Carolyn N NDE

Experience Description

I was on a church retreat with my fiancée in the winter. There was snow on the ground, and I remember it was in March of 1998. I complained that I was cold, so I was led to a nice warm fireplace to get warm. The next thing I remember, the fire was gone. I apparently fainted because my blood sugar had fallen, and I had not felt it. I was going in and out of consciousness. The last thing I remember was the emergency medical person saying, "She is not going to make it."

The next thing I can remember with real clarity was a warm light enveloping me, almost hugging me. It was filled with unconditional love and acceptance. I could see my deceased grandparents on my dad's side of the family greeting me with open arms. Then I saw something else: the pets that I had growing up. My dogs and my cats jumped up to greet me, filled with love.

A person with wings, surrounded by light, smiled at me. The person scribbled something down in a golden book. Then I heard a warm, kind, loving, and commanding voice speak to me. It was as if my mind was opened up and my thoughts were an open book. He said, "Go back. Your job is not done. You are too early. You will be back soon. You are on the right path."

Background Information:

Gender: Female

Date of NDE: 03/15/1998

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes
My blood sugar was dangerously low, and I did not remember fainting. EMS was called.

How do you consider the content of your experience? Entirely pleasant

Did you feel separated from your body? I lost awareness of my body

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness? I think it was in the morning, around 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
I could see details more clearly and smell more. It was as if I had awakened from a deep slumber.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness? More consciousness and alertness than normal

Were your thoughts speeded up? Faster than usual

Did time seem to speed up or slow down? Everything seemed to be happening at once; or time stopped or lost all meaning
Time had stopped. I did not feel the passage of time.

Were your senses more vivid than usual? More vivid than usual

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience I saw colors and patterns more vividly, and I can recall my grandmother's floral perfume and my grandfather's Old Spice cologne.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience My hearing was so heightened that I could hear the heartbeats of my loved ones. I could hear the humming of the angels.

Did you seem to be aware of things going on elsewhere? No

Did you pass into or through a tunnel? No

Did you see any beings in your experience? I actually saw them

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased beings? Yes
My dad's parents were there, and my dead pets were there.

Did you see or feel surrounded by a brilliant light? A light clearly of mystical or other-worldly origin

Did you see an unearthly light? Yes
The light was brighter than sunlight but warmer than the sun.

Did you seem to enter another world? A clearly mystical or unearthly realm
There was a white gate, and everybody stood there as if they knew I would be there.

What emotions did you feel during the experience? I felt at peace, with a joy that filled me with a nuclear intensity.

Did you have a feeling of peace or pleasantness? Incredible peace or pleasantness

Did you have a feeling of joy? Incredible joy

Did you feel a sense of harmony or unity with the universe? I felt united or one with the world

Did you suddenly understand everything? Everything about the universe
I felt as though the universe was built on love, not hate.

Did scenes from your past come back? No

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure? No

Did you come to a border or point of no return? I came to a barrier that I was not permitted to cross; or was sent back against my will
I was sent back because God wanted me to fulfill my destiny. I did not want to go back. I told Him that I was done.

God, Spiritual and Religion:

What was your religion prior to your experience? Christian - Protestant
I believed in Christ, but I was beginning to doubt my worthiness for anything.

Have your religious practices changed? Yes
I strongly believe in God. There is no doubt now.

What is your religion now? Christian - Mormon

Did your experience include features consistent with your earthly beliefs? Content that was entirely consistent with the beliefs you had at the time of your experience
I was taught that the gates of heaven would only be opened if you were worthy. I always felt unworthy. God has shown me that I am worthy.

Did you have a change in your values and beliefs because of your experience? Yes
My faith in God grew stronger.

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice? I encountered a definite being, or a voice clearly of mystical or unearthly origin
The voice was full of love and compassion, firm and understanding.

Did you encounter or become aware of any beings who previously lived on earth who are described by name in religions (for example: Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, etc.)? Yes
Jesus was there, dressed in white.

During your experience, did you gain information about premortal existence? Uncertain
I was struggling in my faith in God, but now I know that He is there for me.

During your experience, did you gain information about universal connection or oneness? Yes
There is a connection to God that all living beings have. It is like we are all a big family.

During your experience, did you gain information about the existence of God? Uncertain
There is a presence looking out for us. For lack of better words, God wants us to follow Him and get closer to Him.

Concerning our Earthly lives other than Religion:

During your experience, did you gain special knowledge or information about your purpose? Yes
I have a mission to show what love looks like now.

During your experience, did you gain information about the meaning of life? Yes
We come here to learn how to love as Heavenly Father loves us.

During your experience, did you gain information about an afterlife? Yes
I was searching for a religious denomination that would suit me. God led me to the LDS Church in time.

Did you gain information about how to live our lives? Yes
The Golden Rule applies to everybody.

During your experience, did you gain information about life's difficulties, challenges and hardships? Yes
God said that my challenges may help others to grow stronger.

During your experience, did you gain information about love? Yes
God is love.

What life changes occurred in your life after your experience? Large changes in my life
Before my near-death experience, I was doubtful that God loved me because of the experiences I had growing up. Now I am aware that there is a plan of salvation for everyone.

Have your relationships changed specifically because of your experience? Yes
I have grown closer to my closest friends, but my mother has become distant from me.

After the NDE:

Was the experience difficult to express in words? No

How accurately do you remember the experience in comparison to other life events that occurred around the time of the experience? I remember the experience more accurately than other life events that occurred around the time of the experience
I remember this vividly and clearly, like the sky on a picture perfect day with no clouds.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience? Yes
Clairvoyance. I am limited, but I can see it.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you? My takeaway is that there is a definite God. The universe is built on love, not hate. People have value, and so do their lives.

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Yes
It took me years to start sharing my story.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience? No

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened? Experience was definitely real
Touches and embraces cannot be faked.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience now? Experience was definitely real
These touches, hugs, and voices cannot be faked by CGI or AI.

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience? No

Did the questions asked and information that you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience? Yes
It validates my experience and tells me that it is a part of me.

Anything else to add? The love that God gives is unlimited. There is a certain surety about His grace and love.