Spiritual and Physical Gender Identity

Mormon Beliefs

We all know bodies are born with distinctive characteristics, per our sex.  What many people fail to consider is that our spirits were made male and female, just as our mortal bodies.  Therefore, just as our bodies have varying attributes, so do our spirits.

“It is the Lord himself who said that ‘the spirit and the body are the soul of man.’ (D&C 88:15.) Thus, it is our spirits, not our physical bodies, that were ‘begotten’ of God. In being born into this world as human souls, our spirits—which are the offspring of God—enter into our bodies, which are the offspring of our mortal parents; at death the spirit and the body are separated.”  ~ President Marion G. Romney (“We are Children of God,” Ensign.  Sept. 1984)

“I love the clarity of the teachings of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve in the proclamation on the family, where they state, ‘Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.’ 1 From that statement we are taught that every girl was feminine and female in spirit long before her mortal birth.”  ~ Margaret D. Nadauld, Young Women General President (“The Joy of Womanhood,” Ensign. Nov. 2000)

Our spirits were made male and female, just as our physical bodies are.   For example, physically we know women have a reproductive system which differs from that of men.  As our male/female physical bodies have varying attributes so do our spirit bodies possess specific spiritual qualities.

What are those varying spiritual characteristics?  One could be the female inherent gift to nurture.  Now, some may argue “not all women are nurturers.”  No they aren’t, nor are all women able to carry and bare children.  However, this doesn’t mean we weren’t designed with that potential.

The point is that both our spirits and physical bodies are influenced by our gender, and reflect qualities innate to our sex.  We have challenges with both our physical and spiritual bodies and as the two are joined here on Earth, their deficiencies affect each other.  For example, if your body has an imbalance that promotes depression this challenge can have great impact on your spiritual well being.  I think the reverse applies to spiritual challenges affecting how we treat or view our physical bodies.

What I know and believe to be true:

Just as male and female bodies physically complement each other (like puzzle pieces), so do male and female spirit bodies.  God designed and set us upon this Earth to serve, complement, and grow together.  We are intended companions not only as physical but spiritual beings as well.

“The natures of male and female spirits complete and perfect each other, and therefore men and women are intended to progress together toward exaltation. For divine purposes, male and female spirits are different, distinctive, and complementary.”~ Elder David A. Bednar (“Marriage is Essential to His Eternal Plan,” Ensign.  Sept. 1984)

Male and female spirit and physical bodies are designed per our sex.  If you’re female you have both a female spirit body and a female physical body, the two together creating a “living soul.”  I believe characteristics of spirit bodies vary as much as women have large breasts, no breasts, hormonal differences, the ability or inability to bare children and so forth.  We are uniquely designed and our characteristics physically and spiritually are an individual matter.

I know through and through that I am a woman.  I know that God designed me that way, and did so in a manner that would best serve me to develop and grow into the best that I may become (both here and in the worlds to come).  I also know that he designed a male companion for me that would help me in this journey.  I am grateful for it.

- Chickout

• What spiritual traits do you think characterize a male spirit body?  female?
• Did you know that we are all given spiritual gifts?  Learn more HERE.