Soul exist before you are born or growing ?

Question

According to christianity does the soul of an individual exist before it is born, and even before their parents are born ?

Answer 1

According to the Bible ensoulment occurs before birth. In Jeremiah it suggests that ensoulment occurs before implantation (before the fetus is formed in the womb) - in a pre-existence.

Although not specifically stated, it is usually assumed that the soul begins at the moment of conception.

Verses specifically addressing ensoulment are:

John the Baptist: "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine or liquor; and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, while yet in his mother's womb." (Luke 1:15)

Paul: But when He who had set me apart, even from my mother's womb, and called me through His grace… (Galatians 1:15)

Jeremiah: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5)

Some believe that the soul is however, not 'set' until birth - that up to that point it may come and go at will.

Answer 2

And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.   For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

Answer 3

According to  Buddhists, it did before you were born.

Answer 4

The LDS believe that this is one of the plain and precious doctrines that were lost from the early Christian church, and later restored through the prophet Joseph Smith.  There are scriptures in the bible that seem to indicate a premortal existence.  "Before thou wast born, I knew thee, and ordained thee a prophet unto nations..."