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the buildings, formed an unbroken expanse of sumptuous architecture set in a surrounding landscape of matching beauty. This was then overarched by a colored sky that bathed every object in its incredible and ever-changing shades.
    After a time I became aware of the inhabitants. But I can give only the faintest picture of what was before me. I would describe it by saying that the way the angelic multitude moved together was like a single melody, animated by one inspiring love and moving in one orderly plan. Their unchanging focus was the development of their infant charges to the same state of perfection as that of the city.
    The melody of their movement was echoed in the groups of infants, where there was no rivalry or desire for selfish glory. Rather, each group in each nursery was united to the more mature groups. In some way I could sense that each little child was filled with holy love and a desire to grow in wisdom, to be capable of being used as an angel of light and loveliness. I could see that each one loved to learn from those above them, and they were devoting themselves completely to unselfish acts of love.
    In this way I saw each little child unfold like petals of a flower from beauty to beauty. All above them was glory. All around them was loveliness. All within them was the melody of unfolding life, unfolding love, unfolding knowledge of heaven, adoration of the Savior, and the inspiration of eternal joy.
    At this point my guide spoke to me and turned me away from this scene. “Marietta, you have now seen the wonders of the first and most simple stage of paradise, where the infants are taught.” She looked at me solemnly. “But before you can go any further, there is a sobering lesson you have to receive.”

S EVEN

    Conflicts in Hell

    S HE TOUCHED MY FOREHEAD, AND IMMEDIATELY THE BRIGHTNESS and glory vanished, and I began to descend. I found myself passing through a low and gloomy subterranean vault, surrounded by thick folds of darkness. A feeling of supernatural dread came over me, and I began to shake spasmodically. A terrible conflict rose up within me and filled my being. I was startled and confused, and my thoughts shattered into utter chaos.
    As I fell further, I heard a distant roar. It sounded as if an ocean was pouring down some rocky cataract. I flailed about, trying in vain to grab something to slow my fall, which was taking me toward the awful abyss below.
    At this moment a blue sulfurous flash lit up the darkness. As it disappeared, I stared in disbelief as grim specters floated around me, enveloped by fires of evil. Gone were the holiness and peace that had surrounded the dwellers in paradise. The change was so sudden and dreadful that I could not think clearly. My mind was flooded with horror and despair. I was terror-struck! I turned to my guide for help, but she was gone!

S O SUDDEN HAD BEEN THE CHANGE
AND SO DREADFUL ITS EFFECTS UPON ME ,
THAT NO THOUGHT BUT THAT OF HORROR
AND DESPAIR HAD ENTERED MY MIND .

    Alone and in that dreadful place there are no means by which I can give even a faint idea of the agony of that moment. At first I thought I would pray, but as I began, my whole life flashed before me in an instant, 1 and I realized I was utterly unworthy of God’s favor. I cried out, “Oh! If I could have only one hour back on earth—for a time, just a brief time—to make myself fit for heaven!” 2
    Like a monster my conscience struck back at me. “You had your chance! 3 In your time on earth you turned your back on the provision God made for your sins. You completely rejected it! Do you think now in this place of darkness and woe that your plea could possibly succeed?”
    To add to my misery, all my previous doubts and skepticism then rose up like animals, glaring at me and encircling me in condemning mockery. All of my life’s thoughts reared up with them. Not one of my secrets was hidden—they were all there. Even the ones I had forgotten stood plainly before me.
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