In the temple, the veil can be very thin sometimes inviting communication with heaven. If we could only see what’s happening on the other side of the veil. Elisha and his servant have such an experience.
Elisha is helping the king of Israel in a war with Syria. Elisha is telling the king of Israel where the Syrians are camped. The king of Syria finds out Elisha is in Dothan and sends horses, chariots, and an army to surround the city at nighttime to capture him. Elisha’s servant asked, “Alas, my master! how shall we do?”
“And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
“And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:16-17).
When we feel helpless, faced with temptation, or that the burden is just too great, we can rest assured that we are not alone. The Savior’s grace is greater than any adversary. Angelic assistance is available on both sides of the veil. At the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, the promise is given to those who enter the House of the Lord:
“And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them.” (D&C 109:22).
This was originally a petition to the Lord, but President Nelson has confirmed that it is now the Lord’s promise to us. Angels can come to our aid. Some we can see and recognize as our fellow mortal beings, and some are unseen from the other side of the veil. There is a purification process necessary to behold spirits. Joseph Smith has said, “All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes; We cannot see it; but when our bodies are purified, we shall see that it is all matter” (D&C 131:7-8).
President Hinckley once related that those in the spirit world are more aware and concerned with our lives and what is going on with us on Earth than we are with them. President Joseph F. Smith received a vision of the spirit world, premortal life, and the Savior’s role of organizing the missionary forces to preach the gospel to those who never received it on Earth. (See D&C 138)
I have had personal experiences in the temple in which I have received manifestations of the Spirit confirming doctrine, and I have felt the presence of others beyond the veil. I know of many others who have experienced miraculous manifestations in the temple. These experiences are too sacred to share here, but I know they are real.
Please see the video below from Scripture Central and Church History Matters Podcast concerning President Joseph F. Smith’s vision of the dead in the spirit world.