RESURRECTION HALL

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  • #22508
    Richard E Warren
    Richard E Warren
    Participant

    RESURRECTION HALL

    ~ Day One: The Awakening ~

     

    Her eyes popped open. She drew her first breath, then another, deeper one. She was standing, having to focus on balance. Two beings were there to steady her, one on her left and one on her right. She somehow knew they could be none other than her guardian angels. Suddenly her mind was flooded with memories. Her beloved Adjuster had arrived with the transcripts of her personal memories of life on Urantia. She hadn’t yet fully grasped this was resurrection hall on mansion one, but she did sense and know she was alive again.

    This new unification of body, mind, soul, personality and Adjuster was an intense event of wonder and awe, also one of rapid adjustment. Next, her angels came directly before her amazed eyes. They moved in very close, she felt embraced like never before. She then realized she was standing on a mansion world and this was her first post mortal hug, that her soul must be there also, and her identity was intact. She was resurrected!

    Simultaneously with that embrace she strongly sensed her Thought Adjuster, her Paradise Partner. Adjuster memories of her Earth life were still flooding her mind, as fast as she could assimilate them. As the seconds passed, the eternal significance of this event was coming together in her mind, her new mind. How pristine and vast her mind seemed at this moment. In all eternity she would never forget this day of awakening. She had indeed survived and was now breathing and living on another world. How wonderful, how great, how fulfilling!!

    Along with her guardian angels there were several other beings gathered around who seemed somewhat familiar. Some she must have known on Earth, some not. She felt so very warm, energized, confident and fearless, but needed time to adjust. It was quite overwhelming, so many pictures were flashing in her mind. It was a story. Her story! Past events were quickly connecting this new mind to her life on Urantia. She was remembering and reassembling her experiences in greater detail, and in chronological order.

    Her beloved family! Where were they, she thought to ask. But the words didn’t come out. The angels seem to be mumbling at her. What were they saying? It wasn’t making sense because she was not yet completely connected, and too, she was overwhelmed by the intensely beautiful beings and environment to which she had just awoken. Her mind was foggy for an instant, then clear, then fog again. Clarity began to dominate, and her spirit began to soar with pure joy.

    Attention shifted to her immediate surroundings, to the astonishingly beautiful and caring beings around her. Their faces were so lovely and well defined. And they were somehow helping her awaken more and more memories, so many coming at once. At the same time, her soul was flying ever higher at the realization of the vindication of her faith in God and Michael, her belief in continuing life, and the validity of all those revelations she was beginning to recall, about resurrection on Mansonia. With every moment’s passing she was more fully aware she was a soul survivor, an Agondonter from Urantia newly awakened on Mansonia. Thank God!!!

    ***

    Page 2

    Again she tried to speak, wanting to say, ‘breathing is incredible!’ With each breath she could feel powerful energy coursing through this marvelous, strong, pain-free, highly sensitive, nascent body. The smell of the air was truly rich. She thought, what a lovely aroma here. It smelled good enough to eat. Looking around she noticed everything and everyone was beautifully clean, sparkling and intricately appointed. The floor and low walls were lined with jewels and highly polished shiny metals of many hues. Every being in sight was aglow with an unmistakable and warm luminescence. The sky was a magnificent cloudless vault of deep blue, but without a shining sun. There were only a few roofs in view, everything else was open to the sky.

    As she gazed over the resurrection scene, too amazed to speak, the angel on her left put before her what appeared to be a three dimensional mirror. She watched closely as the image rotated, then in complete amazement thought, O my God! That is me?! She knew it was her, but what a change. This body is young, smooth, there is the hair of her youth atop her head. Noticing her hands, wiggling her fingers, they are perfectly formed and very sensitive. She had on her body a light wrap of some kind of super-shimmering fabric—maybe a sort of morontia material she thought. Morontia! She always enjoyed contemplating that word. And now she felt much like that super version of her old self she had often imagined. She touched the image and uttered, “This is me, morontia me, I am alive, I AM alive!”

    Everyone standing around said in unison, “You are!” She could communicate, she could hear and be heard, and in a language she understood! All was coming together, greater and greater perspective was accumulating with each passing moment. She was awake and alive in the Resurrection Hall of Mansion World one. But where was her family? Why were they not here to greet her? Had her grandparents, parents, dead cousins and friends not survived? So many questions were coming up that needed answers.

    “Where is my husband? Is Saro here?” “Come with us, Kala”. It was her right side guardian speaking those words. She felt compelled to confirm who they were: “You are my guardian angels, aren’t you?” “Yes”, they replied together. They were so beautiful, she felt an instant affection for them both.

    How strange to actually see and hear her angels, even though she always had some sense of their presence as a Urantian. But who were all the other brilliant and shining beings around her? Should she introduce herself? Evidently introductions were to come later. She realized each of these beings must be important to her, but couldn’t quite place them. At this point, only her angels and her Paradise Partner felt familiar. It was dawning on her how much more there was to learn, and remember. What were her guardian angels’ names? When were they assigned to her?

    She attempted to move and almost fell forward. The angels caught her by the arms and steadied her. “Give me a second,” she said, then consciously put one foot forward, then the other. She was walking for the first time. It wasn’t hard, just new. Everything and everyone seemed new or greatly improved. Her memories and skills were quickly returning. But she had the distinct feeling there were many other memories, ones she could not yet access. Movement, sight, hearing, smell, touch, the ability to comprehend—all these were present just like on Earth, but here they seemed amplified, sharpened and improved. She hadn’t gained or lost anything, except this new and amazing body along with consciousness of survival.

    For the first time she glanced at the far away horizon and everything and everyone in between. There were other groups of beings—much like the one she was in—everywhere, many thousands of them. As far as she could see there were similar groupings. She took more steps as the angels guided her to the adjacent resurrection chamber. At the center was a being she recognized immediately. Kala and Saro locked eyes for the first time as resurrected beings. She rushed to him, he lunged toward her. By now her group and Saro’s group had converged around them. It was a moment for the ages, a memory they would never, ever forget; one time husband and wife meet on Mansonia for their first embrace after 55 years of life together on Earth.

     

    ***
    Page 3

    Saro’s first steps were taken when he saw her approaching. He almost fell too, in the rush toward his longtime mate and friend. Their embrace was one of transcendent feeling, too beautiful and fulfilling for words. Suddenly they felt tremendous gratitude for the God who made this resurrection and reunification possible. Great tears came to their new eyes, tears of appreciation and joy. What a marvelous plan Our Father has created for time and space ascenders. And they were seeing only the bare beginnings of morontia life.

    Their meeting brought up many, many questions for which they had no answers. They could remember moments that had value, moments of genuine religious experience, things of great spiritual import, significant relationships with their mates and their families. Obviously they retained language, sensual, and movement abilities. Kala recalled the time when Michael’s spirit touched her, four years before she discovered the Urantia Book. Saro recalled hearing God’s reply when he prayed, asking if he should marry Kala, and receiving a resounding ‘YES’. But how did they die? Neither of them could remember.

    It was time for introductions. Kala’s left hand angel began, giving her name, then the other angel gave hers. Each of Saro’s angels offered their names. Kala and Saro both felt like thanking them profusely for the safe keeping of their souls, and for all they did pre-death. Always had Kala felt their guiding hand and the Adjuster’s influence. Saro did in a measure also sense and appreciate their work for his well being and safety back on Urantia.

    Their four angels drew near and they all six embraced in a huddle. How warm and full of love they felt. For decades they had all worked together back on Earth, closely associated, spreading the teachings and the text of the Urantia Book. Meeting face to face like this was a very rewarding and confirmatory experience. This feeling of faith being answered affirmatively was immensely gratifying, satisfying, and thrilling.

    Suddenly, and simultaneously, they recalled dying. Being together again somehow sparked this traumatic memory. They drew a deep breath, looked into each others’ beautiful new eyes, and recalled that it was a quick and merciful death. They were flying a little airplane–both were pilots–delivering Urantia Books to a new library system on a remote island in western Indonesia. On board was one box of each translation, as requested by the chief librarian.

    A storm cloud was behind them, so they felt safe. But when they flew over a high ridge they were confronted with another and bigger storm cloud. There was no choice but go on, but it was not to be. Lightening was all around. They thought of going higher, over the storm, or quickly landing somewhere. Before they could act a tremendous bolt struck the plane instantly destroying it, along with the mortal bodies of Saro and Kala Maylon. Amazingly, all of the books were later found, largely intact and still wrapped in plastic. And all did eventually reach their destination.

    “When did we die?” Saro asked his guardians.

    “Three days ago”, they replied together. Saro and Kala were both thinking what charming voices the angels have.

    “We took the three day express!”, Saro exclaimed, “just like I was hoping for”. Kala gave him a big smile and they kissed, their first as morontians. Actually, it was difficult not to smile, given their happy new situation. And they both couldn’t help noticing how youthful and vibrant their morontia bodies are, how different yet similar they are to human bodies. Every second memories of Urantia, their former estate, were emerging in their beautiful, new, morontia minds.

    ***

    copyright, re warren 2016

    Richard E Warren

    #22511
    André
    André
    Participant

    Dear Rick,

    How pleasant to heard from you. It’s been a while, I miss your presence.

    What a beautiful lecture I just done. Very inspiring awareness. With such an imagination, you set up a story tell of what might really happens when time comes.

    As usual brother still prolific fruitful harvest offer to us.

    Thanks you,

    André

    #22513
    Avatar
    Keryn
    Participant

    Rick,

    This is beautiful!  I felt such joy while reading it.  I think you’ve really captured what the experience will be like, according to TUB.  The only part I wondered about is this paragraph:

     

    Everyone standing around said in unison, “You are!” She could communicate, she could hear and be heard, and in a language she understood! All was coming together, greater and greater perspective was accumulating with each passing moment. She was awake and alive in the Resurrection Hall of Mansion World one. But where was her family? Why were they not here to greet her? Had her grandparents, parents, dead cousins and friends not survived? So many questions were coming up that needed answers.

    My interpretation of TUB is that one needs to carry a “harp” in order to understand the language upon reaching the mansion worlds.  Perhaps you made the intentional decision to not get into this much detail in writing the story, which is perfectly fine, of course.  Or, perhaps the harp is only necessary when communicated from one world to another (“space communications”), in which case, it wouldn’t be needed in the context of your story.

    In paper 47 “The Seven Mansion Worlds”:

    47:10.2 (539.4) John the Revelator saw a vision of the arrival of a class of advancing mortals from the seventh mansion world to their first heaven, the glories of Jerusem. He recorded: “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and those who had gained the victory over the beast that was originally in them and over the image that persisted through the mansion worlds and finally over the last mark and trace, standing on the sea of glass, having the harps of God, and singing the song of deliverance from mortal fear and death.” (Perfected space communication is to be had on all these worlds; and your anywhere reception of such communications is made possible by carrying the “harp of God,” a morontia contrivance compensating for the inability to directly adjust the immature morontia sensory mechanism to the reception of space communications.)

    #22514
    Bradly
    Bradly
    Participant

    So nice….thank you Rick.  I think the sense of wonderment and delight and discovery are well presented and very inspiring.  We need more and more of such renditions of the adventures to come.  Can’t wait till Kala and Saro are Fandor pilots!  Just imagine the differences between here and there….

    Stories with characters brings an inner illumination of possibilities to contemplate and embrace for us each and all.  Funny how fantasy can so elevate facts into new levels of appreciation and consideration.

    = )  !!!!!!

    #22518
    Arno
    Arno
    Participant

    Good intro, Rick. I think you should go ahead and serialise your story. Looking forward to the next installment.

    This type of effort is quite rare – well, as far as I’m concerned. This is the second fictional account of this specific mansonia-genre I’m privileged to read. The first one was some years ago and written by Harold Sherman. If not mistaken I’ve sourced it by shear chance at Square Circles (my bad, for the life of me I can’t recall the title.

    For a moment I was frowning and worried about the boxes of books and their destination, but you’ve covered that :) I’m looking forward to see how this tale is going to pan out…and stirred some ideas of my own that have been stirring dormant way back in my mind :D

    All the best in this specific endeavour of yours, Rick!

    #22519
    Richard E Warren
    Richard E Warren
    Participant

    Rick, This is beautiful! I felt such joy while reading it. I think you’ve really captured what the experience will be like, according to TUB. The only part I wondered about is this paragraph:

    Everyone standing around said in unison, “You are!” She could communicate, she could hear and be heard, and in a language she understood! All was coming together, greater and greater perspective was accumulating with each passing moment. She was awake and alive in the Resurrection Hall of Mansion World one. But where was her family? Why were they not here to greet her? Had her grandparents, parents, dead cousins and friends not survived? So many questions were coming up that needed answers.

    My interpretation of TUB is that one needs to carry a “harp” in order to understand the language upon reaching the mansion worlds. Perhaps you made the intentional decision to not get into this much detail in writing the story, which is perfectly fine, of course. Or, perhaps the harp is only necessary when communicated from one world to another (“space communications”), in which case, it wouldn’t be needed in the context of your story. In paper 47 “The Seven Mansion Worlds”:

    47:10.2(539.4) John the Revelator saw a vision of the arrival of a class of advancing mortals from the seventh mansion world to their first heaven, the glories of Jerusem. He recorded: “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and those who had gained the victory over the beast that was originally in them and over the image that persisted through the mansion worlds and finally over the last mark and trace, standing on the sea of glass, having the harps of God, and singing the song of deliverance from mortal fear and death.” (Perfected space communication is to be had on all these worlds; and your anywhere reception of such communications is made possible by carrying the “harp of God,” a morontia contrivance compensating for the inability to directly adjust the immature morontia sensory mechanism to the reception of space communications.)

    ***

    Thanks very much for the feedback, Keryn. That is the type of feeling I had hoped to evoke.

    You make a salient comment about the harps of God. They are only mentioned once; the paragraph you quoted. That quote is in connection with a graduation ceremony from mansion 7 to Jerusem. Since this story is about graduation from Urantia to Mansion 1, it seemed better to introduce the harp later. I suspect the mansion world reception is intended to create a smooth and not-too-great-a-leap transition, so they probably won’t introduce any unfamiliar and possibly confusing gadgets upon our arrival. And since the UB authors say we don’t lose or gain anything but a body by resurrection, I am assuming we retain acquired language, and that the reception team is fluent in all their assigned resurrectee’s tongues.  So yes, I did plan to use the harps in the story (wonder how similar they are to our new mobile devices!).

     

    .

    Richard E Warren

    #22520
    Richard E Warren
    Richard E Warren
    Participant

    So nice….thank you Rick. I think the sense of wonderment and delight and discovery are well presented and very inspiring. We need more and more of such renditions of the adventures to come. Can’t wait till Kala and Saro are Fandor pilots! Just imagine the differences between here and there…. Stories with characters brings an inner illumination of possibilities to contemplate and embrace for us each and all. Funny how fantasy can so elevate facts into new levels of appreciation and consideration. = ) !!!!!!

     

    Thank YOU Bradly. It’s truly fun to delve into the teachings of universe facts and pull out a plausible fiction.  And yes, stories can be great movers, can’t they!

    Fandors are on Mansonia?

     

    .

    Richard E Warren

    #22521
    Richard E Warren
    Richard E Warren
    Participant

    Good intro, Rick. I think you should go ahead and serialise your story. Looking forward to the next installment. This type of effort is quite rare – well, as far as I’m concerned. This is the second fictional account of this specific mansonia-genre I’m privileged to read. The first one was some years ago and written by Harold Sherman. If not mistaken I’ve sourced it by shear chance at Square Circles (my bad, for the life of me I can’t recall the title. For a moment I was frowning and worried about the boxes of books and their destination, but you’ve covered that :) I’m looking forward to see how this tale is going to pan out…and stirred some ideas of my own that have been stirring dormant way back in my mind :D All the best in this specific endeavour of yours, Rick!

     

    Thanks much, Arno. Will look for that story, appreciate the heads up, good to know what has already been written.

    YES! couldn’t let those books be wasted :-)

    Glad to know you’ve been stirred. Write on!

    ,

     

    Richard E Warren

    #22527
    Bradly
    Bradly
    Participant

    Rick – we visit Jurusem from Mansion world #3! Hoping the adventure tale gets there! Love you. Hate pecking on this phone..haha.

    #22528
    Susan Owen
    Susan Owen
    Keymaster

    Hi Rick.  I don’t often take time to get on the forum, but something inspired me this morning and voila, I found your story.  It was exhilarating and inspiring.  Thank you so much for sharing it.

    #22530
    Richard E Warren
    Richard E Warren
    Participant

    Hi Rick. I don’t often take time to get on the forum, but something inspired me this morning and voila, I found your story. It was exhilarating and inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing it.

    Thank you, Susan! For the kind words and taking the time to read and comment.

    Glad that something nudged you :)

     

    .

    Richard E Warren

    #22549
    Richard E Warren
    Richard E Warren
    Participant

    Rick – we visit Jurusem from Mansion world #3! Hoping the adventure tale gets there! Love you. Hate pecking on this phone..haha.

    Definitely!!! Kala and Saro are headed that way, Bradly (where you can trade that stupid phone for a ‘harp of God’).

    .

    Richard E Warren

    #22578
    Richard E Warren
    Richard E Warren
    Participant

     

    Page 4

    Next a Pilgrim Receiver stepped up, introducing herself by name and title, and addressing Kala and Saro by their first names. The Receiver sincerely and touchingly welcomed the pilgrim ascenders to Mansion one, to their new lives as semi-physical beings, to their first stop on the way to Paradise. At that moment they were feeling more like super-beings.

    Right then, Kala recalled that Companions are created by Nebadon’s Divine Mother, that Receivers are just one of seven types of Morontia Companions. Before they died, both she and Saro had near encyclopedic knowledge of the Urantia Book’s text. Those memories were still falling into place. Gradually but certainly their former life was coming into the rear-view mirror, thanks to Adjuster memory of things spiritually valuable now making those memories available in their new minds.

    After their introduction and welcoming the Receiver expressed genuine pleasure at meeting these two Agondonters from Urantia, whose life records she had reviewed prior to this meeting. How wonderfully charming everyone is, thought Saro.

    The Receiver signaled two others in the group to come forward. “Kala, meet your parents”. She was utterly stunned at first, then very happy. Of course! How could she not recognize them standing there? The trouble was, everyone looked so young and unwrinkled. She grabbed their necks, one in each arm, shared an affectionate embrace, and looked into their eyes. Such a thrilling experience to be alive in another body. And what a body! To see and accept her old parents in new and healthy bodies will take time. Everyone here is more like a sibling than an elder or a junior.

    Now Kala was once again with her dear mother and father. She had often wondered who would be there to greet her at resurrection. She exchanged words of endearment with her parents, and made plans to catch up when time permits. Saro smiled and embraced his parents-in-law, suddenly recalling the many study group meetings he and Kala attended at his in-laws’ home on Urantia. Kala was a second generation reader, Saro was a first, having learned of the book from Kala.

    Then Kala recognized two others. They were her maternal grandparents, kindly relatives she truly cherished when on Earth. She embraced them heartily, saying how much she was looking forward to visiting with them. Her paternal grandparents had died before she was born. She thought to look them up during their ten days of liberty—providing they also survived.

    “And you may recall this person.” The Receiver pointed to one that was, without a doubt, her cousin, for whom Kala cried and grieved much when cancer took her away during late adolescence. They were more like close sisters than cousins. “Hello Kala”, she said in a soft voice. “Joy, you’re here!” They hugged and danced in a small circle. How great that she too had survived, and now they had eternity ahead, which no disease could prevent. Kala looked up to Joy, and admired the courage and faith Joy displayed during her illness and right up to her death. They conferred for a moment, also planning to meet later.

    All Kala’s family members then circled and embraced her. She quickly looked each one in the eye as she kissed their faces. Saro was beaming at the beauty of this reunion. He watched with true joy and anticipation, knowing the others in the group, the ones standing back watching this resurrection scene, must be his relations. But he hadn’t yet recognized any.

     

    Page 5

    Then the Receiver asked, “Saro, do you recognize this person?” He peered into the being’s face, then it hit him. “Will! You’re here! I’m sooo glad”. Will died in war when Saro was only 19. He was almost crushed by his brother’s death. It was a difficult and soul-searching period in his life. He had always looked up to his only sibling. Will was much older, and he was truly a good person. This reunion brought tears to their eyes, running down their cheeks. The two of them hugged and agreed to meet and talk after Saro and Kala were settled.

    Next, two male cousins came face to face with Saro. They were best of friends all their Urantia lives, Will included. Both Saro’s cousins had preceded him in death, and he missed them greatly. Always was it memorable when they got together to make music. They all four shook hands and had a warm, fraternal, group embrace. Saro couldn’t have been happier, except he wondered why his parents and grandparents were not on hand to welcome him, as Kala’s were. He asked his cousins if their parents had survived, for he loved them too. They had indeed been resurrected and sent greetings and an invitation to visit after Saro and Kala were ensconced in the Melchizedek sector.

    Saro hesitated to ask where his parents were. He well remembered they showed little interest in things spiritual, and worried he might not see them again. But he was already feeling trust and affinity for these morontia beings, realizing that all questions would find answers in good time. Sensing his question, Will informed Saro, “mom and dad are still asleep”. He was disappointed but happy to know they would be resurrected at some point. He was recalling the teachings about resurrection; some fuse before going to Mansonia, some will be repersonalized after three days, as with he and Kala. And some become sleeping survivors who will be awakened at millennial or dispensational resurrections.

    Everyone was quiet for a brief moment, taking in this miraculous scene, one that was probably routine for the Receiver. Then, spontaneously, they all began socializing, introducing one another, and talking of others they knew who were or weren’t resurrected. Kala and Saro laughed for the first time. How good it was, how rich everything and everyone here! This went on for what felt like half an hour.  The Receiver appeared to encourage this social interaction. Obviously it had a stabilizing effect on her newborn charges.

    Right now, consciousness of survival was uppermost in their lightening-fast and powerful new minds, along with this charming reception by their beloveds. They could sense that much thought, time, and energy had gone into planning and arranging this birthing, this reception for two lowly but ascending pilgrims from Urantia. All the while, there was a beehive of activity around them as tens of thousands of simultaneous resurrections were unfolding.

     

    ***

    Richard E Warren

    #22600
    Richard E Warren
    Richard E Warren
    Participant
    Keryn, Arno, would you give permission to use your comments in the announcement to launch Resurrection Hall on Facebook next week? Your name won’t be used unless you wish it.
     .

    Good intro, Rick. I think you should go ahead and serialise your story. Looking forward to the next installment.

    Rick, This is beautiful! I felt such joy while reading it. I think you’ve really captured what the experience will be like, according to TUB.

    Mara, you were sent an email, but not sure it’s still a good eddress. Thanks all.

    .

    Richard E Warren

    #22602
    Richard E Warren
    Richard E Warren
    Participant

    Page 6

    The Receiver called attention and announced their next move. She pointed to the center of Resurrection Hall and said they should begin moving in that direction. The great round hall is divided into seven enormous sections, and it very gradually slopes toward the center. Each of the seven sections is dedicated to the resurrection of one of the races that typify life on evolutionary worlds. Around the seven sections is an outer ring where beings who belonged to no one race are resurrected.

    Kala and Saro were both of mixed race inheritance on Urantia. Both their mothers had immigrated to the United States from Indonesia with a small group of World War II refugees, and then married American men. They grew up not far from each other in a peaceful suburb of Chicago, but had little contact until they entered the same college. It was there Kala introduced Saro to the Urantia Book. Her father was led to the revelation by a friend who invited him to one of the Sunday afternoon ‘Forum’ sessions, at the Sadler residence during the 1930’s.

    Kala’s dad attended the Forum for several years before going off to war. After the war, he met and married Kala’s mother. When he heard the Urantia Book was published in 1955, he bought a copy. He and Kala’s mother became life long students. And they were very pleased when their daughter embraced its teachings, but only after a somewhat troubled adolescence.

    Kala and Saro had three children of their own. They were grandparents of five, with two more on the way when they so suddenly departed for Mansonia. They reflected their family, anticipating the day they all might be reunited here on Mansonia, or elsewhere in this grand universe. What wonderful surprises they have in store.

    They were quite a distance from the center, but it looked especially beautiful, emitting a soft and appealing light. They could see a tall spire reaching into the sky that also radiated a muted light. It is supported by seven thin beams, one extending from each section. “Kala, remember the Temple of New Life described in the Urantia Book?” Saro asked. “Yes, I do. That has to be it”, she replied.

    “Newborn pilgrims inevitably desire to thank everyone who helped with their birth, and to offer worship to God for making it all possible”, their Receiver said.

    “I do feel that need”, said Kala. Saro nodded agreement. Their whole group began the walk toward the center. These two Agondonters from Urantia were so in the moment, drinking in one wonder after another. They were having difficulty imagining living, working, playing, resting, and worshipping amid such wonders all the time, everywhere. Evidently their relatives who welcomed them had become accustomed to it. They were intently enjoying watching Kala and Saro’s reactions to all this newness.

    “This hall can facilitate a million resurrections at once, as I remember it”, said Saro.

    “That is correct”, replied the Receiver. “Yours is a special resurrection, and a relatively small group. Approximately 200,000.”

    All the groups were breaking up and moving toward the hall’s center, down the broad aisles between each of the seven sections. What a joyous occasion, what a glorious place. They were both thinking that the experience and memory of this moment is worth any suffering one may have encountered in the first life. Words failed them as this reality began sinking in.

    As they slowly walked and observed, looking into the faces of many newborns, their relatives, friends, and Morontia Companions, Kala and Saro delighted in the idea of unity. No longer were they in a world where people were forever fighting over religious ideology, secular power, and acquiring property. Everyone here believes in God, is working toward perfection, and is motivated by love. There is a certain and palpable fearlessness here they liked very much.

    The closer to the Temple of New Life they came, the better they could discern its main features. It was bowl-shaped with a slightly elevated rim. It was gigantic to Saro’s and Kala’s wide-eyes. It would have to be in order to contain one million resurrectees and their retinues. The great theater was completely open to the bright sunless sky. No roof, no rain, no lightening or hurricane troubled this sphere. The most delicate and intricate artwork covered every surface. Lovely purplish-violet leaved plants with fantastic flowers of all seven colors were growing on each side of the arched entrance they came through. The Temple was magnificently embellished with sparkling gems and shiny jewels from the upper rim, to the vast concentric seating arrangement, to the round stage at the bottom.

    The Receiver led them to reserved seats. They were very comfortable, with low backs. They are made from materials that seemed to embrace their morontia skin. Sitting for the first time, Saro and Kala looked at each other and wondered what the rest of Mansonia could be like, given the astonishing things they had so far witnessed.

    The din of thousands chattering filled their new ears, their hearing was amazingly clear and easily focused. It took awhile for all groups to assemble. Kala and Saro locked arms and gazed at this moving scene, beings of differing orders gathering in the same place to give thanks and worship. Angels, Receivers, Agondonters and their friends, come together here in celebration of life everlasting, beginning this very day for two humble pilgrims from Urantia.

    Page 7

    When all were inside and seated, an astonishingly beautiful angel (“…a Conductor of Worship” whispered their Receiver) entered the central stage and lifted her hands high, arresting and focusing attention. The audience fell silent. The Conductor remained still with hands held high. Then, as if from everywhere, there came a most wondrous sound. Then another, even more appealing. Music! They were hearing Morontia music. How rich, how moving! They sat in rapt attention as the sounds intermingled and harmonized. It was truly celestial in tone and composure.

    Spontaneously everyone genuflected. Some took to their knees, some simply bowed their heads. It was so natural and so appropriate at a time like this. The Adondonters were thankful for continuing life. The Receivers were grateful to be midwives to more new souls for the God they too loved; their dedication and love for this service was obvious. Kala’s and Saro’s relatives were enjoying this as much as they were, recalling their first experience worshipping as a morontia being.

    Kala was praising the God she loved, silently, in her thoughts. Saro too. In fact all the resurectees were doing just that. The music was taking everyone to greater and greater heights. Tears began to flow from thousands of eyes. How can God create such things, and in such abundance? The whole experience was deeply humbling and sublimely divine.

    Evidently, no words were going to be said at this gathering. How could there be, with no common language? Music was the language that transcended all idiomatic barriers on this day. Then the music stopped. There was a collective moan of pleasure and joy that swept over the gathering. The music began again, but it was much different. These sounds soothed and quieted their minds. They felt the urge to worship, to quietly embrace their Adjusters who had so patiently and persistently worked that they might be here on high, living and breathing as newborn morontians.

    It was difficult to judge how long this worship session went on. Saro and Kala were so caught up, time seemed to disappear, and God never felt nearer. They each expressed, in their own minds in their own way, heartfelt gratitude and loving affection for our creator father and mother, Michael, and the Divine Minister. It felt as if they were in a deep embrace with both the Spirit of Truth and the Holy Spirit.

    The music gradually shaded off into silence as all sat perfectly still, in unity and loving appreciation. At that moment one of Kala’s favorite lines about worship in the Urantia Book came to mind, one she had memorized and often repeated in times of stress, “…the act of worship becomes increasingly all-encompassing until it eventually attains the glory of the highest experiential delight and the most exquisite pleasure known to created beings.” And this was only their first taste of worship as resurrected beings. One they would surely remember forever.

    The Conductor leading this marvelous gathering returned to center stage, not uttering a word, simply raising, then lowering her hands and bowing. That was their exit signal. Saro’s and Kala’s Receiver, sitting next to Kala, leaned toward them saying: “Time to go to your lodging”.

     

     

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    Richard E Warren

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