A few weeks back someone in Sunday school posed the question: when is the veil lifted from our minds, so that we can remember our life before this earth? Although I do not have a definite answer, I was able to find some sources on the subject.
First, let's define what the "veil" is:
We define the veil as the border between mortality and eternity; it is also a film of forgetting which covers the memories of earlier experiences. This forgetfulness will be lifted one day, and on that day we will see forever—rather than “through a glass darkly” (1 Cor. 13:12).
Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign Oct 1980
So the veil is how we are able to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). If it weren't for this, then we would still remember the life before earth, and it wouldn't be much of a challenge to choose the right. The veil is necessary for us to learn and grow here on earth. As Pres. Brigham Young said,
It has also been decreed by the Almighty that spirits, upon taking bodies, shall forget all they had known previously, or they could not have a day of trial-could not have an opportunity for proving themselves in darkness and temptation, in unbelief and wickedness, to prove themselves worthy of eternal existence.
Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 6:333
Yet there is a promise that this veil will some day be lifted. We are to become like God, and if he knows everything, then we must, at some future day, also be glorified in truth and know all things (D&C 93:28).
Ultimately the veil of darkness, or forgetfulness, which deprives us of the recollection of our existence in the spirit world before this earth was made and of the acquaintances we had here, will be lifted. Then we will see as we are seen and know as we are known and as we were known before earth life.
LeGrand Richards, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, pp.281-282
When the veil will be lifted is still uncertain. There are a couple of scriptural examples that are instructive in understanding this better. The first is the story of the brother of Jared, when he sees the Lord on the mount Shelem (Ether 3-4). When the brother of Jared took his petition to the Lord, he saw the finger of God and was afraid. Ultimately, the Lord showed Himself to this man, saying
Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you.
(Ether 3:13)
What things did he know that qualified him to be brought back into the presence of the Lord? It was because of his "exceeding faith" and that he knew that God is "a God of truth and canst not lie." The distinction to note is that he didn't just believe in God's nature, but had a sure knowledge of it. This sounds very similar to the teaching of having your calling and election made sure.
And because of the knowledge of this man he could not be kept from beholding within the veil; and he saw the finger of Jesus, which, when he saw, he fell with fear; for he knew that it was the finger of the Lord; and he had faith no longer, for he knew, nothing doubting.
Wherefore, having this perfect knowledge of God, he could not be kept from within the veil; therefore he saw Jesus; and he did minister unto him.
(Ether 3:19–20)
Moroni's summary of this event concludes with a petition to all readers to do the same as the brother of Jared. He exhorts us to qualify for these same great blessings.
Behold, when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you—yea, when ye shall call upon the Father in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel.
(Ether 4:15)
The other story that helps with understanding the veil comes from the era of Joseph Smith. Shortly after the dedication of the Kirtland temple, Joseph and Oliver were visited by many heavenly beings. At the beginning of these great visions, Joseph wrote that,
It seems the veil will break for each of us either as soon as we are ready for the experience or at the final judgment, whichever comes first. It now becomes clear why everyone who hasn’t accepted the gospel will need to be taught it in the spirit world or the Millennium, and why the lifting of the veil for some does not change this. There are only two ways for the veil to be lifted: the first is to gain perfect faith through the Gospel and thus no longer be subject to it, and the second is to have it effectively torn off at final judgment. Thus people will need to be taught the gospel right up until the final judgment. Put another way, the lifting of the veil will never help anyone take advantage of the Atonement - everyone needs to take advantage of the Atonement before the veil is lifted.
(100 Hour Board)
I love how this focuses on accepting the Savior's Atonement for us. That is the goal of this life, to accept and live the gospel of Jesus Christ, and follow the example of our Savior so we can ultimately return to live with God.
Additional Resources:
LDS Scripture Teachings (blog)
Patience - Neal A. Maxwell (BYU devotional)
Scott Woodward (blog)
Pictures:
The Brother of Jared Sees the Finger of the Lord, by Arnold Friberg
First, let's define what the "veil" is:
We define the veil as the border between mortality and eternity; it is also a film of forgetting which covers the memories of earlier experiences. This forgetfulness will be lifted one day, and on that day we will see forever—rather than “through a glass darkly” (1 Cor. 13:12).
Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign Oct 1980
So the veil is how we are able to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). If it weren't for this, then we would still remember the life before earth, and it wouldn't be much of a challenge to choose the right. The veil is necessary for us to learn and grow here on earth. As Pres. Brigham Young said,
It has also been decreed by the Almighty that spirits, upon taking bodies, shall forget all they had known previously, or they could not have a day of trial-could not have an opportunity for proving themselves in darkness and temptation, in unbelief and wickedness, to prove themselves worthy of eternal existence.
Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 6:333
Yet there is a promise that this veil will some day be lifted. We are to become like God, and if he knows everything, then we must, at some future day, also be glorified in truth and know all things (D&C 93:28).
Ultimately the veil of darkness, or forgetfulness, which deprives us of the recollection of our existence in the spirit world before this earth was made and of the acquaintances we had here, will be lifted. Then we will see as we are seen and know as we are known and as we were known before earth life.
LeGrand Richards, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, pp.281-282
When the veil will be lifted is still uncertain. There are a couple of scriptural examples that are instructive in understanding this better. The first is the story of the brother of Jared, when he sees the Lord on the mount Shelem (Ether 3-4). When the brother of Jared took his petition to the Lord, he saw the finger of God and was afraid. Ultimately, the Lord showed Himself to this man, saying
Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you.
(Ether 3:13)
What things did he know that qualified him to be brought back into the presence of the Lord? It was because of his "exceeding faith" and that he knew that God is "a God of truth and canst not lie." The distinction to note is that he didn't just believe in God's nature, but had a sure knowledge of it. This sounds very similar to the teaching of having your calling and election made sure.
The results of this man's faith are impressive:
And because of the knowledge of this man he could not be kept from beholding within the veil; and he saw the finger of Jesus, which, when he saw, he fell with fear; for he knew that it was the finger of the Lord; and he had faith no longer, for he knew, nothing doubting.
Wherefore, having this perfect knowledge of God, he could not be kept from within the veil; therefore he saw Jesus; and he did minister unto him.
(Ether 3:19–20)
Moroni's summary of this event concludes with a petition to all readers to do the same as the brother of Jared. He exhorts us to qualify for these same great blessings.
Behold, when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you—yea, when ye shall call upon the Father in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel.
(Ether 4:15)
The other story that helps with understanding the veil comes from the era of Joseph Smith. Shortly after the dedication of the Kirtland temple, Joseph and Oliver were visited by many heavenly beings. At the beginning of these great visions, Joseph wrote that,
The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.
Thus the veil is what keeps us from beholding God and being in His presence. How this relates to our premortal knowledge is not clear, but by the end of his ministry on earth, Joseph seemed to have a pretty clear understanding of what his role was here and what it would be in the hereafter.
The child Jesus, in the story of him teaching in the temple, we see that he already knew who he was - the Son of God. The veil must have been taken from him early enough that he already knew his premortal status by the age of twelve.
To wrap up, I found an interesting quote that summarizes what we know about the veil:
The child Jesus, in the story of him teaching in the temple, we see that he already knew who he was - the Son of God. The veil must have been taken from him early enough that he already knew his premortal status by the age of twelve.
It seems the veil will break for each of us either as soon as we are ready for the experience or at the final judgment, whichever comes first. It now becomes clear why everyone who hasn’t accepted the gospel will need to be taught it in the spirit world or the Millennium, and why the lifting of the veil for some does not change this. There are only two ways for the veil to be lifted: the first is to gain perfect faith through the Gospel and thus no longer be subject to it, and the second is to have it effectively torn off at final judgment. Thus people will need to be taught the gospel right up until the final judgment. Put another way, the lifting of the veil will never help anyone take advantage of the Atonement - everyone needs to take advantage of the Atonement before the veil is lifted.
(100 Hour Board)
I love how this focuses on accepting the Savior's Atonement for us. That is the goal of this life, to accept and live the gospel of Jesus Christ, and follow the example of our Savior so we can ultimately return to live with God.
Additional Resources:
LDS Scripture Teachings (blog)
Patience - Neal A. Maxwell (BYU devotional)
Scott Woodward (blog)
Pictures:
The Brother of Jared Sees the Finger of the Lord, by Arnold Friberg
Elijah Appearing in the Kirtland Temple, by Dan Lewis
Jesus Teaching the Elders in the Temple, by Grant Romney Clawson
Interesting analysis of the veil. I liked the distinction that the veil is a barrier to knowledge that we already know, as compared to all knowledge. However, I have two follow up questions. First, what are your thoughts on what it means for the veil to thin? It is often said that "the veil is thin with that one," or some variation that means the same thing. So if the veil is the barrier to what we once knew, then thinning would mean that we have a greater portion of the knowledge that we once knew. But what portion? Does it come in the form of knowing the people we once knew, knowing God/Christ as we once knew them, or having the understanding of the plan of salvation that we once had? It's probably different in every circumstance, but I'm curious as to your thoughts. Second, for those who have had the veil removed, and so therefore have a perfect understanding of who they once were/are, do they also have the knowledge of who the people around them once were? At least to the extent that they knew them prior? And if so, is there a connection between seeing ourselves as we truly are, sons and daughters of God, and seeing others as they truly are? Can you have one, in it's fullness, without the other? Let me know what you think.
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