Why it is unfortunate Heavenly Mother is ignored

[_zeezrom]

In Hinduism, goddesses are an integral part of worship. Consider the Hindu's view of Devi, the female manifestation of the supreme lord, with many names and forms.

Consider how integral the Greek goddesses were in their religion.

How about Ārya Tārā of Buddhism, the mother of liberation?

How about Coatlicue, the mother of Aztec gods?

The Egyptian Tefnut?

Assyrian Ishtar?

Canaan Ba‘alat Gebal?

The Celtic Brigantia?

What happened to much of western belief (especially Christianity)? Why the aversion to the female God? Catholic Bishops are quick to point out that their adherents are merely honoring Mary rather than worshiping her (Bishop Mark A. Pivarunas, CMRI, 1994). Sure, Mary was a mortal but certainly has some God-like qualities: chosen to be the Mother of Jesus Christ, the Angel Gabriel honored and praised her. Mary was said to be filled with the Holy Ghost. It was also said: ‘Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?’

No, I'm not suggesting that Christians should worship Mary. I'm just curious why people seem to be afraid not to embrace more fully what Mary represents? I mean why not fully embrace the divinity of the female?

It almost makes a person think the rest of the world (today and historically) is more progressive religiously than the Protestant Christian!

Why is it unfortunate that Heavenly Mother is ignored in Mormon theology and teachings? Here are my puny attempts at reasons (I'm making it up as I go):

1. Balance: Recognizing a female counterpart in the divine as inspiration and hope for all creatures
2. Appreciating creation as a process that is in many ways fully understood by the woman and is a physical part of the woman
3. Recognizing that both the female human form and uniqueness of person is god-like
4. Understanding the divine qualities in motherhood and being comfortable in embracing these within the realm of worship

I'm beginning to see why some people are saddened that HM is ignored in Mormonism. It is sad to think that Mormons have the opportunity to be closer to female deity than any other Christian (that I know of) and they dropped the ball. I mean, what other Christian has a God with a wife (or wives)? Why is the LDS Church backing away from this?

[_zeezrom]

by the way - I would like to put some emphasis on this thought by re-posting it:

It is sad to think that Mormons have the opportunity to be closer to female deity than any other Christian (that I know of) and they dropped the ball.

[_Fence Sitter]

Is the assumption in LDS theology that there is only one heavenly mother? I would expect God is a polygamist as far as LDS believe.

[_zeezrom]

Is the assumption in LDS theology that there is only one heavenly mother? I would expect God is a polygamist as far as LDS believe.

Why does that matter?

We still are able to look at Joseph Smith and honor one woman (Emma). I don't see a problem with a person worshiping one of God's wives while recognizing there are others.

[_Fence Sitter]

Is the assumption in LDS theology that there is only one heavenly mother? I would expect God is a polygamist as far as LDS believe.

Why does that matter?

We still are able to look at Joseph Smith and honor one woman (Emma). I don't see a problem with a person worshiping one of God's wives while recognizing there are others.

So which one would you recognize and would it be the same as the one someone else recognizes? Or would you just assume that by addressing her generically she would know you are talking to her? Zee I don't disagree with your point about missing the boat here, but without knowing more about her how does one start? Does she even want recognition from us? God is all powerful, maybe he is so powerful he can create us without a partner. Would worshiping her mean we are polythiestic? How do you get closer to her with out knowing anything about her.

Sounds like a job for .... SUPER PROPHET!!!!

Or not.

[_zeezrom]

So which one would you recognize and would it be the same as the one someone else recognizes? Or would you just assume that by addressing her generically she would know you are talking to her? Zee I don't disagree with your point about missing the boat here, but without knowing more about her how does one start? Does she even want recognition from us? God is all powerful, maybe he is so powerful he can create us without a partner. Would worshiping her mean we are polythiestic? How do you get closer to her with out knowing anything about her.

Sounds like a job for .... SUPER PROPHET!!!!

Or not.

Look at how the Hindus do it. If you like one and I like another - that's ok! How does anyone know where to start with God in the first place? They read a book written by some dudes a long time ago. So? Essentially, you grow up with some idea and maybe you further form your ideas about God to work for you. You can easily do this with a female God that has very little written about her.

Does the man-God even want recognition from us? Same question.

Why does God have to be all-powerful? Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. What is wrong with being polythiestic?

Here is the key question of all questions of the century:

"How do you get closer to her with out knowing anything about her?"

Why aren't we asking that same thing about the big man-God?

[_greentam]

Thanks for bringing this up! It's such an interesting thing to talk to people about. I can see what you mean by asking why people should be offended, even if there is more than one Heavenly Mother. I think that some of this line of thought has come down from the commandments. Especially "you shall have no other Gods before me."
It is also interesting to note that even "Big Love" (yes I sometimes watch it! lol) last night talked about women giving blessings. And the female side of the priesthood.
I guess also, if you think about it, we don't know too much about God. In Mormon theology he has a body of flesh and blood, etc. we know what he wants/his demands and some of his actions. It really isn't a lot to off of. But I guess you could assume that a Heavenly Mother in Mormon theology would have the same goals for her spirit children.
Since leaving the church and exploring other churches I have really come to love Tara. Or, if there is deity, I'd rather it be Tara. In kind of a fluke, my friends started to call me "Tamm" a long time ago. After learning more I found out that "tam" is the seed syllable for Tara. Since then they have jokingly said that when I left I had cast off the name of Christ and had taken Tara's.
(Reference for the tam is here: http://www.visiblemantra.org/green-tara.html)

[_Joseph]

We still are able to look at Joseph Smith and honor one woman (Emma).

The same Emma Joseph said was the most evil person on Earth after she tried to poison him by doctoring his coffee?

The same Emma that went to another church after Joseph took the dirt nap?

Why does lds-inc acknowledge this witch at all? Why wasn't she excommunicated long ago? She is a terrible example for young women of the church.

[_Blixa]

How about Coatlicue, the mother of Aztec gods?

I saw her in mexico city after a day of walking around the outskirts of the upper-class zone of the city...I saw her. She's about eight feet tall and she has the twin feet of an enormous eagle and both her arms and large serpent's heads with tongues tasting the wind and her head...Around her shoulders she wore a necklace of rope that was strung with human hearts and human hands and they told me she was the goddess of the earth and they told me she was the goddess of life and death and I was amazed at how seductive she was.

David Wojnarowicz, Close to the Knives

I've seen her too.

[_Buffalo]

Surely there is a lot of ancient information about Heavenly Mother. Just look up Asherah, consort of El, then later El's son Yahweh. Come on LDS prophets, let's start canonizing those old time Canaanite writings!