“Susa Young Gates and Joseph F. Smith,” Doctrine and Covenants Stories (2024)
“Susa Young Gates and Joseph F. Smith,” Doctrine and Covenants Stories
1902–1918
Susa Young Gates and Joseph F. Smith
A revelation about the spirit world
Susa Young Gates was Brigham Young’s daughter. She was born in Utah and grew up there. She loved to write, and she loved serving in the Lord’s Church.
When Susa was an adult, she got very sick. She asked for a priesthood blessing. In the blessing, the Lord told Susa He wanted her to do temple work.
Saints, 3:193–94
After the blessing, Susa got better. She spent her time learning about her family history. When she found family members who died without being baptized, she went to the temple to be baptized for them. She loved to tell people about family history work. Sadly, many people were not interested.
One day, Susa visited her friend Joseph F. Smith, the President of the Church. President Smith had been sick for many weeks. Susa knew that he was also very sad because his son had died. He was sad about other things happening in the world too, like wars and sickness.
But when Susa sat down with President Smith, he was excited to talk to her. He told Susa that God had given him a special vision. It was all about the spirit world, where people go after they die. His vision was written on a paper. President Smith gave it to Susa and asked her to read it.
Saints, 3:206–7
Susa read the paper. It said that Jesus Christ visited the spirit world. He sent Adam, Eve, and other faithful men and women to teach the spirits who did not receive the gospel while they were alive. They were helping these spirits prepare so people could be baptized for them in the temple.
Doctrine and Covenants 138:11–19, 29–48; Saints, 3:206–7
Susa was amazed as she read President Smith’s vision. President Smith smiled at her. “Susa,” he said, “you are doing a great work.” He told her that he loved her for her faith in the Lord.
Saints, 3:206
Susa wrote about the revelation in her journal. “Oh, it was a comfort to me!” she said. She couldn’t wait to tell her friends and other members of the Church about it. She knew President Smith’s vision would help the Saints be excited to do temple work for people in the spirit world.
Saints, 3:207