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JAMES - if we die, can we hug our relatives ,even though we are spirits? Is there scripture verses that can support you're answer.

JOEL - Actually there are no scriptures that directly state that we will even know each other in heaven. There are however, a few that suggest we will. In Genesis we read:

"Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people" (Genesis 25:8).

The phrase "gathered to his people", sounds like he went to a place in heaven where there were people who knew him.

When David's child died, in his mourning he said:

"But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." (2 Sam. 12:23)

Daniel expected to be able to go to his child when he dies, which of course means he will recognize him when he sees him in heaven.

Paul speaks of “the whole family in heaven and earth” (Ephesians 3:15). If we are a family in heaven I assume we will know each other as family members know each other here on earth.

In the parable of the rich man and the beggar(named Lazarus); after both died, the rich man certainly knew and recognized Lazarus as he look up from Hell and saw him with Abraham in heaven. This is the only scripture I know of that even hints that we might be able to hold each other in heaven:

"And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (Luke 16:19-25)

To be in someone's bosom normaly means that one is being held close to someone's body as if in an embrace. But it could also just be a way of saying that he was in the presence of Abraham

Brigham Young once said:

"When you are prepared to see our Father(God), you will see a being with whom you have long been acquainted, and He will receive you into His arms, and you will be ready to fall into His embrace and kiss Him, as you would your fathers and friends that have been dead for a score of years, you will be so glad and joyful. Would you not rejoice? When you are qualified and purified, so that you can endure the glory of eternity, so that you can see your Father, and your friends who have gone behind the vail, you will fall upon their necks and kiss them, as we do an earthly friend that has been long absent from us, and that we have been anxiously desiring to see. This is the people that are and will be permitted to enjoy the society of those happy and exalted beings." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 4)

The night my grandmother died (before I was told she had died) I had a dream that she was among relatives who had also died and she was running around to each one of them and hugging them as they rejoiced in seeing her again. I can't imagine a heaven without the ability to in someway embrace our loved ones when we see them again. I see nothing wrong in believing in that.

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