SteveO Posted May 16, 2017 Posted May 16, 2017 About 30 minutes ago, I had a knock on my door from a young lady, a self described missionary for the "Church of the Heavenly Mother". She said she was a friend of my neighbor, who with her husband, had left the LDS church some months before. Anyways, the missionary said they were part of a group trying to start a church in Provo based on the concept of our Heavenly Mother, in whose image, she said, we are created in. I politely declined, and thinking about it, I sort of wish I had asked a few questions. But it did sound as if the idea of a Heavenly Mother was preeminent in their theology--surpassing God the Father even. Has anyone ever heard of an actual church being built around this? I know the concept is found in LDS theology, and so I'm wondering if this is some kind of offshoot involving disaffected former LDS? Or is this just something arising from third wave feminism? I'm just curious, there are a number of new churches around Provo, but one centered around a Heavenly Mother is definitely a radical departure from the norm.
Hamba Tuhan Posted May 16, 2017 Posted May 16, 2017 I love that she was sharing door-to-door and would certainly have invited her in! 2
Duncan Posted May 16, 2017 Posted May 16, 2017 I was approached by two Asian young women about 12 years ago about something very similar but I don't think they were connected to Provo, Utah
Jane_Doe Posted May 16, 2017 Posted May 16, 2017 20 minutes ago, Duncan said: I was approached by two Asian young women about 12 years ago about something very similar but I don't think they were connected to Provo, Utah There's a Korean church which has that theology, but it's not directly related to LDS theology at all. I have not heard of some LDS spin off church of this type. 2
SteveO Posted May 16, 2017 Author Posted May 16, 2017 1 hour ago, The Nehor said: Some people really need to find better hobbies. It's definitely possible that all it amounts to was 5 people doing a bible study in their living room and thinking that this was a good idea. She didn't have any pamphlets when I asked for some. Looks like they knocked the whole apartment complex though...
Popular Post Meadowchik Posted May 16, 2017 Popular Post Posted May 16, 2017 3 hours ago, The Nehor said: Some people really need to find better hobbies. Oh yeah. Starting a new religion is whacko! 8
Popular Post Pete Ahlstrom Posted May 16, 2017 Popular Post Posted May 16, 2017 (edited) 45 minutes ago, Meadowchik said: Oh yeah. Starting a new religion is whacko! Why not church of the heavenly mother? Maybe she will bring about some real changes? I heard she doesn't like gaslighting, whatever the definition. Edited May 16, 2017 by Pete Ahlstrom 5
Thinking Posted May 16, 2017 Posted May 16, 2017 4 hours ago, The Nehor said: Some people really need to find better hobbies. This from a member of a church who describes its members as peculiar and started with six members in 1830. 4
Thinking Posted May 16, 2017 Posted May 16, 2017 2 hours ago, SteveO said: It's definitely possible that all it amounts to was 5 people doing a bible study in their living room and thinking that this was a good idea. She didn't have any pamphlets when I asked for some. Looks like they knocked the whole apartment complex though... Five isn't enough to start a religion. Six on the other hand...
Robert F. Smith Posted May 16, 2017 Posted May 16, 2017 Maybe it is related to a South Korean cult -- Quote The World Mission Society Church of God is led by “Mother God,” a gentle-looking doyenne in her mid-70s who’s also known as Jang Gil-ja, Zhang Gil-jah, Chang Gil-jah, Heavenly Mother, God the Mother, New Jerusalem Mother, and Mother Jerusalem. http://people.com/celebrity/ex-followers-say-south-korean-church-is-mind-control-cult/ .
probablyHagoth7 Posted May 16, 2017 Posted May 16, 2017 (edited) 8 hours ago, Pete Ahlstrom said: ...I heard she doesn't like gaslighting, whatever the definition. Missionaries of most any stripe would be welcome here. This morning, I received my utility bill. Its newsletter's name? "Gaslight News." My first bill in a new place. Dunno how a gas bill for a place this size could be *anywhere near* that high during a warm spring month. (When we lived in our home a mile from here, heating that larger place during a winter month didn't cost anywhere near as much as the nosebleed bill for this place in April/May.) And the only thing potentially gas-powered here this month is the water heater (assuming it is gas heated). So with the size of that bill, the newsletter title sounds about right....when I call for clarity, the utility company is probably gonna insist that the lights are powered by gas, and somehow always have been. Someone tell those missionaries to regularly bring hot water. And blinker fluid. Edited May 16, 2017 by probablyHagoth7 1
The Nehor Posted May 16, 2017 Posted May 16, 2017 10 hours ago, Meadowchik said: Oh yeah. Starting a new religion is whacko! Agreed. 9 hours ago, Thinking said: This from a member of a church who describes its members as peculiar and started with six members in 1830. Yep, if only Joseph Smith had taken up stick-pulling instead.
Meadowchik Posted May 16, 2017 Posted May 16, 2017 10 hours ago, Pete Ahlstrom said: Why not church of the heavenly mother? Maybe she will bring about some real changes? I heard she doesn't like gaslighting, whatever the definition. I hope they aren't too tied to building on it from Mormonism.
bluebell Posted May 16, 2017 Posted May 16, 2017 If there is such a church it doesn't seem to have any internet presence. Too bad you didn't get more info SteveO. It would have been really interesting! 1
JLHPROF Posted May 16, 2017 Posted May 16, 2017 (edited) 55 minutes ago, bluebell said: If there is such a church it doesn't seem to have any internet presence. Too bad you didn't get more info SteveO. It would have been really interesting! Maybe it's related to this:https://www.facebook.com/groups/467349696664222/?ref=br_rs http://agitatingfaithfully.org/finding-heavenly-mother-project.html Edited May 16, 2017 by JLHPROF 2
SteveO Posted May 17, 2017 Author Posted May 17, 2017 (edited) 31 minutes ago, JLHPROF said: Maybe it's related to this:https://www.facebook.com/groups/467349696664222/?ref=br_rs http://agitatingfaithfully.org/finding-heavenly-mother-project.html Ah! Good work!! The Facebook page is indeed my neighbor. From the description: "While there is almost nothing written of our Heavenly Mother in the traditional Christian theology, Mormon theology lays specific claim to Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother, as role models and guides for life on this earth, and after death. Mormon feminists, both female and male, often talk of their deep yearning for more scriptures, more information, more light and knowledge about our Heavenly Mother, and how we can follow Her example." ...hmmm, an offshoot of Mormon feminists...kind of boring Edited May 17, 2017 by SteveO 1
Calm Posted May 17, 2017 Posted May 17, 2017 (edited) The Facebook page is unlikely a Church. I know 4 listed as "friends" and they are currently active, faithful LDS and members of FairMormon. They could be following it or supporters of those involved rather than members of the group. It is a closed group, but this is its description: " website, at www.poetrysansonions.com. The Project was created by Julia Taylor, inspired by her love for the Heavenly Mother and by the vision and the goals of All Enlisted.From the Project website:Here you will find links to posts that envision Heavenly Mother, through poetry and prose, as a presence, just as vital as our Heavenly Father. We do not wish to trivialize Her, but we do not want to ignore Her either. Many men and women long to know their Heavenly Mother better. For some, a greater connection comes in certain parts of the temple ceremonies. For others, becoming a mother, or father, brings them more insight into our Heavenly Parents.While there is almost nothing written of our Heavenly Mother in the traditional Christian theology, Mormon theology lays specific claim to Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother, as role models and guides for life on this earth, and after death. Mormon feminists, both female and male, often talk of their deep yearning for more scriptures, more information, more light and knowledge about our Heavenly Mother, and how we can follow Her example.While this project will not create additional scriptures or revelations regarding our Mother in Heaven, I hope that it will create a space for those who desire to know Her, to use their own powers of discernment and personal revelation, as they read the thoughts and ideas of others who long to know their Heavenly Mother too!Please take the challenge up, and help others envision their Heavenly Mother through poetry and prose! When you post your thoughts about Heavenly Mother on your blog, please get me the link, so that I can add it to this "Finding Heavenly Mother Project" page. I hope it will become a gateway for those who want to find Her.If you don't have a blog of your own, want to publish under your name, a pseudonym or anonymously, please email me your submission at findingmywaysoftly@gmail and include "Heavenly Mother" in the title!This project was inspired by the vision and the goals of All Enlisted, to bring to light gender inequality. In this case, it is an inequality of both information and imagination that I hope we will address, as a wider community. I want all of us to be careful not to claim our work to be any more than our own work, informed by our knowledge and love of the gospel, and a prayerful and thoughtful desire to find the shadows of our Heavenly Mother that we see in scripture, and flush them out, give them color, with our own thoughts and imagination.Please read, comment, pass the link on, and share your poetry and writings about Heavenly Mother!" Edited May 17, 2017 by Calm 1
Calm Posted May 17, 2017 Posted May 17, 2017 AllEnlisted was the group that did the "Wear Pants to Church Day" and Let Women Pray. 1
SteveO Posted May 17, 2017 Author Posted May 17, 2017 5 minutes ago, Calm said: The Facebook page is unlikely a Church. I know 4 listed as members and they are currently active, faithful LDS and members of FairMormon. Says my neighbor is a member of the group, wonder why her friend was knocking doors then? I distinctly remember a "church" being mentioned
bluebell Posted May 17, 2017 Posted May 17, 2017 6 minutes ago, Calm said: AllEnlisted was the group that did the "Wear Pants to Church Day" and Let Women Pray. Have they done anything since then?
Calm Posted May 17, 2017 Posted May 17, 2017 OrdainWomen came in and I don't remember hearing much from it since then. Will have to research. Perhaps since Ordain Women is dying out (or so it seems), this may pick up again. I think they were much more intelligent in their approach than OW. 1
Calm Posted May 17, 2017 Posted May 17, 2017 (edited) Last twitter was 2013: https://mobile.twitter.com/allenlisted?lang=en The last blog on the second link is 2015 (Agitating Faithfully). Edited May 17, 2017 by Calm
Calm Posted May 17, 2017 Posted May 17, 2017 Agitating Faithfully is active on Facebook, if not their website: https://www.facebook.com/Agitating-Faithfully-165107453533745/
JLHPROF Posted May 17, 2017 Posted May 17, 2017 14 minutes ago, Calm said: Perhaps since Ordain Women is dying out (or so it seems) We can only hope... 2 minutes ago, Calm said: Agitating Faithfully is active on Facebook, if not their website: https://www.facebook.com/Agitating-Faithfully-165107453533745/ If by active you mean 250 followers/members, then I suppose that's active.
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