THINNING OF THE VEIL

HOW DO SPIRITS COMMUNICATE?: Interview with Brent L. Top

Jan 27, 2026
Brent L. Top, retired BYU Religious Education professor and author who studies near-death experiences and LDS doctrine. He explores how spirits communicate via thought-based impressions, the Holy Ghost’s role in delivering revelation to mind and heart, telepathic reports from near-death accounts, temple promptings, and practical encouragement to act quickly on spiritual impressions.
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ANECDOTE

We Talk With Our Think

  • Near-death experiencers repeatedly reported knowing others' thoughts instantly and 'talking with our think.'
  • These accounts show conversation without audible speech and mutual immediate understanding.
INSIGHT

Angelic Speech Enters Thought First

  • Swedenborg described angelic speech flowing into thought and activating the ear from within, matching many near-death reports.
  • Divine communication often arrives directly in the mind then the heart, bypassing external hearing.
ANECDOTE

Put Away The Pen, Remember By Spirit

  • Brent recalled President Boyd K. Packer telling a meeting to put away pens because the Holy Ghost would bring things to remembrance.
  • That taught him to notice what the Spirit communicates to mind and heart rather than only what ears heard.
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