"A Mother There": A Survey of Historical Teachings about Mother in Heaven [Mormon mom-goddess]

...Latter-day Saint literature to a Mother in Heaven...Since the 1840s, this cherished doctrine has been an important, although relatively obscure, part of the Latter-day Saint understanding of the premortal origins and divine nature of mankind...

As Elder Erastus Snow (Quorum of the Twelve, February 12, 1849–May 27, 1888) avowed:

“What,” says one, “do you mean we should understand that Deity consists of man and woman?” Most certainly I do. If I believe anything that God has ever said about himself...I must believe that deity consists of man and woman...There can be no God except he is composed of the man and woman united, and there is not in all the eternities that exist, or ever will be a God in any other way.46 We may never hope to attain unto the eternal power and the Godhead upon any other principle...this Godhead composing two parts, male and female.47

These sentiments were later reaffirmed by President Hugh B. Brown (Quorum of the Twelve, April 10, 1958–December 2, 1975), by Elders James E. Talmage, Melvin J. Ballard (Quorum of the Twelve, January 7, 1919–July 30, 1939), and by Bruce R. McConkie (First Council of the Seventy, October 6, 1946–October 12, 1972).48 Given the popular contemporary LDS view that the highest form of worship is to emulate character, worship of the Father is also, indirectly, worship of the Mother, as each has equally perfect moral character.

...Elder Milton R. Hunter (First Council of the Seventy, April 6, 1945–June 27, 1975) taught that the exaltation and endless lives that celestial women and men share include “the power to create or organize mortal worlds.”53 Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (First Quorum of the Seventy)...and his wife, Patricia, have taught that our Mother and our Father are involved in the ongoing process of creating everything around us...

don't forget to worship at the altar of the female part of the Mormon godhood! /s)

The attraction to a heavenly demigoddess corresponds to the degree one lacks a relationship with the living God, in which we have direct access to God thru the sinless shed blood of Christ, (Heb. 10:19), who is the only Heavenly intercessor btwn God and man (1Tim. 2:5) and who can not only supremely sympathize with our infirmities but uniquely can show and enable us to overcome them, since He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin. (Heb. 4:15) Sadly, this pagan attraction to a heavenly demigodess is seen among those who call themselves Christian.

The Catholic Encyclopedia speculates that a further reinforcement of Marian devotion, “was derived from the cult of the angels, which, while pre-Christian in its origin, was heartily embraced by the faithful of the sub-Apostolic age. It seems to have been only as a sequel of some such development that men turned to implore the intercession of the Blessed Virgin. This at least is the common opinion among scholars, though it would perhaps be dangerous to speak too positively. Evidence regarding the popular practice of the early centuries is almost entirely lacking...,” (Catholic Encyclopedia > Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary)

Who basically say,

As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee. But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes... (Jeremiah 44:16-17)

It's Mother Day tomorrow...where Brigham Young University is publishing stuff that says worshiping the Father is also indirect worship of this mom-goddess.

But do they get into the artificial definition of worship one i said to be merely venerating someone by kneeling before a statue and praising the entity it represented in the unseen world, with adulation, attributes, glory and titles never given in Scripture to created beings (except to false gods), including having the uniquely Divine power glory to hear and respond to virtually infinite numbers of prayers addressed to them, and beseeching such for Heavenly help, and making offerings to them. Which would constitute worship in Scripture, yet a certain religion playing word games imagines they avoid crossing the invisible line between mere "veneration" and worship in so doing.

Moses, put down those rocks! I was only engaging in hyper dulia, not adoring her. Can't you tell the difference?

As Elder Erastus Snow (Quorum of the Twelve, February 12, 1849–May 27, 1888) avowed:

“What,” says one, “do you mean we should understand that Deity consists of man and woman?” Most certainly I do. If I believe anything that God has ever said about himself...I must believe that deity consists of man and woman...There can be no God except he is composed of the man and woman united, and there is not in all the eternities that exist, or ever will be a God in any other way. We may never hope to attain unto the eternal power and the Godhead upon any other principle...this head composing two parts, male and female.

Many many years ago, I acquired a cassette tape made in the early 70s by a now-forgotten Mormom apologist. The tape was a two-hour discussion of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and how they "proved" all of the distinct doctrines of Mormonism including the existence of "Mother". I wish I could remember who the apologist was!

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