As many of you may know, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons). Less of you know that our doctrine states that God, Heavenly Father, has a wife and she is our Mother in Heaven or Heavenly Mother. We can know that she exists as Eliza R. Snow puts it:
In the heavens are parents single?
No the thought makes reason stare!
Truth is reason; truth eternal
tells me I've a Mother there.
(O My Father, Hymn 292)
This doctrine may seem unorthodox to many Christians, but it makes sense to me. It feels right and true to me as it always has.
Now despite it being doctrine (meaning an accepted religious belief), we really don't talk about her much in our classes and meeting. This may be because of fear of confusing investigators, the sacredness of the topic, lack of knowledge or confidence in knowledge of our Heavenly Mother, or any other number of reasons of varying validity.
This came to mind as I came across a blog entry recently about a woman and her struggles with the fact that it is belief that is rarely discussed (and sometimes bordering on taboo). I am not including the link to this blog because I don't think that it is a very good article and certainly not representative of what most Mormons feel. It was almost faith destructive in tone. It did however prompt me to reflect on my thoughts on Her.
I have some strong beliefs about Heavenly Mother. I must admit that I have not studied the subject extensively (as a new mother myself, my to-do list is usually comprised of tasks of survival),but I felt strongly that someone needs to voice an opinion of belief among those of doubt and derision.
First, I believe that she exists. I think Eliza R. Snow has outlined an excellent line of logic. Just as all of God's children have been created after a divine pattern, so have our families. Several scriptures support the principle of the necessity of both sexes in God's eyes, including “Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 11:11) and “And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant... they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things...” (D&C 132:19). Exaltation means that we become as God is. As Heavenly Father is eternal, unchanging and cannot lie (Titus 1:2), he must comply with His own laws. The existence of Mother in Heaven attests to the divinity and value of my role as a mother and woman.
I believe that She is no less aware of our needs as her children. She can hear our thoughts and prayers and works for our benefit just as constantly, just as quickly and just as caring as our Father in Heaven does. As a woman Herself, I believe she watches with much care as all women encounter the exclusively female experiences of this life.
Lastly, I believe that she is private. I believe that there is a reason there is less discussion and doctrine about her; a reason I do not know or perhaps could understand. I know that we will come to know her and about her in the next life when we pass through the veil. I also believe that a relationship with her and an understanding of her is a private ordeal as well. I hope to learn more about her as I study the scriptures and pray to my Father in Heaven. But I think it is inappropriate to force one's thoughts and observations onto apprehensive or unreceptive audience. Yes, this means I won't be praying to Heavenly Mother because Christ and the prophets have set forth the pattern of praying to our Father. And I will seek to gain a relationship with her even before this life is over.
Remember that I don't speak for the Church or its members, only myself and aren't meant to impel anyone to align themselves with my belief system. And these are simply the largely unorganized thoughts of a mother written down hurriedly between Cheerios and tantrums and housework. Nonetheless, they are sincere beliefs and near to my heart.
4 comments:
Very nice, Kelsey. Of course, I completely agree with you. I tend to believe the reason we don't know much of her now is to keep her sacred. Think of how much God is mocked, ridiculed, etc, by all the mortals of Earth thoughout it's entire existence. As a man & a loving husband, it's seems a natural instinct to want to shield his wife from that. Same as any good man/husband instinctually would want to protect his wife/daughter/sister from scum bags doing anything to hurt her. Those who believe in her & hold her sacred can find that spiritual connection and revelation on their own, like you said.
I like your post about developing a relationship with Heavenly Mother--I know it can be a pretty touchy subject. I've always wondered if the idea of a Heavenly Mother got lost anciently because the Old Testament people were so patriarchal (actually, we're still pretty patriarchal today). Also, sometimes I wonder if all of those ancient fertility goddesses were corruptions of the idea of a Heavenly Mother--perhaps that's another reason why she was taken out of the history.
I was thinking about Heavenly Mother last time we sang "O My Father" in Relief Society. I got this overwhelming feeling of her love for each of us. I know how much I love and watch over Zach and she's able to do the same for us only with a perfected capacity and abilities. It was a really wonderful experience. Thanks for reminding me of it.
I just want to comment on the fact that my original post contained me saying that I wanted to pray to Her.
Upon further reflection and a little additional knowledge on what the prophets have said concerning prayer, I don't think that is necessarily the best idea. Christ prayed to the Father and thus set the pattern for all of us. And unless I hear different, that is what I am going to do.
Post a Comment