| an LDS Perspective http://lds.about.com/library/bl/faq/blanimals.htm | |
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• LDS FAQs Recently I received an email from a pyschologist who was working on an article for those dealing with the death of their dog. I was asked to provide information regarding Latter-day Saint teachings about pet loss. Here are the questions I was asked along with the responses I offered.
What is your tradition's beliefs or practices regarding...
- Animals (specifically dogs) having souls?
- The existence of an afterlife for humans and animals (dogs)?
- The reunification of owners and pets after death?
- Burial or cremation of animals?
- Appropriateness of funerals or memorial services for animals?
- What counsel or spiritual guidance would your tradition give owners who have lost a beloved pet (dog)?
- Any other thoughts or comments regarding the area?
As far as I know we do not have any doctrines relating specifically to dogs but we do believe that all animals were created by our Father in Heaven and that they posses souls. Further we believe that animals existed as spirits, as did humans, before they came to earth. We call this period of time the pre-existence or premortal life.
In Moses 3:5 it states:
For I, the Lord God, created all things, of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth.And in the book 'Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants' we read:
The spirits of animals are in the likeness of their bodies. The spirit is eternal and does not change. The spirit of an elephant looks like an elephant; the spirit of man looks like a man. This is true of all creatures under Heaven. Therefore, the body of the creature cannot change and evolve into something different and still look like its spirit. This principle is simply stated by the Lord that there might not be misunderstandings.Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants Vol. II, p. 38
2. The existence of an afterlife for humans and animals (dogs)?
We do believe in an afterlife for all mankind as well as animals. Animals will be resurrected and receive salvation automatically through the atonement of Christ. Here are a few bits of doctrine on this matter.
They [animals] will be resurrected and placed in their appropriate places in Heaven. As the fall of Adam affected animals, (see Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 2:22) so also through the atonement will the animals be heirs of salvation in their respective spheres.Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants Vol. II, p.38
We also learn from this revelation and the word of the Lord in other revelations that in the eternities the animals and all living creatures shall be given knowledge, and enjoy happiness, each in its own sphere, in "their eternal felicity." These creatures will not then be the dumb creatures that we suppose them to be while in this mortal life.The Prophet Joseph Smith stated the following in regards to those people who do not believe in the salvation of animals. In this quote he is referring to Revelations 5:13-14.Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants Vol. II, p. 69
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
3. The reunification of owners and pets after death?
I do not recall any church doctrine regarding the reunion of pets and owners in the hereafter but it is my personal opinion that there will be a reunion and that the relationship between owner and pet will be made more perfect due to pure communication between man and animal. I base this opinion upon the following doctrine pertaining to the salvation of man.
A Saint, who is one in deed and in truth, does not look for an immaterial heaven but he expects a heaven with lands, houses, cities, vegetation, rivers, and animals; with thrones, temples, palaces, kings, princes, priests, and angels; with food, raiment, musical instruments, etc.; all of which are material. Indeed the Saints' heaven is a redeemed, glorified, celestial material creation, inhabited by glorified material beings, male and female, organized into families, embracing all the relationships of husbands and wives, parents and children, where sorrow, crying, pain, and death will be known no more. Or to speak still more definitely, this earth, when glorified, is the Saints' eternal heaven. On it they expect to live, with body parts, and holy passions: on it they expect to move and have their being; to eat, drink, converse, worship, sing, play on musical instruments, engage in joyful, innocent, social amusements, visit neighboring towns and neighboring worlds: indeed, matter and its qualities and properties are the only being or things with which they expect to associate. If they embrace the Father, they expect to embrace a glorified, immortal, spiritual, material Personage; if they embrace the Son of God, they expect to embrace a spiritual Being of material flesh and bones, whose image is in the likeness of the Father; if they enjoy the society of the Holy Ghost, they expect to behold a glorious spiritual Personage, a material body of spirit; if they associate with the spirits of men or angels, they expect to find them material.So, in my opinion, if we enjoyed the companionship of a pet while upon earth then we will do so in the hereafter. I also believe that it will be on a higher level than we know upon this earth and will bring to us greater joy. Again, this is my personal opinion and not necessarily Church doctrine.Millennial Star, Vol. 28, p. 722, November 17, 1866
4. Burial or cremation of animals?
While there is not an official policy regarding the burial or cremation of animals the Church does discourage its members from being cremated. Latter-day Saints believe in a literal resurrection of body and spirit and, generally speaking, prefer to be buried. I would have to say this holds true with their pets as well. Here is a little more insight into the topic of cremation versus ground burials.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has never taken a definite stand on this question [cremation]. Presumably no edict in relation to it will ever be taken. The matter of burial of the dead, as far as the Church is concerned, is an individual or a family matter. If any member of the Church should state in his will, or make any general statement, that he wished to be cremated, the Church authorities would not step in and interfere but would consider it something with which they had no official concern.ANSWERS TO GOSPEL QUESTIONS - VOL 2, p. 99
It is true that the mortal body in due time returns to the earth as the Lord predicted that it should. Much of the cremated body is carried off into the air and only a small portion of ash remains. However it is impossible to destroy a body. It makes no difference whether a body is consumed by fire, buried in the depths of the sea, or placed in the tomb, the time will come when every essential particle will be called back again to its own place, and the individual whose body was laid away, or scattered to the winds, will be reassembled with every essential part restored. It was to bring to pass this restoration that Jesus died upon the cross, and it is by his command that the individual elements will be called back to their own place.ANSWERS TO GOSPEL QUESTIONS - VOL 2, p. 100
5. Appropriateness of funerals or memorial services for animals?
There is no doctrine regarding this matter. It is a personal matter that is left to each individual to decide upon. See question #6 for more details.
6. What counsel or spiritual guidance would your tradition give owners who have lost a beloved pet (dog)?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not counsel its members in regards to their pets. If a member loses a pet to death they will likely find solace amongst family members, friends, or even God but the Church as an organization offers no counsel nor spiritual guidance in this matter. However, it is my personal opinion, that Latter-day Saints have less anguish of soul over the loss of a beloved pet than those who are without religious convictions. Perhaps the following quote best reveals the attitude of Latter-day Saints regarding death and might also serve as counsel for those who are dealing with the loss of a pet.
To Latter-day Saints, as to all people, death can be tragic, unexpected, or even a blessed release from suffering. The loss of loved ones is an occasion for mourning. However, in LDS doctrine, death is also an occasion for hope, a birth into the next life, a step in the Plan of Salvation that began in the premortal existence and leads, if one is righteous, to eternal life with God in the Celestial Kingdom. The grieving of the faithful is appropriately marked by sorrow and hope, not despair and depression. Yet the loss of a loved one is to be taken neither lightly nor coldly. Grief and love are compatible—if not essential—emotions of the faithful. And Latter-day Saints who face death themselves, while experiencing uncertainty and concern for those left behind, can find hope in the Plan of Salvation and the Lord's promise that "those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them" (D&C 42:46).Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 1, Death and Dying
7. Any other thoughts or comments regarding the area?
Further study of LDS doctrine will also reveal that while animals are to be treated with respect and kindness they are not to be held in same regard as man. Animals are the creations of God and are to be treated accordingly but Man is the literal offspring of God. Therefore we must not allow ourselves to place more value upon the life of an animal than upon the life of Man. The following quote explains this idea further.
Think of what it took to create the universe and of the purpose of that creation; think of our own place in that creation to have dominion over all things, to inherit the earth and subdue it; consider that we as individuals are the sons and daughters of God, not merely another part of his creation, for he did not create us as he did the animals, but we are "begotten of him." And what does that mean? It means that there is something of him in us. It means that we may become like that from which we came. Palm trees do not come from acorns. Only oaks come from acorns because somehow oaks are involved in acorns. That which evolves must have been involved. In this sense God is involved in us. We will evolve into something like him as we gain education, as we increase in intelligence, as we come to understand his purpose with respect to us.However, this is not to say that we cannot have deep feelings of affection for animals or pets. God placed animals upon the earth to provide us with happiness and joy. This is their purpose and we should return love and kindness to all of God's creations. Following are several quotes that speak of extending kindness and respect towards animals.Continuing The Quest, p. 179
We should by every means in our power impress upon the rising generation the value of life and how dreadful a sin it is to take life. The lives of animals even should be held far more sacred than they are. Young people should be taught to be very merciful to the brute creation and not to take life wantonly or for sport. The practice of hunting and killing game merely for sport should be frowned upon and not encouraged among us. God has created the fowls and the beasts for man's convenience and comfort and for his consumption at proper times and under proper circumstances; but he does not justify men in wantonly killing those creatures which He has made and with which He has supplied the earth.GOSPEL TRUTH, p. 24
Every child that is brought into contact with animals should be taught, by parents and by all who attempt to instruct the young, that it is a very great sin in the sight of the Almighty for the dumb creation to be treated with cruelty or even with neglect. A merciful man is merciful to his beast. A good master will see that his animals are fed and cared for, if they have been performing labor, before he himself sits down to food or to take rest. A merciful man who loves the animals which he owns and uses would not be contented to sit down to eat if he knew his horses or his cows were hungry and uncared for. He would see that they had food and water and were protected from the inclemency of the weather as much as they possibly could be before he could enjoy his own food and drink and comfort. This same feeling should be impressed upon the minds of all children so that no animal that is in their care may be neglected. (Feb. 15, 1899, JI 34:113-14)GOSPEL TRUTH, p. 457
Don't destroy animal life. Our religion teaches us that human life is most sacred and should not be wantonly taken. The Lord also has spoken with great plainness concerning the animal creation. The beasts, fowls and fishes are all the creation of His power and their lives are precious in His sight. No properly constituted person will lightly take the life of any creature; and every girl should be taught that it is wrong to adorn herself with feathers obtained from the slaughter of birds. Animals, fowls and fish are created for the use of man; but their lives should not be wasted. They are to supply the wants of man, not to be slaughtered for mere amusement or for the gratification of vanity.GOSPEL TRUTH, p. 456
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BYU professor says all dogs go to heaven http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705381428/BYU-professor-says-All-Dogs-Go-to-Heaven.html?pg=all
PROVO, Utah — The short answer to the question, "Do animals go to heaven?" is "yes, and only to the Celestial Kingdom," a Brigham Young University professor said during a Campus Education Week presentation.
In his rapid-fire approach, Brett H. Latimer noted that the Eastern World "has a different view than we do." Many Eastern religions "worship the creations vs. the creator," he said.
The worldview includes other kinds of animal protectors.
"Al Gore sees himself as a contemporary Noah," Latimer said.
Some ideas are evolving into concepts Latter-day Saints already believed about animal spirits, he said.
"Spot just died, you better have an emergency family home evening with something theological to say," he said.
Many cultures have a reverence for all life, while the Western mindset is that man has dominion over animals. To many people animals are meaningless and don't have a spirit, in contrast to the Mormon belief.
"Our belief is kindness toward animals," he said.
That isn't a traditional belief in Western countries, he added.
"Mormons are in the middle" between people who worship animals and people who hunt for sport, he suggested.
Even the Lord in the Bible commanded animals to rest on the Sabbath, he said. Other scriptural references speak about praying for animals, yet citing humanity as more valuable than sparrows. Modern scriptural references, particularly in the Doctrine and Covenants of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, lean heavily toward killing animals only for food and clothing, he said.
"There is strong indication there will be accountability in killing animals" if not for those reasons, Latimer said.
Animals were created spiritually first in the likeness of their bodies and then physically, he said, drawing from Doctrine and Covenants section 77 and statements from latter-day prophets. They were not created in the image of God, nor were they given Godlike reasoning ability. They may have free will, he said, and also are included in the atonement of Jesus Christ and will be resurrected because they were created by God, but only to the highest kingdom.
They experienced the fall of Adam, and needed saving, but do not have the intelligence of man, he said.
How their owners care for them, "may have something to do" with their owners' salvation, Latimer suggested.
In the Millennium, animals will live together in peace.
Scriptural references to animals in Doctrine and Covenants section 77 are "foreign to other religions," he said. Additionally, references to animals in other scriptures show they can represent a species, beasts or corrupt kingdoms, Latimer said.
The late LDS Church President Spencer W. Kimball said there were "clear guidelines" on how to treat animals, Latimer said, with the key being a person's motivation.
The church has not issued any statements on hunting, fishing or animal research, he said.
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Where do animals fit in the eternal plan of things? https://www.lds.org/ensign/1977/03/i-have-a-question?lang=eng
, director, Institute of Religion, Berkeley, California
“Nature helps us to see and understand God. To all His creations we owe
an allegiance of service and a profound admiration.” Thus the General
Superintendency of the Deseret Sunday School Union, President Joseph F.
Smith, President of the Church, and Elders David O. McKay and Stephen L
Richards, members of the Council of the Twelve, editorialized in the
April 1918 Juvenile Instructor. Recognizing
that the “love of nature is akin to the love of God” they reminded the
members of the Church that “men learn more easily in sympathetic
relationships of all life than they do in the seclusion of human
interest.” (P. 183.) Many families recognize the importance of pets and
the resultant loving and sharing among their children. Caring for pets
can also develop a sense of responsibility.
Devotion
of animals to families can be inspiring as well as practical. A recent
news item related the bravery of a dog in saving the life of a small
girl by breaking the window of a burning automobile and pulling her to
safety.
A number of questions have been asked concerning the place of animals in the gospel plan:
Do animals have spirits and are they resurrected? Yes.
The Prophet Joseph Smith received information concerning the eternal
status of animals. Answers to questions he posed are in the Doctrine and
Covenants, section 77. He also spoke about the resurrection of animals
in a sermon but did not expand on the subject. (History of the Church, 5:343.)
To what degree of glory do animals go? The
scriptures speak only of animals being in the celestial kingdom.
Whether they go to other kingdoms is a matter of conjecture. Elder
Joseph Fielding Smith on one occasion said the distribution of animals
into all three degrees of glory is “very probable,” (Improvement Era, Jan. 1958, pp. 16–17.) To my knowledge, no other prophet has published an opinion on the subject.
Are animals judged and resurrected according to their obedience to laws? According
to Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, animals do not have a conscience. They
cannot sin and they cannot repent, for they have not the knowledge of
right and wrong. (Man: His Origin and Destiny, Deseret Book Co., 1954, pp. 204–5.)
Can animals be with their owners in the hereafter? There
is no revealed word on this subject. Reason would tell us that a
rancher or farmer may not want all of the cattle he has owned during his
life. On the other hand, emotional ties may be honored and family pets
may well be restored to their owners in the resurrection. Elder Orson F.
Whitney wrote that Joseph Smith expected to have his favorite horse in
eternity. (Improvement Era, Aug. 1927, p. 855.)
Just what is the relationship between men and animals? Men
are children of God. Animals are for the benefit of man. This does not
mean, however, that man is not to have a concern for this part of his
stewardship. The prophets in all ages have indicated that man will be
accountable for his treatment of animals and that justice and mercy
should be exercised concerning them. Alma encourages us to pray over our
flocks. (Alma 34:20, 25.)
There are numerous examples in Church history of animals being
administered to by the anointing of oil and their resultant healing. In
the best-known incident, Mary Fielding Smith’s oxen were spared to bring
her pioneer family, including a future President of the Church, Joseph
F. Smith, to Utah. (Preston Nibley, Presidents of the Church, Deseret Book Co., 1959, pp. 234–35.)
Though
the prophets have spoken frequently about man’s responsibility to show
proper treatment to animals in this world, very little detail is known
about the states of animals in the eternities. Greater emphasis is
rightly placed upon man’s need to live the gospel and be worthy to
return to his Heavenly Father where he will then learn the answers to
such questions. Quoting again from the editorial cited at the beginning
of this article: “Men cannot worship the Creator and look with careless
indifference upon his creations. The love of all life helps man to the
enjoyment of a better life. It exalts the spiritual nature of those in
need of divine favor.” (Juvenile Instructor, Apr. 1918, p. 182.)
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ANIMAL RESURRECTION IN THE TEACHINGS OF MORMON PROPHETS
http://packham.n4m.org/animals.htm
Compiled by former Mormon "Deconstructor" and used with permissionCommentary by Richard Packham
Prophet Joseph Smith:Many believers in the doctrine of resurrection, including many Mormons, assume that only human beings will be resurrected. That does not seem to be the belief of these Mormon prophets and apostles.
John saw beings there [in heaven] of a thousand forms, that had been saved from ten thousand times ten thousand earths like this,-strange beasts of which we have no conception: all might be seen in heaven. The grand secret was to show John what there was in heaven. John learned that God glorified himself by saving all that his hands had made, whether beasts, fowls, fishes or men; and he will glorify himself with them. 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. [See Rev.4:6] - - General Conference held on the floor of the Nauvoo Temple, April 8, 1843 HC 5:343-44, cited in McConkie, Mormon Doctrine 1st ed p 578, and in Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith 345-346Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith:
Animals do have spirits and that through the redemption made by our Savior they will come forth in the resurrection, to enjoy the blessing of immortal life. - "Answers to Gospel Questions" Volume 2, Page 48Apostle Bruce R. McConkie:
Nothing is more absolutely universal than the resurrection. Every living thing and being will be resurrected. "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (1 Cor. 15:22.).... Just as the creative and redemptive powers of Christ extend to the earth and all things thereon, as also to the infinite expanse of worlds in immensity, so the power of the resurrection is universal in scope. Man, the earth, and all life thereon will come forth in the resurrection. And the resurrection applies to and is going on in other worlds and other galaxies.The First Presidency (Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, Anthon H. Lund):
Thus saith the Lord: "And the end shall come, and the heaven and the earth shall be consumed and pass away, and there shall be a new heaven and a new earth. For all old things shall pass away, and all things shall become new, even the heaven and the earth, and all the fulness thereof, both men and beasts, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea; And not one hair, neither mote, shall be lost, for it is the workmanship of mine hand." (D. & C. 29:23-25.) - Mormon Doctrine 1st ed 573-578, 2nd ed 642-643
He made the tadpole and the ape, the lion and the elephant but He did not make them in His own image, nor endow them with Godlike reason and intelligence. Nevertheless, the whole animal creation will be perfected and perpetuated in the Hereafter, each class in its 'distinct order or sphere,' and will enjoy 'eternal felicity.' That fact has been made plain in this dispensation (D&C 77:3). - Church First Presidency Message, Christmas greetings, Dec. 18, 1909Apostle Joseph Fielding Smith (later President):
The Lord created all things for a purpose. Nothing has he created to be destroyed, but that all things might endure forever... The Lord intends to save, not only the earth and the heavens, not only man who dwells upon the earth, but all things which he has created. The animals, the fishes of the sea, the fowls of the air, as well as man, are to be re-created, or renewed, through the resurrection, for they too are living souls. - General Conference, October 1928Apostle Joseph Fielding Smith (later President):
Every creature has a spirit, and that it existed in the spirit before it was on the earth; the spirit of every creature is in the form of its temporal, or mortal, body. Since this is true, and all forms of life partook of the effects of Adam's fall, therefore they are entitled to the resurrection and shall live again. "And not one hair, neither mote, shall be lost for it is the workmanship of mine hand," said the Lord. (D. & C. 29:25.) Likewise the earth, which is a living body, must die "in like manner" as to all other mortal things, and then receive the resurrection. (Isa. 51:6.) The fact that the spirit of every animal, every fish, every fowl of the air, is in the likeness of its body, and that also it was created in the spirit in the beginning, is a contradiction of these unscientific theories which man has inflicted upon a fallen world. "Church History and Modern Revelation", Published by The Council of The Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1946.For the children: "Will robins go to heaven?"
"I can only tell you what the scriptures say about it," Daddy replied. "Usually, when we talk about the resurrection, we think of people. But the scriptures teach us that man, the earth, and all the life upon it will be resurrected, mentioning especially the beasts, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea. The Savior gave His life so that everything would rise from the dead, even lizards and robins." - "Will Robins Go to Heaven?" - Church Friend, Apr. 1982, p. 39COMMENTARY A number of questions immediately arise, of course.
- If all animal life will be resurrected, then heaven will be populated not only with our pet dogs, our ponies, and the robins whose song we enjoy, but also the flies, the gnats, the bats, the rats, the tapeworms, the sharks, the amoebas, even the bacteria - all the millions of species, each with its millions of individuals that have existed since the beginning of life on earth. Does that really sound like a heaven where one would want to be?
- Will the many chickens, hogs, steers, and trout whose parts have nourished me by passing through my digestive system receive "new bodies," or will their resurrected life be in a body reconstituted from that body which I and my table-mates partly utilized as energy and partly sent to the sewer system as waste?
- Predatory animals by their very nature prey upon other animals. For them, "eternal felicity" would be to be able to continue their predation. But what about the "eternal felicity" of their prey? A shark is an efficient hunter and eater of flesh, as are most predatory animals. The alleged "Intelligent Designer" did a good job in designing a killing machine. Can a shark (or a lion, or an alligator) be a happy eater of foliage?
- Of course I would perhaps like to have my beloved dogs in heaven with me, but over the years I have had quite a few. I wouldn't want that many dogs living with me here on earth - why would I want so many in heaven?
- What about the dinosaurs, the wooly mammoths, who are very large? Will there be enough room in heaven for the billions of creatures that have wandered the earth during the millions of years since life began here (every thing that ever lived!)?
- Which kingdom of heaven will the animals be assigned to (the celestial, terrestrial, or telestial)? One would assume that pets will go with their former owner, wherever the owner ends up. But is that fair to the pets, to base their eternal placement on the actions of their owner? And what about non-domestic animals? Of course in the top kingdoms we would like pleasant animals such as songbirds. Will cockroaches all be sent to the lowest kingdom?
