Heavenly Mother
LDS Summary:
The concept of a Heavenly Mother is unique to the LDS.
Mother in Heaven
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [LDS] teaches that all human beings, male and female, are beloved spirit children of heavenly parents, a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother.
Mother in Heaven
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [LDS] teaches that all human beings, male and female, are beloved spirit children of heavenly parents, a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother.
RLDS Summary:
The RLDS does not interpret any scriptures as supporting the concept of a Heavenly Mother.
 The LDS Church has scriptures that state that God created (not begat) mankindThe LDS cites these verses in the King James Version as part of their justification (i.e. logical deduction) for a Heavenly Mother. However, the LDS Book of Moses and RLDS Inspired Version identify Jesus as God's only "begotten" (beget, begat, begotten - requires parents - a father and a mother). Begat (Hebrew <Yalad>) has a different meaning than "created" (Hebrew <Bara'>).The Bible - Work: The Old Testament, Volume 1 By James Glentworth Butler, 1882, page 92, 2nd column, 'Create (bara) entry' The word <bara> is evidently the common word for a true and original creation, and there is no other word in Hebrew which can express that thought. <Bara> never appears as the word for human creations, differing in this from the synonyms "<asak>," "<yatzar>," "<yalad>," which are used both of men and of God. | |
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King James version, Genesis, Chapter 1 26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Book of Moses, Chapter 2 26 And I, God, said unto mine Only Begotten, which was with me from the beginning: Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and it was so. And I, God, said: Let them have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 And I, God, created man in mine own image, in the image of mine Only Begotten created I him; male and female created I them. |
Inspired Version, Genesis, Chapter 1 27 And I, God, said unto mine Only Begotten, which was with me from the beginning, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and it was so. 28 And I, God, said, Let them have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 29 And I, God, created man in mine own image, in the image of mine Only Begotten created I him; male and female created I them. |
The LDS Church has more scriptures that state that God created (not begat) mankindHowever, the LDS cites these verses in their Book of Moses as part of their justification (i.e. logical deduction) for a Heavenly Mother.Note: In all instances of the scriptures where 'God ... created' the Hebrew word for create is <bara> (read the James Glentworth Butler note above) | |
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Book of Moses, Chapter 3 4 And now, behold, I say unto you, that these are the generations of the heaven and of the earth, when they were created, in the day that I, the Lord God, made the heaven and the earth, 5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew. For I, the Lord God, created all things, of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth. For I, the Lord God, had not caused it to rain upon the face of the earth. And I, the Lord God, had created all the children of men; and not yet a man to till the ground; for in heaven created I them; and there was not yet flesh upon the earth, neither in the water, neither in the air; 6 But I, the Lord God, spake, and there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. 7 And I, the Lord God, formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul, the first flesh upon the earth, the first man also; nevertheless, all things were before created; but spiritually were they created and made according to my word. |
Inspired Version, Genesis, Chapter 2 4 And now, behold, I say unto you that these are the generations of the heaven and of the earth when they were created in the day that I, the Lord God, made the heaven and the earth, and every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew; 5 For I, the Lord God, created all things of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth; for I, the Lord God, had not caused it to rain upon the face of the earth. 6 And I, the Lord God, had created all the children of men and not yet a man to till the ground; for in heaven created I them, and there was not yet flesh upon the earth, neither in the water, neither in the air; 7 But I, the Lord God, spake, and there went up a mist from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground. 8 And I, the Lord God, formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul--the first flesh upon the earth, the first man also. 9 Nevertheless, all things were before created; but spiritually were they created and made, according to my word. |
The LDS Church uses this verse to justify a Heavenly MotherThe LDS cites this verse in the King James Version as part of their justification (i.e. logical deduction) for a Heavenly Mother. | |
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King James Version, Psalms, Chapter 82 6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. |
Inspired Version, Psalms, Chapter 82 6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the Most High |
This verse helps explain the LDS misinterpretation of Psalms 82:6This verse in John defines who the children of God are - only those that believe in Him (whereas those that believe and those that do not believe were all begotten of parents) | |
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King James Version, John, Chapter 1 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name |
Inspired Version, John, Chapter 1 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God; only to them who believe on his name. |
The scriptures are again clear that the children of God are those people led by the Spirit of God, not begotten of GodThe verses right before Romans 16 & 17 (that the LDS use to justify the Heavenly Mother) defines the meaning of the phrase "children of God" as those people led by the Spirit of God (in complete agreement with John 1:12 above, but are contradicted by the LDS interpretation) | |
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King James Version, Romans, Chapter 8 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. |
Inspired Version, Romans, Chapter 8 13 For if ye live after the flesh, unto sin, ye shall die; but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live unto Christ. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. |
The LDS Church use these verses to justify a Heavenly MotherThe LDS cites these verses in the King James Version as part of their justification (i.e. logical deduction) for a Heavenly Mother. | |
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King James Version, Romans, Chapter 8 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. |
Inspired Version, Romans, Chapter 8 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God, 17 And if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. |
Paul explains the meaning of the 'children of God' as those who are baptized, not who are begotten of God
Paul in his Epistle to the Churches of Galatia defines the "Children of God" as those that believe in Jesus Christ and have been baptized. He also clarifies that those who have been baptized have the same promise as Abraham's seed - that being the heirs to the Kingdom of God
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King James Version, Galatians, Chapter 3 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. |
Inspired Version, Galatians, Chapter 3 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither bond nor free; there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. |
The LDS uses Doctrine and Covenants 132 (which is contrary to scripture) to justify a Heavenly Mother (which is contrary to scripture)
The LDS cites these verses in the LDS Doctrine and Covenants as part of their justification (i.e. logical deduction) for a Heavenly Mother.
See the section on Polygamy for further discussion of LDS D&C Section 132 |
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LDS D&C, Section 132 19 And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I have appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood; and it shall be said unto them—Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths-then shall it be written in the Lamb's Book of Life, that he shall commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever. 20 Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them. |
Note: The RLDS does not have any equivalent to LDS D&C Section 132 |
A poem by W.W. Phelps is used by the LDS to help justify a Heavenly Mother
February 1, 1844
W. W. Phelps This poem is a reference to Psalm 45 and Hebrews 1:8-9 (which refers back to Psalm 45) |
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Times and Seasons, Vol. 5, No. 3, page 431, February 1, 1844 POETRY. For the Times and Seasons. A SONG OF ZION. By W. W. PHELPS How sweet is the communion 'Tis like a little leaven Of saints that fear the Lord, The woman hid for good, And strive, in perfect union, When she, as queen of heaven, To gain the great reward. In gold of Ophir stood. ... 'Tis like the precious ointment They'll eat the hidden manna, That God Almighty had Receive the precious stone, At Jesus Christ's appointment, And sing the great hosanna Which made his heart so glad. Where God and Christ are one. King James Version, Psalms, Psalm 45 6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. 7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad. 9 Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir. Notes: Myrrh, and aloes, and cassia were spices used for funerals. This Psalm is a prophecy of the Messiah (the King). The "queen" here refers to the King's bride which is the church (not a single person). King James Version, Hebrews, Chapter 1 8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. |
Same reference (there was one church at this time - the LDS and RLDS had not split) |
W.W. Phelps published a follow-up to his poem that was published February 1, 1844 (see above)
December 25, 1844
W. W. Phelps letter to William Smith, published in the Times and Seasons January 1, 1845 |
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Times and Seasons, Vol. 5, No. 24, page 758, Jan 1, 1845 THE ANSWER. Nauvoo, Ill., Dec. 25, 1844. O Mormonism! Thy father is God, thy mother is the Queen of heaven, and so thy whole history, from eternity to eternity, is the laws, ordinances and truth of the "Gods"-embracing the simple plan of salvation, sanctification, death, resurrection, glorification and exaltation of man, from infancy to age, from age to eternity, from simplicity to sublimity: from faith, repentance, baptism, reception of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, to washing, anointing, holy conversation, baptism for the dead, to the presence of angels, the general assembly and church of the first born; to the unspeakable glory of seeing God and the Lamb, and to spirits of just men, made perfect, and to be ordained unto eternal life! And again, we exclaim, O Mormonism! No wonder that Lucifer, son of the morning, the next heir to Jesus Christ, our eldest brother, should fight so hard against his brethren; he lost the glory, the honor, power, and dominion of a God: and the knowledge, spirit, authority and keys of the priesthood of the son of God. Christ kept his first estate-Lucifer lost his by offering to save men in their sins on the honor of a God, or on his father's honor.-Christ hated sin, and loved righteousness, therefore he was anointed with holy oil in heaven, and crowned in the midst of brothers and sisters, while his mother stood with approving virtue, and smiled upon a Son that kept the faith as the heir of all things! In fact the Jews thought so much of his coronation among Gods and Goddesses; Kings and Queens of heaven, that they broke over all restraints and actually began to worship the "Queen of heaven," according to Jeremiah. Note: There are mixed references being used here. -- "while his mother stood with approving virtue" is referring to the "Queen of Heaven" as Mary - The Council of Ephesus proclaimed in 431 that Mary truly became the Mother of God by the human conception of the Son of God in her womb. -- The " 'Queen of heaven,' according to Jeremiah" refers to Jeremiah Jer 7:18 and 44:17. Jeremiah was prophesying that the people were confused and had provoked God's anger for worshiping an Idol. Jeremiah 7:19-20 Do they provoke me to anger? saith the Lord; do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces? Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched. -- W. W. Phelps portrays the worship of the Queen of Heaven in Jeremiah as a good thing, while God stated "my fury shall be poured out upon this place." Given that Phelps referred to Jesus' mother in the first part of the stanza as "thy mother is the Queen of heaven", it's likely that his reference to Jeremiah is incorrectly associating Mary with the pagan goddess mentioned in Jeremiah and he is really referring to worshiping Mary, mother of Jesus (i.e. not a Heavenly Mother). |
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The LDS ignores W.W. Phelps' own explanation of his poem to instead justify a Heavenly Mother
January 15, 1845
W. W. Phelps The LDS cites this article as part of their justification (i.e. logical deduction) for a Heavenly Mother. Note: The LDS justification contradicts W. W. Phelps own words concerning what he meant (see December 25, 1844 above) |
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Times and Seasons, Vol. 6, No. 1, Jan. 15, 1845, page 783 POETRY. For the Times and Seasons. A VOICE FROM THE PROPHET. "COME TO ME." BY W. W. PHELPS, ESQ. -TUNE-"Indian Hunter."- (some stanzas not shown for brevity) Come to me, here are Adam and Eve at the head Of a multitude, quicken'd and rais'd from the dead; Here's the knowledge that was, or that is, or will be-- In the gen'ral assembly of worlds: Come to me. Come to me, here's the myst'ry that man hath not seen; Here's our Father in heaven, and Mother, the Queen; Here are worlds that have been, and the worlds yet to be, Here's eternity,--endless; amen: Come to me. Come to me; here's the future, the present and past: Here is Alpha, Omega, the first and the last; Here's the fountain, the "river of life," and the Tree; Here's your Prophet & Seer, Joseph Smith: Come to me. Note 1: Phelps is referring back to his previous poem from February 1, 1844 and the "Queen" here is referring to Mary, mother of Jesus. Note 2: The phrase "Come to me" is used in the New Testament only by Jesus (for example, John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.). The references in the last stanza are also the names of Jesus, reiterating that Jesus is the topic of the poem. Given that Phelps had just written a letter (see "The Answer", Dec. 25, 1844, just prior to publishing this poem) that defined "Mother, the Queen" as Mary, mother of Jesus, the same thing is meant here. Jesus is unique in that his mother is not the wife (spouse) of his father (she would be a daughter of God). In trying to justify a Heavenly Mother who is the spouse/wife of God, the LDS have misinterpreted Phelp's writings to justify something that Phelps did not intend. |
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Brigham Young introduced the concept of a spirit father and mother after Joseph Smith's death
March 1, 1845
Brigham Young This is the first reference found for a "father and mother of ... Spirit" separate from a "father and mother of ... flesh". Jesus' father was "of spirit" and mother was "of flesh". Here, Brigham Young adds a mother "of spirit" that was not Jesus' mother and not justified by the verses described for Moses', Jesus himself, and Peter's description of him as the "Son of Man" and "Son of God". |
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Times and Seasons, Vol. 6, No. 3, page 808, March 1, 1845 Now, two facts, making two worldly mysteries, meet the mind in the foregoing passages. Jesus says he is the 'Son of man,' and Peter says, he is the 'Son of the living God.' O, ye great men, and wise men, and ye who wear the sacerdotal robes, how can Jesus have two fathers; or how can the scriptures be true without he has two? Again, how could Moses use the term 'living God,' as the Holy one of Israel, and Peter declare that Christ was the Son of the 'Living God?' This makes two 'Living Gods,' because the Savior never once said that he begat himself, or came into the world of his own accord, or upon his own business; but upon the contrary, He came to do the will of his father who sent him. What shall we say then, to make Moses', Jesus' and Peter's words true? We will say that Jesus Christ had a father and mother of his Spirit, and a father and mother of his flesh; and so have all of his brethren and sisters: and that is one reason why he said, 'ye are Gods;' or that Isaiah prophesied: [Isa. XLI: 23.] 'Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are Gods; yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.' In fact, 'the Gods,' in old times, was common intelligence. Satan, in his first sectarian sermon to Adam and Eve, told them, if they would eat of the forbidden fruit, they should become as 'the Gods,' knowing good and evil. |
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Eliza Snow did not create the concept of a Heavenly Mother, Brigham Young did
November 15, 1845
Eliza R. Snow re-iterates Brigham Young's 1845 statement in poem form. Note: She did not create the concept of a Heavenly Mother. |
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Times and Seasons, Vol. 6, page 1039, Nov. 15, 1845 POETRY, For the Times and Seasons. MY FATHER IN HEAVEN; By Miss Eliza R. Snow In thy holy habitation In the heav'ns are parents single? Did my spirit once reside? No, the thought makes reason state; In my first primeval childhood Truth is reason-truth eternal Was I nurtur'd near thy side? Tells me I've a mother there. |
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The LDS Church uses an incorrect interpretation of a fictional story to help justify the existence of a Heavenly Mother
March 26, 1853
Fictional story of Little S Note: The mention of heavenly parents is assumed to include the Heavenly Mother. However, see the note after the excerpt that it really refers to Adam and Eve. |
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Millennial Star, Vol. 13, No. 13, page 198, March 26, 1853 S--'s oldest sister had discovered the secret of her first parentage before the world was. She had learnt that their heavenly parents were kind-hearted, and were only waiting to see the dominant bias of their minds to virtue and truth, when they would assist them, and reveal a queenly inheritance for the pure in heart, however low and obscure their condition might be upon the earth...There the first parents caressed them with all the fondness which their childish nature had sought for in vain from their earthly parents. Note: In this story is the phrase "first parents". That phrase is used in the Book of Mormon 13 times, 12 times referring to Adam and Eve and once by Helaman in reference to Lehi and Sariah. The phrase was also used by Brigham Young, Orson Pratt, Joseph F. Smith, George Q. Cannon, Charles Penrose, and Orson Hyde in many sermons recorded in the Journal of Discourses. These often-used references indicate that "first parents" was a common expression and are referring to Adam and Eve - not to God and a Heavenly Mother. |
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Brigham Young misinterprets scripture to justify heavenly parents
June 18, 1865
President Brigham Young makes an inconsistent statement regarding creation vs. procreation Note: See the comments for Genesis 2:26-27 above that the Hebrew word for "create" (bara) specifically does not mean sexual procreation |
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Journal of Discourses, Vol. 11, page 122 I shall not take time to quote them on this occasion, but will content myself by quoting two passages in the 1st chapter of Genesis, 26th and 27th verses. “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” I believe that the declaration made in these two scriptures is literally true. God has made His children like Himself to stand erect, and has endowed them with intelligence and power and dominion over all His works, and given them the same attributes which He Himself possesses. He created man, as we create our children; for there is no other process of creation in heaven, on the earth, in the earth, or under the earth, or in all the eternities, that is, that were, or that ever will be. |
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Erastus Snow incorrectly cites the poem by Eliza Snow (who restated the position of Brigham Young)
May 31, 1885
Apostle Erastus Snow Note: This is the first reference to using Eliza Snow's poem to justify a Heavenly Mother |
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Journal of Discourses, Vol. 26, page 214 Now, it is not said in so many words in the Scriptures, that we have a Mother in heaven as well as a Father. It is left for us to infer this from what we see and know of all living things in the earth including man. The male and female principle is united and both necessary to the accomplishment of the object of their being, and if this be not the case with our Father in heaven after whose image we are created, then it is an anomaly in nature. But to our minds the idea of a Father suggests that of a Mother: As one of our poets says: “In the heavens are parents single? No; the thought makes reason stare! Truth is reason; truth eternal Tells me, I've a Mother there.” Note: Erastus Snow "infers" (no scriptural support) that a father without a mother is an "anomaly" (see the notes for bara' and yalad for Genesis 1:26-27 that the Hebrews did indeed consider creation as separate and distinct from biological reproduction). Here is an attempt to equate the father of Jesus and the mother of Jesus as husband and wife (as a pair involved in all creation rather than just the birth of Jesus). |
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The LDS continue to use non-scriptural justification for a Heavenly Mother
November 1909
The First Presidency of the LDS Church continues to use the non-scriptural analogy ('similitude') of earthly parents to justify the Heavenly Mother |
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The Origin of Man The Father of Jesus is our Father also. Jesus Himself taught this truth when He instructed His disciples how to pray: “Our Father which art in heaven,” etc. Jesus, however, is the firstborn among all the sons of God—the first begotten in the spirit, and the only begotten in the flesh. He is our elder brother, and we, like Him, are in the image of God. All men and women are in the similitude of the universal Father and Mother and are literally the sons and daughters of Deity. |
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The RLDS accused the LDS of blasphemy for the doctrine of a Heavenly Mother
1922
Elder T. W. Williams [of the RLDS] listed many differences between the RLDS and LDS churches. He makes reference to Eliza Snow's poem. Note: Elder Williams was working with Elbert A. Smith (RLDS First Presidency) on this tract series. |
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The Angel Message Tracts, No. 1009, page 147, 1922 The Reorganized Church in keeping with the teachings of the original church has ever been a friend to virtue and a foe to vice, and has stood for primitive Christianity as portrayed in the New Testament Scriptures...First. As to the organic form of the church...Fifth, Blasphemy. The Mormons teach that God has a wife; that we have a mother as well as a Father in heaven. They also teach that Christ was a polygamist, and deny his immaculate conception. Since a Mormon poetess wrote a hymn invocation to the Eternal Father and Mother, it has dawned upon many Christian minds as a reasonable proposition that we have a Mother as well as a Father in heaven. — Land of Sunshine, October, 1901, p. 258. |
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The LDS continues to use non-scriptural justification for a Heavenly Mother
1960
President Joseph Fielding Smith continues to use the non-scriptural analogy (“common sense”) of earthly parents to justify the Heavenly Mother |
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| Answers to Gospel Questions, vol. 3, p.142 The fact that there is no reference to a mother in heaven either in the Bible, Book of Mormon or Doctrine and Covenants, is not sufficient proof that no such thing as a mother did exist there.... does not common sense tell us that we must have had a mother there also? | |
