Pre-mortal existence
Pre-mortal existence
Mormons do not accept that the life of a human being begins with their earthly birth.
Instead they believe that we have an eternal life stretching either side of our lives on earth, and this governs their whole way of living.
Mormons believe that human beings have 3 stages of life:
- Pre-existence as spirit children
- A time of probation on earth
- Eternal life with the Heavenly Father
Mormons see everyone as the beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, with a divine nature and destiny, as well as a child of his/her human parents.
Heavenly Mother
Although there isn't much written in Mormon scripture about this, Mormons accept that heavenly parenthood is shared by God the Father and a Heavenly Mother.
The Heavenly Mother is like the Heavenly Father in glory, perfection, compassion, wisdom, and holiness.
This idea was revealed to Joseph Smith in 1839. It can be seen in the popular Mormon hymn O My Father.
In the heav'ns are parents single?
No, the thought makes reason stare!
Truth is reason; truth eternal
Tells me I've a mother there. O My Father, Eliza R Snow, 1845
The image of God
When Mormons say that human beings are made in the image of God, they mean this to be taken literally and physically, not just morally and spiritually.
In the pre-mortal state spirit children are taught God's plans and purposes.
Each spirit child is given a choice by God as to whether they will follow his plan of salvation by being given a body and spending time being tested through life on earth.
The pre-mortal existence is a time when the spirit child is prepared for its time on earth.
During this time the spirit child may also be given specific responsibilities that it is expected to fulfil during its time on earth.
These are likely to be influenced by the character of a person's life in the spirit world - those who display good characteristics in their pre-mortal existence will be chosen to be prophets and leaders in their earthly life.