All Creatures of Our God and King

It is an incontrovertible fact, if not always a pleasant one, that nothing lives forever. Eventually, everything will pass on to whatever comes after this life. While many of us believe in an afterlife, some aren't sure, and others have come to the conclusion that when our hearts stop, we cease to exist. What I've found notable in my recent studies is that there’s no consensus on what happens when a pet or animal dies. There are two schools of thought: heaven is where we meet our pets, and heaven has no place for animals.

While the relationship between animals and humans started pretty much at the beginning of time, the pet/person bond is a more recent evolution. In fact, some speculate it's only been two hundred years since people have elevated house pets from livestock to family members. When so much literature depicts the mighty warrior or lost child with their wolf companion, it can be hard to believe that our intimate relationship with animals—as we know them—are still developing.

As we become more bonded with our furry family members, we worry about what happens to their spirits after they die. In fact, it's only been the last hundred years or so that people have anticipated being reunited with their pets on the other side. The first recorded incident was on a grave marker, whereon under the pet's name was inscribed "Till we meet again," as was common for human gravestones. As this relationship has changed, many begin to wonder, do animals have spirits that can live on, or are they placed here for the use of man and become stardust and memories when they die?

It has been observed that many Christians believe that God isn't worried about the animals, and they don't have spirits. That we must enjoy the time we have with them here because they exist for a finite amount of time.

It’s sad and overwhelming to me to think that our best friends—creatures who gave us so much life and joy—don't deserve the blessings of eternity. And it runs contrary to what God has told us and shown us regarding his concern with animals.

When God created the animals, they were for the use of man. Adam was told that he was responsible for everything in the garden. From the tree of knowledge of good and evil to the things that creeped around him, everything was meant to enrich Adam's experience on earth. And we know that as people needed to hunt, the wolves were there to herd prey and tire them out so humans and wolves could share the kill.

Animals are always part of the scripture stories, whether they were wandering among them in the wilderness or used to underscore someone’s wealth and stature. We know that God cares deeply about His four-legged creations.

In the New Testament, when the apostles are concerned about having their physical needs for food, clothes, and shelter met, Jesus Christ reminded the apostles that God cared deeply about the sparrows and made sure they wanted for nothing. Why, then, should they despair when the animals are taken care of and we know that, as God’s children, we are loved all the more? Right there, we learn that God loves all of His creations deeply and intends to take care of all of us.

And the animals know that they belong to God. In Isaiah and Revelation, we learn that when Christ comes again, the animals will play a big part in announcing His coming. Isaiah tells us:

“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the dearth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (11:6-9).

And in Revelation, John prophesies that he heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under earth and on the sea glorifying God and Christ (5:13).

It shouldn't come as a surprise then that modern religious leaders have affirmed animal’s place in heaven. Pope Paul IV said “Heaven is open to all creatures.” And Joseph Smith, the first prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said “Any man who would tell you [I cannot believe in the salvation of beasts], would tell you that the revelations are not true. John heard the words of the beasts giving glory to God, and understood them.”

Will we see our pets and animals after this life?

Yes, President Joseph Fielding Smith tell us plainly that “animals do have spirits and that through the redemption made by our Savior they will come forth in the resurrection to enjoy the blessing of immortal life.”

God loves all of his creatures, both big and small, and he cares for them and their wellbeing deeply. God and Jesus Christ want us to be happy and to feel Their love. He knows how much we love our pets as family members and doesn't want us to worry because the time will come when we are reunited and will cross the rainbow bridge together.

Ami Reece is a writer who is putting the finishing touches on her debut novel. She manages a fledgling blog, Momisms, that reminds moms that motherhood is about practice, not perfection. She lives in the confusing place between Wasilla and Palmer with her husband and three children. She’s a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.