Spiritual Wandering - Part II

I decided to start blogging again. We will see how it goes.

Back in 2010, I wrote a post about Wiccan and Pagan belief structure and how it differs from the Judeo-Christian beliefs. I am happy to say that I have since discovered a Christian religion that is not misogynist. I am talking about The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, also known as Mormonism. Mormons are Christians. We believe Christ is the only begotten Son of our Lord and Heavenly Father, born of the woman Mary. Christ lived, taught, suffered, died and lived again so that we may one day return to our Heavenly Father. We believe in the Bible. We read the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ ... just as we read the Book of John or the Book of Genesis.

One of the things that makes Mormons different from other Christian religions that I have looked into in their attitude towards women. The women of the church are respected for their dedication to serving Christ. They are held up as an example of following Christ's teachings. Everything that is righteous and good in this life comes from women and their influence. The public "face" of the church is male but everyone inside the church knows that nothing would happen without the women who work hard to make sure Christ's work is done and that the next generation is raised to fulfill God's plan. 

The written doctrine of the church spells out the duties and responsibilities of the priesthood. All men are considered priests. There are varying levels complete with titles. Women are more loosely organized as the oldest women's service organization in the world, the Relief Society. When the Relief Society was formed in 1842,  Joseph Smith organized the women under the same guidelines as the Priesthood. To me, this means that the work of the Relief Society is of equal importance as the work of the Priesthood. While the roles may be different, the work is as important. I have come to the conclusion that men need the structure of the Priesthood while women are able to function just fine without it. We are still teachers and leaders within the church.

The same is true within the family, which actually forms the core of the church. Church doctrine tells us that a man and a woman must form an equal partnership in order to raise children according to God's plan. The roles are different, but the work is equal. Men are responsible to provide for and to protect the family. women are to nurture and support the family. This is the ideal that God intended. 

This is not a bully club to be used against same-sex attraction and same-sex unions but is instead a template for greatest happiness. All love comes from God and should be celebrated. All abuse comes from the Adversary and should be condemned. Anything in-between is none of my business.

But what about the Goddess? In 2010, I wrote about the importance of acknowledging a Goddess and Her role in our lives. Just as we need our mother here on Earth, we need a Mother in Heaven. While the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints does not openly discuss or teach about our Heavenly Mother, it is acknowledged that she must exist. There are songs, stories and talks that either directly mention Her or hint to Her existence. Why the secrecy? One reason offered is that it is not because She is unimportant but more because She is so important that God does not want Her to be subjected to the abuse He and His Son have experienced. I believe this to be true.

I believe in the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. I also believe that I have a Heavenly Mother and I look forward to returning to her presence when my work on this Earth is done.

UPDATE: Today I discovered a list of references to Heavenly Mother. Since this gentleman has already done the work I thought I would include it here for you to read and decide for yourself.