Animals

[JcDean78]

Originally Posted by Traveler

I believe it is important to recognize the difference between animals and people and not get either mixed up. G-d gave man dominion over animals and has commanded man to love his fellow man as himself. It is most foolish to seek dominion over other people and have love and compassion for animals. We can and should have compassion over animals but not the same love and compassion we should have for children and neighbors.

To be honest I am disappointed with the value some have for their children when they consider animals as like members of their family. I grew up with deep respect for my childhood dog that saved my life. But that relationship is not the same as my eternal partner and wife to whom I am married to for eternity nor my children and parents to who I am sealed to for eternity.

I would also point out that it is man that is fallen not animals. Animals need no salvation or saving ordinances – they were not excommunicated from the garden of G-d nor have they violated G-d’s commandments.

The Traveler

There are some people in this world who hold the value of animals to be equal and in some cases greater than the life of a human. That is not at all what I am talking about here though.

I certainly am not trying to elevate a dog or cat to the same position as my children, parents, etc. But these loyal and lovable creatures as their own personality and bond with us. They do become just like family but that does not mean they are equal to that of my children or even close.

Again I totally understand where you are coming from because I have met people who do value animals over or equal to humans but that is not what I am talking about here.

What I want to know is if the dogs from my life can be with me in Heaven and I believe from what we have found in this thread the answer is yes.

[Traveler]

Originally Posted by JcDean78

There are some people in this world who hold the value of animals to be equal and in some cases greater than the life of a human. That is not at all what I am talking about here though.

I certainly am not trying to elevate a dog or cat to the same position as my children, parents, etc. But these loyal and lovable creatures as their own personality and bond with us. They do become just like family but that does not mean they are equal to that of my children or even close.

Again I totally understand where you are coming from because I have met people who do value animals over or equal to humans but that is not what I am talking about here.

What I want to know is if the dogs from my life can be with me in Heaven and I believe from what we have found in this thread the answer is yes.

I am very fond of dogs and for a part of my life I worked in a kennel as trainer. The bond and companionship with an animal can be good and valuable but often people mistake loyalty in dogs with their pack instincts. As much as someone may be fond of their pet, abandoning many dogs while you go to work can be very hard on the dog. Often pet owners see such relationships only from their side of things and what they get out of it; thinking that their pet has no adjustments. Often children, especially toddlers are difficult adjustments for pets. Not long ago a 2 year old child was mauled by a dog and the parent said they would keep the dog because the attack was the fault of the child. Likely true but such a parent should not be attempting to mix the two in a family setting and should get rid of either the child or the dog.

Would you mind clarifying what you mean when you say a pet is part of your family? For example do you have pre-determined limits for your pet?

BTW: I believe we can and should exercise beneficial stewardships over the animals G-d has blessed us with - but I believe it is important to recognize that they belong to him and not us - both while we are here on earth and if we someday exercise the opportunity to live with our Father in heaven.

The Traveler

[skalenfehl]

My take on it is God created all things and have their place on earth. Once they have fulfilled the measure of their creation and pass on, they are taken to their reward. Hopefully I get to be reunited with long lost pets, too.

[JcDean78]

Part of the family as being with us on trips, family gatherings, hangs with us when we watch TV or plays with the kids. When long distance family calls or emails, they not only ask about the humans in the house but also the dog as well.

The dog obviously has many rules and is well trained so its not like he has free reign of the house and sleeps in a crate at night. But he is loved and part of our group. Since I work from home, he is never left alone for more than a couple hours tops.

[Elgama]

my first dog was a little Jack Russell who lived to the ripe old age of at least 20 - she was an amazingly spiritual little dog would sit by me when I prayed, and when I got married she recognised the priesthood in my husband in many ways,

Before she died she was given a priesthood blessing, that said Heavenly Father was very pleased with her, she could now move on knowing that I would be looked after by my husband and that she had fulfilled all expectations He had of her. She would die warm and surrounded by those that loved her and he would be delighted to see her back with Him. Not sure how much was for me but I loved the blessing she got.

-Charley

[Hemidakota]

If we are in consensus that animals follow the same human principle of resurrection and knowing it is enforce today since Christ was first resurrected [See John 10:17-18, Matt 27:52-53, & 3 Nephi 23:9-10] , why are we still seeing dinosaurs’ remains [random selection of species here]? Why they are not resurrected?

ANIMAL RESURRECTION

Joseph Smith developed a concern for animals through his efforts at revising the Bible. Whereas William Metcalfe of the Bible Christians altered the punctuation of Genesis 9:5, the Prophet changed it dramatically to read: "And surely, blood shall not be shed, only for meat, to save your lives; and the blood of every beast will I require at your hands." This concept of being judged for our treatment of animals was repeated in the Doctrine and Covenants 49:21 (interestingly intended as a response to Shaker doctrine but given before they practiced vegetarianism). Zion's Camp offered the first practical application of this principle when they were confronted with rattlesnakes on at least two occasions. Joseph Smith and Brigham Young both advised the avoidance of harm to the snakes.

When the Prophet questioned the meaning of animals in heaven as described in Revelation 4, the Lord taught the Prophet a reason for concern. Animals do have spirits, they will be resurrected, enjoy eternal felicity being "full of knowledge,"and have power to move about the heavens.(D&C 77:2-4) Preaching a sermon on the subject of animal resurrection, Joseph Smith touched the heart of Jedediah Grant, who had believed John Wesley but had not found a proponent until then.

Reverence for life has always been present in sermons and writings of Latter-day Saint leaders. In fact, they stand out as a peculiar people in the Christian world today. Brigham Young led out strongly in sustaining Joseph Smith's advocacy of reverence for animal life. Reproving hunters for killing more than they could eat, he taught that "these creatures of God" were to be treated with kindness so that "peace [will] increase, and the savage nature of the brute creation [will] vanish away." His counsel to a man with a dying horse "never to destroy life" found echo in the words of President Joseph F. Smith. President Smith, the most prolific advocate of the humane movement among the Church's presidents, instituted a humane day program in the Sunday School for the first Sunday in February. For many years the February issue of the Juvenile Instructor carried up to twenty pages of humane material. Its founder and longtime editor and publisher, George Q. Cannon, counselor to three presidents of the Church, has been the strongest advocate for reverence for animal life in the Church's history. President David O. McKay, Joseph Fielding Smith, and Spencer W. Kimball have all made strong pleas for a concern for animal life. (Spencer J. Palmer, ed., Deity and Death, p.115-116)

[the Ogre]

I was always hoping for animal reincarnation, so that after being eaten as a hamburger, the cow can come back as cow and get eaten again.

[Aelswyth]

Originally Posted by Traveler

I believe it is important to recognize the difference between animals and people and not get either mixed up. G-d gave man dominion over animals and has commanded man to love his fellow man as himself. It is most foolish to seek dominion over other people and have love and compassion for animals. We can and should have compassion over animals but not the same love and compassion we should have for children and neighbors.

To be honest I am disappointed with the value some have for their children when they consider animals as like members of their family. I grew up with deep respect for my childhood dog that saved my life. But that relationship is not the same as my eternal partner and wife to whom I am married to for eternity nor my children and parents to who I am sealed to for eternity.

I would also point out that it is man that is fallen not animals. Animals need no salvation or saving ordinances – they were not excommunicated from the garden of G-d nor have they violated G-d’s commandments.

The Traveler

Some quotes from Genesis:

"And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them." Genesis 6:7

"And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth." Genesis 6:12

In the Garden, God gave grains, fruits and green plants to be the food of all living things (Gen. 1:29,30). After the Fall, the earth became filled with violence, including the eating of flesh by both men and beasts. After the Flood, God established His "rainbow covenant" with both men and beasts, giving them a new allowance to consume flesh "because the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth" (Gen. 8:21). In the Millennium, though, when Christ returns, the nature of the animals (and presumably man) will be returned to its original innocence - "The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD." Isa. 65:25

Obviously, the beasts did become corrupted. However, I do not believe they can be held accountable for that, since they have limited free will and function mostly by instinct (as far as we currently know). The current physiology of carnivores clearly requires a diet of flesh to maintain life. But Scripture tells us this was not always the case and will not be the case in the future. Whether they require some kind of salvation, I cannot say. But Francis of Assisi preached to the birds and beasts; who knows what merit there may be in that? Several passages in the New Testament state that Christ died for "the sins of the whole world". We allow that Christ's sacrifice covers those who are not accountable, including children and the mentally impaired; surely the "dumb beasts" fall into that category, having their "sins" covered by reason of unaccountability. Then again, perhaps each species has its own missionaries, spreading the good news.

[Aelswyth]

Originally Posted by Hemidakota

If we are in consensus that animals follow the same human principle of resurrection and knowing it is enforce today since Christ was first resurrected [See John 10:17-18, Matt 27:52-53, & 3 Nephi 23:9-10] , why are we still seeing dinosaurs’ remains [random selection of species here]? Why they are not resurrected?

The resurrection is to a body of "finer matter", not the gross matter we currently inhabit. See D&C 131:7,8.

[Hemidakota]

ugh...Aelswyth, I hope so. I am aware of its process. Now, it is not the answer I was seeking.