Mother in Heaven – Part 2

Joseph Smith never taught about a "Mother in Heaven." But Subsequent Church leaders have affirmed the existence of a Mother in Heaven.

Gospel Topics Essays found onLDS.org  – Mother in Heavenpublished on October 23, 2015.

We are continuing our review of the Gospel Topics Essays found on LDS.org.  This one is addressing the idea of a Mother in Heaven.

This teaching is very, unique to Mormonism.  So,  let’s pick up where we left off in the essay.

“While there is no record of a formal revelation to Joseph Smith on this doctrine, some early Latter-day Saint women recalled that he personally taught them about a Mother in Heaven.  The earliest published references to the doctrine appeared shortly after Joseph Smith’s death in 1844, in documents written by his close associates.  The most notable expression of the idea is found in a poem by Eliza R. Snow, now known as the hymn, ‘O My Father.’  This text declares: ‘in the heavens are parents single?  No, the thought makes reason stare; Truth is reason – truth eternal – tells me I’ve a mother there.”

The doctrine of a Mother in Heaven is not a minor belief.   If anyone should have been aware of this teaching enough to have it included in LDS scripture, Joseph Smith would certainly seem to be the man.   But, the hymn “Oh My Father” didn’t come out until after Smith was dead.

The essay goes on to say,

“Subsequent Church leaders have affirmed the existence of a Mother in Heaven.  In 1909, the First Presidency taught that ‘all men and women are in the similitude of the universal Father and Mother and are literally the sons and daughters of Deity.’  Susa Young Gates, a prominent leader in the Church, wrote in 1920 that Joseph Smith’s visions and teachings revealed the truth that ‘the divine Mother, is side by side with the divine Father.’”

Wait a minute!  That statement contradicts what was said in the previous paragraph of the essay which said, “While there is no record of a formal revelation to Joseph Smith on this doctrine,”

If there is no formal revelation of God giving this teaching to Joseph Smith – as stated by that sentence – is the Mormon really suppose to accept this was a true teaching of Joseph Smith?  What evidence is there?

Let’s read on,

“And in ‘The Family: A Proclamation to the World,’ issued in 1995, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles declared, ‘Each person is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.’”

“Prophets have taught that our heavenly parents work together for the salvation of the human family.  ‘We are part of a divine plan designed by Heavenly Parents who love us,’ taught Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  President Harold B. Lee stated, ‘We forget that we have a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother who are even more concerned, probably, than our earthly father and mother, and that influences from beyond are constantly working to try to help us when we do all we can.’”

It is interesting that the, Heavenly Mother teaching, is rarely mentioned today by any LDS leader or in any church manuals.

It’s as if she is cut-off from her children.  We will find out in our next discussion that prayers from her spirit children will never be directed to her.  In, essence she is not allowed to have any contact with her spiritual off-spring.  And, they will not be encouraged by your church leaders to have a relationship with her.

Can you imagine a mother who is ignored and abandoned by her children in that way?

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