BABIES, INFANCY, & GROWTH

When the Spirit Enters the Body
Russell M. Nelson

It is not a question of when "meaningful life" begins or when the spirit "quickens" the body. In the biological sciences, it is known that life begins when two germ cells unite to become one cell, bringing together twenty-three chromosomes from both the father and from the mother. These chromosomes contain thousands of genes. In a marvelous process involving a combination of genetic coding by which all the basic human characteristics of the unborn person are established, a new DNA complex is formed. A continuum of growth results in a new human being. The onset of life is not a debatable issue, but a fact of science.
Approximately twenty-two days after the two cells have united, a little heart begins to beat. At twenty-six days the circulation of blood begins. Scripture declares that the "life of the flesh is in the blood." (Lev. 17:11) Abortion sheds that innocent blood.

(Russell M. Nelson, "Reverence for Life," Ensign, May 1985)
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Little Children to Grow after the Resurrection
Bruce R. McConkie

We were all mature spirits before we were born, and the bodies of little children will grow after the resurrection to the full stature of the spirit, and all the blessings will be theirs through their obedience, the same as if they had lived to maturity and received them on the earth. The Lord is just and will not deprive any person of a blessing, simply because he dies before that blessing can be received.

(Bruce R. McConkie, "The Salvation of Little Children," Ensign, April 1977, pp. 3-7)
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Children Taken in Infancy are too Pure for this Life
Joseph Smith

The Lord takes many (children) away even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man, and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them again.

T. 196-197
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________Stillborn Children
President Joseph Fielding Smith

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. When a couple have a stillborn child, we give them all the comfort we can. We have good reasons to hope. Funeral services may be held for such children, if the parents so desire. Stillborn children should not be reported nor recorded as births and deaths on the records of the Church, but it is suggested that parents record in their own family records a name for each such stillborn child. President Brigham Young taught, "They are all right, and nothing in the way of sealings or ordinances need be done for them."

(President Joseph Fielding Smith, DOS 2:280-281)
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Stillborn Children
Bruce R. McConkie

The spirit enters the body at the time of quickening, months prior to the actual normal birth. The value and comfort attending a knowledge of this eternal truth is seen in connection with stillborn children. Since the spirit entered the body before birth, stillborn children will be resurrected and righteous parents shall enjoy their association in immortal glory.

(Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, pp. 693-694)