Through The Mists. Translated into Simplified “Modern English”. Chapter Eighteen. The Family of Heaven.

As Myhanene approached us, my companion’s description of him as a living example of humility stayed with me. But I also sensed he embodied another ideal that Jesus encouraged His followers to pursue: “You are the light of the world; a city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Radiating the pure glow of spiritual truths he had embraced from the higher realms of his brighter home; how could he be anything but welcomed? He came like a messenger from the life ahead of us, a glimpse of what we might become when we reach those heights. 

After warmly embracing us both in greeting, he turned to me and said, "Arvez told me you were here, so I came to invite you to a festival I’m attending.”

“That’s very kind of you,” I replied. “With all your responsibilities, I wouldn’t have expected you to remember me.”

“We never forget here,” he said, with an emphasis on the word “never” that carried deep meaning.

“Of course, I know that” I admitted, feeling a bit embarrassed. “I shouldn’t have said that, especially after everything I’ve experienced—like with Arvez and the little boy we just brought from ‘The College.’”

“Poor little ones,” he said thoughtfully. “It always seems to make life here feel even brighter when one of them arrives.”

“I can’t fully understand what you feel,” I replied, “but even I feel a unique joy thinking about the change awaiting Jack. What a transformation, what a new life it will be for him.”

“Yes,” he agreed softly, “and what an incredible compensation. Sometimes I almost wish I could experience what it feels like for a soul like his when he first realizes what’s happened—when he truly understands the change. What a powerful revelation of God’s love that must be. When I think about it, I almost feel grateful that humanity was allowed to fall into sin, because without it, we’d never have known the depth of God’s boundless grace, forgiveness, and restoration.”

“When you arrived, Myhanene, I was just about to ask something about that boy. Maybe you can answer it for me.”

“If I can, I’d be happy to answer.”

“Why was he brought here instead of anywhere else—did he have nowhere else to go?”

“He had nowhere else to go,” Myhanene replied. “Not because he was unwanted, but because, like everyone else, he’s subject to a natural law. Life on Earth shapes different types or qualities of souls, and for every quality, there’s a specific place prepared here. In each realm, there are souls who naturally connect with us, and we with them—they become our friends and companions. Our sister here feels that connection with this little boy from Earth, so she will love, care for, and guide him as he begins his new life.”

“Maybe I didn’t explain clearly,” I said. “I was wondering if he had a father, mother, or other family here that he would naturally go to?”

“I understood you perfectly. You’ve stumbled upon a common misunderstanding, and it’s better I clear it up now before it causes confusion later. You need to start distinguishing between relationships of the body and those of the spirit—the latter being the only ones that matter here.”

“Do you mean—”

“That we all have one Father, who is God, and that we’re all brothers and sisters,” he answered before I could finish.

“That must be true in some way,” I replied, “but I can’t ignore that one of the common ideas of heaven is that families are reunited and complete. Are you saying this, like many other beliefs, is mistaken?”

“Very mistaken—and nearly impossible. Heaven couldn’t function that way because to complete one family, you’d have to disrupt at least two others, since parents belong to multiple children. Also, think about how different family members are in terms of their personalities, preferences, and spiritual growth. Here, each soul is placed where they can thrive best. Selfishness doesn’t exist here and knowing that someone you love is happier and better off elsewhere brings far more joy than having them close by if it means holding them back from their growth and fulfillment.”

"Every soul that enters our life here has shaped its own condition through its experiences on Earth.

God has made provisions for each soul, focusing on two key things: first, the law that always works to bring about holiness, and second, creating the best possible conditions for each individual to achieve that holiness.

"Imagine the countless complications if your idea of family reunions in heaven were put into practice. You’d quickly see how unworkable it would be, and you’d understand that true happiness can only be secured through God’s appointed law.

"I don’t know what the future holds, but as we grow and develop, I can see the possibility of souls forming deep, twin-like connections within the larger family of heaven—though this would likely happen after passing through many more stages. Such kindred souls aren’t uncommon, and their connection is powerful, far deeper than any earthly friendship. These relationships could be called 'blood relationships,' but since flesh and blood don’t belong to this realm, that bond transforms into something more spiritual. Born of God, we become brothers and sisters in the great family of heaven."

"Would you preach this doctrine on Earth?"

"Of course I would; it’s the truth, and it deserves to be shared. Isn’t this the very gospel of Christ? It expands the idea of family to include all of humanity, breaking down the barriers between classes, erasing national rivalries, and removing distinctions of race, language, and time. Wouldn’t this understanding be the foundation for ‘peace on Earth and goodwill toward all’? Wouldn’t conflicts between the rich and the poor, the belief that might makes right, and the harsh idea of ‘survival of the fittest’ all find resolution through the influence of such a revelation?"

"In other words, if we were free to preach this gospel openly, can you think of a more direct way to fulfill the plea in the Savior’s prayer that people on Earth constantly repeat: ‘Thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven’? If that were achieved, what would naturally follow? The understanding that genuine love—whether between family members or not—is a quality of the spirit, not the flesh.

Such connections are formed or broken only through spiritual closeness or distance. God, who is Spirit, creates these bonds, and ‘what God has joined together, no one can separate.’”

"I have to agree with your reasoning," I replied. "But going back to our little friend—does that mean he might never see his parents again?"

"I can't say that for sure," he answered. "First, because I don’t know who his parents are or what their situation is. Second, because we can't fully grasp what endless possibilities our Father has in store for future revelations. But sometimes, when I reflect on what could be, I seem to catch a glimpse of a magnificent possibility that I’m certain falls within the reach of God’s infinite love.

"In those visions, I’ve seen the final soul on Earth, the last to repent, approach the throne. All of heaven falls silent, filled with awe and joy, realizing that with God’s forgiveness of this last sin, He’s adding the finishing touch to the glory of the redeemed.

We look at each other and at Christ, breathless with anticipation, silently wondering what the next revelation—the ultimate culmination of redemption—will be."

"Heaven complete! Who can truly understand, predict, or imagine it? Every group and every circle made whole! Every prayer answered, every dream fulfilled, every soul saved! Each transformation we've gone through, from one stage of glory to another, shaping and adjusting us as we grow more like our Divine Leader. I’ve often thought that when every piece in the complex mosaic of infinite love is finally set in its God-appointed place within the eternal design—when the great doors of that final revelation swing open, allowing us to step into the very presence of our Father and see Him as He truly is—we’ll discover that some deep connection has reunited every family, linking the days of earthly life with this ultimate reunion. Then, as we pass before the throne, families will be whole again, part of a grand procession of people from every nation, language, and background, all singing the same universal song of gratitude.

What an incredible sight that will be: the ancestors of every race leading vast multitudes, with their complete families following behind, stretching through time and history, until every generation, every culture, and every soul is gathered. Not one person missing from this great family, as they joyfully cry out ‘Our Father’ to the One who welcomes them home."

"Do you really think such a perfect outcome is possible?" I asked.

"Yes, I do. It’s the only way I can imagine God fulfilling His promise to bring everything under His authority. If even one soul—yes, even Satan himself—remains forever separated from God, then God couldn’t truly be 'all in all,' as He has promised. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. But if just one soul remains lost, it would risk unraveling the harmony of creation, potentially spreading its influence again and forcing another plan of salvation. If even one soul is missing from the family of humanity, it would challenge the very idea of God’s omnipotence. How could He be Almighty if He wills the salvation of all but fails to save even one who remains distant from Him?"

"Yes, my brother, such a perfect outcome is possible. Isn’t it written that ‘God wants all people to be saved’? And doesn’t it also say, ‘Just as everyone died in Adam, so in Christ everyone will be made alive’? Those two 'alls' cover the same ground. It’s deeply unfair to our Father to even consider that His plan of redemption wouldn’t be as complete and powerful as the problem of sin requires. God loves humanity so much that He’s provided a way of escape. And since He’s able to save completely, do you really think it’s reasonable to believe He’ll be defeated in His purpose?"

"But aren’t you ignoring the fact that salvation depends a lot on a person’s willingness—the condition that always comes with the invitation?" I asked.

"No, I’m not forgetting that" he replied. "You’re thinking about human free will and setting it up as if it could oppose God’s ultimate authority, as though a person could stand in defiance of Him forever. But free will is shaped by circumstances and conditions—it’s not absolute. Only God holds absolute power.

People bury their loved ones, saying, ‘Their fate is sealed,’ but in their ignorance, they don’t realize that beyond the grave, the light of God shines even brighter on that soul, guiding them under better conditions to understand that God’s invitation to repent is always open—it’s His eternal ‘now.’ No, no—our chance to turn to God doesn’t end with death. A person’s stubbornness and rebellion might delay their growth, but it can’t stop God’s plan for their salvation. The final word belongs to God, who wants all people to be saved."

"You can't imagine, my friend, how much joy this knowledge brings to my soul," I exclaimed. "When I met Eusemos, he first introduced this idea to me, but it seemed too overwhelming, too glorious, and I was afraid to pursue it, worried it might not live up to what it promised. Since then, Cushna has shown me more, reviving and strengthening my hopes. My sister here, and now you, have both revealed even more of God’s intentions, and what was once just a hope has become knowledge.

I can feel the weight and truth of your words—not as a debate, but as a revelation—and I’m deeply grateful. There’s still one more thing I’d like to ask, if you don’t mind."

"Ask, and you shall receive," he replied simply, but the look and tone he gave carried such depth that it made me forget my question for a moment. Those were the words of Christ’s promise, and in the way he said them, there was so much of Christ’s spirit and presence that I instinctively looked around, half-expecting to see someone else had joined us.

When I looked back at Myhanene, his face seemed even gentler, with a deeper expression glowing in his eyes. A sense of sacred presence surrounded him, and though it humbled me, I felt more eager than ever to ask my question.

"Would you teach this truth on earth?" I asked.

"Yes," he answered. "I would openly and fully declare the whole message of God."

"Then where would be the power to restrain people from sin?" I pressed.

"That gospel would change everything," he replied. "Right now, people are taught to come to God out of fear—fear of hell and eternal punishment. But I don’t believe that’s how God wants it. If I understand Him correctly, He’d rather draw people with the story of His love than drive them to Him with threats of terror."

"But the selfish, animal side of human nature is so strong," I argued. "Without some kind of fear to restrain people, wouldn’t it be hard to keep society in order? If they believed that everyone would be saved eventually, what motivation would they have to live moral—let alone righteous—lives?"

"I say I would declare the full message of God, and I completely trust that it’s enough without any made-up ideas or human tricks. The truth, as we know it, is sufficient for everything. Think back to Marie’s case, which you saw.

Isn’t the knowledge of her punishment enough to serve as a strong warning against jealousy and the harm it causes? And yet, her punishment isn’t eternal. She’s gone through it, and the pain of it is fading. Soon, she’ll take her place among the saints in the light, with nothing left to mark her past sin to those around her.

"Now, try to imagine far into the future, to that time I told you about, when all of humanity will have been redeemed. Marie will be there—pure, radiant, and as holy as anyone in that great gathering. No soul looking at her will have any idea of the sin she once committed, because it will have been fully forgiven and erased. But will she herself have forgotten it? No. The pain will be gone, the punishment over, and there’ll be no visible trace of it left for anyone else to see. But the scar—the memory—will remain, and for her, eternity will never fully erase it.

"Think about what it would feel like for a soul to be in the presence of Christ and God, overwhelmed by the depth of their love, and yet to remember that it once sinned against that very love.

That knowledge alone would be enough to keep someone from ever wanting to sin again. At least, that’s the way God has designed it, and surely, He knows best. I’m content to trust Him in that. But now, we must go."