Is it known when a spirit enters the body?
Question
Dear Gramps,
Is it known when a spirit enters a new life? At the moment of conception? Sometime during the pregnancy? Or the moment of birth? Thank you, would love to know your thoughts.
Daniel
Answer
Dear Daniel,
There is no scriptural evidence for when the spirit enters the body. From the general authorities of the Mormon Church, we learn only that it is “sometime before birth.” Here are the words of President N. Eldon Tanner, of the First Presidency of the Mormon Church, on the matter—
“How can we deny or even disbelieve God when we cannot understand even the simplest things around us-how the leaf functions, what electricity is, what our emotions are, when the spirit enters the body, and what happens to it when it leaves? How can we say that because we do not understand the resurrection, there is not or cannot be a resurrection?” (President N. Eldon Tanner, Conference Report, October 1968).
I do not know when the spirit enters the body. To me, it doesn’t matter. All human life, no matter what stage of formation or intelligence, is sacred. Whether it’s at conception or any time thereafter, it is sacred.
Those advocating a view of “science only”, may be looking at this world in the absence of a Grand Architect. In that point of view, conception is just a few cells. Nothing is held sacred when you belittle it and esteem it to be without worth.
Gramps
The adversary is at work when we cheapen the life of an unborn. You can see it in all phases of pregnancy from conception regarding the morning after pill through partial birth abortions and even talk of abortions being allowed into the 3rd trimester. We need to be an advocate for the unborn because they have no voice.
I know that there was a spirit in Father Adams body prior to him becoming a “living” soul. We oft times forget that all it takes is one breath of life for that to happen, then some are called to be returning to our Heavenly Father. We still can not comprehend the depth of our God’s love for us, I think He might be unwilling to let some be gone for more than a twinkle, I know as a father it would be very difficult not to use that power if I had it.
My son who was 17 weeks along in a pregnancy and died had a spirit assigned to that body. I’ve experienced that knowledge. That is before the age of viability, and it’s before the point the call it a stillbirth. It’s not just a breath that determines life… I have no idea when the spirit enters or is assigned for sure, but I know that particular child had one.