 Premortal Life
Biblical Framework
The Father of All
Spirits
God the Father is the father of all spirits, including the spirits
of everyone who has been born or ever will be born on earth (Hebrews
12:9). All men and women are the spirit offspring of God (Acts
17:29), chosen before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-4).
Before Jeremiah was born, the Lord knew him, sanctified him, and
ordained him a prophet (Jeremiah 1:5).
Sons of God
It is recorded in the Old Testament that the “sons of God”, Satan
among them, presented themselves to the Lord in a time and place not
of this earth (Job 1:6 and 2:1). Later it is recorded that the “sons
of God shouted for joy” when the corner stone (of creation) was laid
(Job 38:7). It is recorded in the New Testament that all men should
be “blameless and harmless, the sons of God” (Philippians 2:15, 1
John 3:1-2).
Implicit in the questions recorded in Job 38:4-7 is the presence of
the sons of God before the creation of the earth. They “shouted for
joy” when the corner stone of creation was laid. All this
celebration occurred before earth and Adam were made. It was the
celebration of a plan, a design, a purpose.
Lucifer Rebels
Isaiah wrote how Lucifer attempted to exalt himself above God and
how he (Lucifer) will be punished for this (Isaiah 14:13-15). John
the revelator told of how Lucifer was able to draw to his side
one-third of the stars of heaven (spirit children of God) and
organize them to destroy the child (Jesus), who will be delivered
through a revered woman (Mary) (Revelation 12:1-4).
Michael Leads
Michael the Archangel led the fight against Lucifer (Revelation
12:7). Lucifer and his followers were defeated and cast down to
earth as bodiless spirits (Revelation 12:8-9). Following the victory
a loud voice proclaimed that Christ had prevailed and that the
accuser (Lucifer) was cast out (Revelation 12:10-11).
The Father Laments
God the Father lamented the loss of his spirit child, Lucifer, and
of the spirit children Lucifer led into rebellion (Isaiah 14:12).
Jesus Wars
Lucifer and the other rebellious spirit children of the Father who
are cast down to earth retain their knowledge of the premortal
existence and suffer the more for it (Matthew 8:28-29, Mark 1:23-25,
3:11-12, 5:7-8, and Luke 4:33-34, 41, and 8:28) . With this retained
knowledge, they identify Jesus as the only begotten Son of God (the
only spirit offspring of the Father who is also the mortal offspring
of the Father, through Mary) before Jesus wishes to proclaim this
publicly. Jesus is quick to silence these spirits as they seek to
disrupt his mission on earth (Mark 1:34).
Mormon Doctrinal Clarifications
Spirit Children
Every person born in the flesh on earth was first born in the
premortal realm as a spirit offspring of God the Father. In this
realm, all spirit children of the Father are endowed with unique
talents and capabilities. Each has a specific purpose to fulfill. To
fulfill this purpose and continue to progress eternally, each must
choose freely to leave the premortal realm, take on a physical body,
and live in mortality, with all its joys, sorrows, forgetting, and
death. Those in the premortal realm who choose not to enter
mortality must remain in the premortal realm, where they can
progress no further in their bodiless state.
Life a Test
Life on earth is a test. It is here that men and women struggle to
discover their purpose, to fulfill it as far as they are able, and
to grow strong in the struggle. People experience mortality,
progress in knowledge and understanding, and gain a testimony of the
Savior, Jesus Christ, who was the first-born spirit offspring of
Heavenly Father. An essential part of this test requires men and
women to proceed in mortality without memory of their premortal
existence. This is so that they may choose good or evil for
themselves without any predisposition or clear knowledge of their
premortal state. It also means they enter the game not clearly
knowing the rules, the players, or the consequences of winning or
losing.
Life a Choice
Because Heavenly Father knows the challenges men and women will face
on earth, he gives them the ability to recognize eternal truths when
they hear them in mortality. He provided a savior, Jesus Christ,
through whose atoning sacrifice all mankind can obtain forgiveness
for sins and overcome physical and spiritual death. Heavenly Father
presented this plan of salvation in the premortal realm, and in that
realm, he made clear the challenges and rewards of undertaking life
on earth. All men and women who are born on earth made a free and
informed choice to enter mortality.
War in Heaven
There was a war in the premortal realm, and all the spirit children
of Heavenly Father fought in this war, some on Heavenly Father’s
side, some on the side of Satan. Most of the hosts of heaven
rejoiced in the plan of salvation, including moral agency (free
will) and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Lucifer, also a spirit
child of Heavenly Father, rose up in rebellion against the plan of
salvation and led away one-third of God’s spirit children. Michael
the Archangel led the loyal spirit children in the ensuing fight
against Lucifer. Lucifer and his minions were cast down to earth,
where they continue to fight as bodiless spirits.
The war is not over.
See chapter 1 in The
Biblical Roots of Mormonism for a more comprehensive explanation,
scriptural references and commentary on the Premortal Existence
See the Sword SeriesTM paper Premortal Life for a summary |
