Understanding the Pre-mortal Life in Latter-day Saint Beliefs
A concise look at the foundational Latter-day Saint doctrine that teaches our spirits lived with God before birth.
- Latter-day Saints believe all humans existed as spirits with God before coming to Earth.
- This pre-mortal existence involved learning, choosing, and developing.
- It explains our divine origin, purpose on Earth, and potential for eternal progression.
- Our choices there influenced our path here, but free will remains paramount.
The doctrine of pre-mortal life in Latter-day Saint belief teaches that all human beings existed as spirit children of God before being born on Earth. In this pre-mortal realm, we lived with Heavenly Parents, learned from Them, and developed our individual identities and agency.
Our Heavenly Home and Divine Parentage
Before our mortal birth, we were spirits, literal children of Heavenly Parents. We resided in Their presence, experiencing a state of innocence and learning within Their divine family. This establishes a core belief: every human being has a divine heritage and immense, God-given potential.
The Grand Council and the Plan of Salvation
A pivotal event in the pre-mortal life was the "Grand Council." Here, Heavenly Father presented His plan for our progression, often referred to as the Plan of Salvation. This plan outlined our journey: coming to Earth to gain a physical body, experiencing mortality with its challenges and joys, and having the opportunity to return to Him through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We learned that we would be veiled from our memory of this pre-mortal existence, allowing us to walk by faith.
In this council, we exercised agency, or free will. We chose to accept Heavenly Father's plan, which included Jesus Christ as our Savior. Some spirits, however, rebelled against the plan and were cast out, losing the opportunity to gain a body and experience mortality.
Developing Identity and Agency
The pre-mortal existence was not a passive state. We were active participants, learning principles of truth, developing our personalities, and making choices that shaped our spiritual identity. This period of preparation was essential for our journey into mortality, laying a foundation for the person we would become.
This doctrine is foundational to Latter-day Saint beliefs because it provides profound answers to life's biggest questions: Who are we? Why are we here? Where are we going? It teaches that we are not merely products of chance, but beloved children of God with a divine purpose. It gives meaning to our mortal experiences, helps us understand the importance of our choices, and underscores the infinite love of God for His children. It applies to every aspect of life, shaping our understanding of human dignity, family relationships, and our eternal potential.
Sources
- Pearl of Great Price (Book of Abraham 3)
- Doctrine and Covenants (Section 93)
- "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
