Gramps,
Is it in accordance with the Gospel to support the idea that spirit is life? With that in mind, if it is in fact in accordance, would this mean that the spirit of a child would in fact arrive at conception, or at the very beginning of new life? we know that God has an order to things, and it is beyond rationality to think that a fetus is not alive. Just a thought.
Riley, from Tucson, Arizona

Dear Riley,
I think that it would be more proper say that the spirit is alive, rather than to say that it is life. The spirit has form, shape and is composed of matter just as the body is. However, as we learn in the scriptures—
There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes (D&C 131:7).
The spirit is born as you and I are born, and the Father of the spirits of all mankind is God, the Eternal Father. When the spirit is born in the spirit world, a pre-existing intelligence enters into the spirit body, giving it independent life. In similar manner, at some stage before the birth of a mortal infant the pre-existing intelligent spirit enters the body of the pre-born infant, giving it independent life. Before that moment the fetus is living but it is quickened by the spirit of the mother.
Gramps