"I approve of this message."

The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement Tuesday: 

"We congratulate President Obama on winning a second term as President of the United States.
After a long campaign, this is now a time for Americans to come together. It is a long tradition among Latter-day Saints to pray for our national leaders in our personal prayers and in our congregations. We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, to pray for the President, for his administration and the new Congress as they lead us through difficult and turbulent times. May our national leaders reflect the best in wisdom and judgment as they fulfill the great trust afforded to them by the American people.
We also commend Governor Romney for engaging at the highest level of our democratic process which, by its nature, demands so much of those who offer themselves for public service. We wish him and his family every success in their future endeavors."

This morning when I told Clark and Lauren that President Obama won the election, Clark said, "Dang-it!" (which sentiment I completely agree with); but then Lauren wisely said, "Well, at least it is better than having no president at all." I thought about it, and you know, she is completely correct. This country and it's system is wonderful and inspired. I would much rather have this system than be led by a dictator, a wicked king, or simply whoever has the longest swords and biggest guns. 

Really, what is the big surprise in this election? Religion is playing less of a role in peoples lives. Conservatism is on the decline. Family values are being attacked. More people want the "security" of government programs than the want to work hard for themselves and participate in open capitalism in the marketplace. News flash: these are the last days!

All I can say is... Hope On!

2  We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
3  Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
4  Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
5  For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
6  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

(New Testament | 1 Thessalonians 1:2 - 6)

Inviting Christ Into Your Life

Here's the outline for a recent talk I gave in Sacrament Meeting (Oct. 21st) for our Meet the Mormon's Day. I was invited to talk on "Inviting Christ into Your Life."

 

Any of you who know me and my amazing wife Laura have probably wondered: “What did he do to get her to attach herself to him in marriage; and how does he get her to stay with him?”

Well, I think that is a great question and one that deserves addressing.

Here’s how I did it; you might want to take notes: J (these will probably sound familiar to those of you who are married because you probably did the same things to build your relationship with your spouse)

You really only need 8 things:

1)      A Calendar: I let her know that I was available and interested (made time and room for the relationship). And then I asked her for a date. I let her know how long I had in town before I would leave for college, etc.

2)      A Heart: I started to trust her more and more and share more and more of ‘the real me’ with her (faith)

3)      Ears: I had long, serious talks with her where I did a lot of listening (prayer)

4)      A Watch: I would try to spend as much time with her as possible. (thinking of Him, keeping His Spirit near)

5)      Eyes: I would study her and diligently try to change things about myself that were unattractive to her, i.e. the walk around the lake, the “let’s not kiss yet” talk (scripture, repentance, unselfishness)

6)      A Rose: I constantly would strive to put her wishes above my own, i.e. the rose in the glove box; not riding a street bike, etc. (service & obedience)

7)      A Voice: I accepted her proposals, I committed and don’t look back (baptism, temple, etc.)

8)      A Brain: I know that if these things are not repeated constantly the relationship will be damaged. (endure joyfully to the end)

*But remember: We do not need to be perfect, no spouse is, but WE CAN BE FAITHFUL!

Now, the most important relationships in my life and throughout all eternity is not my relationship with my spouse; that relationship is a close 2^nd to the one that matters even more:

“For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.” (Isaiah 54:5)

My relationship with My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is my #1 relationship.

But, I have come to learn that at least one reason why The Lord’s plan has marriage at the very heart of it is because the principles that initiate and maintain a strong, intimate, and lasting marriage relationship are the exact same principles that initiate and maintain a strong, intimate, and lasting relationship with Jesus.

So, as important as that question about my wife was, here’s one that is even more critical: “Travis, how did you get The Savior to attach Himself to you in solemn covenant; and how do you get Him to stay with you?”

Well, here’s how I did it; you might want to take notes: J(these will probably sound familiar to those of you who are already “married” to The Lord, because you probably did the same things to build your relationship with Him)

You really only need 8 things:

A Calendar,  A Heart,  Ears,  A Watch,  Eyes,  A Rose,  A Voice, and A Brain.

1)      Calendar: I let HIM know that I was available and interested (made time and room for the relationship). And then I asked HIM for “a date” (church meetings, etc). I let HIM know what I was willing to give HIM (which wasn’t much at first), but it was a start.  ­­Alma 32:26-27

“Now, as I said concerning faith—that it was not a perfect knowledge—even so it is with my words.  Ye cannot know of their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge.

But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.”

Think on the times when you have felt something, when you just KNEW something that you cannot explain.

2)      A Heart: I started to trust HIM more and more and share more and more of ‘the real me’ with HIM (Faith) Proverbs 3:5 - 7

5  ¶ Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

7  ¶ Be not wise in thine own eyes:

“God has not been trying an experiment on my faith or love in order to find out their quality. He knew it already. It was I who didn't… He always knew that my temple was a house of cards. His only way of making me realize the fact was to knock it down.”  (C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed)

3)      Ears: I had long, serious talks with HIM where I did a lot of listening (prayer)

Enos 1:2-8

2 And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins.

3  Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart.

4  And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.

5  And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.

6  And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away.

7  And I said: Lord, how is it done?

8  And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen.

4)      A Watch: I would try to spend as much time with HIM as possible. (thinking of Him, keeping His Spirit near) Luke 10:40 – 42

40  But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone?  bid her therefore that she help me.

41  And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42  But one thing is needful (coming to Christ): and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

5)      Eyes: I would study HIM and diligently try to change things about myself that were unattractive to HIM, i.e. the walk around the lake, the “let’s not kiss yet” talk, i.e. let’s not do anything that will interfere or confuse this relationship (scripture, repentance, unselfishness) Alma 36:17 – 21

17  And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.

18  Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.

19  And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.

20  And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!

21  Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains.  Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.

6)      A Rose: I constantly would strive to put HIS wishes above my own, i.e. the rose in the glove box (service & obedience) How do we know HIS will?

(Amos 3:7 )7  Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

(Luke 1:76 - 78) 76  And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

77  To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

78  Through the tender mercy of our God;

(Luke 7:27) 27  [Jesus Said] This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

And the Lord has spoken in our day “Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments;  18  And also gave commandments to others, that they should proclaim these things unto the world  (D&C 1:17-18)

I love Joseph Smith and the other prophets God has called since him, just like God’s people loved Moses and Abraham and Peter in their day; not because of the man himself, but because they reveal Jesus Christ to me and help me know HIM better.

7)      A Voice: I accepted HIS proposals, I committed and don’t look back (baptism, temple, etc.)

(Isaiah 1:18 - 19) 18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

19  If ye be willing and obedient, [not ‘perfect’ thank goodness]

(Romans 5:6 - 11) 6  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

11  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. [ AT – ONE – MENT]

 I know that Jesus Christ not only will make up any difference in the end, but that he makes all the difference right now.

8)      A Brain: I know that if these things are not repeated constantly the relationship will be damaged. (endure joyfully to the end)

(2 Nephi 31:19 - 21)  19  And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done?  Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

20  Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.  Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

21  And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God.

So, the best “Marital Advice” I can give? Make your spouse (Christ) the center of your life!

Make room for Him at the center, like the bulls eye of a target.  Surround that relationship with strong family relationships, good friends, honest work, uplifting recreation, etc.

Satan is doing all he can to nudge Jesus out of that center spot in our lives by introducing other things that vie for our attention. Some might be evil, but most often they are just distracting; either way, if I give them priority over my relationship with my ‘spouse’ (Jesus), my ‘marriage’ and MY WHOLE LIFE will be in trouble. As living prophets have taught, “if we do not choose the kingdom of God first, it will make little difference in the long run what we have chosen instead of it.”

But, Jesus Christ has restored His church to help us keep Him at the center…

He has given revelation to prophets as He did in the past to help us keep Him at the center…

He has given us ancient and modern scripture to help us keep Him at the center…

He has restored His priesthood authority and has given us baptism, the holy sacrament, and the family  ordinances of the temple to help us keep Him at the center…

And most importantly, Jesus Christ has given us himself, the living, breathing, healing, redeeming Son of God to help us keep Him at the center.

(John 14:18 - 19) 18  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

19  Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

Jesus loves us more than any husband ever loved any wife! He will accept our mediocre performance and offering even when it is far less than what I would like to give Him in my heart of hearts. He loves us enough to help us work through the challenge of becoming like Him. He knows how hard it is for us, and is eternally loving and patient with me.

We do not need to be perfect, no spouse is, but WE CAN BE FAITHFUL!

Taken home to that God who gave them life

So, after a funeral I recently spoke at, one of my cousins asked me about the doctrine implied in a verse I used.

The verse reads:

Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.

(Alma 40:11)

His question was essentially, “Do we all see God as we enter the spirit world or not?”

            I’ve been thinking and studying information surrounding this verse since he asked this question, and I’m wondering if I can pick your brain about it. No rush, (and this is a long e-mail), but if you find a minute I would love your thoughts and insights.

This seems to be one of those verses that means different things to different people. I think it comes down to which quotes from General Authorities seem right to you, because honestly, there seems to be some contradiction around this one.

This verse has been mentioned about 20 times in general conference over the years. Many of the brethren simply quote the verse without any further explanation (which is interesting in and of itself), here are some examples of this:

President Marion G. Romney, The Way of Life, Ensign (CR), May 1976, p.79

President Thomas S. Monson, An Invitation to Exaltation, Ensign (CR), May 1988, p.53

Elder Russell M. Nelson, Doors of Death, Ensign (CR), May 1992, p.72

LDS General Conference  1994  April  Saturday Morning  Carlos E. Asay

LDS General Conference  1995  October  Sunday Morning  Thomas S. Monson

LDS General Conference  2006  April  Saturday Afternoon  Boyd K. Packer

LDS General Conference  2007  October  Saturday Morning  Thomas S. Monson

Others (generally those in the early days of the church) give some additional comments in their remarks. Below are some of the things said in some older general conferences about this issue:

We are told in the Book of Mormon that the spirits of all men, as soon as they leave this mortal body, and return home to that God who gave them life, whether they be wicked or whether they be righteous, go back to where they once were; they return to their former state, to their former location and residence; they appear in the presence of the Being that gave them life.

What further are we told on the subject? That after we get back into the presence of God, and return home again, then it shall come to pass that the spirits of the righteous, those who have done good, those who have wrought the works of righteousness here upon the earth, shall be received into a state of rest, a state of happiness, of peace, a state of joy, where they will remain until the time of the resurrection. – Orson Pratt (JOD, vol 2, p.238)

Here the inquiry will naturally arise, when our spirits leave our bodies where do they go to?

I will tell you. Will I locate them? Yes, if you wish me to. They do not pass out of the organization of this earth on which we live. You read in the Bible that when the spirit leaves the body it goes to God who gave it. Now tell me where God is not, if you please; you cannot. How far would you have to go in order to go to God, if your spirits were unclothed? Would you have to go out of this bowery to find God, if you were in the spirit? If God is not here, we had better reserve this place to gather the wicked into, for they will desire to be where God is not. The Lord Almighty is here by His Spirit, by His influence, by His presence. I am not in the north end of this bowery, my body is in the south end of it, but my influence and my voice extend to all parts if it; in like manner is the Lord here.

It reads that the spirit goes to God who gave it. Let me render this Scripture a little plainer; when the spirits leave their bodies they are in the presence of our Father and God, they are prepared then to see, hear and understand spiritual things. But where is the spirit world? It is incorporated within this celestial system. Can you see it with your natural eyes? No. Can you see spirits in this room? No. Suppose the Lord should touch your eyes that you might see, could you then see the spirits? Yes, as plainly as you now see bodies, as did the servant of Elijah. If the Lord would permit it, and it was His will that it should be done, you could see the spirits that have departed from this world, as plainly as you now see bodies with your natural eyes; - Brigham Young (JOD, vol. 3 p.368)

There is an idea prevalent, I do not know how prevalent, among the Saints, that we do not go directly home to God, when our spirits leave these bodies, but that there is a kind of intermediate state where we have to go through further preparations; but if I can understand the language contained in this declaration of Alma, it seems that the spirits of all men, whether wicked or righteous, as soon as they leave this mortal body, “go home to that God who gave them life,” that is, they return to the place and position that they occupied while they were in the eternal worlds. It is called “home,” because they once had their abiding place there, and they have been absent from home, while here in the body; but as soon as they are separated from the body, they all return to that ancient home, into the presence of the Lord. Orson Pratt (JOD vol 16. P 332-333)

Will the spirits of men, before they receive their resurrected body, return into the presence of God? Yes. Read what Alma said to his son Corianton on this subject, describing the state of the spirit between the time of death and the resurrection. He says—“It has been made known to me by an angel that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are dead, whether wicked or righteous, shall return home to that God who gave them life;” that is, they go back into his presence. The wicked, however, are again cast out into outer darkness, the light of the countenance of their Lord is again withdrawn from them, a veil is let down between them and their Father and God. But how is it with the righteous? When they go back and behold the face of their Father they will continue in the light of his countenance, and have the privilege of seeing him. They have returned to their ancient home, to that God who gave them life, to the mansions and familiar places where they dwelt ages and ages before they came here. They have gone back to meet with familiar acquaintances, and their memories will be so increased and perfected after they leave this body that the things of their former state and condition will be fresh to them, and they will look upon this little speck called time, in which they have dwelt seventy, eighty or ninety years, as but a dream or night vision during which the things of former ages were shut from their memories; but when they get back to their ancient home they will have a bright recollection of all these things, and of the familiar countenance of their Father, and the countenance of his only begotten Son, and the countenances of the millions on millions of their brother and sister spirits, with whom they once lived. – Orson Pratt (JOD v. 16 p. 365)

Now we are called upon to pay our last respects to Brother Clayton. His spirit has taken its flight; it has gone to the Father from whence it came, as is taught in the Book of Mormon. When the spirit leaves the body, it returns, says the prophet, immediately to God, to be assigned to its place, either to associate with the good and the noble ones who have lived in the Paradise of God, or to be confined in the “prison” house to await the resurrection of the body from the grave. Therefore we know that Brother Clayton has gone to God, gone to receive the partial judgment of the Almighty, which pertains to the period intervening between the death of the body and the resurrection of the body, or the separation of the spirit from the body, and their uniting together again. This judgment is passed upon the spirit alone. But there will come a time which will be after the resurrection, when the body and spirit shall be reunited, when the final judgment will be passed on every man.

Journal of Discourses  Volume 21  Joseph F. Smith  12/7/1879

Now, I know that these comments are old and not often repeated in modern times (although I have seen some of them in Institute curriculum and other manuals); but, at least in General Conference, as far as I can see (by the way, my source for this info is BYU’s General Conference Scripture Citation Index found at http://scriptures.byu.edu/), none of the Brethren have ever said anything to contradict what Alma seems to be saying at face value.

However, when you look outside of General Conference you can see a different interpretation from two Brethren (with a capitol ‘B’); Joseph Fielding Smith & Harold B. Lee, in their books, i.e.:

“These words of Alma as I understand them, do not intend to convey the thought that all spirits go back into the presence of God for an assignment to a place of peace or a place of punishment and before him receive their individual sentence. "Taken home to God," (Compare Ecclesiastics 12:7.) simply means that their mortal existence has come to an end, and they have returned to the world of spirits, where they are assigned to a place according to their works with the just or with the unjust, there to await the resurrection. "Back to God" is a phrase which finds an equivalent in many other well known conditions. For instance: a man spends a stated time in some foreign mission field. When he is released and returns to the United States, he may say, "It is wonderful to be back home"; yet his home may be somewhere in Utah or Idaho or some other part of the West.  

In the question of spirits returning to God, President George Q. Cannon has made the following comment:  

Alma, when he says that "the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body . . . are taken home to that God who gave them life," has the idea doubtless, in his mind that our God is omnipresent-not in His own personality but through His minister, the Holy Spirit.  

He does not intend to convey the idea that they are immediately ushered into the personal presence of God. He evidently uses that phrase in a qualified sense. . . . (Gospel Truths, p. 73.)  (Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 5 vols., 2:, p.85-86)

Here’s the quote from Harold B. Lee:

At death, spirits return to God. "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it" (Ecclesiastes 12:7). What does it mean to return to that God who gave us life? I had a call from someone who was disturbed about that question. He said, "Now, does that mean all the wicked will return back into the presence of God? How shall they be worthy to stand in the presence of the Lord? Now, how could that be possible?" Well, that started me on a bit of thinking, and then I found the prophet Alma explaining to his son Corianton this same matter. You will find in the fortieth chapter of Alma how Alma explained this matter to his son Corianton. He said: "Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection-Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life" (Alma 40:11). Now you note the difference? In one place it suggests that we shall enter into the very presence of; In the next place it says that we shall go home to that God who gave us life.    

In discussing this matter I have found the quotation from President Brigham Young contained in his Discourses, which says: "[The scripture] reads that the spirit goes to God who gave it. Let me render this scripture a little plainer; when the spirits leave their bodies they are in the presence of our Father and God, they are prepared then to see, hear and understand spiritual things. But where is the spirit world?" He answers by saying this:    

 If we go back to our mother country, the States, we there find the righteous, and we there find the wicked; if we go to California, we there find the righteous and the wicked, all dwelling together; and when we go beyond this veil, and leave our bodies which were taken from mother earth, and which must return, our spirits will pass beyond the veil; we go where both Saints and sinners go; they all go to one place.    

 If the wicked wish to escape from his presence, they must go where he is not, where he does not live, where his influence does not preside. To find such a place is impossible, except they go beyond the bounds of time and space. (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1941], pp. 376-77.)    

As I understand what President Young is saying, when we go home to God, it is just like going back to our home country. We may not go into the presence of the governor of the state where we live, but we will go to the home country, and there we shall find our level among the people with whom we are most accustomed to associate. (57-13, pp. 6-7) (Harold B. Lee, The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, edited by Clyde J. Williams, p.57-58)

*Note, I tried to find the exact dates of these quotes so as to see if they were made while these men were the President of the Church or not, but I was unsuccessful since they were in books and not ever mentioned over the pulpit (as far as I could find).

Interesting stuff, huh?

To be honest, for whatever reason, the above 2 statements just do not ‘sit as well’ with me personally as do the other quotes that seem to contradict. Maybe I just hope that what Alma said stands at face value, and does not mean just ‘the spirit world.’ J This is obviously not something that our salvation hinges upon, but my current leaning with my current information (which is subject to change) is toward at least a brief “partial judgment” before The Lord Himself very shortly after death. I believe that this will be a wonderful experience for the repentant, and that the unrepentant will cower away from Him as soon as they can.

My favorite modern use of this scripture is found in the April 2003 First Presidency message by President Monson entitled “He is Risen.” Here is what he said (and I personally think that something is implied by the fact that he didn’t choose to include any mention of the above idea that “taken home to God” just means “the spirit world” as mentioned in the 2 quotes above):

Many years ago I stood by the bedside of a young man, the father of two children, as he hovered between life and the great beyond. He took my hand in his, looked into my eyes, and pleadingly asked, “Bishop, I know I am about to die. Tell me what happens to my spirit when I die.”

I prayed for heavenly guidance before attempting to respond. My attention was directed to the Book of Mormon, which rested on the table beside his bed. I held the book in my hand, and it providentially opened to the 40th chapter of Alma. I began to read aloud:

“Now my son, here is somewhat more I would say unto thee; for I perceive that thy mind is worried concerning the resurrection of the dead. …

“Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, … are taken home to that God who gave them life.

“And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.”

My young friend closed his eyes, expressed a sincere thank-you, and silently slipped away to that paradise about which we had spoken.”

Here’s another account of the same story:

“Not long ago I held the thin hand of a youth as he approached the brink of eternity. "I know I am dying, he said touchingly. "What follows death?"

I turned to the scriptures and read to him:

"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." (Eccl. 12:7.)

". . . there is a time appointed unto men that they shall rise from the dead; and there is a space between the time of death and the resurrection. . . .

". . . concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection-Behold . . . the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body . . . are taken home to that God who gave them life." (Al. 40:9, 11.)

To me, the lad said, "Thank you." To my Heavenly Father I said silently, "Thank thee, oh God, for truth."

(Elder Thomas S. Monson, Conference Report, April 1969, Third Day—Morning Meeting, p.128)

So, in my mind one of three things is true about this story by President Monson tells. Either:

1)      President Monson was uninformed and unaware of Joseph Fielding Smith’s and Harold B. Lee’s comments about this verse.

2)      He knew about Joseph Fielding Smith’s and Harold B. Lee’s comments and knows that they are true but choose to slightly deceive (or at least un-informed) his friend on his death bed in an effort to give him some comfort and false hope of meeting The Lord.

3)      He knew about Joseph Fielding Smith’s and Harold B. Lee’s comments but does not entirely agree with them, and favors a more “face value” approach to this scripture (like the others over the years in General Conference have done).

Another question I’ve considered, if “taken home to that God who gave them life” really is just another way of saying “the spirit world”; why would the angel that told these things to Alma decide not to mention that? or if he did, why would Alma choose to not include it in his record? Or if he did, why would Mormon choose to not include it in his record?

Also, it might be good to remember that Jesus appeared to several people after His resurrection who were not perfect and in the case of Paul, not even repentant. He also can apparently appear to people without them knowing that it is even Him (like on the road to Emmaus).
 
Fun stuff to think about. :-)

“But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

(Hebrews 6:9 - 12)

HOPE ON!