'Our Father in Heaven'

[katmr]

'Our Father in Heaven'....This is the title of an upcoming lesson in Relief Society. I guess I'm just not quite sure in how to present the lesson but I feel to make mention of both of our Heavenly Parents even though the lesson is specifically on our Father in Heaven. Not that I have a problem with it but I've never heard a lesson on 'Our Mother in Heaven' or even 'Our Parents in Heaven.' I just wonder... if we are truly wanting to worship our Father in Heaven and come to know Him as he is so that we can properly worship Him in spirit and truth should we not be open to speaking of them both? I don't know that I can even give a lesson without mention of Heavenly Mother for the reason that I believe they are both one and united in purpose. Can we really know Father without acknowledging or knowing Mother? Thoughts?

[mes5464]

I would say we shouldn't talk about her.

Given how badly the world treats Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, Father was wise to protect Mother from the way the world would treat Her memory.

[Jeremy]

I have the feeling my wife would be agonized if I ever "protected" her "memory" by hiding her or discouraging her children from speaking of their mother. She would recognize that though some would speak evil of her and treat her badly, her children who don't know of her because she was "protected" would be harmed so much more.

Can you comprehend the pain and suffering that has resulted by hiding our Mother? What comfort it must be to some little girl who knows she has a Mother there. And not just little girls. All of us.

I don't mean to be rude and indeed that is not the spirit I am feeling right now. I do feel saddened though that for years I have echoed this idea that SHE has been protected and how very wise it was of Heavenly Father. Now, I just don't believe that is the case. What mother doesn't want her children to communicate with her, remember her name and desire to embrace? Not a mother I want. In fact, not a heavenly mother I have. The Heavenly Mother I know desires her children to know her.

Sure She is sacred...but so is her son. We think she is okay with her son being treated like trash...but she hides under the umbrella of sanctity? Nope. Any mother worth having is worth remembering and speaking of. If someone has a problem with that, they don't know her.

[AnthonyR]

I agree with your sentiments Jeremy. I talk to Her sometimes as I do Father and Christ. I have felt Heavenly Mother's joy in my wanting to know her. She wants us to know Her and at times speak of Her.

[katmr]

I have the feeling my wife would be agonized if I ever "protected" her "memory" by hiding her or discouraging her children from speaking of their mother. She would recognize that though some would speak evil of her and treat her badly, her children who don't know of her because she was "protected" would be harmed so much more.

Can you comprehend the pain and suffering that has resulted by hiding our Mother? What comfort it must be to some little girl who knows she has a Mother there. And not just little girls. All of us.

I don't mean to be rude and indeed that is not the spirit I am feeling right now. I do feel saddened though that for years I have echoed this idea that SHE has been protected and how very wise it was of Heavenly Father. Now, I just don't believe that is the case. What mother doesn't want her children to communicate with her, remember her name and desire to embrace? Not a mother I want. In fact, not a heavenly mother I have. The Heavenly Mother I know desires her children to know her.

Sure She is sacred...but so is her son. We think she is okay with her son being treated like trash...but she hides under the umbrella of sanctity? Nope. Any mother worth having is worth remembering and speaking of. If someone has a problem with that, they don't know her.

Thank you Jeremy. I agree with what you have expressed here and I have personally felt that I have spiritually suffered, even been pained by not being taught about her. When you think about how important a mother's role is in mortality, especially to her children I think that still only gives us a small glimpse of what her love and concern for her children must be. To be honest I am struggling with giving this lesson because I feel more importantly than teaching what is given in the manual, I need to teach gospel truths and I don't feel like I can give a lesson on properly worshipping Father in Spirit and truth without mentioning Heavenly Mother. I hope I can find a way to present what they are wanting me to teach but find a way to properly include and mention our Heavenly Mother.