The belief that all human beings are spirit children of Heavenly Parents is foundational to the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This understanding provides a framework for comprehending the divine nature of humanity, the purpose of mortal life, and the eternal destiny of God's children. The concept of a premortal existence, where all people lived as spirit offspring of God, is supported by scripture and prophetic teachings, distinguishing the Church’s perspective from many other Christian traditions.

Biblical scriptures hint at, but do not ultimately affirm whole-heartedly, the actual premortal existence of human spirits.¹⁵⁰ The Epistle to the Hebrews states, “Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?” (Hebrews 12:9). This passage suggests a direct parallel between earthly parentage and divine parentage, reinforcing the idea that human beings are not merely creations of God but His literal spirit children. The Book of Numbers further testifies that “God of the spirits of all flesh” (Numbers 16:22) exercises some form of a paternal relationship over His children. Latter-day Saint biblical scholar Dana M. Pike asserts that passages like Numbers 16:22 and 27:16 “do plausibly support the idea that some ancient Israelites believed in premortal existence. The concept of premortal existence is not as clear-cut and conclusive in the Old Testament as many Latter-day Saints think it is, but it is attested there.”¹⁵¹  The Old Testament’s repeated references to God as “our Father” (Isaiah 63:16; Malachi 2:10) indicate a broader, familial connection between the Creator and His children.

The concept of premortal existence is strongly hinted at in the Book of Jeremiah, where the Lord declares, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee” (Jeremiah 1:5). Dana M. Pike, after performing a close reading of the text, concluded that the verse strongly supports, at the very least, supports “two pre-birth phases of Jeremiah’s existence.” There was the stage where God “knew” Jeremiah and the stage “after Jeremiah was conceived—after he became a viable and recognizable human life-form in his mother’s womb” where “he was, according to the Israelite perspective preserved in the Bible, ‘appointed’ to become a prophet of YHWH.”¹⁵² The Church expands on this biblical teaching by affirming that all people lived as spirit children of God before entering mortality, a doctrine reinforced in modern revelation.

The Pearl of Great Price provides a distinct witness of this truth. Abraham records his vision of the premortal world, stating, “Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones” (Abraham 3:22). This vision portrays spirits as individual beings who existed prior to their mortal birth. The passage continues, “God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers” (Abraham 3:23). This account not only confirms the pre-earth life of all human beings but also implies an organized and purposeful existence in which individuals received foreordinations for their future roles on earth.

Modern revelation further clarifies this doctrine. The Lord declared through the Prophet Joseph Smith, “Man was also in the beginning with God” (Doctrine & Covenants 93:29). This verse asserts not only premortal existence but an eternal aspect to human nature, indicating that the spirit of man did not come into existence at birth but was present with God before the foundation of the world. Another passage affirms, “Ye were also in the beginning with the Father; that which is Spirit, even the Spirit of truth” (Doctrine & Covenants 93:23). These revelations emphasize that the Father’s relationship with His children is not figurative but literal, as they lived in His presence before their mortal experience.

A distinctive element of the Church’s doctrine is the belief that God is not only a Father but that His children also have a Heavenly Mother. While scripture does not explicitly name Her, prophetic teachings and hymnic expressions affirm Her existence. The First Presidency stated in 1909, “All men and women are in the similitude of the universal Father and Mother and are literally the sons and daughters of Deity.” ¹⁵³ This understanding expands the traditional Christian view of God’s fatherhood by recognizing a divine partnership in the creation of spirits. The doctrine of Heavenly Parents underscores the eternal nature of families, affirming that the family unit is central to God’s plan.

This belief carries significant theological implications. Understanding that all people are spirit children of God provides a profound basis for human dignity and equality. The Apostle Paul taught that “We are the offspring of God” (Acts 17:29). Recognizing every individual as a divine offspring fosters a deeper sense of purpose, identity, and potential. This perspective offers a hopeful view of mortality, as life is not seen as a random occurrence but as part of a divine design meant to bring individuals closer to their Heavenly Parents.

The belief in humanity’s divine parentage also informs the doctrine of eternal progression. Because human beings are literal spirit children of God, they inherit divine potential. Christ reinforced this idea when He taught, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). This commandment suggests not only the possibility but the expectation of growth toward divine perfection. Latter-day Saints understand that mortality is a stage in an eternal process, where individuals develop attributes necessary for their exaltation.

This doctrine stands in contrast to many traditional Christian views, which often emphasize the Creator-creature distinction rather than a literal parent-child relationship. While various Christian denominations teach that human beings are children of God in a covenantal or adoptive sense, the Church asserts that this sonship and daughterhood are not merely figurative but actual. The implications of this doctrine are profound, offering an understanding of God’s plan that is centered on love, progression, and eternal familial relationships.

The benefits of adopting this understanding are far-reaching. Viewing humanity as a vast spiritual family encourages greater love, empathy, and respect among individuals. It reinforces the worth of every soul and the necessity of treating others with kindness and dignity. Additionally, the doctrine of Heavenly Parents provides a sense of belonging and divine identity, offering comfort in times of difficulty and a clear sense of purpose in life’s journey. The recognition that mortality is a step in an eternal progression imbues daily choices with meaning and underscores the importance of seeking to develop Christlike attributes.

The belief that all people are spirit children of Heavenly Parents forms the foundation of the Church’s teachings on human identity, purpose, and destiny. Scriptural precedents support the doctrine, from biblical affirmations of God’s fatherhood to modern revelations that clarify the eternal nature of spirits. This understanding distinguishes the Church from other religious traditions, offering a unique perspective on the nature of God, the purpose of life, and the eternal potential of every individual. The implications of this doctrine extend beyond theology, influencing how individuals view themselves and others, fostering a greater sense of divine love, responsibility, and eternal purpose.