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Does a history exist of the origin and development of the Latter-day Saint teaching of a premortal existence?

5 votes
2 answers
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Growing up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I'm very familiar with the LDS Church's teachings of a premortal existence. I'm interested in the development of that teaching though. For example, in 1833 Joseph Smith received a revelation that intelligences have always existed with God. In part of the King Follett discourse, mentioned in the comments, Joseph taught about the eternal existence of matter. Then, in 1835, Joseph translated ancient Eqyptian writings that told the story of our pre-existence and the grand council in heaven. I know all these teachings and stories, but I'm wondering if there exists any deep dive into the history and development of this teaching, as Latter-day Saints have it today. I'd be interested in perhaps a book or a BYU research paper or something. It doesn't even have to be sourced from a Latter-day Saint scholar.
Asked by Alamb (853 rep)
Sep 15, 2023, 08:01 PM
Last activity: Sep 20, 2023, 05:13 PM