Jane Moe - Visions of Heaven: What My Near-Death Experience Taught Me About Eternity

ALSO BY

Jane Moe

P

What Heaven Is Like

2018 Jane Moe

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form whatsoever, whether by graphic, visual, electronic, film, microfilm, tape recording, or any other means, without prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief passages embodied in critical reviews and articles.

This is not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The opinions and views expressed herein belong solely to the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions or views of Cedar Fort, Inc. Permission for the use of sources, graphics, and photos is also solely the responsibility of the author.

ISBN 13: 978-1-4621-2887-7

Published by CFI, an imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc.

2373 W. 700 S., Springville, UT 84663

Distributed by Cedar Fort, Inc., www.cedarfort.com

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

Names: Moe, Jane, 1953- author. | Bills, Suzy, 1981- author.

Title: Visions of heaven : what my near-death experience taught me about eternity / Jane Moe and Suzy Bills.

Description: Springville, Utah : CFI, an imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc., [2018] | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018004028 (print) | LCCN 2018007071 (ebook) | ISBN 9781462128877 (epub, pdf, mobi) | ISBN 9781462121915 (perfect bound : alk. paper)

Subjects: LCSH: Moe, Jane, 1953- | Near-death experiences--Religious aspects--Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | Near-death experiences--Religious aspects--Mormon Church.

Classification: LCC BX8643.F87 (ebook) | LCC BX8643.F87 M64 2018 (print) | DDC 289.3092/2--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018004028

Cover design by Shawnda T. Craig

Cover design 2018 Cedar Fort, Inc.

Edited and typeset by Kathryn Watkins and Kaitlin Barwick

This book is dedicated to my eternal husband, Richard Powers Moe.

You have always believed in me, and this twelve-year journey to
release this book would not have happened if it wasnt for you.

This is OUR story, not just mine.

I adore you.

Jane

Contents

Prologue

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

A s I wake up from the anesthesia, I see Richard next to me. He kneels beside the gurney and tenderly takes my hand. I slur out, I saw your dad while they were operating on me.

Richard shakes his head as if to clear it, thinking hes heard me wrong. Honey, what did you say? Leaning closer, he whispers in my ear, Sweetheart, my dad is dead, remember?

I smile as I continue speaking. I saw heaven, and your daddy was there. He said that he goes by Junior or Kim but that his real name is Kilmer Oscar Jr. He told me he was born in the Philippines and then grew up in Hawaii. And he hated wearing shoes. When he did wear shoes, he wouldnt tie the laces.

Richards jaw drops, and I can feel his hands trembling. Hes not shocked that I believe Ive seen heaven but that I know details about his father. Richard was just fifteen when his father died, and the death was so painful for Richard that hes never told me anything about his father aside from his unexpected death.

I ramble on about my visit with Junior, the radiating light, and the immense feeling of Gods love. A nurse comes by to adjust an IV bottle, and I excitedly point at her. You have angels on your shoulders!

The nurse smiles at Richard. We hear things like that all the time after patients come out of surgery.

Richard is sure the staff hear some strange things all right, but this? How is it possible? He turns to me, hungry for more information about his dad.

Richard, your dad is terrific. He told me not to be afraid, that I would survive the surgery because its not my time yet. Closing my eyes, I retell the rest of my beautiful vision. Junior wanted me to feel Gods love. As he placed his hand on the golden door, he said, Ill open it just a littleno more. Youre not ready yet to understand everything heaven has to offer.

Richard looks at the nurse again, questions evident in his eyes. The nurse simply smiles and shrugs her shoulders.

Retelling the dream to Richard is exhausting, and Im starting to fall asleep. As I give in, letting my eyelids close, Richard kisses my forehead and tells me, I love you, honey. Ill be here when you wake up.

As the pain medication takes over, Im able to mumble one final thought. The last thing I remember Junior saying was, Please, Jane, tell Richard to do as Ive done and never let go. Tell him families can be forever.

P

At the time, I didnt realize the full meaning of Juniors words, but I knew a father had reached down from heaven to touch his son. This was the start of a grand journeya journey that still continuesone in which Ive learned that the Father of us all reaches down from heaven to let us know He loves us. Along the way, Ive learned about Gods true gospel and the opportunity to one day live with our families in heaven.

Chapter 1

A PRAYER THAT OPENED THE HEAVENS

T he days leading up to the surgery and dream had been stressful. While walking down the street in Hollywood Hills, I had slipped on a wet manhole cover and came crashing to the ground. Every bone in my left ankle had shattered. The ER physicians told me I would need surgery to (hopefully) repair the damage. They gave me a list of orthopedic surgeons, and I began calling them and making appointments. One by one, each surgeon examined the x-rays of my ankle and then shook his head, telling me the damage couldnt be repaired. I was devastatedand in a lot of pain.

I had already given up hope when Richard convinced me to visit one more specialist. Richard guided my wheelchair into the doctors office, and I waited in agony, already knowing what the clinician would tell me.

After Dr. Burns looked at the x-rays, he turned to me. I think we can put you back together again. I felt a glimmer of hope. But then he added, It will be an exceptionally long surgery, and it could take a long time to recover. But with hard work on your part, I think youll be able to walk again.

I took a long, deep breath and then began to cry. Why did this happen to me? I wailed.

As Richard wheeled me out to the car and carefully helped me get somewhat comfortable in the back seat, I felt angry, sad, and depressed. As I continued to cry, I asked, Why, God? Why? As I lay there wallowing in self-pity, I had no idea that God would soon be blessing me beyond what I could have imagined. In His infinite wisdom, He was allowing me to face a harrowing trial so that I would be ready to seek His help and receive a message from Him.

Though I dreaded the surgery, at least I didnt have to wait long for itit was scheduled for two days after the initial visit with Dr. Burns. The night before, intense fear was fighting with the physical pain I was experiencing.

Richard tried to calm me. Honey, Dr. Burns does this kind of operation every day. After its over, you can finally heal.

I was in such agony that I retorted, Richard, your own father was in the hospital for what should have been a routine procedure, and he ended up dying. I immediately regretted my words. Im so sorry, I sobbed, but Im afraid. Afraid Ill leave you just like your dad did.