I love the Catholic Church

With due respect to those who have lost significant loved ones recently, I have been thinking about my fournew fish that have just passed on this week: Finnegan, "Three-Spots" Morgan, Tiger and Fredo

LDS doctrine states:

"[Spirit is] the conscious intelligent individual entity that had an existence previous to mortality. That is, all forms of living things––man, beast, and vegetation––existed as individual spirits, before any form of life existed upon the earth." (Gen. 2:5; 1 Ne. 11:11; Ether 3:15-16; D&C 77:2 and 129; Moses 3:4-7) Bible Dictionary, Spirit pg.776

We also learn on pg. 608 of the Bible Dictionary, under Animals, that these creatures, created by God and given to man to have dominion over, have purpose beyond providing for the sustenance of Mankind; A fascinating study.

But let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Here are 5 documented answers to animal questions you've always been a little bit curious about:

1. Do animals have spirits and are they resurrected?

Yes. The Prophet Joseph Smith received information concerning the eternal status of animals. Answers to questions he posed are in the Doctrine and Covenants, section 77. He also spoke about the resurrection of animals in a sermon but did not expand on the subject. (History of the Church, 5:343.)

2. To what degree of glory do animals go?

The scriptures speak only of animals being in the celestial kingdom. Whether they go to other kingdoms is a matter of conjecture. Elder Joseph Fielding Smith on one occasion said the distribution of animals into all three degrees of glory is “very probable,” (Improvement Era, Jan. 1958, pp. 16–17.) To my knowledge, no other prophet has published an opinion on the subject.

3. Are animals judged and resurrected according to their obedience to laws?

According to Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, animals do not have a conscience. They cannot sin and they cannot repent, for they have not the knowledge of right and wrong. (Man: His Origin and Destiny, Deseret Book Co., 1954, pp. 204–5.)

4. Can animals be with their owners in the hereafter?

There is no revealed word on this subject. Reason would tell us that a rancher or farmer may not want all of the cattle he has owned during his life. On the other hand, emotional ties may be honored and family pets may well be restored to their owners in the resurrection. Elder Orson F. Whitney wrote that Joseph Smith expected to have his favorite horse in eternity. (Improvement Era, Aug. 1927, p. 855.)

5. Just what is the relationship between men and animals?

Men are children of God. Animals are for the benefit of man. This does not mean, however, that man is not to have a concern for this part of his stewardship. The prophets in all ages have indicated that man will be accountable for his treatment of animals and that justice and mercy should be exercised concerning them. Alma encourages us to pray over our flocks. (Alma 34:20, 25.) There are numerous examples in Church history of animals being administered to by the anointing of oil and their resultant healing. In the best-known incident, Mary Fielding Smith’s oxen were spared to bring her pioneer family, including a future President of the Church, Joseph F. Smith, to Utah. (Preston Nibley, Presidents of the Church, Deseret Book Co., 1959, pp. 234–35.)

Though the prophets have spoken frequently about man’s responsibility to show proper treatment to animals in this world, very little detail is known about the states of animals in the eternities. Greater emphasis is rightly placed upon man’s need to live the gospel and be worthy to return to his Heavenly Father where he will then learn the answers to such questions. Quoting again from the editorial cited at the beginning of this article: “Men cannot worship the Creator and look with careless indifference upon his creations. The love of all life helps man to the enjoyment of a better life. It exalts the spiritual nature of those in need of divine favor.” (Juvenile Instructor, Apr. 1918, p. 182.)

p.s. LDS scholars [Brother Bott] have successfully argued that rocks do have a degree of intelligence/agency, as does the proverbial fig tree and the Earth, and therefore qualify for resurrection as well. (11th Article of Faith, D&C 88:25-26)