Heavenly Mother

One of the LDS concepts I think I most strongly value is the notion of a Heavenly Mother. I have spent the day pretty intensely enraptured by the idea reading articles and just contemplating the utter complexity of the idea. It is strange to remove myself from the very abstract notion of god’s gender and to begin to place components of gender to my view of God. It is even stranger for me to imagine another personage of comfort beside him. Yet, this feels natural in a way.

 

 

What follows is pretty purely speculation on my part and involves outlandish ideas such divine embodiment. For those not interest in theology, this post is probably worth bypassing

 

It makes sense, of course, that if men and woman were made in the image of the godhead, that the feminine would come from a personage as well. Of course, the Jewish idea that man and woman are sort of literally split into two works for this point as well, but is not as satisfying as the idea that male and female together form a template that has at the very least worked for our heavenly father and mother ( there is no guarantee that same gendered god pairings could not exist only that such is not a pairing included in the plan of salvation created for us). I have been reading about links to the old testament notion of Aserath and also to the greek and judeo wisdom tradition as Sophia. I am also looking into the imagery associated with the Sabbath as a bride which I feel might have some connection. It also makes me think about the cult of Maryhood developed by the catholic church, Perhaps, there is some merit to the idea that heavenly mother embodied as Mary in a twist on what Catholics believe. Thus, there was a literal act of conception between the Heavenly Father and Mother to produce Christ. Yet, this may not work because the question arises of whether Joseph then could be said to have had intercourse with a Goddess. These ideas are mere speculation of course. There is also the kabbalistic idea of Shekhinah or the feminine spirit of god on the earth which holds may of the nutritive qualities we would associate with a mother.  Yet, the Shekhinah is also described quite like the  holy spirit in other places. It’s presence is conditional on an absence of sin and is a revealer of truth (Linking it back to the wisdom tradition). I know that General Authorities have spoken the Holy Spirit as masculine, but I wonder if it is not possible that this is an example of mistaken pronouns and that perhaps the Holy Spirit and our heavenly mother are one in the same. This would also explain the notion of the Holy Spirit impregnating Mary as is commonly understood. The Heavenly Mother was associated traditionally with pregnancy and fertility. Thus, it is she that might fill a virgin with a child in violation of standard order of things. It would also fit some of the more paternalistic comments made by authorities about protection of the holy mother as she is only granted to members of the church of the lord and recoils at the sight of sin.  I rather like the idea of the three personages being mother father and son as it fills our natural sense of family and links back to the ideas of eternal progression, which are so important to the church. Obviously, this is pure speculation but I find it pretty fascinating. I long for and pray for continued revelation on the part of the general authorities of this church in order to give members a fuller conception of our mother in heaven. I predict that whatever is discovered will conceptually fit the ancient Israeli ideas and templates which so many LDS ideas hearken back to a complete.

 

I have also been filled with interest as I’ve been reading blogs by Pagan Mormons believing in the dispensation but also in notions of  a divine mother earth deserving our worship. I find it appealing that my faith can actually be extended to be accommodating and to fill others lives. I’ve found in my conversations with those of all backgrounds and beliefs that the LDS church has some major theological idea that can inspire and connect. Be it the notion of premortality, heavenly mother, divine progression etc. All of these concepts can be found in part through other faiths and idea structures. I feel that the LDS church puts them together theologically into a coherent package which is inspiring. Thus, it allows me to believe in the precept upon precept revelation of truth in the sense that these ideas came unto others before being restored. It is a beautiful idea because it allows me to believe that those of other faiths in other places could have been and can continue to be prophets and visionaries of God. Thus, I have no problem believing that the Muslim prophet Muhammad was a prophet of god, nor that other even more modern faiths such as Ba’hai can have some divine truth in them. I can only believe that the impact of other faiths and practices will continue to impress revelations onto all mankind and onto the leaders of the church.

 

Here are the relevant links I mention

 

Article in Dialogue by Kevin Barney- How to Worship Our Mother in Heaven ( Without getting excommunicated)

http://www.dialoguejournal.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/4104-05Barney.pdf

Nephi and his Asherah by Daniel Peterson

http://farms.byu.edu/publications/jbms/?vol=9&num=2&id=223

Some Pagan Mormon Blogs that I’ve taken a fancy to

http://motherlovergoddess.blogspot.com/

http://bethanymagdalene.blogspot.com/