Mother in Heaven

Tweet

by Seattle Jon (bio)

Leonardo da Vinci

Our youngest, Noah, who is six, recently gave a talk in primary. The topic was "I Am A Child of God." I used the opportunity to introduce him to his Heavenly Mother.

The mormon doctrine of Heavenly Mother was referenced frequently by both male and female church leaders during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, before an "agglomeration of folk tradition and anti-feminist retrenchment made talking about Mother in Heaven virtually taboo." (Brooks, Is Heavenly Mother Making a Comeback in Mormonism?) Ms. Brooks also suggests the taboo might finally be easing, citing research published in the journal BYU Studies (purchase the article) showing that the oft-cited belief that discourse about Heavenly Mother is forbidden or inappropriate has no basis in Mormon history or doctrine.

Personally, I find the speculative theology of a Heavenly Mother to be both beautiful and satisfying ... and I'd like my children to know about Her. Below is the before and after of Noah's Primary talk I found on MormonShare.

Even though we cannot remember living with Heavenly Father, He remembers. He knows and loves each of us because we are His children. One day we'll remember how well we know Him, too. President Ezra Taft Benson (1899 - 1994) once said, "Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar his face is to us" (quoted in Ensign, May 1991, 66). I think it will be _______________ to return home to Him someday because _______________.

Even though we cannot remember living with our Heavenly Parents, They remember. They know and love each of us because we are Their children. One day we'll remember how well we know Them, too. President Ezra Taft Benson (1899 - 1994) once said, "Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar his face is to us" (quoted in Ensign, May 1991, 66). I think it will be nice to return home to my Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother someday because I believe in Them.

Noah won't remember the talk, but maybe a primary leader or older primary child who was listening will find something in the theology they too find beautiful and satisfying. And they will know about Her too.