Presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have declared that not only does every single person on the planet have a Father in Heaven, but every single person on the planet also has a Heavenly Mother. Mormon men aspire to become like God, and Mormon women may aspire to become like their Heavenly Mother.
Heavenly Mother’s Nature Revealed
Spirits cannot be created from nothing in Mormon doctrine. Spirits, like physical children, require an interaction between a mother and father. Before any person can be born on Earth, their spiritual conception must take place in Heaven. Rather than a series of multiple lives through reincarnation, spirits wait their turn to be born into this world.
The Origins of Heavenly Mother
The origins of the belief that all people on the planet have a Heavenly Mother as well as a Heavenly Father originated with Joseph Smith. The hymn “O My Father”, written by Eliza R. Snow after listening to sermons given by Joseph Smith, was the first reference. Wilford Woodruff would later call it a revelation, even though it was written by a woman.
Joseph Fielding Smith answered that we must use reason to infer the existence of a Heavenly Mother, since the scriptures do not mention such a being directly. The third Mormon prophet also said, “All men and women are in the similitude of the universal Father and Mother and are literally the sons and daughters of Deity.”
Literal Children of Our Heavenly Mother and Father
The phrase “I am a Child of God” is used often in other religions,but it is taken literally in Mormonism. It follows logically that rather than being metaphorical brothers and sisters, Mormons are spirit brothers and sisters in a very real sense.
Heavenly Mother in Mormon Theology
While the idea of Heavenly Mother exists in Mormon theology, unlike Elohim and Jehovah, who are God and Jesus Christ respectively, Heavenly Mother’s name has never been revealed. This may be due to there being more than one or that God simply has too much respect for his wife to have her name taken in vain. Prayers to Heavenly Mother are not offered up by Mormons and the current Prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, has said that as there are no scriptural examples of people praying to a Heavenly Mother, such prayers should not be offered.
Sources:
“Heavenly Mother – Lightplantet.com”
“The Mormon Concept of a Heavenly Mother.” Linda Wilcox. Sunstone 25th Anniversay Issue 2007. Salt Lake City, Utah..
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