Joseph Smith:
"The spirits...are blessed in their departure to the world of spirits. Enveloped in flaming fire, they are not far from us, and know and understand our thoughts, feelings, and motions, and are often pained therewith." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 326)
* Lds “apostle” Parley Pratt said: "...we frequently hold communication with our departed father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter; or with the former husband or wife of our bosom..."
* Lds “prophet” Joseph F. Smith, nephew of Joseph Smith…in a book published by the highest ranking Lds hierarchy, The First Presidency:
* “Sometimes the Lord expands our vision from this point of view and this side of the veil, that we feel and seem to realize that we can look beyond the thin veil which separates us from that other sphere…the spirit world, surely those who have passed beyond can see more clearly through the veil back here to us…I believe we move and have our being in the presence of heavenly…beings. We are not separated from them…” (Gospel Doctrine, 2:215, 1971)
* “I claim that we live in their presence; they see us; they are solicitous for our welfare…” (GD, 2:216, 1971) (Original source: CR, Apr. 1916, pp. 2-4)
* “In like manner our fathers and mothers, brothers, sisters, and friends who have passed away from this earth…may have a mission given them to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth again, bringing…warning or reproof and instruction to those whom they had learned to love in the flesh. And so it is with Sister [Elizabeth H.] Cannon. She can return and visit her friends…” (GD, 2:224, Original source: Discourse @ the funeral of Elizabeth H. Cannon, JD 22:351-352]
Mormonic Verses Dark Placemarker