Spiritual Advice and Guidance Blog: Urantia Book

This is a very inspiring presentation. It is a reprise of a lecture given by Randy Pausch, a very learned man, both mentally and spiritually, who was facing imminent death at the time of this talk. The original talk was given to his students, and this one is a condensed version from the Oprah Show. Good lessons for life!

Labels: cancer, choice, death, family, joy, Oprah, Rany Pausch

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Wednesday, February 25, 2009

What does The Urantia Book say about the practice of euthanasia?

There are no references to euthanasia (mercy-killing) in The Urantia Book. But knowing what I do, I hope can form an opinion that will be in line with its teachings.

Euthanasia is an interesting subject, and once again in the news of the day. I can't tell you what to think - whether it is right or wrong. I suspect that every case is different. But it is my personal opinion that if a person has been in a vegetative state for some amount of time (in the recent case I read of, the person has been in such a state for over ten years!) and shows no sign of recovery, and no sign of brain activity, I would say that euthanasia would be justified. I know that if it was me in that bed, that I would not want to be kept alive if my Thought Adjuster had left. And we are told that when brain activity ceases, that is the equivalent of death, at which time the Adjuster returns to Divinington to await the personality and soul reunion. Do the soul and personality remain with the body until it is allowed to die?

The Urantia Book says this:

2. Intellectual (mind) death. When the vital circuits of higher adjutant ministry are disrupted through the aberrations of intellect or because of the partial destruction of the mechanism of the brain, and if these conditions pass a certain critical point of irreparability, the indwelling Adjuster is immediately released to depart for Divinington. On the universe records a mortal personality is considered to have met with death whenever the essential mind circuits of human will-action have been destroyed. And again, this is death, irrespective of the continuing function of the living mechanism of the physical body. The body minus the volitional mind is no longer human, but according to the prior choosing of the human will, the soul of such an individual may survive.

3. Physical (body and mind) death. When death overtakes a human being, the Adjuster remains in the citadel of the mind until it ceases to function as an intelligent mechanism, about the time that the measurable brain energies cease their rhythmic vital pulsations. Following this dissolution the Adjuster takes leave of the vanishing mind, just as unceremoniously as entry was made years before, and proceeds to Divinington by way of Uversa. p1230:1(112:3.3)

In days past, this was not ever thought about much, because a person who had sustained a serious injury would have naturally passed away, but in our times of amazing medical miracles and cutting-edge technologies, doctors have the power to keep a person alive undefinitely. But is that always wise? To me it seems like a case of science without the moderation of spirit.

Euthanasia comes from two Greek words meaning "good death." Lingering in a hospital bed, waiting for someone to "pull the plug" does not seems like a very merciful way to treat someone. Allowing them to have a "good death" seems to be, in these extreme sorts of cases, the best course of action.

This is a question that has prompted the rise of "living wills," which allow a person beforehand, to say how they would like such a situation handled if they are not able to speak or act on their own. "Natural death," as understood in The Urantia Book may not be possible in such a situation, and so a person has to demand it these days.

Thanks for this thought-provoking question.

Labels: death, euthanasia, living will, mercy-killing, personality, soul, The Urantia Book, Thought Adjuster

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We had a dear friend pass away 5 days ago...Does he see us or hear us? Does he remember us?

Q: We had a dear friend pass away 5 days ago from cancer. He passed away suddenly. We had not talked to him since late December. He was going to do one more chemo treatment in December. He passed in the Hospital. He had not called His former spouse or us. We donâ€™t know details. He died at the hospital. He had been staying at his residence. Does he see us or hear us? Does he remember us?

A: I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It must be hard to realize that your friend is gone so suddenly. Death seems always to take us by surprise, doesn't it?...it sounds as if he may have isolated himself in his final weeks and months, and I am sure that that adds to your sense of loss. Please accept my condolences.

The good news is that you seem to believe that it is possible for your friend to still be "somewhere," and you are exactly right. He is embarking on the supreme adventure, and it could be that he is right now awakening to his new life after death.

The Urantia Book teaches us that "death is only the beginning of an endless career of adventure, an everlasting life of anticipation, an eternal voyage of discovery." I hope you can be cheered to imagine that this voyage has now started in earnest, and your friend is happy. Of course, this will be the privelege of all of us eventually - to pass from the death of the material body to a new life in the never-ending quest for God.

In the Urantia Book, we learn that our loved ones DO remember us, and their life in the flesh. As to whether he can see you, that is not possible, as his new residence is quite far away. But as you remember him, so does he remember you, and he'll be waiting to greet you and all of his other friends and family as they leave the planet, too, as a result of natural death. At that time you will most certainly see each other, so that is something that can give you great hope.

The Urantia Book contains a wealth of comforting material about the subject of Life after Death; Please feel free to visit HERE for much more information - you may especially like to see our videos "After You Die," and "You Can Live Forever," found on the same link.

Again, my sympathies are with you in this difficult time.

Labels: death, life after death, The Urantia Book

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Wednesday, January 07, 2009

How do I know if I am destined to survive...?

I am concerned about the use of the term 'surviving mortal.' How do I know if I am destined to survive, and is there any chance I will not survive between my planet of origin and the first Mansion world?

I guess there is always a chance, but it seems to me that the overwhelming feeling that one gets from reading the Revelation is that the vast majority of human beings WILL survive in eternity. And that includes you.

My understanding is that one must simply CHOOSE to survive, and then have FAITH that that survival is inevitable. Doubt is the one thing that the believer has to resist, and so Jesus always exhorted us to develop a living faith - one that leaves no room for doubt. Unless you deliberately choose otherwise, your survival is assured.

"The door of eternal life is wide open to all; "whosoever will may come"; there are no restrictions or qualifications save the faith of the one who comes."(139:12.7)

Even if you may fear that your own faith might be somewhat lacking, The Urantia Book says this:

... it is the nature of the Sons of God to give every created being a full and equal chance for salvation and survival. Jesus wanted not only the mortals of this world but the onlookers of innumerable other worlds to know that, when doubts exist as to the sincerity and wholeheartedness of a creature's devotion to the kingdom, it is the invariable practice of the Judges of men fully to receive the doubtful candidate. p1566:6 (139:12.7)

The Master looked upon men as the sons of God and foresaw a magnificent and eternal future for those who chose survival. He was not a moral skeptic; he viewed man positively, not negatively. He saw most men as weak rather than wicked, more distraught than depraved. But no matter what their status, they were all God's children and his brethren. p2093:3 (196:2.9)

I think you can rest assured that you will also be given every opportunity to survive, if that is your desire. Your faith and your own choice in this matter are the keys to eternal life.

I hope you will take a look at two of our short flash presentations regarding this issue. One is: You Can Live Forever and the other one is After You Die. Both of these presentation are beautiful condensations of Urantia Book truth regarding the surety of survival, and eternal life.

Labels: choice, death, faith, God, Jesus, survival, The Urantia Book

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Monday, December 08, 2008

As My Friend Lay Dying, I Felt Peace

Phil Smith describes sitting on the side of the road as his friend lay dying from the motor cycle accident. As he died, the teachings of the Urantia Book gave Phil peace and comfort about where his friend was going. Emotional, thoughtful, and moving story.

See also "After You Die"

Labels: death, life after death, peace, Phil Smith, The Urantia Book

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Friday, October 17, 2008

What Happens to a Child Who Dies in the Womb?

Q: What happens to a child who dies in the womb?

A: According
to the teachings of The Urantia Book, life begins at conception. Any
child who dies between conception and about the age of 5 is resurrected
into the probationary nursery where it awaits the arrival of either one
or both of its parents when it then begins life on the mansion worlds.
You may be interested in reading these sections of the book:

Paper
47 -- The Seven Mansion Worlds -- which describes the
probationary nursery

Paper
49 Section 6
-- Terrestrial Escape -- Paragraphs 11-14 also
discuss the probationary nursery.

You can also do a search of The Urantia Book on our site for the
probationary nursery.

Labels: children, death, Mansion Worlds, probationary nursery, resurrection, The Urantia Book

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Why Do Children Die?

Q: Why do children die? Is it for the sins of the parents, or is their mission on earth completed?

A: It is always a sadness when a child dies. It touches our hearts so deeply that we feel there must be an explanation, and we ask "Why?" It is such a difficult thing to understand that we feel there has to be a good reason, known only to God. It is hard to realize that an innocent child is denied the chance to live a long life, when so many not-so-innocent folks live to a ripe old age.

The Urantia Book teaches us that affliction - any kind of affliction - is never a judgment from God. On a planet such as ours, many things happen which seem heartless and cruel, but this does not mean that we are being punished by God, or that our children are bearing divine retribution for our sins.

The phenomenon of death is occurring all over the planet at every moment. People are born and people die all the time. Death is not a curse, but an inevitability. None of us is guaranteed a long life on this earth, but we are all guaranteed to die in one way or another. In our attempts to fathom some reason in a child's death, we may grasp at the explanation that it was due to some sin that the parents committed - a sin against God, and so God claimed the life of this innocent in retribution...but this is just not the case. The sins of the fathers are not visited on subsequent generations in the form of a death curse. Death simply comes due to disease and the accidents of time - sometimes through violence or war - but the fact of death is simply a part of life, and will ever be so. Death is an equal-opportunity event, whether early or late. This is not to say that it is easy to accept the untimely passing of a child. No matter how they meet death, it is an especially sorrowful thing to bear the loss of a young person, and I can understand why it seems to need an explanation. But the fact is that our lives here are transient, and none of us will avoid death.

The Urantia Book reveals and enlarges the concept of a loving, fatherly God. Our Heavenly Father loves all of his children as individual members of the universal family, and his love encompasses even the smallest and the weakest of lives. With God, no life is ever lost. Even if a child should unfortunately lose its life before it is able to choose an eternity with God, it is saved, and kept safe. The child is raised in one of the many stopping-places in the Father's universe and is ultimately given a chance to enjoy an eternal existence just as is the oldest, most experienced survivor of this earth life. So, even if their earth life may be cut short, they still have the potential of an eternal life in the Father's care.

God is not an angry, vengeful tyrant who demands harsh payments for our transgressions. The Heavenly Father is incapable of wrath and anger. He is so great and good that he has no need for such base emotional reactions. In our attempts to make sense of the seemingly insensible, we have to be careful not to place upon God our most disagreeable human traits.

As for a "life-mission," I cannot presume to say that there is a pre-determined purpose for anyone's life. Our lives are shaped by our free-will decisions. I suppose that many of us feel that we do have a life-mission, but this is usually arrived at after some life experience and is predicated on one's interests and desires and goals for the future.

Labels: affliction, children, death, God, purpose of life, The Urantia Book

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Friday, February 15, 2008

Wisdom of the Dying

SOLACE: Wisdom of the Dying grew from Camille Adair's intimate experiences with people facing the end of their lives. As a hospice nurse, Camille has worked closely with patients, families, hospitals, cancer treatment centers and many health care professionals to address the needs of dying people as well as the needs of the health care community in being able to integrate the end of ones life as a natural and sacred human process rather than as a medical failure. www.solacethemovie.com

Labels: Camille Adair, death, dying, inspirational, spirituality, video

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Saturday, January 19, 2008

My son died from cancer at the age of 21. Was it so much necessary to suffer and leave this world like that?

Q: My son died from cancer at the age of 21. Was it so much necessary to suffer and leave this world like that?

A: Your sad loss touches every caring mortal learning of it. It touches the angels too who are endowed with greater love and compassion than we are. It touches Jesus and it touches our heavenly Father. Knowing this doesn't make it easier to understand, but your sorrow is shared.

The Urantia Book says of God, "He has said of the mortal races, 'In all your afflictions I am afflicted.' He unquestionably experiences a fatherly and sympathetic understanding; he may truly suffer, but we do not comprehend the nature thereof." (3:6.6)

The Urantia Book helps to clarify the meaning of life, our purpose here, and our purpose hereafter. While we live here we're subject to physical laws and the laws of nature, and of nature The Urantia Book relates, "... nature knows nothing of fairness--" (84:5.2) This physical world is the birthplace of the soul, the vessel needed to carry personality forward into the less material, more spiritual existence we have before us. Whatever happens to us beyond the circumstances necessary for this birth is subject to the "vicissitudes of time."

In The Urantia Book, Jesus relates, regarding the Book of Job, "And who can challenge the attitude of Job in view of the counsel of his friends and the erroneous ideas of God which occupied his own mind? Do you not see that Job longed for a human God, that he hungered to commune with a divine Being who knows man's mortal estate and understands that the just must often suffer in innocence as a part of this first life of the long Paradise ascent? Wherefore has the Son of Man come forth from the Father to live such a life in the flesh that he will be able to comfort and succor all those who must henceforth be called upon to endure the afflictions of Job." (149:6.7)

Perhaps there will be some comfort in considering the following inevitabilities of material existence (3:5.5):

"The uncertainties of life and the vicissitudes of existence do not in any manner contradict the concept of the universal sovereignty of God. All evolutionary creature life is beset by certain inevitabilities. Consider the following:

1. Is courage--strength of character--desirable? Then must man be reared in an environment which necessitates grappling with hardships and reacting to disappointments.

2. Is altruism--service of one's fellows--desirable? Then must life experience provide for encountering situations of social inequality.

3. Is hope--the grandeur of trust--desirable? Then human existence must constantly be confronted with insecurities and recurrent uncertainties.

4. Is faith--the supreme assertion of human thought--desirable? Then must the mind of man find itself in that troublesome predicament where it ever knows less than it can believe.

5. Is the love of truth and the willingness to go wherever it leads, desirable? Then must man grow up in a world where error is present and falsehood always possible.

6. Is idealism--the approaching concept of the divine--desirable? Then must man struggle in an environment of relative goodness and beauty, surroundings stimulative of the irrepressible reach for better things.

7. Is loyalty--devotion to highest duty--desirable? Then must man carry on amid the possibilities of betrayal and desertion. The valor of devotion to duty consists in the implied danger of default.

8. Is unselfishness--the spirit of self-forgetfulness--desirable? Then must mortal man live face to face with the incessant clamoring of an inescapable self for recognition and honor. Man could not dynamically choose the divine life if there were no self-life to forsake. Man could never lay saving hold on righteousness if there were no potential evil to exalt and differentiate the good by contrast.

9. Is pleasure--the satisfaction of happiness--desirable? Then must man live in a world where the alternative of pain and the likelihood of suffering are ever-present experiential possibilities."

Your question was "Was it so much necessary to suffer and leave the world like that?" and the answer that comes to mind is "no," it is not necessary to suffer -- suffering is not a prerequisite to entry to the world of the spirit although often suffering endows the sufferer and those closely associated with a new and more complete understanding of and spiritual awakening to the purpose, value, and meaning of life; and "yes," it is necessary to suffer because it is part of the material human existence. Earth is not heaven and it will never be so.

Your loss is great and your suffering is real. Your son is no longer suffering and is now taking the first steps in a thrilling adventure extending into eternity. We pray that that understanding will ease the pain in your heart.

Labels: death, inevitabilities, Job, Sorrow, suffering, The Urantia Book

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Friday, July 20, 2007

Our Loved Ones And The Afterlife

Q: It says in the Urantia book that after one dies they get to see loved ones that have preceded before them for a certain amount of days of visitation. After those visitation days does one never see them again?

That's a good question for which The Urantia Book doesn't really provide an answer but we can assume that whatever the case all of our needs and desires will be intelligently met -- the mansion worlds are, after all, our entry way into the Paradise ascent so it wouldn't make much logical sense to think that we would start off with a feeling of longing or remorse. Also, our journey to Paradise is a personal and individual undertaking -- we will be associated with greater and greater numbers of others as we become more spiritually aware but our progress isn't tied to that of anyone else even though we will acquire more "loved ones" as we progress. I hope that answer helps.

Thank you for your question. May I recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. It's a free service from our site that offers a daily quote from the incomparable teachings of this marvelous book with an audio clip and a beautiful and inspiring image, a great way to start one's day as well as to begin to understand the teachings of the book. To subscribe go to the upper right corner of our home page, click on Quote of the Day and follow the instructions.

Best wishes,

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.Com

I hope you won't mind if I add just a few remarks to what Larry has already said...

The only exception to this "visitation" idea, is the case of a child who has preceded a parent - a child who has not yet reached the age of reason. In a case like this, the surviving parent has an opportunity to raise that child. The child is still reckoned to be attached to the parent, and so the child - who has been asleep -is "awakened" with the arrival of the parent or parents on the Mansion Worlds. There are no real specifics about just what that entails, but one could assume that that parent and child will be together for longer than the ten-day visitation.

As Larry has pointed out, our new lives are going to be so different, so full of new experiences, and peopled with so many new friends...and don't forget, your loved ones are also engaged in their new lives now, too.

I am sure that whatever the circumstances, Larry is correct...we can expect a future of hope and anticpation - not longing and sorrow. And I am quite certain that, no matter what, we will never forget our loved ones from Urantia, and they will never forget us, either.

Sincerely,

MaryJo
Truthbook.com

Labels: afterlife, children, death, Larry Watkins, loved ones, Mansion Worlds, Mary Jo

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Thursday, March 22, 2007

Questions Regarding Death

Q: I had a good friend pass away at 41 unexpectedly. How does God decide when is your time to pass away? When she died, did she go to sleep right away? Do their souls stay around for awhile?

A: Thank you for your question. According to The Urantia Book God is the infinite controller and sustainer of all creation but God does not micromanage. God loves us so much he has conferred free will which means how we live, the choices we make and consequences we receive, and how and when we die are not decisions God takes part in -- we can always ask for guidance, but we are the captains of our souls.

One of the consequences of living on an imperfect material world is that each of us has challenges to face that are imposed by our heredity, the family environment we grow up in, the decisions we make as we grow, and the just plain accidents that occur when living in such an unpredictable environment. We tend to become so wrapped up in our daily drama that we lose sight of the bigger picture -- that we're here for only a short while and then we begin in the less material realms right where we leave off here and that there is a grand spiritual adventure before us -- this life is a stepping stone for what's to come.

Losing someone near and dear is always a shock and is cause for reflecting on the lives we live and the meaning of it all. Peace be with you as you confront your friend's unexpected death but it was not God's doing, it's part of the normal process of material existence.

When she died she lost consciousness just like happens in deep, dreamless sleep. When she is awakened on the mansion worlds she will remember who she was and will begin the new life there. The sadness of losing a loved one is experienced by those left behind -- the joy and freedom of experiencing the continuation of life after earthly death is transcendent for the one awakening.

At times you may experience your friend's presence even though she is no longer here -- her life has affected the world around us to some degree -- but the real "she" is in a better place and is not present here and does not return or visit.

Peace be with you.

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: death, free will, God, Larry Watkins, soul, The Urantia Book

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Friday, November 17, 2006

Reincarnation? Life On Other Planets?

Q: Part 1: Does Urantia consider the possibility of rebirth or reincarnation?
Part 2: Is there life on other galaxies and do we continue to learn after death?

A: The Urantia Book is a revelation -- it claims that distinction and those of us who have read and studied it to determine if the claim is unfounded have arrived at the conclusion that it is what it claims to be. Revelation will substantiate some long-held beliefs but it will also give new and often startling insights that can unsettle cherished opinions.

The theory of reincarnation is appealing for several reasons: it seems to offer an explanation for the inequalities of life, it can offer hope for those who desire a continuation of life and meaning beyond the lives we presently find ourselves in, and it's an indication of a plan that overrides and controls our very existence. But the theory of reincarnation addresses these concepts in meager and very unsatisfactory terms and at best one is left with only hazy ideas of how and why it all fits together. Still, it would be difficult to give up a belief in the theory unless there was something much better in place to substitute.

The Urantia Book goes into all the ramifications of these musings in great detail and with exquisite definition and lays out a plan of so much greater satisfaction, logic, meaning than any teachings of reincarnation attempt. Actually, reincarnation is but a hazy reflection of a grand concept of the mortal ascendant career that we enter into once our life here is through, a concept disclosed long ago in the early days of human history that has since been misinterpreted to mean repeated lives here on earth.

Regarding life on other galaxies and continuing to learn: creation isn't the simple mechanistic forces that produce matter in the fashion described through science. True there is energy and matter but there is also spirit and it is spirit for which creation was made. The material universe is creation put into motion by God for the expression of spirit and personality.

Galaxies exist for the purpose of expressing personality. Not all stars support planets nor do all planets support material life but so many do that the numbers are nearly limitless. The purpose of material will-creature life is that it is the starting point for personality expression on a long and glorious ascendant career, where knowledge and understanding continue to be our eternal goal.

May I recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day at our site. It's a free service that offers a daily quote from the incomparable teachings of this marvelous book along with a beautiful and inspiring image, a great way to start one's day as well as to begin to understand the teachings of the book. To subscribe go to the upper right corner of our home page, click on Quote of the Day and follow the instructions. And of course I would recommend that you test for yourself the teachings of The Urantia Book to find out if they ring true. It's available at most book stores and libraries or can be purchased on-line through our site.

Best wishes and thank you for your questions.

Larry Watkins

Labels: death, galaxies, God, Larry Watkins, reincarnation, The Urantia Book

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Dreams And Visions Of The Departed

Q: My Grandmother of 91 years old finaly passed on Nov. 5th 2006
My Grandfather passed away last year on August 1st. 2005.
Ever since then my grandma was never the same. She always would tell
us that shes tired and that she wants to go be with "Daddy" that was
what she use to call my grandfather when was alive. A few days before
she passed my mom told me that she had visions of her mother and of her
husband my grandpa and that he was standing in a bright light with his
arms wide open singing their favorite song "Because of You."

The nurse from hospice that was taking care of my grandmother did mention that
this sort of thing happens a lot of times when a person is very close
to passing on. What is your opinion on that sort of thing?

I guess its sort of soothing or comforting to me especialy in
this time of grief losing my grandparents back to back. My grandparents
raised my brother and myself from birth and its so hard to part from
them. Thanks again for your time.

A: I hope you received the newsletter announcing the "After you die"
presentation -- if not, it and several others are available from the home
page of our site from links on the upper left side.

Yes, I'll be happy to give you my opinion based upon my understanding
of the teachings of The Urantia Book. Every one of us has opinions on
all aspects of life, death, and everything in between and we base those
opinions on what we've read, what we've learned in school, from TV or
radio, from superstition, from friends and neighbors and family and from
what we learn through our own meditations and prayers. So it's not too
strange for someone to say they're basing their opinion on teachings
they've acquired through study of a particular book, especially after
having studied that book you've come to believe that this one is exactly
what it claims to be, a divine revelation given to us by angels. I don't
expect anyone else to believe that unless they've actually read the
book and decided for themselves too so this can be considered just my own
personal opinion. Still, The Urantia Book is very specific about what
happens to us at death and after -- that's one of the reasons we have it
today, to help us understand why we're here, why we die, where we go
afterwards, what our destiny is.

I guess the technical explanation would be that at conception we're
connected to a mind circuit -- this is an energy pattern that our brains,
once they're developed, use to gather and express thoughts and ideas as
well as through which personalities are expressed. When we die our
personality disconnects from this circuit to be given a different, more
encompassing one for our continued existence on the mansion worlds. It is
possible for those of us who are left behind to connect with what has
been left in this energy circuit which can be very real to us and we can
continue to experience the presence of our loved ones even though
they're no longer here.

The Urantia Book makes it clear that this is our first and only life
here -- that we go on to better things when we leave. That means the
departed do not come back even though it can appear that they do. Ghosts
and apparitions don't exist in the real sense; we are not destined to
hang around here for any reason after we die -- we go on over there just
where we left off here and we don't hang around waiting for loved ones.
But that doesn't mean that those who are left behind can't still feel
as though the departed are near or might meet with them in dreams
because the mind connection can still be experienced.

When we die we do reunite with the loved ones who have gone on before
us -- your grandparents are enjoying reassociating with their parents,
siblings, and other loved ones now just as you will enjoy reuniting with
them once you've depart here.

So, yes, I believe it's quite possible to have visions of and hear the
voices of departed loved ones -- visions and voices that can be as good
as real but which in actuality aren't because the loved one really
isn't hanging around in a spirit world attempting to communicate with us
here. They're off in a new existence but looking forward to reuniting
with those they've left behind.

I hope that answer is comforting as well as informative. Best wishes
and feel free to write any time.

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: death, destiny, dreams, Larry Watkins, the departed, The Urantia Book, visions

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Thursday, October 26, 2006

Our son had not yet found God before he died. Do you think he will become a sleeping survivor?

Q: We recently lost our 21 year-old son. He was a good person, but he had not really found God. Given his young age, do you think that he will become a sleeping survivor?

A: So sorry to hear of your loss -- the loss of a child must be even more poignant than the loss of a spouse.

May I offer an interpretation of Urantia Book teachings? Although not so specifically stated, it can be interpreted that children are inescapably linked to the mind currents of both parents from the moment of conception until they reach an age of self-determination, which is about 16, and from that point on they become true individuals. They also receive their Thought Adjuster, their contact with the Holy Spirit, connection with the Spirit of Truth, and the birth of their soul at about age 6. Outward appearances don't indicate what is going on within the mind and soul of any individual whether child or adult.

It's also my interpretation that it requires extraordinary effort here to make sure that one doesn't arrive at the mansion worlds -- I believe the major sorting occurs there after the deficiencies we live with here have been corrected and only then an informed decision about personal survival can be made.

As for myself, I have no concern or worry whether I will arrive on Mansion World One three days after I die here or whether it happens at the next dispensation, however long that takes. We're not in a race, it's a process where time is no longer of any consequence. So I'd be just as happy being a sleeping survivor as I would to be resurrected on the third day -- the time lapse will seem to be the same in either case to my perceptions.

So, my answer for you would be that there is no way for us here to determine what the immediate outcome for your son's journey to Paradise happens to be -- think the best, see him happy and embarking on the mansion world career, pray for your own peace and understanding.

Best wishes,
Larry Watkins (continued...)

Along with Larry, who sent you a letter yesterday, I also want to offer my sincere condolences on the loss of your child.

Your concern for your son's welfare in the afterlife mirrors the concern you likely had for him in his physical life. Now that he is gone from your sight, you continue to hope the best for him, and that you will be seeing him again, sooner than later.You want him to be happy, safe, and protected.

All of us desire the best for our children, and I think that when we read in the Urantia Book about the experiences of the sleeping survivor vs those who resurrect in three days, we automatically hope that we and our loved ones are among the latter group.

One reason may be that we don't want to wait any longer than is necessary to resume our lives in the "better world" to come. And we want our loved ones close - not separated by 1000 years.

I hear in your question a real concern that you and your son may have to postpone your reunion when once you reach the shores of the first Mansion World, if there is a possibility that you will be in different progressing groups.

I don't suppose that any one of us is guaranteed a short sleep of death, or a long one. These are things that we can only speculate about, but I would surely trust in God on this one, and try not to worry. No matter what the conditions of your son's existence right now, he is safe, he is protected, and his resurrection is sure, as is yours.

At some future time, you will reunite with your beloved child. Whether it is sooner or later, it IS certain. For all we really know, he may already be happily progressing and waiting for your someday arrival.

You say that your son was a good person, though he had not really found God. It sounds like he may have been looking, in any event. Jesus said: "My Father responds to even the faintest flicker of faith." It may comfort you to imagine that in his innermost heart, that flicker was present in your son, known only to God.

As Larry has pointed out, time becomes far less of a concern once we leave this time-limited planet, and the sleep of death, whether it is three days or 1000 years will not be a concern to us, no matter where we find ourselves. Those who sleep long will always be protected and safe. The time of reunion is sure, and you can rely on the goodness of God to make it all work out well.

Again, I am sorry for this loss in your life. I can only imagine the effect on your lives.

God bless you.

Sincerely,
MaryJo
Truthbook.com

Labels: afterlife, children, death, Larry Watkins, Mary Jo, resurrection, sleeping survivors, The Urantia Book, Thought Adjuster

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Monday, March 27, 2006

Did Jesus die for the sins of mankind?

Q: Did Jesus die on the cross for the sins of mankind? Did God send Jesus to pay the penalty for our sins so we could go to heaven?

A: Did Jesus die for the sins of mankind? In the Frequently Asked Questions section, upper right corner of our home page - Truthbook FAQ - listed under the heading "About Jesus" you'll find answers to "Do you believe Jesus died to save us?" and "What does The Urantia Book say about Jesus being the Saviour?" which will give you a more detailed answer than this one, but basically, no, God doesn't require the shedding of innocent blood in order to win his favor or to divert fictitious divine wrath.

The concept of original sin, as well as the doctrine of blood atonement are contrary to the idea of a loving Father-God. This is completely covered in The Urantia Book within the first five papers, which reveal to us the exact nature of God, and his relationship to us mortals, his created beings. The Cross of Jesus acquires new and deeper meaning in this light, and again, this subject is well-covered in Part IV, the papers that deal with the life, teachings, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.

There's also a good section in the center of our home page titled "There is Life after Death" that describes in vivid detail heaven and the life we experience once this life is over. In addition, there is a flash movie titled "After You Die," which you might find quite illuminating in light of your questions.

Labels: atonement, death, heaven, Jesus, sin, the Cross, The Urantia Book

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Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Will We Be Reunited With Loved Ones When We Pass On To Eternity.

Q: Will We Be Reunited With Loved Ones When We Pass On To Eternity?

A: The Urantia Book provides as complete and meaningful an explanation and description of our existence after we depart this world as any source you will find. It offers hope, assurance, the prospect of great adventure, and reuniting with our earthly loved ones.

Upon death the Thought Adjuster temporarily loses personality, but not identity; the human subject temporarily loses identity, but not personality; on the mansion worlds both reunite in eternal manifestation. Never does a departed Thought Adjuster return to earth as the being of former indwelling; never is personality manifested without the human will; and never does a dis-Adjustered human being after death manifest active identity or in any manner establish communication with the living beings of earth. Such dis-Adjustered souls are wholly and absolutely unconscious during the long or short sleep of death. There can be no exhibition of any sort of personality or ability to engage in communications with other personalities until after completion of survival. Those who go to the mansion worlds are not permitted to send messages back to their loved ones. It is the policy throughout the universes to forbid such communication during the period of a current dispensation. (112:3.4)

From the resurrection halls you proceed to the Melchizedek sector, where you are assigned permanent residence. Then you enter upon ten days of personal liberty. You are free to explore the immediate vicinity of your new home and to familiarize yourself with the program which lies immediately ahead. You also have time to gratify your desire to consult the registry and call upon your loved ones and other earth friends who may have preceded you to these worlds. At the end of your ten-day period of leisure you begin the second step in the Paradise journey, for the mansion worlds are actual training spheres, not merely detention planets. (47:3.6)

On our home page there are 9 boxes providing links to various sections of our site -- the box in the 3O'clock position is titled "There is Life After Death" and that will take you to a presentation of more of what The Urantia Book has to say on this topic.

May I recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. It's a free service that offers a daily quote from the incomparable teachings of this marvelous book along with a beautiful and inspiring image, a great way to start one's day as well as to begin to understand the teachings of the book. To subscribe go to the upper right corner of our home page, click on Quote of the Day and follow the instructions.

Thank you for your question.

Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: death, Larry Watkins, life after death, loved ones, Mansion Worlds, The Urantia Book

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Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Where do animals go after death?

Q: Where do animals go after death?

A: Here's a quote from The Urantia Book:

The life bestowed upon plants and animals by the Life Carriers does not return to the Life Carriers upon the death of plant or animal. The departing life of such a living thing possesses neither identity nor personality; it does not individually survive death. During its existence and the time of its sojourn in the body of matter, it has undergone a change; it has undergone energy evolution and survives only as a part of the cosmic forces of the universe; it does not survive as individual life. The survival of mortal creatures is wholly predicated on the evolvement of an immortal soul within the mortal mind.
Page 404 (36:6.5)

Many people who have owned pets or have had a close relationship with an animal have found this statement to be difficult to accept, particularly because it says that animals don't possess identity or personality. The problem stems from taking the term out of context. When used by The Urantia Book the word personality is given a different interpretation from what we commonly use it for. We all know our cat or dog has personality â€“ that's why the pet becomes special to us. But what TUB is relating is that the eternal evolutionary course for creatures of free will intent (human beings) is separate and different from what becomes of other forms of life.

When our beloved pet dies the life force that made it special and unique to us is absorbed back into the Supreme Being. When we die we go on to the mansion worlds where we will encounter even more appealing forms of plant and animal life to associate with.

Labels: animals, death, personality, soul, Supreme Being, The Urantia Book

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Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Angry at God

Q: I have a friend who's husband is really, really angry at God for the terminal cancer that his brother-in-law is facing. His brother has two small children, and it seems so unfair to him. Do you have any insight as to how to address this - to give her (my friend) some words of wisdom that she might be able to help her husband with?

A: The most important thing I would tell someone who was angry at God for the illness and impending death of a loved is that everyone dies. There is nobody on earth that doesn't die sooner or later. This is a fact of our existence and to some degree the only variable is how we will die. There are some blessings involved in dying with an illness that allows everyone time to assimilate the reality of it, take care of business and say their goodbyes. It's much harder when someone dies accidentally and leaves many things undone. Even so, death happens to everyone and it will happen to this woman's husband too.

From God's point of view, death is not an end but a beginning and it helps to try to get people to look at it that way. Death is really just another birth in an endless cycle of life. The analogy of birth really helps me a lot. Before a person is born they have everything they need. They are in a warm and nurturing environment. Then suddenly the same environment that sustained their being is now totally rejecting them. It must be terribly traumatic. Soon they go from a very small closed environment, where everything is provided rather automatically, to a huge open environment where nothing is provided except when they cry. No wonder they cry so much. But think of the loving hands and warm smiling faces that greet new babies.

Emergence into the next world is no different. Perhaps your friend can get her husband to imagine the joy on the other side when a newly born soul arrives over there. Imagine the joy of reunion for those loved ones who have already passed over and the joy of God and the angels to welcome this beloved child to the shores of the next phase of their ongoing existence. Also, there is the indescribable personal joy of the one who dies but then makes the awesome discovery that there really is no death.

She can remind her husband that because God is the perfect loving parent he feels our pain and is afflicted with us, just as her husband would be afflicted by the pain of his own children.

Some human suffering is unavoidable. God does not dole out death and suffering, these things are brought about by life on the material worlds. However, trust in the goodness of God does give us the comfort and hope that gets us through these difficulties.

Also, comfort your friend with the simple reality that God understands why we humans get angry at him but truly experiences nothing but love for us. Anger does not exist in God. He knows that, compared to eternal viewpoints, human viewpoints are as limited as the vision of a new born baby. Her husband will come to peace in time, anger is part of a grieving process and most people move beyond it, sooner or later.

The Life After Death Magazine helps to comfort many people.

Love.....Paula

Labels: anger, death, God, illness, Paula, suffering, trust