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NIWDE - i do have a questions regarding to the cremate body. i heard some conversation few weeks ago and they having a hot conversation why the church disallowed to cremate the body of the ancestors. one of them saying that "the leaders disallowed us to do it because it hard for the cremated body to restore the body in the resurrection. the other guy hard to accept the statement given by the other guy. My question is, where in the scriptures tells us that the Lord counseled the prophet about this matter? or any talks from the presidency regarding to this?
JOEL - The reason for burying a body rather than cremating is NOT because it is harder for a cremated body to be resurrected. God is all powerful and can resurrect anyone regardless of the condition of their body. Think of all the people who have been burned in fires or drowned at sea, or people who died thousands of years ago, whose bodies have long since been decomposed into dust or ash. If He can resurrect them he certainly can resurrect a cremated body just as easily. Here is a statement from the church about cremation:
"The Church does not encourage cremation of the dead. However, in some countries, the law requires cremation. The family of the deceased must decide whether to cremate the body, taking into account any laws governing burial or cremation. The body of a deceased member who has been endowed should be dressed in temple clothing when it is cremated. A funeral service may be held if the ashes are buried or deposited in a mausoleum.
Since the organization of the Church in 1830, Latter-day Saints have been encouraged by their leaders to avoid cremation, unless it is required by law, and, wherever possible, to consign the body to burial in the earth and leave the dissolution of the body to nature, "for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return" (Gen. 3:19)
President Joseph Fielding Smith said:
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has never taken a definite stand on this question. Presumably no edict in relation to it will ever be taken. The matter of burial of the dead, as far as the Church is concerned, is an individual or a family matter. If any member of the Church should state in his will, or make any general statement, that he wished to be cremated, the Church authorities would not step in and interfere but would consider it something with which they had no official concern.
From the beginning of time it has been the custom to bury the dead, and in no sense whatever can I, or would I, speak in a manner to have my thoughts considered as a doctrine of the Church. I can express only my personal view, which is that when the time comes for me to die, I desire to have my body laid away in the place selected by the side of my loved ones. This custom is in keeping with historical tradition. (Answers to Gospel Questions, vol.2)
So while burial of a person is encouraged, the decision to bury or cremate is left up to the family to decide.
NIWDE - Do the bishop still need to conduct a nechronological service to the baby who died in the mother's womb? if yes please indicate some scripture references or any talks from the general authority.
JOEL - According to church policy about stillborn babies:
"Grieving parents whose child dies before birth should be given emotional and spiritual support.
Temple ordinances are not performed for stillborn children. However, this does not deny the possibility that a stillborn child may be part of the family in the eternities. Parents are encouraged to trust the Lord to resolve such cases in the way He knows is best. The family may record the name of a stillborn child on the family group record followed by the word stillborn in parentheses.
Memorial or graveside services may be held as determined by the parents.
It is a fact that a child has life before birth. However, there is no direct revelation on when the spirit enters the body." (Church Handbook of Instruction)
So it is pretty much up to the parents on what they do. The Bishop can help them as he would for any funeral service.
If you are talking about a fetus that has naturally aborted itself early in the pregnancy, there is no counsel on what to do in such circumstances; it is left up to the parents on how they handle the situation.
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