An Old Letter by Visions of Glory "Spencer" Separating Himself from the Book 

He starts reading the letter around 19:30

From Spencer’s perspective, distancing himself from the book is understandable. There were things he approached the publisher to modify, and they wouldn’t. Members have been screaming that he’s a false prophet trying to lead people away. He was dragged into a disciplinary council in 2014 because of the ugly rumors. Notice he never says the book was false. He says it has been a source of grief for him. There are parts of the book where it’s clear John makes interpretations that he shouldn’t. But the book has been valuable to me and opened my eyes to how real the last days might become in my lifetime. I made many changes for the better and I’m grateful for the book. However, I don’t attach myself to any specific interpretation of it, but merely watch current events with interest, and I look to the prophets and apostles like never before.

It is truly unfortunate what has become of this book and it's reputation. Not to mention the grief felt by Brother Harrison over it! I'm one of the few souls that was truly touched by his experiences and was finally brought back to my Savior! I grew up in the church, but I struggled for twenty years with grievous sins and identity confusion. I have no doubt the Lord led me to this book at just the right time in my life (I had never even heard of it until early last year. I'm certain if it was sooner, I would not have received it well). I understood then just as I understand now that the book is not scripture. I could discern the intended purposes of the book and I can recognize the reality that not everything is going to be accurate or interpreted correctly, either by the author or the audience. But regardless, the fact is I owe my mighty change of heart to this book and the Lord for putting it in my path! I've never had a greater desire to be His disciple, keep His commandments, keep sacred covenants, follow the living prophet, and consecrate myself to God more so than I have after reading that book! Obviously, it doesn't replace the holy scriptures or teachings of the prophets, but I will always treasure it for what it is; a faithful person's beautiful experiences with our precious savior. I hope someday I can hear the corrected version of Brother Harrison's visions! I'm sure they are still powerful and beautiful!

I had never heard of this book until all the details about the Vallow/Daybell case. Once I also learned knew Julie Rowe was also linked to it I knew I never would read it.

I just finished reading Visions of Glory! Excited to listen to this. I will say, I loved the underlying message of hope in the book. I felt like the book went through one (of many) scenarios that *could happen* to fulfill all of the prophecies. I’m so glad that this book was published and definitely got some spiritual answers through reading it.

Thanks for sharing this letter. I read the book during COVID and found it unsettling and that much of it seemed written as if for an end of days movie. Many of these things he saw were in dreams that could be highly symbolic. I have since studied what the prophets, apostles and scriptures say about the events leading up to the 2nd coming and I do not think it will happen as many believe it will. I do not think the events will be spectacular or cinematic but many things will be fulfilled so naturally that if we are not watching for the signs we will miss them or some we may not even be privy to being aware of them. There will be many who will not even know Christ has returned when he does come.

Honestly if you take things out of a book and decide you want to go off the deep end, it’s on you. You’re probably the same people going down the AVOW route. Stay in the boat my friends.

Who cares who he is. The fact he's hiding his real identity from association with this book says much.

When that "darkness" comes around, I often leave Hymns/songs about the Savior playing softly while I sleep. The music speaking of Christ brings the Spirit and pushes away the darkness. Prayer and using the Priesthood are necessary, but leaving music, conference talks, etc on while sleeping helps too. (I realized that book didn't make me feel right. The opposition likes to use a few truths, with lots of garbage mingled in between to get between us and the Spirit.)

this is chad and Lori Daybells favorite book next to book of mormon.

When president monsoon said to share sacred experiences. He meant as guided by the Holy Spirit. Not just haphazardly sharing them.

I don't have any issues with the letter. Yes he had to becareful and john did rush the book without letting him correct some things. There are some imperfections in book. But his experience is legit. I had as strong a witness as possible about that book. Over all story of it is true.

I read the book when I was bedridden and was looking for anything about nde's and such. I saw it as this person's experience. Is it gospel? No. But is it false? I can't tell anyone that their experience isn't valid. It was very interesting.

thanks for sharing!

I was in the ward with the daughter of John Pontius and the girl that knew Thom Harrison and his experiences.

I enjoyed reading the book years ago and believed it, but as I thought about the part where they found people under the earth, it seemed too impossible to be believable.

Wow, this video could have been 10 min instead of almost 40! A lot of this letter is in the introduction of the book. As with any and all things we read, listen to the spirit. The spirit always testifies of truth. I love the book! It’s hard when even my family members take it literal. Things like this can mislead those who are not spiritually self reliant. There are true principals in the book. My brother had Thomas as a Doctor and saw the manuscript in his briefcase. He mentioned it to Thomas at which time, Thomas said he wished that he would have never done it. People call him and ask, what happens in California, and here and there… it’s wasn’t, nor is the intent of the book to be a guide of the last days nor a prophetic communication to member or non members of the church.

When I was on my mission I ended up reading bits and pieces from that book. I thought that everything in there sounded too good to be true. It's still intriguing me though. Then in a mission conference my mission president had said something that struck me. And ever since then I haven't been intrigued. He said, " God doesn't trust blabbermouths ". Visions of Glory is a garbage book. And John Pontius is a grifter

It was President Ballard's grandfather.

Tawneenellson: Spencer didn’t publish the book. John Pontius published Spencer’s personal experience with John who then published the book without Spencer’s knowledge.

The book started out logical, interesting, compelling…THEN somehow turned into winding, almost compulsive, erratic narrative. On and on, with some things I KNEW were untrue, mixed with Church traditional thinking from our parents’ generation. Just no. The Spirit is plain and simple and direct. Anything winding and meandering DOES NOT come from a good place. Sorry. Temple sealers are mortal too.

Journey to the Veil

If he separated himself from a book he wrote, he would have stopped selling it, at Deseret book no less, and very publicly announced that it was fiction, not true, how horrified he was. The problem is, he still believes it just hiding behind it.

Yo that drink is SO BAD for you, you gotta give that crap up it will kill you