A Boy’s Guide to Heavenly Mother offers insights into the divine feminine within religious teachings, emphasizing her significance. At CONDUCT.EDU.VN, we aim to provide comprehensive guidance on understanding this doctrine, promoting spiritual growth. Discover how understanding our Heavenly Mother enhances spiritual perspectives, fosters inclusivity, and strengthens faith.
1. Exploring the Doctrine of Heavenly Mother
1.1. The Significance of the Divine Feminine
The doctrine of a Heavenly Mother, while not exclusive to any single faith, highlights the importance of the divine feminine. Religions worldwide allude to a divine feminine presence, enriching the spiritual landscape with qualities traditionally associated with motherhood. This understanding adds depth and balance to theological perspectives.
1.2. Latter-day Saint Perspective on Heavenly Parents
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the doctrine emphasizes that all individuals are spirit children of heavenly parents: a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother. This belief sets it apart from other Christian faiths. According to official church essays, this doctrine teaches that both male and female beings are equally cherished and divine.
Alt: Caitlin Connolly’s painting “In Their Image” portraying the concept of Heavenly Mother and child
1.3. McArthur Krishna and Bethany Brady Spalding’s Contribution
Authors McArthur Krishna and Bethany Brady Spalding have significantly contributed to this discussion through their books, including “Girls Who Choose God” and “Our Heavenly Family, Our Earthly Families.” Their collaborative works, “A Girl’s Guide to Heavenly Mother” and “A Boy’s Guide to Heavenly Mother,” offer insights tailored for young readers.
2. Motivations and Perspectives on Teaching About Heavenly Mother
2.1. Empowering Women Through Gospel Truths
Bethany Brady Spalding highlights the joy and empowerment derived from the restored gospel. The knowledge of a Heavenly Mother enriches women’s understanding of their potential and eternal destiny. Spalding and Krishna aim to share these illuminating truths with all daughters of God, fostering a clearer vision of their divine heritage.
2.2. Faith-Affirming and Doctrine-Aligned Approach
From the beginning, Krishna and Spalding have committed to creating faith-affirming books aligned with current church teachings. This dedication ensures their work is published and supported by Deseret Book. Their goal is to inspire and celebrate women through the restored gospel.
2.3. Restoring Balance Through Additional Focus
The authors emphasize that their focus on Heavenly Mother is not to elevate her above Heavenly Father or any other gospel truth. Instead, it aims to shine light on a cherished belief that has been somewhat neglected. By paying additional attention to this doctrine, they seek to restore balance and celebrate the partnership of our Heavenly Parents in the salvation of humanity.
3. The Joyous Aspect of Heavenly Mother
3.1. Gospel as a Message of Joy
McArthur Krishna emphasizes that the gospel is a message of joy, and the knowledge of Heavenly Mother has the potential to reinforce and accentuate that joy. She notes a distinct lack of joy among some advocates and those concerned about this teaching, hoping to uplift hearts with these considerations.
3.2. Addressing Concerns and Misconceptions
Some believe that the doctrine of Heavenly Mother is too sacred to discuss, but Krishna argues that prophets have taught otherwise. Heavenly Mother is integral to discussions about premortal life, eternal families, and divine progression. Knowing we have a Mother in Heaven is expansive and inspiring, adding depth to our understanding of families and divine destiny.
3.3. Respectful Gospel Conversation
Krishna believes that understanding Heavenly Mother represents a divine destiny for women on the covenant path, leading to a respectful gospel conversation that can be embraced with excitement rather than fear. This perspective encourages a balanced and joyous exploration of this doctrine.
4. Response to the Books and Their Impact
4.1. Overwhelmingly Positive Reception
Spalding notes that the response to their Girl’s and Boy’s Guides to Heavenly Mother has been overwhelmingly positive, with expressions of joy, gratitude, and awe. Young women have found the books valuable in understanding their identity as beloved daughters of Heavenly Parents.
4.2. Tools for Teaching and Learning
Parents appreciate having another tool to teach their children about this Latter-day Saint doctrine. Youth leaders have found the books helpful in lessons, discussions, and activities. The high demand, with books selling out multiple times, reflects a yearning to know more about this doctrine.
4.3. Global Perspective and Awe-Inspiring Impact
Krishna emphasizes that the positive reaction is not about them or their books, but about the joyous gospel truth they convey. Sharing this truth with women around the world has shown them light up with joy as they learn more about the Mother they will become like, which is awe-inspiring.
5. The Global Impact of Understanding Heavenly Mother
5.1. Addressing Cultural Challenges
Krishna and Spalding’s extensive travels abroad have shown them the intense challenges women face globally. A deeper appreciation for the revolutionary message of equality taught by Jesus Christ can help address these issues. The knowledge of Heavenly Mother can eradicate harmful cultural perspectives and reinforce the truth that women and men are equally valued children of God.
5.2. Empowering Women Against Abuse
Spalding shares a story of a friend from South Africa who works with survivors of domestic violence. Understanding Heavenly Mother as a divine being working harmoniously with Heavenly Father could transform lives in communities facing abuse.
5.3. Spreading Awareness and Joy Through Media
In Ecuador, many were unaware of the doctrine of a Mother in Heaven until recently. Inspired to celebrate this doctrine, Krishna and Spalding created a short video to spread awareness, shifting the conversation from gloom to joy. The video shares how this understanding has blessed the lives of faithful Latter-day Saints.
6. Strengthening Faith Through Gospel Teachings
6.1. Strengthening Faith on the Covenant Path
The authors emphasize that celebrating Heavenly Mother is part of the gospel panorama and can strengthen faith. They are not advocating for specific practices but trust prophet leaders to guide on this matter. Appreciating this gospel teaching strengthens people’s faith, especially women.
6.2. Looking Up to the Eternal Prototype
Krishna quotes President Monson’s encouragement to “look up” for encouragement, emphasizing that Heavenly Mother is the “eternal prototype” for women. This model expands women’s sense of purpose and dignity, reminding them of their divine destiny and potential for godhood.
6.3. Embracing the Call to Step Forward
Women who are reminded of their potential to become like their Mother in Heaven have more reason to rise up in faith and power. This understanding helps them embrace President Nelson’s call to take their rightful place in their homes, communities, and the kingdom of God.
7. The Importance for Boys and Men
7.1. Understanding Divine Equality
Spalding shares an experience where young men connected the doctrine of Heavenly Mother with the understanding that machismo is not aligned with the restored gospel. The divine Mother works side by side with the divine Father, teaching men and women to work as equal partners.
7.2. Finding Comfort and Guidance
Men also find deep comfort in the teaching that they have a Heavenly Mother who is concerned about them. Fathers use the Guides to Heavenly Mother to discuss qualities they seek in future partners, emphasizing the profound meaning men find in this gospel teaching.
7.3. Clear Injunction for United Work
Krishna points out that Heavenly Parents are the “divine pattern,” working together for the salvation of their children. The doctrine of Heavenly Mother gives men and boys a clear injunction that working unitedly with women is the model to practice, which is essential in today’s world.
8. Addressing Concerns About Disrupting Faith
8.1. Reinforcing Commitment to Christ
Krishna asserts that increased awareness of Heavenly Mother reinforces commitment to Christ and Heavenly Father. Individuals appreciate how united they are in working together for our salvation. The path to Christ ultimately returns us to the presence of our Parents.
8.2. Understanding Divine Unity
The Gospel Topics Essay states, “Our theology begins with Heavenly Parents. Our highest aspiration is to be like them.” Elder Clawson noted that honoring our Eternal Mother does not diminish our worship of the Eternal Father. This understanding helps women see how unity and inclusion work in the divine pattern.
8.3. Comprehensive Gospel Truth
Elder M. Russell Ballard stated, “I testify there is no greater goal in mortality than to live eternally with our Heavenly Parents and our beloved Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” The doctrine of Heavenly Mother is not separate but integral to the journey towards eternal life with our Heavenly Parents and Savior.
9. Personal Loss and Heavenly Mother
9.1. Sweet Awareness and Cherished Memory
Referencing personal loss, Jacob Hess notes the importance of staying aware and cherishing the memory of loved ones, similar to maintaining a sweet awareness of Heavenly Mother. This encourages a respectful approach to understanding while adhering to established guidelines.
9.2. Essential Characteristics of Gender
Spalding references The Family Proclamation, which states that gender is an essential characteristic of individual identity and purpose. Mothers and fathers have unique traits that bless their children in different ways, highlighting the profound role of a Mother’s love.
9.3. Healing and Celebration
For those with complicated relationships with earthly mothers, Heavenly Mother can be a way to celebrate motherhood without angst. This offers healing and comfort without crossing established boundaries.
10. Avoiding Distractions and Maintaining Focus
10.1. Mother’s Love as a Simple Truth
Spalding asks, “What could be more plain and simple than a Mother’s love?!” She challenges the idea that appreciating Heavenly Mother is a distraction, emphasizing that she is essential for her children’s well-being, similar to earthly mothers.
10.2. Setting Sights Higher
She references Sister Patricia Holland’s charge that we have a sacred obligation to discuss what we know about our Heavenly Mother, arguing against automatically labeling such conversations as dangerous distractions. Reminding us to set our sights higher than worldly influences and to emulate our Heavenly Mother.
10.3. Balance and Gratitude
Spalding acknowledges concerns that too much focus on Heavenly Mother can create imbalance but emphasizes the importance of balance and gratitude for revealed truths. These approaches ground faith and discipleship within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
11. Modeling Positive Conversations Online
11.1. A Welcoming Online Space
Krishna mentions the launch of a new Instagram page called “cherished doctrine” to create a welcoming online space aligned with the Church. This page aims to cross boundaries of concern and help individuals grow in knowledge respectfully.
11.2. Church-Focused Landing Place
The goal is to provide a church-focused landing place for those who want to appreciate this aspect of the restored gospel and how it connects to God’s plan. It is designed for those who want to learn more after significant announcements or changes.
11.3. Bolstering Spirits in Difficult Times
Krishna suggests that the discussion, done with the right spirit, could be a timely blessing and a tender mercy to bolster spirits. The benefits of such discussions, approached correctly, can significantly outweigh the concerns.
12. The Joyous Truth of Heavenly Mother
12.1. Lifting and Motivating
Krishna expresses that celebrating our “divine destiny” as women is lifting, not heavy. She worries that without celebrating the doctrine of Heavenly Mother, we miss out on a gospel truth that strengthens women and enhances our understanding of building towards the eternities.
12.2. Rich and Good Fruits
Many women report that becoming more aware of the doctrine of Heavenly Mother has brought rich and good fruits. They feel more invested in their families and experience greater joy, energy, and hope for their future.
12.3. Expansive Vision for Women
Krishna highlights The Proclamation on the Family, emphasizing that each person is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents with a divine nature and destiny. The doctrine of Heavenly Mother reinforces a more expansive vision for women in the eternities.
13. The Ultimate Goal: Reuniting with Heavenly Parents
13.1. Seeing Ourselves in God
Spalding expresses her desire for her girls to hear in church that as they follow Christ, there is a Mother there to welcome and embrace them. Her hope is that they see themselves in God—a perfected man and woman sealed together.
13.2. Casting Out Fear with Perfect Love
She emphasizes that we should not fear understanding more about Heavenly Mother. Drawing from scripture, she notes, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.” Knowing about our Heavenly Parents should cast out fear, not create it.
13.3. Gems for the Wider World
Spalding wants to be part of ushering in the ongoing restoration, noting that Harvard professor Noah Feldman considers the reality of a Heavenly Mother one of the greatest gems Latter-day Saints can offer the world. Embracing Heavenly Mother not only enriches personal faith but also offers a unique perspective to the global community.
14. Avoiding Extremes and Seeking Balance
14.1. Watchfulness and Personal Responsibility
Krishna acknowledges the need to be personally watchful of going too far on any gospel principle, encouraging individual responsibility in maintaining balance. Recognizing the potential for imbalance, she urges closer examination of unmet needs and acknowledgment of the blessings possible through awareness.
14.2. Overzealousness on Both Sides
Spalding recognizes overzealousness on both sides of the Heavenly Mother conversation. While some may explore Heavenly Mother excessively, others may prohibit discussion altogether. The solution lies in creating more balance, sticking to the doctrine taught in the Gospel Topics Essay.
14.3. Encouraging Discussion and Application
Spalding hopes for more discussion and application of the truths found in the Gospel Topics Essay. To be clear, we’re not demanding more doctrine (like Elder Renlund warned against); we’re hoping for more discussion and application of the truths found in the Gospel Topics Essay, so we can find that beautiful balance! Encouraging more discussion and application of revealed truths. This approach addresses frustration by fully utilizing the knowledge we already have.
15. Expanding Language and Perspective
15.1. Encouraging Appreciating of Mother’s Title
The authors do not want to eliminate or discourage the use of the titles Father and Christ but simply want to encourage more space for the title of Mother to be appreciated in our sacred language. Expanding our spiritual vocabulary to better reflect gospel truths.
15.2. Developing a Mother Tongue
Martin Pulido encourages Latter-day Saints to develop a “mother tongue”—the ability to speak of Heavenly Mother comfortably and naturally. As we study and learn about the “divine pattern” set by our Heavenly Parents, our appreciation for Heavenly Father deepens, and we gain a new awareness of Heavenly Mother’s sacrifice.
15.3. Reaching a Richer Understanding
Krishna notes that understanding Heavenly Mother enriches our understanding of Jesus’ divine mission and the opportunity to become at one with God. Reuniting with God includes reuniting with a Heavenly Mother, adding depth to our vision for who we can become.
16. Applying Doctrine in Life Choices
16.1. Inspiring and Guiding Life Choices
Krishna states that we have received incredibly rich doctrines that can inspire and guide our life choices. Elder Holland emphasizes that we are spirit daughters of heavenly parents with a divine nature and eternal destiny, which should be fundamental to every decision we make.
16.2. Revolutionary Doctrine
Spalding highlights the revolutionary doctrine of Heavenly Mother, giving us profound, life-changing knowledge. She wants to shout for joy, grateful for the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
16.3. Partner God: Not a Sidekick
Spalding emphasizes that girls, young women, and women need to know that their eternal progression leads to a designing, creating, loving, involved, influencing co-equal partner God. Heavenly Mother is not an invisible, secondary sidekick. This knowledge is essential and beautiful.
17. Call to Action: Seeking Understanding
17.1. Sticking to the Gospel Topics Essay
Krishna reminds us to stick strictly with the Gospel Topics Essay, which offers plenty of information to teach about Heavenly Mother: She loves us, is concerned about us, and helped design the plan for our lives. The essay provides a foundation for understanding her role.
17.2. The Power of Asking
Drawing on the model of Joseph Smith, Krishna encourages asking God for better understanding. Those feeling frustrated or wanting to better understand the truth of this doctrine should ask God, the ultimate source of truth and wisdom.
17.3. Work and Bless Others
Krishna’s personal philosophy is to work and bless others’ lives in that arena. If frustrated, find a way to contribute positively. Jesus taught about working in the vineyard.
18. Transforming Perspectives and Ushering in Restoration
18.1. Big, Beautiful, Bold Truths
Spalding emphasizes that even focusing only on what is taught in the Gospel Topics Essay would be revolutionary for girls and women. The essay affirms truths such as: our understanding of Heavenly Mother is rooted in scripture; She stands side by side with Heavenly Father; She helped design the Plan of Salvation and works together with Heavenly Father for the salvation of the human family; Heavenly Mother is concerned about her children, can influence us, and is constantly trying to help us. Those are big, beautiful, bold truths that can transform the way women see themselves now and in the eternities.
18.2. Positive Spiritual Momentum
Spalding shares a quote from a recent interview, “Even if we focused only on what is taught in the Gospel Topics Essay on Heavenly Mother, it would be revolutionary for girls and women. The essay affirms these truths: our understanding of Heavenly Mother is rooted in scripture; She stands side by side with Heavenly Father; She helped design the Plan of Salvation and works together with Heavenly Father for the salvation of the human family; Heavenly Mother is concerned about her children, can influence us, and is constantly trying to help us. Those are big, beautiful, bold truths that can transform the way women see themselves now and in the eternities.” We are confident good things are sure to come.
18.3. Importance of Dialogue
Both authors emphasize the importance of ongoing dialogue. As we move forward, may we appreciate the rich doctrine of Heavenly Mother and its expansive impact on our faith.
19. Conclusion: Embracing the Joy
19.1. Expanding Language and Perspective
Understanding Heavenly Mother enriches our understanding of Jesus’ divine mission and the opportunity to become at one with God. Reuniting with God includes reuniting with a Heavenly Mother, adding depth to our vision for who we can become.
19.2. Transforming Perspectives and Ushering in Restoration
Spalding highlights the revolutionary doctrine of Heavenly Mother, giving us profound, life-changing knowledge. This invites you to shout for joy, grateful for the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
19.3. A Mother in Heaven
In addition to a Father and a Brother, we have a Mother. This reality just makes your heart dance. Tune in; doesn’t that reality just make your heart sing or glory or at least swell? Don’t take away the sheer joy of a Mother in Heaven.
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20. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about Heavenly Mother:
- Why is it important to learn about Heavenly Mother? Understanding Heavenly Mother provides a more complete view of our divine potential and the nature of God.
- What does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teach about Heavenly Mother? The Church teaches that all individuals are spirit children of Heavenly Parents, a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother.
- Where can I find reliable information about Heavenly Mother? The Gospel Topics Essay on the Church’s website is a great source.
- Is it appropriate to pray to Heavenly Mother? The Church encourages prayer to Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ.
- How does understanding Heavenly Mother affect my relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? It can deepen your understanding of Their unity and Their plan for our salvation.
- What are some appropriate ways to discuss Heavenly Mother? Stick to the teachings in the Gospel Topics Essay and share faith-affirming perspectives.
- How can I teach my children about Heavenly Mother? Use resources like the Guides to Heavenly Mother and share personal feelings and insights.
- What if I have doubts or concerns about this doctrine? Seek answers through prayer, study, and discussion with trusted leaders and members.
- How does the doctrine of Heavenly Mother empower women? It reinforces their divine potential and their essential role in the eternal family.
- How does understanding Heavenly Mother benefit men? It helps men understand the importance of equality and partnership with women in all aspects of life.
