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How old is the pre-mortal spirit? I have the impression that we are about 2 1/2 billion years in the making.

Leland

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Leland,

When we contemplate the age of our spirits some of our leaders have postulated a similar age you have provided. Elder WW Phelps once stated:

“Well, now, Brother William, when the house of Israel begin to come into the glorious mysteries of the kingdom, and find that Jesus Christ, whose goings forth, as the prophets said, have been from of old, from eternity: and that eternity, agreeably to the records found in the catacombs of Egypt, has been going on in this system, (not this world) almost two thousand five hundred and fifty five millions of years: and to know at the same time, that deists, geologists and others are trying to prove that matter must have existed hundreds of thousands of years;-it almost tempts the flesh to fly to God, or muster faith like Enoch to be translated and see and know as we are seen and known!” (Times and Seasons 5:758)

This has been repeated by Bruce R. McConkie within his writings, “Seven Deadly Heresies,”

“Eternal progression consists of living the kind of life God lives and of increasing in kingdoms and dominions everlastingly. Why anyone should suppose that an infinite Earth Mormonand eternal being who has presided in our universe for almost 2,555,000,000 years [see letter from W. W. Phelps, to William Smith, Times and Seasons 5:757-758], who made the sidereal heavens, whose creations are more numerous than the particles of the earth, and who is aware of the fall of every sparrow—why anyone would suppose that such a being has more to learn and new truths to discover in the laboratories of eternity is totally beyond my comprehension.”

In light of both of these responses it appears they would agree with your assessment. However, there is no official position, or statement, given by our Priesthood Leaders as to the age of our spirits. Thus, any statement would need to be considered speculation at best. I would be more curious to understand the time reckoning which yourself, WW Phelps, and Bruce R. McConkie have used.

For example, the earth, through our science understanding postulates that the earth is 4.5 Billion years old. We know through the gospel that we lived before the earth was created. We watched, or even took part in its creation. If the earth is truly 4.5 billion years old, then that would place our spirits almost 2 times older than the suggested 2.5 billion years.

Sincerely,

Gramps

 

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