The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints published a statement of belief today regarding a Mother in Heaven. The statement makes it clear that Heavenly Mother is Mormon doctrine. The following is the beginning paragraph:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that all human beings, male and female, are beloved spirit children of heavenly parents, a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother. This understanding is rooted in scriptural and prophetic teachings about the nature of God, our relationship to Deity, and the godly potential of men and women. The doctrine of a Heavenly Mother is a cherished and distinctive belief among Latter-day Saints.
The statement was published in the series of Gospel Topics Essays on LDS.org. In 2013, the Church began to publish a series of straightforward, in-depth essays to provide accurate information about some of the Church’s teachings, practices and history. These essays—13 published to date—were prepared through extensive research by men and women Church scholars and carefully reviewed by members of the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and other General Authorities and women leaders to provide official, authoritative, and transparent information.
The essay explains the following:
- 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.
- Eliza R. Snow wrote a poem that is now known as the hymn “O My Father,” which declares: “In the heav’ns are parents single? / No, the thought makes reason stare; / Truth is reason—truth eternal / Tells me I’ve a mother there.”
- Subsequent Church leaders have affirmed the existence of a Mother in Heaven.
- The Family: A Proclamation to the World declares that “Each [person] is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.”
- Latter-day Saints direct their worship to Heavenly Father, in the name of Christ, and do not pray to Heavenly Mother.
Read the Church’s official statement “Mother in Heaven.”
i don’t think the members of the Church will be surprise about this true principle, glad to see how this is expose to the rest of people, i’m sure some were waiting for this declaration, it will so helpful for some hearth’s ready to believe this and another true’s of the Gospel.
There has always been Scripture which stated that Yahweh had a wife and that she was the Heavenly Mother. Her name is Asherah.
Can you show me where I can find this scripture?
Worship of Asherah offended God. She was a Canaanite idol that the Hebrews should have shunned. Per the Old Testament, God forbade Asherah trees in Israel.
Joseph Smith was a great prophet of the gospel restored so it is natural that this great truth has been restored by revelation through him in this last dispensation. If we are organized into family, why not our Heavenly Father?
I’ve always believed the reason there is no scripture or hard doctrine on Mother-in-heaven for the sake of keeping her sacred. With as quick as the world is to mock and profane God the Father and Jesus Christ, it should be no surprise that Father -In-Heaven would want to protect her.
Sam Zaragoza, Father-in-Heaven would want to protect her from what??? Her own children?
From her name being slandered and used in vain, like his and his sons name. From being denied she exists, like he is. From being accused of everything bad that happens in this world is his fault and so it would also be hers. Not all of Gods children love him and are obedient to him.
Look at what His name has become, an expletive. He would never want that for His beloved.
Galatians 3:28 Weird and utterly ridiculous people mistake this passage foretelling us as androgynous beings in Heaven. Disproof by contradiction: Acts 1:9-12.
And Viola’, we surmise women can be in heaven. So is there a Mother in Heaven? Proof from the Word is Revelation 12:1-2
12 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.
And she, of Rev 12, revealed herself to me.
I LOVE the Mormon Articles of Faith number 9.
I’m sorry, this makes no sense. Sure, I grew up in the church and heard about her, but it’s awful that she “exists” yet isn’t talked about or prayed to. And saying that’s because Heavenly Father does that on purpose to “protect” her is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. She is a GOD, apparently.
If she is equal to her mate, she should be able to take a little criticism. Feel bad for the women in the church, it is things like this that make it very clear they are not equals.
As an active female member of the Church, I couldn’t agree more with Rob Chap. Mother in Heaven is a God, she can handle criticism, she can handle anything. As a God she possesses all the attributes of our Heavenly Father. We need to talk of her, rejoice in her, appreciate her, and acknowledge her. Keeping her in hiding and fragile and “protected” seems unnatural. As a mother of 4 and grandmother of 3 I hope I’m never hidden or “protected” from my own children.