A Māori Testimony of the Veil | Ancient Chants, Temple Visions & the Gathering of Israel (LDS)

Send us Fan MailHow does ancient Māori culture point to the temple and the gathering of Israel? In this remarkable Thinning of the Veil episode, host Tia Smith welcomes her friend John, an eighth-generation Māori Latter-day Saint (LDS) from New Zealand, for a "hui" — a coming together of Ephraim and Manasseh to testify. John shares the spiritual gifts that have run through his family and people: a grandfather who was visited before a loved one passed, temple experiences where he felt there was "no veil at all," and tender moments of seeing ancestors gathered around families as their temple work was completed. He tells the story of four siblings who appeared one by one at the baptismal font as their names came up, each whispering "thank you," and a dream that foretold a friend's temple sealing 15 years before it happened. John also unfolds a sacred Māori chant about two native birds — the tui and the huia — that speaks of binding and gathering, and how his wife's grandfather taught him it points to Elijah (the keys of sealing) and Moses (the keys of the gathering) restored in the Kirtland Temple. Woven through it all is a tender testimony that cultural identity, when centered on Jesus Christ, points His children home. If you love the gathering of Israel, temple symbolism, and testimonies from across the world, this conversation is for you.Q: How does Māori culture connect to Latter-day Saint temple worship and the gathering of Israel?A: In this episode, guest John — an eighth-generation Māori Latter-day Saint — shares how symbols, chants, and teachings passed down by his ancestors closely parallel temple worship. He unfolds a sacred chant about the tui and huia birds that speaks of binding and gathering, which his wife's grandfather taught him points to Elijah and Moses restoring the keys of sealing and gathering in the Kirtland Temple.Q: Can you feel your ancestors during temple and family history work?A: John testifies of repeated temple experiences where he sensed there was "no veil at all" — seeing families gathered and rejoicing as their work was completed, and four siblings appearing one by one at the baptismal font as their names came up, each whispering "thank you." He teaches that this work is not in vain, and that many on the other side are waiting and ready to receive it.Q: Are spiritual gifts like dreams and visions a normal part of faith?A: John shares that receptiveness to spiritual things has long been common among his people, and recounts a dream that foretold a friend's temple sealing 15 years before it happened. He and Tia testify that such gifts appear throughout the scriptures — in Lehi, Nephi, and Joseph Smith — and are given for a purpose: to gather God's children to Jesus Christ.Q: What does it mean that Ephraim and Manasseh are "brothers" in the gathering?A: Tia and John speak of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh coming together after long being separated, each carrying gifts meant to prepare the world for the Second Coming. John testifies that his people are "a mighty people" whose potential is unlocked when their identity is centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ.▶️ WATCH & LISTEN🎬 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thinningoftheveil🌐 Website: https://www.thinningoftheveil.com🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinning-of-the-veil/id1753511394🟢 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6jWCfMHkZXwnSwy2b98J4M🎵 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a0a45561-d4c2-46d3-af8d-a1e967a21a25📖 BOOKPatterns of Revelation — Spiritual Foundations for Hearing God's Voice: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW36MG9B📱 CONNECTInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinning.of.the.veilFacebook Group (Gathering of the Gatherers): https://www.facebook.com/groups/1429562078443774Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572121559456💛 SUPPORT THE SHOWVenmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/thinningoftheveilPayPal: https://paypal.me/thinningoftheveil✉️ Have you had a thinning of the veil experience? Email [email protected] — your testimony may be exactly what someone needs to hear.#ThinningOfTheVeil #SpiritWorld #TempleWork #FamilyHistory #LDS #LatterDaySaints #GatheringOfIsrael #MinisteringAngels #FamilySearch #PersonalRevelationSupport the show