Do you have a choice when you die?

What do you know about angels? And do you have a choice when you die? Oscar W. McConkie wrote a book about angels. In it he shared personal experiences as well as those recorded by others. Here is one from Wilford Woodruff:

I have felt of late as if our brethren on the other side of the [veil] had held a council, and that they had said to this one, and that one, “Cease thy work on earth, come hence, we need help,” and they have called this man and that man. It has appeared so to me in seeing the many men who have been called from our midst lately. Perhaps I may be permitted to relate a circumstance with which I am acquainted in relation to Bishop Roskelley, of Smithfield, Cache Valley. On one occasion he was suddenly taken very sick—near to death’s door. While he lay in this condition, President Peter Maughan, who was dead, came to him and said: “Brother Roskelley, we held a council on the other side of the [veil]. I have had a great deal to do, and I have the privilege of coming here to appoint one man to come and help. I have had three names given to me in council, and you are one of them, I want to inquire into your circumstances.” The Bishop told him what he had to do, and they conversed together as one man would converse with another. President Maughan then said to him: “I think I will not call you. I think you are wanted here more than perhaps one of the others.” Bishop Roskelley got well from that hour. Very soon after, the second man was taken sick, but not being able to exercise sufficient faith, Brother Roskelley did not go to him. By and by this man recovered, and on meeting Brother Roskelley he said: “Brother Maughan came to me the other night and told me he was sent to call one man from the ward,” and he named two men as had been done to Brother Roskelley. A few days afterwards the third man was taken sick and died. Now, I name this to show a principle. They have work on the other side of the [veil]; and they want men, and they call them. (Journal of Discourses, 22:334-35.) (Oscar W. McConkie, Angels)

I believe this. Perhaps some people have a choice when they die. I’ve thought about this concept lately. We try so hard to keep people alive here on this earthly land. Yet maybe some people are ready to move on to the next sphere of living. We have become a people who do not believe in things we cannot see. That is too bad. I believe in God’s hand in our lives. And I believe we have choices. Many times when we dream, we communicate with one of our ancestors. As Oscar W. McConkie said in his book,

It is within the author’s experience, and I am convinced that it is within the experience of many of the readers and/or their families, that persons who have preceded us in death are not infrequently dispatched to us as messengers and guides. (Angels)

Throughout the years’ artists have tried to capture our fear of death and life beyond the grave. I have enjoyed looking at some of these. Almost all portray fear. The best message seems to be one of hope and time. Time to show that you are kind, that you have hope and faith.  And that you acknowledge the hand of God in your life. Sometimes these plagues and disasters are merely here to remind us of a greater power. They stir up our memories to remember God.