Last night my dear wife had a problem.  She couldn’t sleep.  So at 3:00 a.m. she went out into the living room, turned on the light, and read until 4:45.  I was aware when she turned out the light.  I waited for her to lie down in the bed, but she didn’t come.  I could hear small sounds, so I knew that she was in the room with me, but she didn’t get into the bed.

I opened my eyes.  I could see her outline against the backdrop of the curtained window beyond the foot of the bed.  She was hunched over, and feeling the air in front of her.

“Are you coming?” I asked out loud.

With distress in her voice she answered, “I can’t find the bed!”

Her eyes were still blinded by having just turned out the light.  Mine, however, were used to the dark, so I could see that she was going the wrong way.  I sat up, held out my hand and said, “Follow the sound of my voice.”

Our bed has no foot board, so she turned, found my hand, came over the foot of the bed, and laid down crosswise of the bed.  She was still disoriented.  She couldn’t figure out how to get between the sheets.  With my gentle guidance she was eventually able to get turned around, and nestled down safely in my arms.

A verse from the book of Isaiah came to mind:  “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”  (2 Ne. 19:2).

This verse refers to those who have passed on, and who find themselves in spirit prison waiting for they know not what.  Theirs is a spiritual darkness not unlike physical darkness.  Missionaries come to them from paradise.  These are spirits.  Without bodies to hide their brilliance, they shine.  They bring light to those that walk in darkness.  They hold out their hands, and invite those who are confused to come unto Christ, and unto the light, and unto repentance and safety.

This life is no different.  At least nine times in the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord says, “I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.”  (D&C 6:21).  We’re holding out the light of the Lord’s gospel to those who are groping their way in the dark.  Many ignore the offer, refuse to look at the light, and proudly reply, “I know what I’m doing; I know where I’m going,” and continue to grope at the foot of the bed.

Many others have found the bed of Christianity, but still being in the dark, are crosswise of the bed.  They need help getting oriented, and to get safely between the sheets.  They are confused by what Nephi called “false and vain and foolish doctrines.”  (2 Ne. 28:9).  Paul and Peter both warned that such “shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”  (2 Tim. 4:4).

I know a very good Presbyterian who diligently studies his church’s publications looking for light and knowledge.  He attends church every Sunday.  He takes his guitar, visits rest homes, and entertains the residents.  He attends and conducts study groups.  He and his wife both became ordained Methodist ministers when a small congregation needed a pastor.  When their service was no longer needed, they returned to their former faith.  He desperately wants to know the truth, and searches among all the Christian writings he can get his hands on to find it.  But he’s confused.  I was present when he cried out to no one in particular, “I just wish someone would tell us what we believe!”

I knew what to tell him, but I held my tongue.  I knew that what I had to say would not be received.  I had already previously given him a Book of Mormon.  I had explained about the Restoration of the gospel as far as he would permit me to do so.  I had given him and his wife a year’s subscription to The Ensign magazine.  I had sent the missionaries to their door.  The missionaries were turned away, and all of my efforts fell on ears that were purposely deaf.

His words still ring in my ears:  “I just wish someone would tell us what we believe!”  I’m dying to do so.

The Lord said, “I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.”

If a light is shining in the darkness, how can one not see it?  It can only happen if the person willfully ignores it.  My friend, because of the prejudices caused by “cunningly devised fables” (2 Pet. 1:16) refused the light that I offered.  He is crosswise of the bed, and can’t figure out how to get between the sheets.  I’d like to help, but he won’t let me.

His wife told me, with some indignation, “We’re shocked that you think we’d make good Mormons.”

I replied, “Yes, indeed, I think that you’d make very good Mormons.  You’re looking for the truth, I’ve found it, and I’d like to share it.”

She shut her mind, closed her ears, and has since passed to the world of spirits.  She is where missionaries from paradise will bring the light to her.  I think those missionaries will be her parents.  Her parents also passed from this life without having accepted the gospel and baptism, but they have since been taught, and their temple work has been completed.  I am satisfied that they accepted the gospel and the temple ordinances that were performed in their behalf.

The Savior gave unto Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and said unto him, “whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:  and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”  (Matt. 16:19)

Joseph Smith explained that the loosing refers to the ordinances that are performed in temples.  When a baptism is performed in the temple for one who has passed to the world of spirits, and when the individual accepts that ordinance, there are angels there who go to that person and loose him from spirit prison.  (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith).

The woman to whom I refer is my sister.  I am confident that my parents were there at the moment of death, and that they conducted her to the world of spirits.  Having been taught and baptized, they would not live where she lives, and would have had to excuse themselves.  I can picture my sister asking why she couldn’t come with them.  I picture her asking them on subsequent visits about her grandparents of every generation, and why they’re not present with her, either.  The explanation will be that James performed the temple ordinances for all of them, and that they now live in a better place.

The truth will be offered to her, and she will hopefully be in a frame of mind to listen.  I will not, however, do her temple work.  Unless I receive other instructions, I will have to leave that for her children or grandchildren to do.