When a young boy died in a car accident, he claims to have gone to heaven. He returned to life after being resuscitated with a message he claims Jesus gave him to share with the world — and he wants everyone to hear it before it’s too late.
On October 19, 1997, Landon Whitley was riding home from church with his mother and father in the backseat when tragedy struck. “I couldn’t make out what he was yelling at. I didn’t see the ambulance approaching, but I do recall him yelling. “That was the last thing I heard from him,” Landon’s mother, Julie Kemp, told Fox News. The “he” she refers to is her husband Andy, and the ambulance she mentions collided with their car in an intersection.
Landon was only eight years old when an ambulance on its way back to the station T-boned his family’s car at an intersection. His father died in an instant. Rescuers stabilized Julie but were unaware that Landon was also in the vehicle. “They couldn’t see his body because of the damage to the driver’s side of the car,” Julie explained. “Landon was sitting behind his father.” When they saw Landon’s shoe, they began looking for a child’s body, according to CBN.
Landon was eventually found, but he wasn’t breathing. Resuscitation efforts were immediately initiated, and he was airlifted away from the scene. He died twice more that day. He was brought back to life each time, but he wasn’t out of the woods. “They told me that if he lived, which did not look good, but if he lived, he would be like an 8-year-old baby,” Julie recalled. “Because of the brain damage, he would be unable to walk, talk, or eat.” That was fine with me because I was desperate. I’d take it just to have him. “He was all I had.”
Julie had to lay her husband to rest while her son fought for his life. She admits at his funeral that she felt abandoned by God. “I was heartbroken and disappointed.” And when I’m at the funeral, I’m yelling at God. “I’m not sure why this happened,” she explained. “I’m not sure why He didn’t send angels to protect us.” But in the next breath, I’m praying to God as hard as I’ve ever prayed in my life for Landon’s survival.”
Despite the fact that Landon suffered severe head trauma in the accident and was placed in a coma, hooked up to various machines to keep him alive, the boy opened his eyes two weeks later, answering Julie’s prayers. To everyone’s surprise, he had no brain damage. In the midst of her joy that her son was finally awake, Julie realized she needed to inform him that his father had died. “On his face, he had scars. And his head was filled with pain. “And I didn’t want to hurt him any longer,” Julie recalled. “So I asked Landon, ‘Landon, do you know where your father is?’” ‘Yes, I know where he’s at,’ he said. ‘I saw him in heaven,’ I said.
That wasn’t the only thing Landon saw in heaven. He saw family members who had died before him and siblings he had no idea he had. “He turned to face me and said, ‘Oh mom, by the way, I forgot to tell you.’” ‘I saw your other two children.’ And I just stared at him because I didn’t understand what he was saying. But, before Landon, I had two miscarriages. “He saw them in heaven,” Julie explained. “We’d never told Landon about it.” He had no idea that we had already lost two children.”
“Even though no one had ever told me about them, I knew they were my siblings,” Landon explained. “Just being in Heaven, I guess you know—you know who everyone is or you know who your own is.” Landon claimed that each time he died, he had a different experience in heaven. He claims that during his third visit, he met Jesus and was given a message and a mission.
“Jesus appeared to me and told me that I needed to return to earth and be a good Christian, telling others about Him,” Landon explained. “I just want people to understand that Jesus is real, that there is a heaven, and that there are angels.” And to obey His word and the Bible, and life does improve in the end.”Following Jesus’ command that day, Landon and Julie now use their experience to help others who are grieving and in need of hope. “I know I’m doing it for Jesus,” added Landon. “I know He’s real.” I know angels are present. I know there is a heaven. I’ve witnessed Jesus. I know He’s present. He’s asked me to do this, and I’m doing it.”
“I didn’t understand why God didn’t send an angel in 1997.” But I know there were angels present. And I know we were protected, and we are carrying out His plan for us,” Julie said. “Instead of staying stuck in grief or being angry at Him,” she continued, “I was able to use this story to help others not give up and keep their faith on their grief journey.” “It is a huge blessing that I get to watch my child tell others about Jesus,” Julie added. “He is always eager to inform others that there is a heaven.” Because he was there.”