Animals

[inquirringmind]

Does God care for animals?

Do they have souls?

Is there a place for them in (some) heaven?

[PSCahill]

Yes, He loves animals. Remember in the story about Jonah refusing to go to Ninevah to warn the people to repent so God wouldn't have to destroy them, that Jonah didn't want to, and he kept refusing to go because he wanted to see the wicked people destroyed. He at one point took a nap, and the Lord made a small tree or bush grow to provide shade for Jonah, and then at one point, the Lord destroyed the little tree that was providing shade. Jonah got angry that the Lord did that, but the Lord told him in essence that "what do you care? you didn't make the tree, I did. I can choose what I will preserve and what I will destroy." And then He went on to tell Jonah that there were people who would repent, if Jonah went there, and that He cared about those people. And then he said something that always amazes me. He told Jonah that there were a number of cattle there, like 2000 or something, and that those were His creations, and He did not want them to be destroyed. He loved those cows! The scriptures have lots of stories about animals, like the talking donkey.

He even loves the flowers...consider the lilies of the field, they toil not, nor do they spin, yet even Solomon in all his glory was not so beautifully arrayed. He loves all of His creations!

We love music here, there is music in the heavenly realms; we love animals here, there are animals there! I believe that our pets that love us and we love them will be ours there, as well.

And yes, they have souls, or more accurately, they have spirits. A soul is when a body and spirit combine. All things have spirits, for all things are created spiritually before they are created physically. And yeah, I do believe that animals go to heaven.

[embryopocket]

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. - Revelation 5:13

Yes, I believe that they have spirits and will pass through the same steps to immortality that we have to: Birth, Death, Resurrection.

I personally don't have any pets and I don't really like touching animals, but I do admire them. I like going to the zoo to see them even though it makes me kind of sad to see them in cages.

[SmallFarm]

6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.

8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

As I understand it, these are symbolic of exalted animals; though I don't recall my reference...

[davedan]

Q. Are the four beasts limited to individual beasts, or do they represent classes or orders?
A. They are limited to four individual beasts, which were shown to John, to represent the glory of the classes of beings in their destined order or sphere of creation, in the enjoyment of their eternal felicity.
4 (Doctrine and Covenants, Doctrine and Covenants, D&C 77)


One of the Beasts had a face of a man. But it was a beast and NOT a man. Maybe it was a Neanderthal

and the third beast had a face as a man, (New Testament, Revelation, Revelation 4)


So when the sons of God and the daughters of man mingled, this may be talking about man mixing with neanderthal producing the giants (nephalim). Today we know them as Cro-mangnon. These may be human-neanderthal hybrids. The reason understanding this is important is that this has nothing to do with aliens.

Also, the reason they did this was the same reason the Nephites practiced polygamy. They wanted a bigger work force and more money. However, the plan backfired and the nephalim couldn't be controlled.

[Cookies]

I know every rock and tree and creature, has a life, has a spirit, has a naaaaaame. ;))

[SmallFarm]

This was an interesting read: http://www.lds.org/ensign/1972/08/the-g ... nd-animals" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;