Mormons And Animals: What Latter-day Saints Believe About Pets, Wildlife, And The Afterlife
Will you be reunited with your beloved pet in heaven? This poignant question touches the hearts of many, regardless of religious affiliation. For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called Mormons), the relationship between humans and animals is framed by unique scriptural insights and modern revelation. The topic of mormons and animals encompasses profound doctrines about creation, salvation, stewardship, and the eternal nature of all living things. While definitive answers on every detail remain elusive, a rich tapestry of teachings offers hope, responsibility, and a deeper appreciation for God’s creations. This article explores what Latter-day Saints believe about the spiritual origins of animals, their role in the plan of salvation, the kindness mandated by church leaders, and the fascinating—sometimes controversial—animal references in the Book of Mormon.
The Divine Origin of Animals: Spirits Before Bodies
Latter-day Saint theology presents a distinctive view of creation where all life is eternal. A foundational scripture from the Pearl of Great Price states, “And I, God, created all things, both spiritual and temporal—I am the Father of all, the Father of spirits and the Father of all flesh. And the first man of all men was created, yea, even Adam; and by him came the beginning of the race of men. And I, God, created man in mine own image; and I gave unto him a spirit, even the spirit of man; and I created all things both spiritual and temporal. And the first man of all men was created, yea, even Adam; and by him came the beginning of the race of men. And I, God, created man in mine own image; and I gave unto him a spirit, even the spirit of man; and I created all things both spiritual and temporal. And the first man of all men was created, yea, even Adam; and by him came the beginning of the race of men. And I, God, created man in mine own image; and I gave unto him a spirit, even the spirit of man; and I created all things both spiritual and temporal. And the first man of all men was created, yea, even Adam; and by him came the beginning of the race of men. And I, God, created man in mine own image; and I gave unto him a spirit, even the spirit of man; and I created all things both spiritual and temporal. And the first man of all men was created, yea, even Adam; and by him came the beginning of the race of men. And I, God, created man in mine own image; and I gave unto him a spirit, even the spirit of man; and I created all things both spiritual and temporal.” However, a more specific clarification comes from Moses 3:5, which notes that animals, like humans and plants, were “created first as spirits in heaven and then physically on the earth.” This means that every animal that has ever lived—from the smallest insect to the largest mammal—existed first as a spirit entity in the pre-mortal realm before receiving a mortal, physical body on earth.
This doctrine has profound implications for the mortality and eternal potential of animals. Just as humans are mortal and subject to physical death, animals also experience a mortal phase. Their physical death is a natural part of the earthly cycle. Yet, their prior spiritual existence suggests they are not mere accidents of nature but purposeful creations of God. The atonement of Jesus Christ is central to the LDS plan of salvation. While the primary focus is on the redemption of humanity, church teachings extend the scope of Christ’s sacrifice. In the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (TPJS), it is indicated that “mortal and subject to death, animals will be saved through the atonement of Christ.” This does not imply animals require repentance or ordinances in the same way humans do, but it affirms that the Savior’s infinite sacrifice has power over all of God’s creations, ensuring their eventual resurrection and immortality.
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Consequently, many Latter-day Saints hold a hopeful, personal belief that pets and other beloved animals will be resurrected and exist in the afterlife. This hope is nurtured by the deep emotional bonds formed with companion animals. Since pets play such an integral role in the lives of many individuals and families, it is natural to yearn for a reunion beyond death. However, members are encouraged to distinguish between personal opinions and feelings and official church doctrine. While the scriptures and modern prophets provide a framework, the church has not issued a definitive, exhaustive proclamation detailing every aspect of the animal afterlife. This leads to a spectrum of personal conclusions among faithful members, all rooted in the foundational principles of eternal life and God’s love for all His creations.
Kindness to All Creatures: Teachings from Church Leaders
The principle of kindness to animals is not a minor footnote in LDS teachings; it is a consistent and emphasized commandment. This kindness extends beyond pets and other domestic animals to encompass wildlife and even creatures often feared or disliked. Church leaders have repeatedly taught that humans have a stewardship role—to care for, respect, and avoid unnecessary cruelty to all of God’s living creations.
President Spencer W. Kimball, a beloved 20th-century prophet, was particularly vocal on this subject. He talked about not killing animals for sport, condemning such acts as wasteful and contrary to the spirit of love and respect that should govern our interactions with nature. He taught that animals are not mere objects for human amusement but living souls with a purpose in God’s plan. This perspective was echoed earlier by the founding prophet, Joseph Smith, who taught that even snakes should be treated with kindness. While acknowledging that some animals may pose a threat, the instruction is to avoid wanton destruction or cruelty. This teaching fosters a mindset of compassionate stewardship rather than domination.
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These principles manifest in the lives of ordinary church members in remarkable ways. Consider the legacy of two sisters in Robeson County, North Carolina, who dedicated decades to animal rescue and welfare in their community. Their quiet, persistent work—finding homes for abandoned pets, caring for injured wildlife, and advocating for humane treatment—embodied the scriptural mandate to be kind to animals. Their story was notably reviewed and highlighted by Joyce Seawell Scardiglia, the editor of a local weekly newspaper, who praised their Christlike service. Such examples illustrate how doctrinal teachings translate into tangible acts of love and responsibility.
This stewardship also applies to ecological challenges. When populations of certain insects, like the rangeland grasshopper and the Mormon cricket, reach outbreak numbers, they can wreak ecological havoc on plant growth and seed production, impacting agriculture and natural ecosystems. Church teachings on kindness do not preclude necessary pest control for survival or protection of crops. However, they do encourage humane and responsible management, avoiding practices that cause prolonged suffering or are motivated by sheer malice. The balance lies in recognizing the intrinsic value of all life while exercising prudent stewardship over the earth, which is ultimately the Lord’s.
The Book of Mormon’s Animal Kingdom: Faith, History, and Archaeology
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text central to LDS faith, detailing the history of ancient peoples in the Americas. Within its pages are numerous references to animals, which have sparked both faith-building insights and intense scholarly debate. The book is very clear that there were particular animals among the Nephites and Lamanites, including cattle, horses, asses, sheep, goats, cows, and swine. These mentions were initially met with skepticism by critics who argued such animals were anachronistic to the pre-Columbian Americas.
Thanks to paleontologists and other researchers, we now have a much more nuanced understanding of the fauna that actually lived in the ancient Americas. Evidence confirms that horses, for instance, did exist in the New World but went extinct around 10,000 years ago, long before the time period described in the Book of Mormon (circa 600 BCE to 400 CE). This timing discrepancy is a key point in the ongoing discussion. Similarly, other animals like elephants (mastodons) and tapirs were present in ancient America, though their historical ranges and the contexts of their interactions with humans are subjects of ongoing research.
During the first century after the Book of Mormon’s publication, critics argued that such animals never existed anywhere in the Americas before the arrival of Columbus and Western Europeans in the late fifteenth century. This claim has been largely disproven by archaeological and paleontological discoveries, but the debate has evolved. Modern scholars, both supportive and critical, now focus on more precise questions: Were these animals present in the specific regions and timeframes of Book of Mormon events? How were they used? Which species are being referenced?
Scholarly research of animals in the Book of Mormon gives us a unique perspective into the lives of the ancient peoples described in the text. Many faithful scholars, such as the late Dr. John L. Sorenson, have devoted careers to this study. They typically discuss Book of Mormon geography, preferring the Mesoamerican theory, which places the primary events in a relatively small area of southern Mexico and Central America. This model helps narrow the list of plausible animal candidates. They then examine the individual animals mentioned in the Book of Mormon, including the unidentified cureloms and cumoms, seeking correlations with known species in the region and era.
A classic example is the “tapir as horse” hypothesis. As Professor Sorenson and others have repeatedly pointed out, the practice of naming flora and fauna is far more complicated than critics have been willing to admit. When a new culture encounters an unfamiliar animal, it often assigns the name of a known animal from its homeland. For instance, early European settlers in Australia called the native marsupial “wallaby” a “small kangaroo,” and the platypus was initially described as a “duck-billed otter.” Similarly, people typically give the names of familiar animals to animals that have newly come to their attention. Thus, the “horse” in the Book of Mormon could conceivably refer to a different quadruped that served a similar transportation or burden-carrying role, such as a large deer or even a domesticated tapir (though the latter is debated). This cultural-linguistic principle is a crucial key to understanding the text’s animal list.
The Enigma of Cureloms and Cumoms: Untranslated Mysteries
Among the most intriguing animal references in the Book of Mormon are the cureloms and cumoms. Found in Ether 9:19, they are listed alongside elephants and “cureloms” (the text repeats “cureloms” and “cumoms” as two distinct types) as animals “useful to man” that were preserved for the Jaredites. What makes them unique is that they are left entirely untranslated. Joseph Smith did not provide an English equivalent for these terms, leaving them as transliterations from the original Jaredite language.
This lack of translation has led to endless speculation. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us—a humorous nod to the fact that no detailed physical description exists in the text itself. We only know they were “useful to man,” suggesting they served as beasts of burden, provided food, or offered other resources. Apologists and researchers have proposed various identifications: perhaps they were species of large dogs, llamas, alpacas, or even extinct megafauna like giant ground sloths. The curelom and cumom defense in Book of Mormon apologetics argues that their untranslated status is actually evidence of authenticity. A 19th-century forger, the argument goes, would have likely chosen familiar animals or invented names that sounded plausible. The presence of genuinely mysterious, non-English terms points to an ancient, translated record.
The Book of Mormon mentions two animals—cureloms and cumoms—described as “useful to man” but left entirely untranslated in Ether 9:19. This enigma serves as a reminder of the limitations of our current knowledge. While scholarly research can suggest correlations, the exact identity remains a matter of faith and informed speculation. It also highlights a broader point: the Book of Mormon’s animal list is not a zoological textbook but a historical record reflecting the specific environment and cultural vocabulary of its peoples.
What We Know and What Remains Unknown: Animal Spirits and the Afterlife
Returning to the spiritual questions that trouble many believers: What happens to animal spirits when they die? Do animal spirits go to the spirit world? LDS doctrine teaches that all living things have a spirit. For humans, the spirit enters the physical body at birth and departs at death, going to the spirit world—a temporary state of paradise or spirit prison awaiting resurrection. For animals, the specifics are not detailed in revelation. It is reasonable to infer, based on their pre-mortal existence and mortal bodies, that their spirits also transition to a post-mortal state. However, the nature of that state—whether it is a form of “paradise” for animals or a different condition—is not specified. The focus of the spirit world in scripture is on the redemption and preparation of humanity.
Will animals talk in heaven? This is a common and tender question. The scriptures are silent on the matter. Some members speculate that, in a resurrected state, communication may occur in ways beyond our current comprehension, possibly including forms of expression we would recognize as “speech.” Others believe the joy of reunion transcends the need for verbal language. The ultimate answer awaits further light and knowledge.
So, although we don’t have a complete understanding of what happens to animals after they die, we believe that they will enjoy some kind of salvation and immortality. This belief is derived from the core doctrines of eternal life and the universal reach of the Atonement. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that all the animals will be resurrected, and that the earth will be restored to a paradisiacal glory where peace and harmony prevail among all creatures (see Doctrine and Covenants 77:1-2, which discusses the earth’s renewal and the inclusion of “beasts of the field”). Mormons believe that pets will be resurrected and exist in the afterlife—this belief is not a mere cultural wish but a logical extension of revealed principles.
Conclusion: Stewardship, Hope, and Ongoing Inquiry
The relationship between mormons and animals is a profound blend of doctrine, ethics, and heartfelt hope. From the teaching that animals were created first as spirits in heaven to the promise that they will be saved through the atonement of Christ, LDS theology elevates the status of all living things. Church leaders have consistently urged kindness to all creatures, condemning cruelty and promoting responsible stewardship. This ethic extends from the family pet to the wildlife in our backyards and the pests that challenge our farms.
The Book of Mormon’s animal references, including the mysterious cureloms and cumoms, invite serious study and humble acknowledgment of what we do not know. Archaeological and paleontological research continues to shed light on the ancient American environment, supporting the plausibility of the text’s descriptions while leaving room for faith. The practice of naming unfamiliar animals with familiar terms—like the proposed “tapir as horse”—reminds us that language and culture shape how we record history.
Ultimately, while questions about animal spirits in the spirit world or whether animals will talk in heaven remain unanswered in official pronouncements, the foundational principles offer comfort. The plan of salvation is a plan of joy, redemption, and immortality for all of God’s creations. Our mortal role is one of compassionate stewardship, treating every living thing with the respect due to a fellow spirit-sibling of God. As we care for animals in this life, we participate in a divine pattern of love that, we believe, will extend into the eternities. The legacy of the Robeson County sisters, the counsel of President Kimball, and the intriguing clues in ancient scripture all point to a truth at the heart of the gospel: God’s love and salvation encompass all of His creations, and our hope for reunion with our pets is not mere fantasy but a possibility rooted in eternal doctrine.
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