Latter-day Saints believe that at least some of the souls that came to earth had a different identity in the premortal realm. Jesus, for example, was the God of the Old Testament (see #62 JESUS IS JEHOVAH OF THE OLD TESTAMENT). 

Another identity that Latter-day Saints have knowledge of is of Adam, the first of God’s spirit children on the earth. Adam, premortally, was the archangel Michael (Doctrine & Covenants 27:11; 107:53–54; 128:21). An archangel is simply an angel of high rank. As Michael, Adam is a leader among the heavenly hosts and a great prince who stands for God's people (Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1, and Revelation 12:7). He also has a special role in the priesthood and in the celestial organization. In the temple, we learn that Michael played a role in the Creation. As the “ancient of days” mentioned in the book of Daniel, Adam is a figure who possesses great authority and power in God’s heavenly court.

While much remains to be revealed about Adam’s role in God’s government and in the premortal realms, the knowledge that we do have is remarkable.

Preface: The Plan of Salvation – Plan of Happiness

Central to the theology and doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is an understanding of what is known as the plan of salvation. This set of doctrines covers themes related to theological anthropology, soteriology, and eschatology. The following 54 gifts explore each of these doctrines.