Excerpt from The Latter-Day Saint's Millennial Star, Vol. 64: August 14, 1902

If the spirit can exist independently of the body after death as the Bible so plainly teaches, why is it difficult to believe that the spirit existed before the body was born? It is stated in objection that we cannot remember anything of that life in the spirit world. Neither can we remember what happened during our first year of life on earth, yet we do not question having lived through infancy. Those who are foolish enough to permit themselves to be hypnotized cannot remember afterwards what they did while in that state, though they may have sung, conversed or done other things. Memory is such a peculiar thing and there are so many inexplicable lapses of it in everyday experience that the fact of our not being able to recall the conditions of our pre-existence is no argument against the doctrine.

The objection is also raised that if spirits are possessed of so great intelli 'gence and development before birth, it is strange that they must be taught the simplest lessons of childhood and need to begin the gaining of knowledge and formation of character anew. Naturally the spirit takes on the character of its tabernacle, the medium through which it must act, and this continues through life. Take the fully developed, mature man that lives a righteous life, the attributes of his spirit do not really decrease as age advances, though their expression does, and they grow dormant in many respects. Weakened and afflicted by disease, with the powers of mind and body almost gone he passes into second childhood; but has the glorious spirit of his strong man hood really become shrunken in its nature, aimless, irresolute and weak! Certainly not; it is but accommodating itself, as it did in infancy, to the body in which it dwells. When released by death it is no longer feeble and inactive, but returns to all its former strength.

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