Gramps

Is there any scriptural information on parents being able to raise their still-born babies?

O, from Washington State

Dear O,

I know of no specific scriptural information on this subject. But the Brethren have commented on it as follows:

Elder Bruce R. McConkie,

“That masterful document on the origin of man by the First Presidency of the Church (Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund) appears to bear out the concept that the eternal spirit enters the body prior to a normal birth, and therefore that stillborn children will be resurrected. It states: ‘The body of man enters upon its career as a tiny germ or embryo, which becomes an infant, quickened at a certain stage by the spirit whose tabernacle it is, and the child, after being born, develops into a man.’ (Man: His Origin and Destiny, p. 354.) This interpretation is in harmony with the general knowledge we have of the mercy and justice of that Infinite Being in whose divine economy nothing is ever lost. It would appear that we can look forward with hope and anticipation for the resurrection of stillborn children” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 768.)

President Joseph Fielding Smith has recorded the following:

‘There is no information given by revelation in regard to the status of stillborn children. However, I will express my personal opinion that we should have hope that these little ones will receive a resurrection and then belong to us. I cannot help feeling that this will be the case” (Joseph Fielding Smith Jr., Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 2, p. 280.)

Gramps