Difference between revisions of "Animals"

Revision as of 12:40, 29 January 2008

“For I, the Lord God, created all things, of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth.”

Moses 3:5

Like people, animals also have souls and were created in the preexistence. Not only were the roles of them determined, but they are even considered to be part of the Plan of Salvation. Like us they will also have the opportunity to enjoy the companionship of their creator in the next life, though they can never enjoy eternal life in the true sense that people can.

Killing Animals

They should however be treated with respect and not killed for fun and their meat wasted. If we keep them as pets they should be well cared for. We are instructed through the Word of Wisdom that it is permissible and intended for us to use their meat as food, though sparingly. Likewise, anyone who teaches against the consumption of meat is “not ordained of God”. (D&C 49:18)

Joseph Fielding Smith wrote:

“I do not believe any man should kill animals or birds unless he needs them for food, and then he should not kill innocent little birds that are not intended for food for man. I think it is wicked for men to thirst in their souls to kill almost everything which possesses animal life. It is wrong, and I have been surprised at prominent men whom I have seen whose very souls seemed to be athirst for the shedding of animal blood.

Animals in the Plan of Salvation

Like people their spirits look similar to their bodies. A dogs spirit would look like that of a dogs. The notion that people somehow evolved from animals is a false one; which is not to say that dominant traits cannot be passed on, it simply means that humans did NOT evolve from them.

Brigham Young taught that it would be a strange place to not have animals in the next life. Likewise they will also be present in not only the Telestial Kingdom, but also in the Terrestrial and Celestial Kingdoms. No specific doctrine is given determining if an animal somehow earns a specific place in the afterlife, but they are universally saved through the Atonement of Christ.

Says one, "I cannot believe in the salvation of beasts." Any man who would tell you that this could not be, would tell you that the revelations are not true. John heard the words of the beasts giving glory to God, and understood them. God who made the beasts could understand every language spoken by them. The four beasts were four of the most noble animals that had filled the measure of their creation, and had been saved from other worlds, because they were perfect: they were like angels in their sphere. We are not told where they came from, and I do not know; but they were seen and heard by John praising and glorifying God.

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 291

We also learn from revelation given to Brigham Young the following:

“Though we have it in history that our father Adam was made of the dust of this earth, and that he knew nothing about his God previous to being made here, yet it is not so; and when we learn the truth we shall see and understand that he helped to make this world, and was the chief manager in that operation. He was the person who brought the animals and the seeds from other planets to this world, and brought a wife with him and stayed here. You may read and believe what you please as to what is found written in the Bible. Adam was made from the dust of an earth, but not from the dust of this earth. He was made as you and I are made, and no person was ever made upon any other principle”

Journal of Discourses, Vol.3, p.319