LDS theology strongly affirms the pre-existence of Jesus Christ — not only as a pre-existent being but as the first and greatest spirit child of Heavenly Father, the God of the Old Testament (Jehovah), who directed the creation of the earth under the Father's guidance. This pre-mortal existence of Christ as Jehovah is a distinctive and central LDS teaching.

Moreover, LDS theology teaches that all human beings pre-existed as spirit children of Heavenly Father before their mortal birth — a doctrine called 'pre-mortal existence' or 'pre-existence.' Christ's pre-mortal existence is understood as qualitatively different (firstborn, preeminent, chosen Savior) but not ontologically different in kind from that of other spirit children.