8. Mother in Heaven

The concept that we have a Mother as well as a Father in Heaven is one of the core tenets of the Mormon faith. Here we explore this tenet's origins as well as how we're approaching our Heavenly Mother today.

READINGS

Gospel Topics Essay on "Mother in Heaven," lds.org

"Oh My Father"” - Eliza R. Snow, LDS Hymnal, also 1910 illustrations of this hymn by artist John Hafen

"A Mother There: A Survey of Historical Teachings About Mother In Heaven” - David L. Paulsen, Martin Pulido, BYU Studies

"The Mormon Concept of A Mother in Heaven” - Linda Wilcox, Sisters in Spirit: Mormon Women in Historical and Cultural Perspective (University of Illinois Press)

"What I First Learned About Heavenly Mother” - Rachel Hunt Steenblik, Exponent II

Poem - "A Motherless House” - Carol Lynn Pearson

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Do men and women look at the doctrine of Mother in Heaven differently? What does it mean to know that you have a Heavenly Mother? Men? Women?

2. LDS members cite Eliza R. Snow’s hymn “Oh My Father” as the primary resource for this doctrine. It includes the phrase “the thought makes reason stare.” Is the logic of the principle enough to support this doctrine?

3. What theories have you heard as to why we don’t talk about our Heavenly Mother? (That there’s more than one, that she’s the Holy Ghost, that she’s too sacred to talk about) Based on some of the readings in the lesson, do these theories seem viable?

4. We are often encouraged to build a relationship with Christ and our Heavenly Father. How can you build a relationship with your Heavenly Mother?