Acts 17:26; Deut. 32:7-9; D&C 122:9; 138:53-56; Job 14:5; But for a Small Moment, Maxwell; Kisses at the Window, Bassett, pp. 33-36; refer in this text to Alma 13:3-5; Ether 12:26-27
“I believe the Savior possessed a fore-knowledge of all the vicissitudes through which He would have to pass in the mortal tabernacle. If Christ knew beforehand, so did we. But in coming here, we forgot all, that our agency might be free indeed, to choose good or evil.” (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p. 13)
“God does nothing by chance but always by design as a loving Father. The manner of our coming into the world, our parents, the time, and other circumstances of our birth and condition, are all according to eternal purposes, direction, and appointment of divine Providence.” (Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, Dec. 1974, p. 5)
“… we had our own free agency in our pre-mortal existence, and whatever we are today is likely the result of that which we willed to be heretofore. We unquestionably knew before we elected to come to this earth the conditions under which we would here exist… . I have a conviction deep down in my heart that we are exactly what we should be, each one of us, except as we may have altered that pattern by deviating from the laws of God here in mortality.” (Henry D. Moyle, Conference Report, Oct. 1952, pp. 71-72)
“When in situations of stress we wonder if there is any more in us to give. We can be comforted to know that God, who knows our capacity perfectly, placed us here to succeed. No one was foreordained to fail or to be wicked. Let us remember that we were measured before and were found equal to our tasks; therefore, let us continue, but with a more determined discipleship. When we feel overwhelmed, let us recall the assurance that God will not over-program us; he will not press upon us more than we can bear.” (Neal A. Maxwell, BYU Speeches of the Year, 1978, p. 156)
“It was my father who taught me about the premortal life. He explained that long ago you and I were born as daughters in our Heavenly Father’s family. We made sacred decisions there that have influenced what we are doing now. When I was younger, my grandfather gave me a blessing. He blessed me that I would ‘continue my ministry here that I had so nobly performed there.’ Now, if I had a ministry in the premortal existence, then so did you. It is not by chance that you were born now, in this season of the world’s history… . We all come from many different kinds of families. Some of you are doing hard things… . Some of you may worry about your relationships with your mother or father as you learn together how to live in families. You are learning that sometimes the Savior calms the storm. Sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms you… . In every young woman’s heart is a deep yearning to someday be a wife and a mother. These feelings were nurtured in your soul long before you came to this earth.” (Carol B. Thomas, Ensign, May 1998, pp. 91-92)
“Before we were born, … we made certain commitments and we agreed to come to this earth with great, rich, but different gifts… . Hold your soul very still, and listen to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. Follow the noble, intuitive feelings planted deep within your souls by Deity in the previous world.” (James E. Faust, Ensign, May 1998, pp. 95,97)