What is a picture of heaven?

All the scenery and conditions on the spiritual plane are nearly allied to earth, for the change must be gradual to retain the strength and hold the identity of our individualized condition. As the spirit of Mary Washington observes—

How like my earthly home, I would say, as some strangely familiar scene would meet my gaze. 

In following my guide, I often stopped to wonder at the strange and beautiful scenes until I would clasp my hands with joy and thank God for all these blessings and glorious revelations, so different from what my soul had pictured of heaven.

This was no walled city, no remote place, but gorgeous with beautiful scenes, so like earth in her happiest moods and loveliest places.

The eye could never tire or the soul faint, yet wonder and astonishment would hold me in their embrace at the strangeness and beauty, yet wonderful adaptation to the wants of spirit life so singularly near to our earthly desires.

The scenery was beautifully diversified by mountains, valleys, oceans, lakes and rivers, with a heavenly atmosphere—an arch of blue with fleecy clouds, moving in majesty, giving lights and shades to the gorgeous scenery that it filled my soul with joy and wonder.

I thought, Oh! that this beautiful home should not be known in its reality to mortals who remain upon the earth, uncertain of their heavenly home. I said if it be possible, mortals shall know of it, and the joys that await them, that they may no longer be doomed to sadness and despair at the uncertainty of the afterlife. 

Many who come are not rejoiced at first, for they pass to a plane, which their own unhappy earth lives have fitted for them, and it is a long time before they can be raised to higher and happier conditions.

All are assisted by those of their friends on a higher plane, thus none are lost, but only retarded in their spiritual growth.