Women’s Role In Mormonism

[Anonymous]

Carburettor wrote:

I’m unconvinced about a literal figure for whom we have nothing but conjecture.

The good news, I believe, is that all religion is conjecture. We have really old conjectures/oral stories that were eventually written down and eventually made it into our bible. We have newer conjecture that is recorded in the D & C (It used to really confuse me that JS could edit, add to, and revise previous revelations in ways that might be considered blasphemy if the revelations were considered word for word direct from the mouth of God). Finally, we have newest conjecture that is shared with us as members in GC.

Of these three categories of conjecture, I agree with you that the references to Heavenly Mother in the bible and D&C are scarce. We can only infer from certain LDS doctrines that She must exist. More recently, in GC talks we have been hearing references to her individually or to “heavenly parents” more and more.

Quote:

it is yet another projection of humanity onto deity. We are all adept at doing that because it helps us to relate to the unrelatable.

Yes, it is quite standard across the history of world religions to imagine deities that are quite human in their mannerisms with different wants, desires, and personalities.

We want to relate and be related to. We want to explain what we don’t understand and possibly to control it to our favor. We want the promise of justice and mercy when it is too often absent in our earthly existence. We want to be seen, known, understood, and accepted. The concept of Heavenly Mother is part of all of that, especially for women who might find it more challenging to fully relate and be fully related to by a male.

[Anonymous]

Roy wrote:

The good news, I believe, is that all religion is conjecture.

Ah, yes, good point. We are collectively quick to testify that we believe in truth rather than conjecture. In reality, however, it is conjecture, else what is faith?

[Author]

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