDS, who have read this book and just loved it. If it had been presented as a work of fiction, I could have tolerated it. However, the author who related the story to Mr. Pontius, claims this was his real experience. He does add some disclaimers to his story saying that he doesn't pretend to say that the events in the future will happen exactly as he "saw" them, but that hasn't kept many of the readers from believing his account as gospel truth, which it most certainly is NOT! In fact, the book is full of false doctrine. I know there are those out there who read the book who will consider my statement almost blasphemous, but I can back my claims. If you care to read the very lengthy explanation about my many problems to this book, read on.
Visions of Glory is written by John Pontius and recounts several visions and spiritual manifestations. Their recipient is an anonymous informant called “Spencer” in the book. It includes an account of visions of the spirit world, a series of vignettes of apocalyptic last-days scenarios, and describes Spencer’s foretold role in preparing the world for the second coming of Christ. It concludes with an appendix containing other visions which may provide parallels or points of comparison to Spencer’s claims.
The Saints should always be seeking for further light and knowledge. Experience has shown, however, that an anxious interest in such light and knowledge can lead to being deceived, misled, and manipulated if we are not sufficiently grounded in true principles relating to revelation and learning. Prior to teaching the endowment, Joseph Smith warned the Saints: “Let us be faithful and silent, brethren, and if God gives you a manifestation, keep it to yourselves.” Of this remark, Elder Dallin H. Oaks wrote:
"By and large, Latter-day Saints observe this direction. They do not speak publicly of their most sacred experiences. They seldom mention miracles in bearing their testimonies, and they rarely preach from the pulpit about signs that the gospel is true. They usually affirm their testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel by asserting the conclusion, not by giving details on how it was obtained." (The Lord's Way)
1. Visions of Glory’s portrayal of Jesus Christ and His method of interacting with the Saints is not consistent with scripture.
2. Visions of Glory teaches doctrines that contradict LDS scripture and prophets.
Prophets and apostles have repeatedly taught that it is inappropriate for members to publicize such material without permission from the President of the Church.
3. Spencer claims he will receive authority independent of the Church and its leaders.
Anonymous accounts cannot be verified.
In vision, Spencer attends a meeting for which he is given a ticket to a specific session of general conference—not everyone is chosen to attend. This final session is attended by a resurrected Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and other Church leaders. The keynote speaker at the conference is the risen Jesus Christ: “Now in this unexpected moment, seated before resurrected beings from past dispensations, I had finally reached the beginning of my latter-day mission” (118):
When our Savior spoke, the first word from His lips was my name! I was extremely startled until I also realized that every person present had heard his or her own name. As He spoke, I could hear and fully understand the words He was saying to me, but I was also seeing a vision of His description of my future mission. I saw my entire life from that moment forward, everything that I would do, everywhere I would go, every person to whom I would minister, and how it would all be. I later talked to everyone I could who had been in that glorious event, probably several hundred people, and everyone I talked to had heard their own name and seen a vision of their own life (119).
Such an event would be of surpassing sacredness; it is unfortunate that Spencer chooses to reveal and discuss it, if true. There is much about it, however, that does not ring true.
In Spencer’s account, Christ speaks to each individual separately, and lays out their mission and assignments. He is thus again placing himself in a spiritually elite company in the future, which may incline the reader to trust what he says now.
We can only judge such claims by comparing them to the scriptures. There is much about Spencer’s account that does not match the scriptures. For example, in the scriptures the resurrected Lord always begins by teaching about His mission and gospel (Luke 24:25–27, 32; 3 Nephi 11:14–16, 31–41). In scripture, Jesus gives authority and assignments openly so all can bear witness, instead of privately in each mind as Spencer claims (Luke 24:49–50, John 20:21–22; 3 Nephi 11:21–28; 18:36–37). The true Jesus Christ opens the scriptures and teaches from them, and typically bears witness of the Father (Luke 24: 39–48; John 20:17,21; 3 Nephi 11:11). Spencer’s Jesus “bless[es] everyone silently” (120) by looking at them, rather than kneeling and praying aloud to the Father (3 Nephi 17:12–25; 19:16–36; 26:1). Spencer’s account simply does not match the Jesus of scripture.
Ironically, the entire focus of Spencer’s account in the tabernacle seems to be on Spencer and what he is to do, rather than Jesus and what he has done and will do.
Much of Spencer’s account seems calculated to cause fear, induce worry, and promote a preoccupation with terrible events of the future, from which no one is safe.
Pontius assures the reader that:
in some cases we have understated some horrific events to keep this book readable by general audiences. We have removed anything that we deemed could incite fear or panic if it were read by someone not able to understand by the Holy Ghost the greater story of hope and deliverance (19).
Thus, his account claims to downplay the suffering and disaster, and to exclude anything that could predispose even the uninspired to fear or panic. Despite this, the reader is soon given a litany of horrific events:
“the financial structure of the world had completely collapsed” (99).
“Every bank had closed down and money was worthless” (99).
“Factories and global businesses shut down overnight” (99).
“Almost all water was not fit to drink because of acts of war against this country” (99).
“People suffered everywhere” (99).
“a biological attack” against the United States occurs (100).
“I saw bodies stacked in town squares and cities abandoned because of the stench of death. There were marauding bands of people plundering and stealing in every major city. They were murdering everyone they found to preserve remaining resources for themselves….It was a gruesome scene” (100).
a “plague” arrives and kills “billions” in three successive waves, killing perhaps “25 percent” of the pre-disaster population. This plague is a bioweapon, and foreign troops who arrive in the United States as rulers disguised as a rescue mission “were inoculated against it” (107).
“atomic weapons [were] deployed to take out major defense installations around the nation and in Utah. There had been a first strike against the United States, and it came without provocation” (109).
“The devastation [from plague in Europe, Africa, and Asia] was far more severe than in the Americas. The result over time was a complete collapse of society” (111).
“great natural disasters [were] now taking place all around the world. There were hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, and disease” (111).
“many of the nuclear explosions across the country were a result of sabotage rather than a missile attack” (126)
In contrast to these claims, modern leaders have assured us that a long future awaits and that we need not be fearful of such calamities. Said President Boyd K. Packer:
Sometimes you might be tempted to think as I did from time to time in my youth: “The way things are going, the world’s going to be over with. The end of the world is going to come before I get to where I should be.” Not so! You can look forward to doing it right—getting married, having a family, seeing your children and grandchildren, maybe even great-grandchildren. (Counsel to youth, October 2011 General Conference)
In conclusion, Spencer’s account contradicts revealed scripture and doctrine. Any true visions about many of these matters should not be disclosed publicly without the President of the Church’s approval.
Despite efforts to paint Spencer as humble and spiritual, there is a thread of elitism that runs through his account. He portrays himself on intimate terms with apostles, prophets, and the Lord himself. He receives special assignments directly from Jesus. He has a temple office right next door to Jesus’ office in the Holy of Holies. He retrieves lost peoples and new scripture. He personally fulfills scripture. He sees and understands what others do not.
If he truly believes these things, he has been deceived, or he has let pride blind him. Brigham Young gave a caution that all would do well to heed:
Should you receive a vision of revelation from the Almighty, one that the Lord gave you concerning yourselves, or this people, but which you are not to reveal on account of your not being the proper person, or because it ought not to be known by the people at present, you should shut it up and seal it as close, and lock it as tight as heaven is to you, and make it as secret as the grave. The Lord has no confidence in those who reveal secrets, for He cannot safely reveal Himself to such persons….
This is the case with a great many of the Elders of Israel, with regard to keeping secrets. They burn with the idea, “O, I know things that brother Brigham does not understand.” Bless your souls, I guess you do. Don’t you think that there are some things that you do not understand? “There may be some things which I do not understand.” That is as much as to say, “I know more than you.” I am glad of it, if you do. I wish that you knew a dozen times more.
When you see a person of that character, he has no soundness within him. ( Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 4:288 (15 March 1857)
If Spencer did have true visions, his decision to publish them means he has forfeited God’s confidence, according to President Young.
It can be a spiritual strength to wish to be an instrument in God’s hands to accomplish his will. It can be a strength to wish to understand more. But, as Elder Dallin H. Oaks warns us, such strengths can be our downfall if we violate the principles which govern the disclosure of divine knowledge or the order and government of the Church of Jesus Christ:
Satan will also attempt to cause our spiritual downfall through tempting us to misapply our spiritual gifts. The revelations tell us that “there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God” (D&C 46:11). All of these gifts “come from God, for the benefit of the children of God” (D&C 46:26). Most of us have seen persons whom the adversary has led astray through a corruption of their spiritual gifts. My mother shared one such example, something she had observed while she was a student at BYU many years ago. A man who lived in a community in Utah had a mighty gift of healing. People sought him out for blessings, many coming from outside his ward and stake. In time, he made almost a profession of giving blessings. As part of his travels to various communities, he came to the apartments of BYU students, asking if they wanted blessings. This man had lost sight of the revealed direction on spiritual gifts: “always remembering for what they are given” (D&C 46:8). A spiritual gift is given to benefit the children of God, not to magnify the prominence or gratify the ego of the person who receives it. The professional healer who forgot that lesson gradually lost the companionship of the Spirit and was eventually excommunicated from the Church…
A desire to know is surely a great strength. A hunger to learn is laudable, but the fruits of learning make a person particularly susceptible to the sin of pride. ( “Our Strength Can Become Our Downfall,” BYU fireside address (7 June 1992)
Sad to say, a similar fate seems to have befallen either Pontius or the anonymous Spencer. Rather than dwelling upon this, readers can simply pray that they will be more wise.
So even though it is part of my job to read, sell, and recommend many LDS books, this cannot and will not ever be one of them.
Visions of Glory is written by John Pontius and recounts several visions and spiritual manifestations. Their recipient is an anonymous informant called “Spencer” in the book. It includes an account of visions of the spirit world, a series of vignettes of apocalyptic last-days scenarios, and describes Spencer’s foretold role in preparing the world for the second coming of Christ. It concludes with an appendix containing other visions which may provide parallels or points of comparison to Spencer’s claims.
The Saints should always be seeking for further light and knowledge. Experience has shown, however, that an anxious interest in such light and knowledge can lead to being deceived, misled, and manipulated if we are not sufficiently grounded in true principles relating to revelation and learning. Prior to teaching the endowment, Joseph Smith warned the Saints: “Let us be faithful and silent, brethren, and if God gives you a manifestation, keep it to yourselves.” Of this remark, Elder Dallin H. Oaks wrote:
"By and large, Latter-day Saints observe this direction. They do not speak publicly of their most sacred experiences. They seldom mention miracles in bearing their testimonies, and they rarely preach from the pulpit about signs that the gospel is true. They usually affirm their testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel by asserting the conclusion, not by giving details on how it was obtained." (The Lord's Way)
1. Visions of Glory’s portrayal of Jesus Christ and His method of interacting with the Saints is not consistent with scripture.
2. Visions of Glory teaches doctrines that contradict LDS scripture and prophets.
Prophets and apostles have repeatedly taught that it is inappropriate for members to publicize such material without permission from the President of the Church.
3. Spencer claims he will receive authority independent of the Church and its leaders.
Anonymous accounts cannot be verified.
In vision, Spencer attends a meeting for which he is given a ticket to a specific session of general conference—not everyone is chosen to attend. This final session is attended by a resurrected Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and other Church leaders. The keynote speaker at the conference is the risen Jesus Christ: “Now in this unexpected moment, seated before resurrected beings from past dispensations, I had finally reached the beginning of my latter-day mission” (118):
When our Savior spoke, the first word from His lips was my name! I was extremely startled until I also realized that every person present had heard his or her own name. As He spoke, I could hear and fully understand the words He was saying to me, but I was also seeing a vision of His description of my future mission. I saw my entire life from that moment forward, everything that I would do, everywhere I would go, every person to whom I would minister, and how it would all be. I later talked to everyone I could who had been in that glorious event, probably several hundred people, and everyone I talked to had heard their own name and seen a vision of their own life (119).
Such an event would be of surpassing sacredness; it is unfortunate that Spencer chooses to reveal and discuss it, if true. There is much about it, however, that does not ring true.
In Spencer’s account, Christ speaks to each individual separately, and lays out their mission and assignments. He is thus again placing himself in a spiritually elite company in the future, which may incline the reader to trust what he says now.
We can only judge such claims by comparing them to the scriptures. There is much about Spencer’s account that does not match the scriptures. For example, in the scriptures the resurrected Lord always begins by teaching about His mission and gospel (Luke 24:25–27, 32; 3 Nephi 11:14–16, 31–41). In scripture, Jesus gives authority and assignments openly so all can bear witness, instead of privately in each mind as Spencer claims (Luke 24:49–50, John 20:21–22; 3 Nephi 11:21–28; 18:36–37). The true Jesus Christ opens the scriptures and teaches from them, and typically bears witness of the Father (Luke 24: 39–48; John 20:17,21; 3 Nephi 11:11). Spencer’s Jesus “bless[es] everyone silently” (120) by looking at them, rather than kneeling and praying aloud to the Father (3 Nephi 17:12–25; 19:16–36; 26:1). Spencer’s account simply does not match the Jesus of scripture.
Ironically, the entire focus of Spencer’s account in the tabernacle seems to be on Spencer and what he is to do, rather than Jesus and what he has done and will do.
Much of Spencer’s account seems calculated to cause fear, induce worry, and promote a preoccupation with terrible events of the future, from which no one is safe.
Pontius assures the reader that:
in some cases we have understated some horrific events to keep this book readable by general audiences. We have removed anything that we deemed could incite fear or panic if it were read by someone not able to understand by the Holy Ghost the greater story of hope and deliverance (19).
Thus, his account claims to downplay the suffering and disaster, and to exclude anything that could predispose even the uninspired to fear or panic. Despite this, the reader is soon given a litany of horrific events:
“the financial structure of the world had completely collapsed” (99).
“Every bank had closed down and money was worthless” (99).
“Factories and global businesses shut down overnight” (99).
“Almost all water was not fit to drink because of acts of war against this country” (99).
“People suffered everywhere” (99).
“a biological attack” against the United States occurs (100).
“I saw bodies stacked in town squares and cities abandoned because of the stench of death. There were marauding bands of people plundering and stealing in every major city. They were murdering everyone they found to preserve remaining resources for themselves….It was a gruesome scene” (100).
a “plague” arrives and kills “billions” in three successive waves, killing perhaps “25 percent” of the pre-disaster population. This plague is a bioweapon, and foreign troops who arrive in the United States as rulers disguised as a rescue mission “were inoculated against it” (107).
“atomic weapons [were] deployed to take out major defense installations around the nation and in Utah. There had been a first strike against the United States, and it came without provocation” (109).
“The devastation [from plague in Europe, Africa, and Asia] was far more severe than in the Americas. The result over time was a complete collapse of society” (111).
“great natural disasters [were] now taking place all around the world. There were hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, and disease” (111).
“many of the nuclear explosions across the country were a result of sabotage rather than a missile attack” (126)
In contrast to these claims, modern leaders have assured us that a long future awaits and that we need not be fearful of such calamities. Said President Boyd K. Packer:
Sometimes you might be tempted to think as I did from time to time in my youth: “The way things are going, the world’s going to be over with. The end of the world is going to come before I get to where I should be.” Not so! You can look forward to doing it right—getting married, having a family, seeing your children and grandchildren, maybe even great-grandchildren. (Counsel to youth, October 2011 General Conference)
In conclusion, Spencer’s account contradicts revealed scripture and doctrine. Any true visions about many of these matters should not be disclosed publicly without the President of the Church’s approval.
Despite efforts to paint Spencer as humble and spiritual, there is a thread of elitism that runs through his account. He portrays himself on intimate terms with apostles, prophets, and the Lord himself. He receives special assignments directly from Jesus. He has a temple office right next door to Jesus’ office in the Holy of Holies. He retrieves lost peoples and new scripture. He personally fulfills scripture. He sees and understands what others do not.
If he truly believes these things, he has been deceived, or he has let pride blind him. Brigham Young gave a caution that all would do well to heed:
Should you receive a vision of revelation from the Almighty, one that the Lord gave you concerning yourselves, or this people, but which you are not to reveal on account of your not being the proper person, or because it ought not to be known by the people at present, you should shut it up and seal it as close, and lock it as tight as heaven is to you, and make it as secret as the grave. The Lord has no confidence in those who reveal secrets, for He cannot safely reveal Himself to such persons….
This is the case with a great many of the Elders of Israel, with regard to keeping secrets. They burn with the idea, “O, I know things that brother Brigham does not understand.” Bless your souls, I guess you do. Don’t you think that there are some things that you do not understand? “There may be some things which I do not understand.” That is as much as to say, “I know more than you.” I am glad of it, if you do. I wish that you knew a dozen times more.
When you see a person of that character, he has no soundness within him. ( Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 4:288 (15 March 1857)
If Spencer did have true visions, his decision to publish them means he has forfeited God’s confidence, according to President Young.
It can be a spiritual strength to wish to be an instrument in God’s hands to accomplish his will. It can be a strength to wish to understand more. But, as Elder Dallin H. Oaks warns us, such strengths can be our downfall if we violate the principles which govern the disclosure of divine knowledge or the order and government of the Church of Jesus Christ:
Satan will also attempt to cause our spiritual downfall through tempting us to misapply our spiritual gifts. The revelations tell us that “there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God” (D&C 46:11). All of these gifts “come from God, for the benefit of the children of God” (D&C 46:26). Most of us have seen persons whom the adversary has led astray through a corruption of their spiritual gifts. My mother shared one such example, something she had observed while she was a student at BYU many years ago. A man who lived in a community in Utah had a mighty gift of healing. People sought him out for blessings, many coming from outside his ward and stake. In time, he made almost a profession of giving blessings. As part of his travels to various communities, he came to the apartments of BYU students, asking if they wanted blessings. This man had lost sight of the revealed direction on spiritual gifts: “always remembering for what they are given” (D&C 46:8). A spiritual gift is given to benefit the children of God, not to magnify the prominence or gratify the ego of the person who receives it. The professional healer who forgot that lesson gradually lost the companionship of the Spirit and was eventually excommunicated from the Church…
A desire to know is surely a great strength. A hunger to learn is laudable, but the fruits of learning make a person particularly susceptible to the sin of pride. ( “Our Strength Can Become Our Downfall,” BYU fireside address (7 June 1992)
Sad to say, a similar fate seems to have befallen either Pontius or the anonymous Spencer. Rather than dwelling upon this, readers can simply pray that they will be more wise.
So even though it is part of my job to read, sell, and recommend many LDS books, this cannot and will not ever be one of them.
December 31, 2012
Quite...interesting. I'm not sure it matters whether the book is true or not, although I didn't read anything that conflicts with my religious beliefs. If it's true, then great. If it's not, it still got me thinking that I need to focus more on the eternities and less on the world, that I need to be less judgmental and more loving, and that I need to care about what really matters rather than merely entertainment.
July 22, 2013
So many people I know have read this book and it has been the center of more than one discussion in the last few months. I started to read the book and was truly fascinated but the further I read, the more I started to doubt this account and the very existence of the "anonymous" man who claimed to have had these visions and revelations. There are SO many inconsistencies and things that just don't add up. If this account is true, then it is way too personal to be sharing with a general audience. I believe personal revelation is just that...PERSONAL. Unless you are the prophet, an apostle, or one given authority to give direction and receive revelation for the church, then I can't give much heed to revelations and visions being shared publicly (and for profit) by an anonymous source. Plus I found much of the material to be graphic, disturbing, upsetting, and unfounded.
I didn't finish the book because the more I read, the yuckier I felt. Something just wasn't right about the emotions it tries to stir up and the visionary accounts it gives. Please skip this book and avoid the drama!
I didn't finish the book because the more I read, the yuckier I felt. Something just wasn't right about the emotions it tries to stir up and the visionary accounts it gives. Please skip this book and avoid the drama!
December 31, 2012
I'm hesitant to write about this book right now, because I just finished it today, and I'm still so awestruck by what I read that I'm afraid I will resort to heavy hyperbole and not be believable. Having been introduced to John Pontius by a friend who said his lectures were life-changing, I read The Triumph of Zion: Our Personal Quest for the New Jerusalem and Following the Light of Christ into His Presence, two books by this author. I found these books to be inspired and life-changing for me also, as they were for my friend. I felt more motivated and focused on listening to the Holy Ghost as my guide than ever before. I started reading John Pontius' blog (Unblog My Soul), and loved his writings. I found them to be poignant, uplifting and right on target. Therefore, it was with excited anticipation that I went to the Unblog Family Reunion (a conference, of sorts, of blog followers) and listened to Bro. Pontius interview Spencer. I felt the Spirit of the Holy Ghost, and felt Spencer's love, humility and testimony. As soon as I got an email from Pontius about the release of this book, I ordered it immediately. I read it in two days after starting it. If I hadn't been with extended family on a family outing, I would have finished in a day, because it was hard to put down.
The book was beautifully written, the narrative being sharp and clear, and the topics covered extensive. The feeling emanating from the book was one of absolute love, for the reader, but most importantly for the Savior. I believe it helped to read the book with a lot of barriers down because of having read Pontius' earlier books and trusting him from that vantage point. Had that not been the case, I might have had more reservations. But as it was, since I trusted him, I was able to accept and understand the story much better.
I feel that this book is a gift to us straight from the Lord. Pontius said in a blog post soon after Spencer spoke at the Unblog Reunion, that he felt that Spencer was like Samuel the Lamanite getting up on the wall (this is in reference to a Book of Mormon prophet). This made perfect sense to me, and helped me understand the origins of this information and how the Lord could allow it to come forth in this way. The fact that these visions are being made public is a huge testimony to me that the work is advancing and that the Lord will increasingly teach us and guide us as we continue home. Since reading it, I feel more than ever that I want to take the Holy Spirit for my guide and do everything I can to help the Lord in his work - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
Dear Reader, if you truly want to get a bigger picture of what this life is about and how each decision you make ripples out into eternity, this is the book for you. If you have ever wondered what premortal life might have been like, and what events surrounding the last days before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ might look like, this a fascinating book for you to ponder. I came away with sharpened sensitivity to spiritual matters, and hope. A great deal of HOPE! And this hope is centered in Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testify shall come again. I also came away with an even greater understanding of the miracle it is to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to have a living Prophet to follow.
Final Conclusion: THIS IS A MUST-READ!!
The book was beautifully written, the narrative being sharp and clear, and the topics covered extensive. The feeling emanating from the book was one of absolute love, for the reader, but most importantly for the Savior. I believe it helped to read the book with a lot of barriers down because of having read Pontius' earlier books and trusting him from that vantage point. Had that not been the case, I might have had more reservations. But as it was, since I trusted him, I was able to accept and understand the story much better.
I feel that this book is a gift to us straight from the Lord. Pontius said in a blog post soon after Spencer spoke at the Unblog Reunion, that he felt that Spencer was like Samuel the Lamanite getting up on the wall (this is in reference to a Book of Mormon prophet). This made perfect sense to me, and helped me understand the origins of this information and how the Lord could allow it to come forth in this way. The fact that these visions are being made public is a huge testimony to me that the work is advancing and that the Lord will increasingly teach us and guide us as we continue home. Since reading it, I feel more than ever that I want to take the Holy Spirit for my guide and do everything I can to help the Lord in his work - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
Dear Reader, if you truly want to get a bigger picture of what this life is about and how each decision you make ripples out into eternity, this is the book for you. If you have ever wondered what premortal life might have been like, and what events surrounding the last days before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ might look like, this a fascinating book for you to ponder. I came away with sharpened sensitivity to spiritual matters, and hope. A great deal of HOPE! And this hope is centered in Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testify shall come again. I also came away with an even greater understanding of the miracle it is to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to have a living Prophet to follow.
Final Conclusion: THIS IS A MUST-READ!!
February 3, 2013
I did not add this book to my gospel shelves as I consider it an expose, non-fiction, personalized account rather than a gospel narrative. I also read it with an understanding that I was reading what I considered to be an analogy or dream version of what may or may not happen in the last days. Many people have decried this book as trickery and deceit. I don't see that at all but I don't treat it as it being gospel for the church. Many people can't separate good story from a revelation. This is a good story. Quite possibly a personal revelation for the man involved but certainly not for the whole church.
I loved the first half of this book. It made sense to me and gave me a sense of wonder about Heavenly Father and our own mortal bodies and what they might truly be capable of when not shackled by the bonds of this earthly life.
The second half of the book was interesting. There were discrepancies between his version and what has been taught in scripture, but being a personal vision and version this didn't really bother me.
What did bother me was that despite heavy disclaimers at the beginning of the book that this was not intended gospel truth for anyone but the man who saw them, which I greatly appreciated, there times when he indicates that he knew this really was true and how it would come to pass in this manner for everyone. That bothered me.
It did inspire me to try and be more prepared. It did not scare me. It will scare some people, particularly those who can't read it with detachment.
It is not gospel truth. It does make you think. It also made me want to be very careful about what I read and in what spirit I read it. Many people are taking this as gospel truth. Bad idea! Across the board. When the prophet stands up and tells me these things then they will be gospel truth. Until then, it is a great story and even great stories can make you want to be better.
I loved the first half of this book. It made sense to me and gave me a sense of wonder about Heavenly Father and our own mortal bodies and what they might truly be capable of when not shackled by the bonds of this earthly life.
The second half of the book was interesting. There were discrepancies between his version and what has been taught in scripture, but being a personal vision and version this didn't really bother me.
What did bother me was that despite heavy disclaimers at the beginning of the book that this was not intended gospel truth for anyone but the man who saw them, which I greatly appreciated, there times when he indicates that he knew this really was true and how it would come to pass in this manner for everyone. That bothered me.
It did inspire me to try and be more prepared. It did not scare me. It will scare some people, particularly those who can't read it with detachment.
It is not gospel truth. It does make you think. It also made me want to be very careful about what I read and in what spirit I read it. Many people are taking this as gospel truth. Bad idea! Across the board. When the prophet stands up and tells me these things then they will be gospel truth. Until then, it is a great story and even great stories can make you want to be better.
September 20, 2013
I started a review of this but it got to be so long I had to stop. Even in the first 100 pages I found so many problems...
Fortunately, I found this review (I know it is from FAIR and they can get a little intense but this review is good) which makes most of my points but if I get time later I will add a few more problems I found in this book...
When reading this book PLEASE, PLEASE remember all the doctrine you have been taught, the scriptures you have read and give those sources more credence than this book!
http://www.fairlds.org/authors/smith-...
Fortunately, I found this review (I know it is from FAIR and they can get a little intense but this review is good) which makes most of my points but if I get time later I will add a few more problems I found in this book...
When reading this book PLEASE, PLEASE remember all the doctrine you have been taught, the scriptures you have read and give those sources more credence than this book!
http://www.fairlds.org/authors/smith-...
March 24, 2013
Life altering, one of the best books I have ever read. Not because it is an example of expert writing that will be held up through out time, but for the accounts that inspires one to come unto Christ. There is no question left as to what it means to trust in Him implicitly. I am left with an eternal perspective that, I am quite sure, will never fade.
August 23, 2013
This one was almost impossible to rate. I did not give it a one because I did not like it, but rather that I felt it should never have been written in the first place.
I will not post a summary of this book--but rather just say my thoughts on it. First and foremost--Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are blessed to have the scriptures and the words of living prophets. It is my belief that that is what all members should stick to when studying out the signs of the last days and the second coming.
I hope in my heart that John Pontius and the man whom the book revolves around, "Spencer" (who I believe does not exist), are good men who are trying to live the gospel of Jesus Christ however I believe EXTREMELY strongly that this book should never have been written or published. If Spencer truly did experience these visions due to near death experiences, the sacredness of them should never be shared with the world at large. Although parts of the book were in tune with the gospel of Jesus Christ, I felt very uncomfortable throughout the entire book.
While researching the book online I found a review published by FAIR (Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research) that was able to pinpoint all of my concerns. This non-profit company is dedicated to researching and providing well documented answers to various criticisms or questions regarding the LDS church. Here is the link: http://www.fairlds.org/authors/smith-.... I strongly feel that all who choose to read Visions of Glory should also read this document. In summary these are the points where Visions of Glory do not coincide with the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
1. Visions of Glory’s portrayal of Jesus Christ and His method of interacting with the Saints is not consistent with scripture.
2. Visions of Glory teaches doctrines that contradict LDS scripture and prophets.
3. Prophets and apostles have repeatedly taught that it is inappropriate for members to publicize such material without permission from the President of the Church.
4. Spencer claims he will receive authority independent of the Church and its leaders.
5. Anonymous accounts cannot be verified.
In addition I find it extremely interesting that the largest LDS bookstore, Deseret Book, does not sell this book in their stores. Although the book did hold hope and one man's testimony of the Savior--I can not recommend it to anyone. If you feel you must read it as many members of the church are giving it outstanding reviews--please go in with a firm and strong testimony in the Savior and of a living prophet today.
I will not post a summary of this book--but rather just say my thoughts on it. First and foremost--Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are blessed to have the scriptures and the words of living prophets. It is my belief that that is what all members should stick to when studying out the signs of the last days and the second coming.
I hope in my heart that John Pontius and the man whom the book revolves around, "Spencer" (who I believe does not exist), are good men who are trying to live the gospel of Jesus Christ however I believe EXTREMELY strongly that this book should never have been written or published. If Spencer truly did experience these visions due to near death experiences, the sacredness of them should never be shared with the world at large. Although parts of the book were in tune with the gospel of Jesus Christ, I felt very uncomfortable throughout the entire book.
While researching the book online I found a review published by FAIR (Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research) that was able to pinpoint all of my concerns. This non-profit company is dedicated to researching and providing well documented answers to various criticisms or questions regarding the LDS church. Here is the link: http://www.fairlds.org/authors/smith-.... I strongly feel that all who choose to read Visions of Glory should also read this document. In summary these are the points where Visions of Glory do not coincide with the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
1. Visions of Glory’s portrayal of Jesus Christ and His method of interacting with the Saints is not consistent with scripture.
2. Visions of Glory teaches doctrines that contradict LDS scripture and prophets.
3. Prophets and apostles have repeatedly taught that it is inappropriate for members to publicize such material without permission from the President of the Church.
4. Spencer claims he will receive authority independent of the Church and its leaders.
5. Anonymous accounts cannot be verified.
In addition I find it extremely interesting that the largest LDS bookstore, Deseret Book, does not sell this book in their stores. Although the book did hold hope and one man's testimony of the Savior--I can not recommend it to anyone. If you feel you must read it as many members of the church are giving it outstanding reviews--please go in with a firm and strong testimony in the Savior and of a living prophet today.
August 27, 2013
I would have liked this book better had it been labeled as fiction rather than truth. So many things didn't ring true to me as I read it, although it was obvious the author/accounter knew his scriptures and prophecies. For instance, his lack of concern for his own family--wife, children, grandchildren at the time of the big earthquake in Salt Lake City seemed odd to me. That was repeated at the description of the second coming of Christ when everyone "dropped everything and ran. We didn't need to turn back to gather children or families, they all heard His call and came in that instance. Even infants heard and were brought by loving hands." That has the same academic feel as his account of their "beautiful youth" who were kidnapped by armed thugs. "It was an awful, horrifying moment [only a moment?], but instead of intimidating us, it did the opposite." Spencer, who relates these details of his visions of the future, seems a loner, without the ties of family or close friends, and yet the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about the binding ties and loving relationships of spouses and children and grandchildren. Other things seemed odd to me like the callings of the First Presidency and apostles without full church knowledge and sustaining, the rationale for taking the life of an enemy if personal revelation shows you he is fully evil, changes in the order of the Church as the time of Christ's return draws closer. The longer the book went on, the more science fiction-like it felt to me. I suspect Bruce R. McConkie would label this "an unwise book," as he did a book that was popular back in my college years, written with good intent and a good heart but misguided.
July 16, 2013
First of all, this book is written by an LDS man for an LDS (Mormon)audience. If you aren't LDS you won't understand a lot of what is being written. The religious terms, the beliefs, etc.
The book was absolutely fascinating. I couldn't put it down and read it in a couple of days. I would give it 5 stars for fascination and interest.
But here is the big BUT - I don't find it credible. There are too many things wrong with it.
1. If I experienced what this man says he has, I certainly would not share it with the world in book form. I wouldn't even share it with close friends. I would keep it to myself. The experiences that this man says he had are amazing, but are also sacred and private and in my view for his eyes only.
2. I don't understand why the real author had someone else write it down and publish it. The real author (who I suspect might actually be John Pontius) could have published it under an assumed name. Why have others involved?
3. A lot of his experiences in the book are not in line with the teachings of the LDS church, the beliefs and how the church authority system is set up.
4. It seems to me that the author wanted to glorify himself and make himself look like he is an amazing person based on his experiences and suffering and what he ended up ultimately doing.
5. There were a lot of personal details given about the actual author. If they are correct then it wouldn't be that hard to figure out who he is, given his background/family information. Why give out that information unless: 1. He wants to be found out or 2. He is creating a new identity to cover up who he really is. That makes the book seem less credible. Why not just leave the personal information out all together except that you are an LDS man? Are his experiences any less incredible because he's not working with or friends with General Authorities of the church? No.
6. In the back of the book are several visions from other members of the LDS church and also a Quaker. All of these visions are from the 1800's or early 1900's. Reading through those accounts I couldn't help but notice that a lot of what is written in this book is extremely similar to the those visions, down to wording. I noticed that the same words were used, including more obscure words that we don't use much in modern language. For example the word "vignette". It was used in both the book and in at least one of the accounts in the back of the book.
There are just too many things wrong with this book to believe what is written. The author himself states that he doesn't know if these things will actually come to pass as he saw them, or if they are metaphorical for him.
The book was absolutely fascinating. I couldn't put it down and read it in a couple of days. I would give it 5 stars for fascination and interest.
But here is the big BUT - I don't find it credible. There are too many things wrong with it.
1. If I experienced what this man says he has, I certainly would not share it with the world in book form. I wouldn't even share it with close friends. I would keep it to myself. The experiences that this man says he had are amazing, but are also sacred and private and in my view for his eyes only.
2. I don't understand why the real author had someone else write it down and publish it. The real author (who I suspect might actually be John Pontius) could have published it under an assumed name. Why have others involved?
3. A lot of his experiences in the book are not in line with the teachings of the LDS church, the beliefs and how the church authority system is set up.
4. It seems to me that the author wanted to glorify himself and make himself look like he is an amazing person based on his experiences and suffering and what he ended up ultimately doing.
5. There were a lot of personal details given about the actual author. If they are correct then it wouldn't be that hard to figure out who he is, given his background/family information. Why give out that information unless: 1. He wants to be found out or 2. He is creating a new identity to cover up who he really is. That makes the book seem less credible. Why not just leave the personal information out all together except that you are an LDS man? Are his experiences any less incredible because he's not working with or friends with General Authorities of the church? No.
6. In the back of the book are several visions from other members of the LDS church and also a Quaker. All of these visions are from the 1800's or early 1900's. Reading through those accounts I couldn't help but notice that a lot of what is written in this book is extremely similar to the those visions, down to wording. I noticed that the same words were used, including more obscure words that we don't use much in modern language. For example the word "vignette". It was used in both the book and in at least one of the accounts in the back of the book.
There are just too many things wrong with this book to believe what is written. The author himself states that he doesn't know if these things will actually come to pass as he saw them, or if they are metaphorical for him.
February 20, 2013
Hands down this was THE most amazing book I have ever read! I am so grateful that I have confirmation of my own experiences from reading this. I didn't doubt my own personal experiences, but I feel I have found a kindred spirit in the first 1/3 of the book. (Although I have to say I have not died and come back, nor seen the end of times.) It was very difficult to get through the pages as I felt emotionally drained at times. I was very teary eyed, in a happy way, while reading this. I felt the spirit and I am grateful it was published. Having said this, I don't believe this book is for just any person to read. I think there needs to be some spiritual preparation. I'm sure the contents of this story may be rejected by some individuals. I am left with a changed heart and a confirmation of my own personal experiences. Thank you "Spencer".
March 10, 2013
Wow! I'm not often a 5 star kinda gal, but this book deserved it. I loved this book. I love the way it makes me love those around me more. I love that I feel MORE faith in Heavenly Father's plan, and less despair. Let me make a minor note. I have no idea if the things in this book are true or not. It could just be a nice story. However, the intensity of my desire to be a better person tells me - this is a good seed. Whether or not it is true, I believe it is good. Be ye warned... this book is intense, and has some hard parts. If you've read Revelations (in the Bible), it's no worse than that. But, Revelations is pretty gruesome in places.
July 13, 2013
Note added 6-11-13: Greg Smith has published a much more complete review on the FAIR website. And I thought I was being a little harsh in my review here. Well, it’s good to have multiple sources to make comparisons. I hope I made it clear that I got a lot of good from the book even though I had problems with it, which I delineate below. Let the spirit be your guide.
I had not intended to write this review, but could not resist because the impression to share was so strong. I had intended to review chapter three of Passing the Heavenly Gift, but that can wait. I finished Proof of Heaven a week ago and did not feel the desire to review it as I do with this book. Proof of Heaven can stand on its own, already reviewed by many people. Visions of Glory has also been reviewed in several places, but the negative reviews are too dismissive for me.
I’m not going to say my review is negative, and I am going to recommend you read it, but I’m going to offer a few words of warning. There’s just something strange about this book that I can’t put my finger on at the moment. Maybe by the time I finish the review it will be clearer. The negative reviews on Amazon and elsewhere declare that Spencer was deceived. I’m not going to go that far. I believe Spencer was sincere when he described what he said he saw.
Visions of Glory combines two of my favorite topics – Near Death Experiences (NDEs) and the Last Days. Like several of the reviewers, I was fascinated with the first third of the book as he describes what he learned in his first two NDEs. I had little problem with what he offered and found myself nodding my head in agreement with some of his descriptions. The spirit burned in my heart as I recognized and understood that Spencer had shared some wonderful truths with us.
LDS Blogging on Last Days
I don’t doubt that Spencer did indeed experience the NDE’s as he described them. But I am just blown away by the detail in the last two thirds of the book in his third NDE. Cedar Fort’s wording on the cover that this is “one man’s astonishing account of the last days” causes me to immediately think, “Well, that’s just his interpretation.” And indeed, that’s the first warning I’m going to offer. These are just one man’s views of the Last Days. Mine are certainly different.
With John’s recent passing, Spencer, not his real name, has contributed more to John’s blog, now maintained by others. You can get a better feel for Spencer there by reading his contributions as he answers questions put to him by readers. It kind of reminds me of the early days of Denver’s blog in which he was much more interactive with his readers. Having a popular blog in the LDS community can be burdensome because so many readers are at different levels of understanding.
In any event, after reading Spencer’s book (it really is his even though John wrote it), you can interact directly with him on the Unblog. Although I found Spencer’s description of some of the events of the last days to be fascinating, my focus has been different. What I would like to ask about, he would not be able to answer. I am more interested in how the widespread destruction is caused and how to interpret the events from the Books of Revelation, Daniel, Joel and others.
Invasion of America
Those who have read essays from my early years of blogging know my interest in the books of Anthony Larson, known as the Prophecy Trilogy. In there, you’ll find a description of the pillar of fire, for example, that is radically different from what Spencer describes in his book. You’ll also find much more reference to the cosmological causes of the great destruction that is to take place before the coming of the Lord, which are barely mentioned in passing by Spencer.
Now, I hate to go “out there” but I want to make a point that there are multiple claims of how the great destruction is going to come about. Spencer notes that there are many nuclear explosions, most caused by internal radicals, not by the foreign invaders. I read that part to my wife. She said it sounds like someone watched “Jericho” or “Revolution” and had a bad dream. I must admit I have never read anyone else talking about floods in Salt Lake as one of the signs of the last days.
Are you familiar with Denise Mendenhall, daughter of LDS author Doug Mendenhall? She lives without a veil. She gave a talk at Confetti Books in Feb of 2012. I have a recording of the event. In it she relates how the Lord told her to share that he is going to cause a huge EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) to hit the earth which will wipe out all technology based on the use of electricity and electronics, which is just about every means of modern communication and transportation.
Civilization will be Destroyed
Here’s my point. We’ve got Spencer claiming there will be a huge earthquake that will destroy most of the West Coast, cause massive flooding in Utah and precede an invasion by a large body of foreigners who take over the country. I’m not sure I understood the explanation for the flooding but I thought Spencer was describing the return of Lake Bonneville. He related that everything south of Point of the Mountain was under water as far as the eye could see. Strange.
So in addition to the huge earthquake, which is prophesied in the scriptures, without the floods, we’ve got Denise sharing that there will be a huge EMP and Anthony Larson pointing out that the great destruction of the last days will be caused by Earth’s close encounter with another celestial body. Spencer writes in his book that the earth passes by a huge planet on the journey back to God’s presence but that it has absolutely no effect on the earth or the inhabitants.
Although Spencer and Denise both claim that their visions of the end times are from the Lord, I’m going to go with what I have long held that the destruction of the last days, including the massive earthquakes, tidal waves and volcanic activity, are caused by the return of the Ten Tribes, who Joseph said were taken from the earth. This is in direct contradiction with what Spencer claims in his book – that they are living in deep caverns long hidden under the ice.
Celestial Mechanics and Time Travel
This is all conjecture and fun to think about but back to the point of this review. I offered one warning about Spencer’s book at the beginning. Here’s another: How is it possible that God could tell three different people, one of them a prophet, that the destruction of the last days will be caused by three different things: a massive earthquake, an EMP and a planet coming up alongside the earth? Could they all be correct? Well, actually I suppose they could be.
Imagine for a minute that you put aside what science teaches about celestial mechanics. Let’s assume that somehow a large planetary body could come close to the earth. Let’s further assume you accept the alternative theories of cosmology known as the Electric Universe in which plasma and electricity have greater influence than gravity, then yes, I suppose an EMP could accompany the earthquakes and other prophesied destructions found in the scriptures in rich abundance.
My apologies if my ramblings don’t make sense. I have tried to provide links to previous essays that might help if you haven’t been a regular reader of my blog. In Visions of Glory Spencer is clear that he has little to no background in technology. He marvels at the things he encounters as he becomes a translated being. I suppose his description of the portals will be the most difficult for scientifically minded people to accept. After all, he’s talking about time travel at that point.
All the Hot Mormon Topics
A few questions I am still pondering: Why such detail about the destruction in and around Salt Lake and little to none of the rest of the world? Why did they have to go to Cardston first before they went to Missouri? Why is the appearance of the Lord in the Conference Center to a select few not mentioned anywhere in prophesied events of the last days? Is the invasion of America by a foreign military a part of the events foretold in the scriptures? Why didn’t the plague kill more?
Is the book an exciting read? Yes, I couldn’t put it down. You’ll encounter plagues, earthquakes, floods, foreign invasion, changes in weather (kind of like Global Warming without the politics), changes in constellations as the earth travels through space, the return of the Ten Tribes, the long walk to Missouri, the building of the New Jerusalem, the gathering of the elect by the 144,000 and much more. But as some reviewers have written, it reads like a piece of good LDS fiction.
That is probably unkind. I don’t know Spencer. From everything I’ve read he is a kind soul. I would not have the courage to share what he has shared specifically because I know so many people would be inclined to mock. I have read the glowing reviews of others who said this is the most life-changing book they have ever read. Others have written that the Holy Ghost testified to them it is true. I’m not going to go that far. Perhaps I simply was not ready to receive it as such.
Inspiration for LDS Fiction
Some of my readers may know I am writing a trilogy of fiction based on the works of Immanuel Velikovsky and the Electric Universe cosmological views of Wal Thornhill and David Talbott. I have taken the opening chapter of Anthony Larson’s book, And the Moon Shall be Turned to Blood and have expanded it into what I hope will be an interesting and exciting story about how events could possibly happen in the very last days just prior to the return of the Lord.
My first book ends with the return of the broken off piece of earth containing the Ten Tribes. In fact, that’s the whole premise of the first book – that a planet will come close to the earth, cause huge widespread destruction and eventually position itself just above the magnetic North pole. In my second book I plan to write about life on Earth after the destruction of civilization and how we pick up the pieces. I confess I planned to write about the walk to Missouri to build up Zion.
As I read through the last two thirds of Spencer’s book I made mental notes about how I could expand this scene or that scene and incorporate it into my book. If I ever publish the first and find the anticipated satisfaction in its reception for which I hope, I’ll write about the return of the City of Enoch and again, the destructions that accompany yet another piece of Earth coming home. In my third book, I will write about what happens when the Lord does finally return.
One Man’s View
Most people don’t think about this stuff. None of us really has any material clue about how this is all going to come down, especially the timing and sequence of events. I like reading books like Visions of Glory because it gives me food for thought about how future events could possibly happen. Do I consider it a work of fiction? I’m not sure. Did the Holy Ghost reveal to me that what Spencer claimed he saw really will happen that way? I confess, no, I can’t say that.
I reiterate the point that Cedar Fort makes on the cover – this is one man’s view of things. He claims he was shown this in vision. At one point he made some reference that this may all be symbolic. At other times he was emphatic that he knew he was going to participate in these events at some future point in his life. I don’t know any translated beings but if you know Spencer in real life, maybe you should stick close to him to see if he is changed someday.
Please don’t be upset with my review if you feel I am mocking sacred things. I’m not. I have been a long-time reader of John’s blog. I have deep reverence and respect for those who have spiritual gifts that I don’t have. I suppose I am too caught up in making a living and relying on technology to do it. I spend every day working with routers, switches and wireless access points, servers, fiber-optic Internet connections and all kinds of things to keep the electrons flowing.
Technology for a Zion People
That’s why when I read in Spencer’s book how communications were cut off and yet there were some pockets of cities with electricity, I had to wonder why he claimed there would be no Internet. Wouldn’t that be one of the first things society would want restored once they had electricity? Even if it were just a small network in the local city not connected to the outside world, I am positive any civil authority would want that re-established as soon as possible.
He also mentions that the church had communications systems intact. OK, how did they do that? He never describes the fate of satellites, yet I believe in one case he noted the foreign invaders had some sort of GPS. The church relies heavily on the Internet and satellites to communicate with stakes all over the world. I realize that later on Spencer implies that they could keep in touch via their white seer stones but this is in the beginning, right after the big earthquake.
Spencer’s book is not about technology. It’s about becoming a Zion people. That’s why it fits in so well with John’s focus on the Unblog. It takes so many of the beliefs unique to Mormonism to levels that I confess I had never dreamed. Why would the Lord reveal such detail to Spencer that he hasn’t revealed to the prophets? Or if he has, why have they chosen not to discuss it, share it and teach us about it? Spencer doesn’t claim to be a prophet, but he sure shares amazing detail.
Fiction based on Dreams?
Final warning: John relates that as Spencer shared his visions he was impressed to tell Spencer about similar visions from other members of the church in our early history. Spencer claims he had never heard of them. Yet as I read Spencer’s visions I immediately called them to mind. Am I unique in that I knew of these things when a man with three advanced degrees had never heard of them? One could make an argument that the book was written from these previous visions.
The other visions and dreams are included in the appendix. The whole idea of going to Cardston first is based on a letter from Sols Caurdisto who toured the temple before it opened in 1921. The destruction of the cities of the East Coast that Spencer related the Angel showed him could have come directly from John Taylor’s 1877 dream, also included in the appendix. The 1884 dream of the plagues and Charles Evans dream of schools in New Jerusalem appear in Spencer’s narrative.
My conclusion: This is a fantastic book, a very enjoyable read. I recommend you read it. Don’t let my worldly skepticism deter you from gleaning wonderful truths shared about how the spirit world around us operates. But when it comes to how the events of the last days are going to go down, make sure you compare what you discover with what you already know from scripture. Then ask yourself as I did, “Has the Lord ever revealed such specific detail to anyone else?”
Source: http://latterdaycommentary.com/2013/0...
I had not intended to write this review, but could not resist because the impression to share was so strong. I had intended to review chapter three of Passing the Heavenly Gift, but that can wait. I finished Proof of Heaven a week ago and did not feel the desire to review it as I do with this book. Proof of Heaven can stand on its own, already reviewed by many people. Visions of Glory has also been reviewed in several places, but the negative reviews are too dismissive for me.
I’m not going to say my review is negative, and I am going to recommend you read it, but I’m going to offer a few words of warning. There’s just something strange about this book that I can’t put my finger on at the moment. Maybe by the time I finish the review it will be clearer. The negative reviews on Amazon and elsewhere declare that Spencer was deceived. I’m not going to go that far. I believe Spencer was sincere when he described what he said he saw.
Visions of Glory combines two of my favorite topics – Near Death Experiences (NDEs) and the Last Days. Like several of the reviewers, I was fascinated with the first third of the book as he describes what he learned in his first two NDEs. I had little problem with what he offered and found myself nodding my head in agreement with some of his descriptions. The spirit burned in my heart as I recognized and understood that Spencer had shared some wonderful truths with us.
LDS Blogging on Last Days
I don’t doubt that Spencer did indeed experience the NDE’s as he described them. But I am just blown away by the detail in the last two thirds of the book in his third NDE. Cedar Fort’s wording on the cover that this is “one man’s astonishing account of the last days” causes me to immediately think, “Well, that’s just his interpretation.” And indeed, that’s the first warning I’m going to offer. These are just one man’s views of the Last Days. Mine are certainly different.
With John’s recent passing, Spencer, not his real name, has contributed more to John’s blog, now maintained by others. You can get a better feel for Spencer there by reading his contributions as he answers questions put to him by readers. It kind of reminds me of the early days of Denver’s blog in which he was much more interactive with his readers. Having a popular blog in the LDS community can be burdensome because so many readers are at different levels of understanding.
In any event, after reading Spencer’s book (it really is his even though John wrote it), you can interact directly with him on the Unblog. Although I found Spencer’s description of some of the events of the last days to be fascinating, my focus has been different. What I would like to ask about, he would not be able to answer. I am more interested in how the widespread destruction is caused and how to interpret the events from the Books of Revelation, Daniel, Joel and others.
Invasion of America
Those who have read essays from my early years of blogging know my interest in the books of Anthony Larson, known as the Prophecy Trilogy. In there, you’ll find a description of the pillar of fire, for example, that is radically different from what Spencer describes in his book. You’ll also find much more reference to the cosmological causes of the great destruction that is to take place before the coming of the Lord, which are barely mentioned in passing by Spencer.
Now, I hate to go “out there” but I want to make a point that there are multiple claims of how the great destruction is going to come about. Spencer notes that there are many nuclear explosions, most caused by internal radicals, not by the foreign invaders. I read that part to my wife. She said it sounds like someone watched “Jericho” or “Revolution” and had a bad dream. I must admit I have never read anyone else talking about floods in Salt Lake as one of the signs of the last days.
Are you familiar with Denise Mendenhall, daughter of LDS author Doug Mendenhall? She lives without a veil. She gave a talk at Confetti Books in Feb of 2012. I have a recording of the event. In it she relates how the Lord told her to share that he is going to cause a huge EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) to hit the earth which will wipe out all technology based on the use of electricity and electronics, which is just about every means of modern communication and transportation.
Civilization will be Destroyed
Here’s my point. We’ve got Spencer claiming there will be a huge earthquake that will destroy most of the West Coast, cause massive flooding in Utah and precede an invasion by a large body of foreigners who take over the country. I’m not sure I understood the explanation for the flooding but I thought Spencer was describing the return of Lake Bonneville. He related that everything south of Point of the Mountain was under water as far as the eye could see. Strange.
So in addition to the huge earthquake, which is prophesied in the scriptures, without the floods, we’ve got Denise sharing that there will be a huge EMP and Anthony Larson pointing out that the great destruction of the last days will be caused by Earth’s close encounter with another celestial body. Spencer writes in his book that the earth passes by a huge planet on the journey back to God’s presence but that it has absolutely no effect on the earth or the inhabitants.
Although Spencer and Denise both claim that their visions of the end times are from the Lord, I’m going to go with what I have long held that the destruction of the last days, including the massive earthquakes, tidal waves and volcanic activity, are caused by the return of the Ten Tribes, who Joseph said were taken from the earth. This is in direct contradiction with what Spencer claims in his book – that they are living in deep caverns long hidden under the ice.
Celestial Mechanics and Time Travel
This is all conjecture and fun to think about but back to the point of this review. I offered one warning about Spencer’s book at the beginning. Here’s another: How is it possible that God could tell three different people, one of them a prophet, that the destruction of the last days will be caused by three different things: a massive earthquake, an EMP and a planet coming up alongside the earth? Could they all be correct? Well, actually I suppose they could be.
Imagine for a minute that you put aside what science teaches about celestial mechanics. Let’s assume that somehow a large planetary body could come close to the earth. Let’s further assume you accept the alternative theories of cosmology known as the Electric Universe in which plasma and electricity have greater influence than gravity, then yes, I suppose an EMP could accompany the earthquakes and other prophesied destructions found in the scriptures in rich abundance.
My apologies if my ramblings don’t make sense. I have tried to provide links to previous essays that might help if you haven’t been a regular reader of my blog. In Visions of Glory Spencer is clear that he has little to no background in technology. He marvels at the things he encounters as he becomes a translated being. I suppose his description of the portals will be the most difficult for scientifically minded people to accept. After all, he’s talking about time travel at that point.
All the Hot Mormon Topics
A few questions I am still pondering: Why such detail about the destruction in and around Salt Lake and little to none of the rest of the world? Why did they have to go to Cardston first before they went to Missouri? Why is the appearance of the Lord in the Conference Center to a select few not mentioned anywhere in prophesied events of the last days? Is the invasion of America by a foreign military a part of the events foretold in the scriptures? Why didn’t the plague kill more?
Is the book an exciting read? Yes, I couldn’t put it down. You’ll encounter plagues, earthquakes, floods, foreign invasion, changes in weather (kind of like Global Warming without the politics), changes in constellations as the earth travels through space, the return of the Ten Tribes, the long walk to Missouri, the building of the New Jerusalem, the gathering of the elect by the 144,000 and much more. But as some reviewers have written, it reads like a piece of good LDS fiction.
That is probably unkind. I don’t know Spencer. From everything I’ve read he is a kind soul. I would not have the courage to share what he has shared specifically because I know so many people would be inclined to mock. I have read the glowing reviews of others who said this is the most life-changing book they have ever read. Others have written that the Holy Ghost testified to them it is true. I’m not going to go that far. Perhaps I simply was not ready to receive it as such.
Inspiration for LDS Fiction
Some of my readers may know I am writing a trilogy of fiction based on the works of Immanuel Velikovsky and the Electric Universe cosmological views of Wal Thornhill and David Talbott. I have taken the opening chapter of Anthony Larson’s book, And the Moon Shall be Turned to Blood and have expanded it into what I hope will be an interesting and exciting story about how events could possibly happen in the very last days just prior to the return of the Lord.
My first book ends with the return of the broken off piece of earth containing the Ten Tribes. In fact, that’s the whole premise of the first book – that a planet will come close to the earth, cause huge widespread destruction and eventually position itself just above the magnetic North pole. In my second book I plan to write about life on Earth after the destruction of civilization and how we pick up the pieces. I confess I planned to write about the walk to Missouri to build up Zion.
As I read through the last two thirds of Spencer’s book I made mental notes about how I could expand this scene or that scene and incorporate it into my book. If I ever publish the first and find the anticipated satisfaction in its reception for which I hope, I’ll write about the return of the City of Enoch and again, the destructions that accompany yet another piece of Earth coming home. In my third book, I will write about what happens when the Lord does finally return.
One Man’s View
Most people don’t think about this stuff. None of us really has any material clue about how this is all going to come down, especially the timing and sequence of events. I like reading books like Visions of Glory because it gives me food for thought about how future events could possibly happen. Do I consider it a work of fiction? I’m not sure. Did the Holy Ghost reveal to me that what Spencer claimed he saw really will happen that way? I confess, no, I can’t say that.
I reiterate the point that Cedar Fort makes on the cover – this is one man’s view of things. He claims he was shown this in vision. At one point he made some reference that this may all be symbolic. At other times he was emphatic that he knew he was going to participate in these events at some future point in his life. I don’t know any translated beings but if you know Spencer in real life, maybe you should stick close to him to see if he is changed someday.
Please don’t be upset with my review if you feel I am mocking sacred things. I’m not. I have been a long-time reader of John’s blog. I have deep reverence and respect for those who have spiritual gifts that I don’t have. I suppose I am too caught up in making a living and relying on technology to do it. I spend every day working with routers, switches and wireless access points, servers, fiber-optic Internet connections and all kinds of things to keep the electrons flowing.
Technology for a Zion People
That’s why when I read in Spencer’s book how communications were cut off and yet there were some pockets of cities with electricity, I had to wonder why he claimed there would be no Internet. Wouldn’t that be one of the first things society would want restored once they had electricity? Even if it were just a small network in the local city not connected to the outside world, I am positive any civil authority would want that re-established as soon as possible.
He also mentions that the church had communications systems intact. OK, how did they do that? He never describes the fate of satellites, yet I believe in one case he noted the foreign invaders had some sort of GPS. The church relies heavily on the Internet and satellites to communicate with stakes all over the world. I realize that later on Spencer implies that they could keep in touch via their white seer stones but this is in the beginning, right after the big earthquake.
Spencer’s book is not about technology. It’s about becoming a Zion people. That’s why it fits in so well with John’s focus on the Unblog. It takes so many of the beliefs unique to Mormonism to levels that I confess I had never dreamed. Why would the Lord reveal such detail to Spencer that he hasn’t revealed to the prophets? Or if he has, why have they chosen not to discuss it, share it and teach us about it? Spencer doesn’t claim to be a prophet, but he sure shares amazing detail.
Fiction based on Dreams?
Final warning: John relates that as Spencer shared his visions he was impressed to tell Spencer about similar visions from other members of the church in our early history. Spencer claims he had never heard of them. Yet as I read Spencer’s visions I immediately called them to mind. Am I unique in that I knew of these things when a man with three advanced degrees had never heard of them? One could make an argument that the book was written from these previous visions.
The other visions and dreams are included in the appendix. The whole idea of going to Cardston first is based on a letter from Sols Caurdisto who toured the temple before it opened in 1921. The destruction of the cities of the East Coast that Spencer related the Angel showed him could have come directly from John Taylor’s 1877 dream, also included in the appendix. The 1884 dream of the plagues and Charles Evans dream of schools in New Jerusalem appear in Spencer’s narrative.
My conclusion: This is a fantastic book, a very enjoyable read. I recommend you read it. Don’t let my worldly skepticism deter you from gleaning wonderful truths shared about how the spirit world around us operates. But when it comes to how the events of the last days are going to go down, make sure you compare what you discover with what you already know from scripture. Then ask yourself as I did, “Has the Lord ever revealed such specific detail to anyone else?”
Source: http://latterdaycommentary.com/2013/0...
April 28, 2015
I can understand this book's appeal to some. Who doesn't want to know exactly what the other side of the veil and the last days look like?
It is disturbing to read other reviews of this by people who feel this is a pearl of great price and who are in awe that God has allowed us mortals to have this information. Or one reviewer said they would read this often and use it as a guide. Do these people feel the same way about the scriptures? The words of our prophet and apostles? I shudder to think that so much importance is placed on this book.
This book, while claiming it is only relevant to the character in the book, is published for the world to read and talks about things that, if true, would be relevant to all. I am still trying to figure out his purpose in publishing if it is only meant to be relevant to the person receiving the visions. Without any way to verify particulars, I can only consider this book as fiction. I don't plan on praying to find out if it is true or not. If I want spiritual truth I will find it out for myself while looking to pure sources like the scriptures and the prophets.
I also feel that we can look to our leaders as examples. They witness of Jesus Christ and angels and the Lord's plan for us. I don't doubt that many, if not all of them, have received "visions of glory" so to speak but they choose not to share their experiences in detail. I believe there is purpose in keeping sacred things sacred and a pattern in how sacred things are revealed. Some anonymous guy whose only credential is being friends with an anonymous apostle who is now dead, is not the Lord's pattern for revealing sacred things of this world and the next.
While there are truths in this book that can be verified by scripture and the words of the prophets, I consider much of this to be speculation. There were also doctrinal discrepancies between his visions and what has been revealed through proper channels. I just kept thinking about the phrase, "The philosophies of men, mingled with scripture." I have no interest in speculation and as such, this book was very boring. I skimmed a lot.
If it leads others to more faithfully follow Christ and study the scriptures, great. I didn't get much, if anything out of this book. I guess it has prompted me to go study my scriptures where I can definitely feel the Spirit, so that's good! Otherwise, readers beware!
It is disturbing to read other reviews of this by people who feel this is a pearl of great price and who are in awe that God has allowed us mortals to have this information. Or one reviewer said they would read this often and use it as a guide. Do these people feel the same way about the scriptures? The words of our prophet and apostles? I shudder to think that so much importance is placed on this book.
This book, while claiming it is only relevant to the character in the book, is published for the world to read and talks about things that, if true, would be relevant to all. I am still trying to figure out his purpose in publishing if it is only meant to be relevant to the person receiving the visions. Without any way to verify particulars, I can only consider this book as fiction. I don't plan on praying to find out if it is true or not. If I want spiritual truth I will find it out for myself while looking to pure sources like the scriptures and the prophets.
I also feel that we can look to our leaders as examples. They witness of Jesus Christ and angels and the Lord's plan for us. I don't doubt that many, if not all of them, have received "visions of glory" so to speak but they choose not to share their experiences in detail. I believe there is purpose in keeping sacred things sacred and a pattern in how sacred things are revealed. Some anonymous guy whose only credential is being friends with an anonymous apostle who is now dead, is not the Lord's pattern for revealing sacred things of this world and the next.
While there are truths in this book that can be verified by scripture and the words of the prophets, I consider much of this to be speculation. There were also doctrinal discrepancies between his visions and what has been revealed through proper channels. I just kept thinking about the phrase, "The philosophies of men, mingled with scripture." I have no interest in speculation and as such, this book was very boring. I skimmed a lot.
If it leads others to more faithfully follow Christ and study the scriptures, great. I didn't get much, if anything out of this book. I guess it has prompted me to go study my scriptures where I can definitely feel the Spirit, so that's good! Otherwise, readers beware!
April 17, 2013
I started this book but honestly everything about it was unsettling. After spending a day trying to decide if what I was feeling was the spirit or an anxiety attack I decided it didn't matter either way. I have the scriptures, personal revelation, and the words of the prophets. I think thinking too much about the end of the world is going to seriously effect the quality of the one I'm living now. I'm pretty sure thats not what God wants. I wouldn't recommend it.
February 5, 2013
I don't understand how this book, with its content, is allowed to be read by mortals. It is like a pearl of great price, if you will, of vast information about spiritual things and future events. As I read this I kept thinking, why am I being allowed to know this? I walked away with a greater understanding of spiritual things and I know it has improved my life because of it.
June 7, 2017
I was intrigued by the idea of this book, however, I did not end up enjoying it. I have thought a lot about why it made me so uncomfortable when I read it, because I do fully believe in Jesus Christ, angels and Heavenly messengers, visions and healings and the like, but I had a very hard time reading this book. I think it comes down to the premise of the presentation. If these stories had been presented as just that: stories, ideas, speculation even, or better yet, couched in a tale of fantasy, I think I could have relished finding the nuggets of truth and interpretations of scripture. However, to present it as personal revelation makes me uncomfortable. Personal revelation should be kept, well, personal. To publish it for public consumption not only cheapens it, but worse, makes it suspect. Add to that the suspicious anonymity, the strange "name dropping" tactic (although the names are, once again, anonymous), and the repeated efforts at proclaiming "Spencer's" education, position and faith to make him seem more trustworthy, but which instead smacks of manipulation. And to claim that God gave him permission to publish these visions also goes against my belief in the line of authority--I am perfectly comfortable with "Spencer" receiving whatever revelation he is gifted with, but as he is not in a position of stewardship over the Church or specifically me, then it should not be his place to present his personal visions to the world. I also realize that my friends are split in their feelings on this book, and many found peace and comfort in these stories, so I wish to reiterate that this review is my own, reflecting the discomfort I felt when reading and my effort at trying to understand why I felt that way. 1-1/2 stars.
December 10, 2012
I have read many people's accounts of NDE's and dreams/visions, but this one tops them all. The author, John Pontius, has a blog called Unblog my Soul where he chronicled his meetings w/ 'Spencer' and the development of this book. Spencer kept his visions of the future secret for 3 decades (except telling his wife and close family,) and it wasn't until he met John that he felt God gave him permission to share his visions. It also took John's understanding of Spiritual things (he has written other great books,) to help Spencer interpret these experiences and somehow verbalize and then put them to paper.
Prepare to be amazed - this book has SO MUCH in it. Things you've read here or there from others, they are all in this book. He has such an understanding of us, our spirits, our pre-existence, our relationships with each other, Angels around us, Satan's minions around us, too. If I didn't know of and trust the people involved I would think it just WAY too 'out there'. Well, except that while reading it, it all reads VERY TRUE.
I've listened to Spencer speaking, he is a humble man. (My friends have met him.) He keeps his real name out of here so people won't seek him out as some prophet, he doesn't do firesides. He does NOT want to make this about himself.
Prepare to be amazed - this book has SO MUCH in it. Things you've read here or there from others, they are all in this book. He has such an understanding of us, our spirits, our pre-existence, our relationships with each other, Angels around us, Satan's minions around us, too. If I didn't know of and trust the people involved I would think it just WAY too 'out there'. Well, except that while reading it, it all reads VERY TRUE.
I've listened to Spencer speaking, he is a humble man. (My friends have met him.) He keeps his real name out of here so people won't seek him out as some prophet, he doesn't do firesides. He does NOT want to make this about himself.
March 27, 2013
I was a little skeptical going into this book, as most previous near-death experiences I've read have not settled well with me. However, I quickly found that this man's experiences during his deaths (yes, more than one) and his many visions in-between, closely aligned with what we, as LDS, know about the other side of the veil, angels, God, Christ, and the last days. I felt as if it were confirming and filling-in much of what I already believe about these things from scripture study and the Spirit, instead of being hard to reconcile. Many of the things he foretells of the last days I found deeply disturbing (as I'm sure they will be!), and while these things may be only as relating to his personal journey, they are still a type and a shadow of things to come, if not actual events, and give me hope and show me a clearer way to prepare for the coming chaos (and, simultaneously, glorious day) spiritually and physically. I feel like it has probably forever changed my perspective of what's truly important, opened my eyes to be more spiritually aware of what impact my actions might have eternally, and encouraged me to more fully seek the blessings that Heavenly Father is anxious to bless me with.
February 1, 2013
When I was in high school, I read a book called "Jonathan Livingston Seagull". I thought the book was great. Inspirational even. But, an older gentleman told me that the book was awful; that it inspired rebellion, especially among teenagers. This was very puzzling to me.
The reason I say that, is that I think this book could be controversial too.
I love the book. I gave it five stars because I think it is inspirational and wonderful. It makes me want to be a better person. I don't know if everyone ought to read it. It is a little disturbing in some places because of the things that he "sees" will happen in the last days. But, I am pretty sure that all things in the last days will not be rosy.
This book made me want to be more in tune with the spirit, closer to Christ and my family. That has to be good.
The reason I say that, is that I think this book could be controversial too.
I love the book. I gave it five stars because I think it is inspirational and wonderful. It makes me want to be a better person. I don't know if everyone ought to read it. It is a little disturbing in some places because of the things that he "sees" will happen in the last days. But, I am pretty sure that all things in the last days will not be rosy.
This book made me want to be more in tune with the spirit, closer to Christ and my family. That has to be good.
May 8, 2013
This is a very interesting book about a man who has had different visions during 4 near death experiences in his lifetime. I thought the first half of the book was very I interesting and felt many of his ideas were possible. Having said that, I am now 70% through the book and don't feel like I can finish it. I have tried to just get through it and get it over with. But the 2nd half of the book had been almost uncomfortable to me. I don't feel like it is doctrinally sound, according to what I believe, so I have decided to just quit reading and leave it alone.
January 11, 2014
I started out liking it. He had some interesting insights and perspectives. Then it got strange. I skimmed the second half because it was just too weird to waste my time and brain cells trying to understand it all. My gut reaction is that this is a work of fiction, based upon scripture, conjecture, and folklore about the second coming. Kind of a wanna-be, delusional attempt by the author to... to..., well, I don't know what he was trying to accomplish. His frequent references to his high up church callings and his general authority friend were a transparent and weak effort to give himself credibility.
This book was recommended to me by a few different people who read it and poured over every word, taking it as literal and believing that it is all true and revelatory. Ug. Shudder. Rolling of my eyeballs. There are several inconsistencies in the narrative. And it disturbs me that he is setting himself up as knowing things that modern prophets have chosen to remain silent about. It seems like every generation tosses up some person who claims to have the inside scoop on the details of the last days. I remember when I was 12, going to a lecture in which the speaker was outlining events, giving dates and namimg names in relation to armegedon, the mark of the beast, the second coming and the building of the new Jerusalem, etc. It was fascinating and exciting! Years later -- like in the late 90's I was cleaning out my files and scrapbooks and came across the handout from that lecture. I had to laugh at the timeline that was printed there. The dates were long past, and nothing had unfolded has he had prophesied. So, I don't know why I bothered to read this book, feeling as I do about these kinds of things. I kinda wanted to see what the hype was about and be able to make educated conversation abut the book next time it comes up. I was something like number 215 on the hold list on the library when I first requested it. I'm glad that all 215 of those people did not waste their money buying the book, but I am sort of appalled that this quasi-farce could be in such demand. I surely hope I do not hear people referring to this book in future Sunday school lessons, as tends to happen when something like this makes the rounds.
This book was recommended to me by a few different people who read it and poured over every word, taking it as literal and believing that it is all true and revelatory. Ug. Shudder. Rolling of my eyeballs. There are several inconsistencies in the narrative. And it disturbs me that he is setting himself up as knowing things that modern prophets have chosen to remain silent about. It seems like every generation tosses up some person who claims to have the inside scoop on the details of the last days. I remember when I was 12, going to a lecture in which the speaker was outlining events, giving dates and namimg names in relation to armegedon, the mark of the beast, the second coming and the building of the new Jerusalem, etc. It was fascinating and exciting! Years later -- like in the late 90's I was cleaning out my files and scrapbooks and came across the handout from that lecture. I had to laugh at the timeline that was printed there. The dates were long past, and nothing had unfolded has he had prophesied. So, I don't know why I bothered to read this book, feeling as I do about these kinds of things. I kinda wanted to see what the hype was about and be able to make educated conversation abut the book next time it comes up. I was something like number 215 on the hold list on the library when I first requested it. I'm glad that all 215 of those people did not waste their money buying the book, but I am sort of appalled that this quasi-farce could be in such demand. I surely hope I do not hear people referring to this book in future Sunday school lessons, as tends to happen when something like this makes the rounds.
October 18, 2013
Before I read Visions of Glory I was warned about some issues and inconsistencies it contained with LDS doctrine. Keeping that in mind, and remembering Pontius' disclaimer to not take everything in the book literally- I was enthralled from beginning to end. If someone reads this book and reveres all of the details and specific events as truth it might cause me to cringe because I don't believe that they are all true (or are even meant to be portrayed as such). I also thought the contents of the book seemed TOO sensitive and sacred to be published. Overall, though, I thought the messages of love, eternal perspective, courage, faith and hope were encouraging and meaningful.
The scholarly group FAIR seems to be worried that people will read this book and come to believe false doctrine, become fear-filled and quit following the prophets. In some ways I can see where they're coming from (as far as false-doctrine goes) if people take things too literally. But I was not filled with fear. I was filled with hope. I also didn't see how the book countered the prophets or authority of the Church but again, I wasn't reading it in the frame of mind that "this will happen to the T". I believe truth can be found in the scriptures as well as secular literature, art or even a Cracker Jack box. Could FAIR's rebuttals have some validity to them? I believe they could. But to be honest- I felt more inspired by the weightier messages of the book then by FAIR's over-critical (sometimes stretching) and cynical approach of attacking the book.
I would encourage people to see this book as a story or a depiction- much like a painter might depict his "vision" of the millennial state; or how a song-writer or film-maker might depict what was or could be. We don't necessarily canonize artists' visionary depictions but we can appreciate the inspiration and hope they provide.
The scholarly group FAIR seems to be worried that people will read this book and come to believe false doctrine, become fear-filled and quit following the prophets. In some ways I can see where they're coming from (as far as false-doctrine goes) if people take things too literally. But I was not filled with fear. I was filled with hope. I also didn't see how the book countered the prophets or authority of the Church but again, I wasn't reading it in the frame of mind that "this will happen to the T". I believe truth can be found in the scriptures as well as secular literature, art or even a Cracker Jack box. Could FAIR's rebuttals have some validity to them? I believe they could. But to be honest- I felt more inspired by the weightier messages of the book then by FAIR's over-critical (sometimes stretching) and cynical approach of attacking the book.
I would encourage people to see this book as a story or a depiction- much like a painter might depict his "vision" of the millennial state; or how a song-writer or film-maker might depict what was or could be. We don't necessarily canonize artists' visionary depictions but we can appreciate the inspiration and hope they provide.
September 13, 2013
Okay. I knew people had issues with this book before I read it and went into it with a grain of salt. Did I find it compelling? Oh, yes. I was enthralled with the descriptions and possibilities. Did I find it to be gospel truth? I took it as one man's interpretation without expecting the details to be accurate. Anyone in history who has had a vision interprets it from their time period's perspective. They describe it in terms others can understand. That doesn't mean that it will turn out to be exactly like their description. We are human, after all. We are fallible. While I found his descriptions compelling and the sequence of events leading to the second coming a little frightening at times, I was most comforted by the ideas presented of a Zion people. I felt comfort and hope that, while the world rages on, Zion will be a place of beauty and refuge. God's people will be preserved and the work of the gospel will continue on. To have all our human weakness stripped away and to become more Christ-like--isn't that what we all long for? To be perfected in Him? This book gives a wonderful picture of how it can be and I appreciate that. Will everything turn out exactly as he describes? I doubt it, but it is probably similar to what will be, and I can accept that.
July 28, 2013
Wow, "Spencer" sure talks himself up for someone who is supposedly just a regular man. The initial NDE part of this book seemed like it could be true, but much of the rest of the book is sensational (in a bad way) and full of grandiosity despite the supposed humility of the visionary giving the account. Too much of what he shares seems like "pearls" which shouldn't be cast before the public eye in this way. I think this book with its current hype is the "Embraced By the Light" of this generation.
Thanks to a previous reviewer for the link to this review - http://www.fairlds.org/authors/smith-... - which helped me put a finger on why I disliked this book.
Thanks to a previous reviewer for the link to this review - http://www.fairlds.org/authors/smith-... - which helped me put a finger on why I disliked this book.
January 23, 2014
This book is a delicious cupcake sprinkled with poison. The danger is believing in even one or two lies that will lead you away.
The true author even inferred at the end that he saved every one. "We had not missed a soul." Who does that sound like?
Detailed review:
http://www.fairmormon.org/perspective...
Scripture is mingled with half truths. Authority is inferred by good standing in the church, education and then anonymous acquaintances with Apostles. The book gets more outrageous at the last vision.
The true author even inferred at the end that he saved every one. "We had not missed a soul." Who does that sound like?
Detailed review:
http://www.fairmormon.org/perspective...
Scripture is mingled with half truths. Authority is inferred by good standing in the church, education and then anonymous acquaintances with Apostles. The book gets more outrageous at the last vision.
March 10, 2013
i tried to not get hooked on this - especially because none of it can be "proven," but i couldn't help it. it's expanded my view of my life and the future. very thought provoking and even character improving.
April 18, 2015
The first part of the book was intriguing to me, as narratives of near death experiences often are. But once it got into last days events, I just felt I couldn't trust the account. Here are a few things that bothered me:
1) The anonymity of it all.
2) The association with his "apostle friend" and other members of church leadership, as if to establish credibility.
3) The sense that the author is "chosen" throughout all the events leading up to the second coming. Though the author may indeed be a wonderful person, it reminds me of the Old Testament Joseph who shares his dreams of superiority with his brothers; it may have been true, but it was not wise.
4) The anti-science sentiment throughout--that spiritual knowledge will supercede scientific knowledge. I believe different types of knowledge will become unified.
5) The lack of concern about his family. He briefly mentions his grown children in other parts of the United States during all the disasters, but even when he has access to "portals" there is no mention of even a desire to find his children.
1) The anonymity of it all.
2) The association with his "apostle friend" and other members of church leadership, as if to establish credibility.
3) The sense that the author is "chosen" throughout all the events leading up to the second coming. Though the author may indeed be a wonderful person, it reminds me of the Old Testament Joseph who shares his dreams of superiority with his brothers; it may have been true, but it was not wise.
4) The anti-science sentiment throughout--that spiritual knowledge will supercede scientific knowledge. I believe different types of knowledge will become unified.
5) The lack of concern about his family. He briefly mentions his grown children in other parts of the United States during all the disasters, but even when he has access to "portals" there is no mention of even a desire to find his children.
May 31, 2013
Whoa... I'm amazed that there are people out there saying this book is "a gift from God" and directly from the Lord to us. That is crazy talk if you ask me. If the Lord wants to share something with the people He will communicate through his spokesman, which is the prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I don't disbelieve that this man had these visions and even that some of the things he saw will come to pass. However, I don't think we should take this as doctrine and revelation. For me, there were parts that felt like pure truth... but there are things I'm not so sure about. That being said, this book gives a fascinating perspective on all the events that have been foretold of the Second Coming and I do appreciate that it's made me want to study these events in the scriptures and desire to live a more Christ-like life.
April 22, 2013
Well, I don't know what's wrong with me, because everyone else who reviews this has found it profoundly moving, or almost everyone else. Some things resonated, others made me uncomfortable, some parts I found offensive and other parts even deeply manipulative. I am skeptical about this man's 'visions' when it comes to world events. He did go into great detail though, I'll give him that. But it bothers me that 'Spencer' gets to remain anonymous. If he is going to make those kinds of claims it seems to me he should man up and take responsibility for his ideas. Instead he hides behind a persona and then adds yet another disavowal at the end where he basically says, 'oh, maybe everything is just symbolic, anyway'. Not impressed.
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