Father Cervantes:
My daughter-in-law miscarried at 4 months. She is Mormon. They believe that spirits roam the earth looking for bodies. So one took her baby. What do I say to that? – Theresa
Theresa:
I am so sorry to hear that your daughter-in-law lost her unborn child in a miscarriage. The emotional and spiritual pain of such an experience is difficult to express in human words. May the Spirit of God heal your daughter-in-law, her husband, and you. The Church of Latter Day Saints do believe that there are roaming spirits, spirits of those who have died without the benefit of the gospel preached to them by way of the Church of Latter Day Saints. But I am not an expert in Mormon theology, but I can say that I have never heard or read that there are roaming spirits on earth looking for bodies taught by any Mormon leader. The teachings of the Latter Days Saints are so foreign to Catholics and other Christians that the only answer we can say is that this is not true in our faith. I don’t know if you can say anything to your daughter-in-law. Unless she can accept that the Catholic faith is the truth and that there are no roaming spirits ready to take a body, she will always think that she is correct and that somehow that explains why she lost her unborn baby in a miscarriage. This is one of those times in which you may say, “I don’t believe that. I believe that my grandchild is with the Lord in heaven and beholds His Glory forever.” Otherwise, there is no argument to present to your daughter-in-law that she is wrong in her belief that roaming spirits killed her unborn child. Once again, I am sorry to hear of her loss. I pray that the Spirit of God comforts her and releases her from any false teachings that keep her unsettled. – Father Cervantes
August2015
