Episode 37: Re-Visioning the Garment Symbols

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Art by Mara Berendt Friedman

Sometimes our thirst for divine reflection of our gender can lead us to fascinating places. In this panel discussion our panelists Jenne A and Jenni B are joined by their friends Jena and Genevieve to present an interpretation of the garment symbols that includes the Divine Feminine. In addition to the meaning they give the symbols, they have also created daily rituals that help them to connect to their garments in a positive way.

The panelists will be watching the comments to respond to ideas and to elaborate on the symbolism and practices they share in the discussion. 



Resources and References

• LDS Endowment (Be advised: This site contains direct wording and description of the Temple Ceremony) 
• Ephesians 6:11-18 (verse 14 about loins girt with truth, verse 16 about the shield)
• 4-part Godhead
• Ideas about Multiple Mortal Probations by Jenne A
• My Search for the Divine Feminine by Ryan Thomas (Exponent article about why people believe that the Spirit might be female: page 25 in this issue) 
• Eve as Balance to Christ from Daughters of Mormonism
• The Sacrament of Birth by Analiesa Leonhardt 
• The Two Trees by Valerie Hudson
• How to Worship Our Mother In Heaven (Without Getting Excommunicated) by Kevin Barney
• Jenne A's blog post on the above article

Two Facebook Groups that Happened as a Result of this Panel Discussion

• Wildly Speculative (Feminist) Mormon Theology 
• Mormon Moon Circle: Once a month on the new moon this group (which includes the women from the panel discussion) hold a "live" meeting where they explore and enhance their spirituality by sharing experiences or epiphanies they’ve had, and doing a group visualization/meditation and prayer circle.

Episode 23: Every 3rd Sunday — Fasting for the Goddess

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Art by Willow Arlenea

A little while ago, Jena contacted me about a project she has started to fast for revelation about Heavenly Mother. In this episode, she tells her story as she grew in her interest and desire to know her Mother God and how she came to start this project. She extends an invitation to fast on the third Sunday of each month for specific and official revelation about Heavenly Mother. For more detail, check out these links:

• Official "Join the Mother Fast" page
• Jena's original post about her project
• Preparing for the July 2011 fast
• Aftermath of the July 2011 fast
• Jena's Blog: Like Unto Eve

Jena will be watching the comments to 
answer questions or discuss issues 
raised in her interview.

Jena's Recommended Resources 
Articles

• "Yes, You Are" by Sarah D. Bunting on Tomato Nation
• "A Mother There" A Survey of Historical Teachings about Mother in Heaven by David L. Paulsen and Martin Pulido
• Nephi and His Asherah by Daniel Peterson 

Books

• Healing Wise by Susan Weed 
• Eve and the Choice Made in Eden by Beverly Campbell
• Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd

Mormon Matters Podcast

• Ritual within Mormonism
• Heavenly Mother in Today's Mormonism
• Mormon Women and Equality
• Mormon Feminism, Women, and Claudia Bushman Part 1
• Mormon Feminism, Women, and Claudia Bushman Part 2
  

Episode 18: "Looking for Balance" — Courtney's Story

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Art by Gina Rose Halper

Part of the aim of this podcast is to give voice to our stories as Daughters of Mormonism. This episode is an interview with Courtney, one of our panelists.

She shares her path in finding great health and connection with the Earth and the Divine through yoga and Buddhism.

Courtney will be watching the comments to answer questions or discuss issues raised in her interview.

Resources Courtney Recommends:

• The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
• The Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton
• The Wisdom of Yoga by Stephen Cope
• Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon
• Weston A. Price Foundtation
• Little Buddha film
• Mother Wove the Morning by Carol Lynn Pearson
• Zelophehad's Daughters
• The Exponent
• Feminist Mormon Housewives
• Sunstone Magazine
• Dialogue Journal
• Exponent II

Episode 14: "Replanting My Garden" — Heather's Story

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Part of the aim of this podcast is to give voice to our stories as Daughters of Mormonism. This episode is an interview with Heather, one of our panelists. She shares her experiences with unassisted childbirth, "lactivism," the garden of her testimony, and more.

Heather will be watching the comments to answer questions or discuss issues raised in her interview.

Links from Heather's interview:

• The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman
• Applebee's Nurse In 
• Hey Facebook, Breastfeeding isn't Obscene (Official Petition to Facebook)
• Laura Shanley, author of Unassisted Childbirth
• Zelophehad's Daughters
• The Exponent
• Feminist Mormon Housewives
• Dance of the Dissident Daughter
• Mother Wove the Morning
• With Your Mutual Approbation

Heather's Blog Posts:

• Modesty and Breastfeeding 
• Breastfeeding in Church
• Margaret's Birth Story (also published in the book Simply Give Birth)
• Isaac's Birth Story
• Green Garment Campaign

Episode 8: Eve as Balance to Christ

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Yingana by Jan Morgan Wood

This episode is a piece of my own speculative theology concerning our Mother Eve. For me, balance with female and male really is part of how things are meant to be, and in this episode I discuss how Eve and Christ act as eternal balance in the grand plan, acting as gatekeepers.

I'll be watching the comments to answer questions or discuss issues raised in the podcast. 




In this podcast I reference a poem by Donna Wilshire from her book Virgin Mother Crone as well as the article "Pregnant Embodiment" from Iris Marion Young's book Throwing Like a Girl and Other Essays. The full article is only available through subscription; however, you can read most of it between these two Google Book previews: here and here.

Episode 5: More Than Mothers

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Relief Block Print by Stephen Alcorn

This is a special edition for Mother's Day. I wanted to address the unrealistic expectations we place on mothers, which can make Mother's Day a very lonely and sad day for many women. Also, I wanted to acknowledge our Divine Mothers: Mother Earth, Mother Eve, and our Mother in Heaven. Most of all, I hope that all mothers can remember than they are individuals, not only mothers.

I reference Dance of the Dissent Daughter as well as the blog With Your Mutual Approbation.