Episode 37: Re-Visioning the Garment Symbols

Right click here to download the mp3.

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 36: The Descent of the Wounded Soul

Right click here to download the mp3.

Christ of the Abyss

Special Episode for Easter: There are so many of us who hide our wounded souls, fearful that others will see our pain. Often we are drowned in feelings of hopelessness and despair of ever healing.

In this short episode, I give my own interpretation of Christ's atonement and resurrection. In my view, he is showing us the path of our own healing. When Christ said, "Come follow me," perhaps he was showing us the way into our own darkness. 

Isaiah Reference: Isaiah 61:3

Please share your own experiences of wounding and healing in the comments. Please also feel free to share things that have helped you on your journey.

Episode 28: "If any of you lack Sophia" — Anthroposophy and Mormonism

Right click here to download the mp3.

The Sistine Madonna
by Raphael

In many ways, Julene traveled a traditional path through Mormonism as she raised her children, but when her oldest son decided to be done with the church rather than depart on a mission as she was expecting, she began a journey that lead her toward a world of thought filled with the Divine Feminine.

From the roots given to her subtly by her mother, Julene built further with the Christ-centered philosophy of anthroposophy created by Rudolf Steiner, as she moved toward re-enthroning Sophia in her spiritual life and seeking for a true balance between the Divine Feminine and the Divine Masculine.

Julene will be watching the comments to respond 
to questions and ideas from her story.

Resources from Julene

Chalice Well at Glastonbury, England

• Heaven on Earth, a Handbook for Parents of Young Children by Sharifa Oppenheimer 
• Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne  
• Radical Homemakers by Shannon Hayes  
• The Sophia Teachings by Robert Powell  
• The Most Holy Trinosophia by Robert Powell  
• Meditations on the Tarot translated by Robert Powell  
• Understanding Waldorf Education: Teaching from the Inside Out by Jack Petrash
• The Sophia Foundation
• “The Deseret Connection,”Abraham in Egypt by Hugh Nibley
• To contact Julene, email her at abellajulene @ gmail.com

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

Right click here to download the mp3.

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 21: No rest for the busy

Right click here to download the mp3.

Art by Jim Thompson

There is a common saying that there is no rest for the wicked. What about for the righteous? Especially those who are so righteous, they are constantly engaged in "the Lord's work"? Ah, yes, the Lord's work. Didn't Jesus say something about come unto me and I will give you rest? In this podcast, I talk about the issue of busyness in Mormonism. I also alert listeners that this podcast will be undergoing some changes as I step back from the project. This means that it will be publishing every other week rather than every week.

References

• Comments from Episode 18: "Looking for Balance" — Courtney's Story
• Wives and Daughters of the First Presidency panel discussion: Excerpts from the 1996 and 1999 Brigham Young University Women's Conference
• Charity Never Faileth by Thomas Monson (Note: To hear the part I'm quoting, which is near the beginning of his address, you need to listen to the audio or watch the video. The transcript cuts this part of his talk.)

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

Right click here to download the mp3.

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 16: Finding Her Everywhere: Symbols of the Divine Feminine

Right click here to download the mp3.

Female Symbol

Asherah Statue

Recently we did a two part panel discussion about the Divine Feminine. As part of continuing this conversation, this podcast presents different symbols that can remind us of Goddess, Heavenly Mother, and the Female Divine.

In this episode, Jenni takes us on a tour of nature symbols, ancient goddess lore, and elements found inside of Mormonism.


If you have a symbol that helps you connect with the Divine Feminine, please share it in the comments.

Jenni will be watching the comments to answer questions or discuss issues raised in this discussion.

Maiden, Mother, Matriarch

Links on Symbolism & the Divine Feminine

• When God Was a Woman by Merlin Stone
• Contemplating Mother Goddess from Mother Wheel by Jenni
• Nephi and His Asherah by Daniel Peterson  
• How to Worship Our Mother In Heaven (Without Getting Excommunicated) by Kevin Barney
• Sophia of the Proverbs at Mormon Matters by Bored in Vernal
• Serpent Mythology from Mother Wheel by RasJane

Episode 15: "Not in Conflict" — Jenni's Story

Right click here to download the mp3.

Part of the aim of this podcast is to give voice to our stories as Daughters of Mormonism. This episode is an interview with Jenni, one of our panelists. She shares her journey through marrying a divorced man with a child, her miscarriages, and her integrated belief system of paganism and Mormonism.

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


Links from Jenni's interview:

• Integrated Path post on Jenni's Blog
• Mormon Stories Podcast on Masonry and Mormonism
• MO 2.0 Facebook Group 
• LDS WAVE: Women Advocating for Voice and Equality
• The Crunchy Mormon Forum (also "The Coven" inside that form)
• The Mother Wheel
• Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd
• Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler

Episode 13: Finding the Divine Feminine, Part II

PART II
Right click here to download the mp3.

Art by Francene Hart

This is the second half of our panel discussion on the female divine. In this discussion, Sybil, Sara, Amelia, Juliane, Heather, and Katrina continue their conversation about Mother in Heaven, Heavenly Mother, Goddess, the Divine Feminine.

The panelists will be watching the comments to answer questions and discuss issues raised during the discussion.

If you have ideas for a second panel discussion on the Divine Feminine, please share your thoughts in the comments.

For resources and references, see Part I of this discussion.  

Episode 12: Finding the Divine Feminine, Part I

PART I
Right click here to download the mp3.

Art by Francene Hart

In this panel discussion, you'll hear Sybil, Sara, Amelia, Juliane, Heather, and Katrina talk about Mother in Heaven, Heavenly Mother, Goddess, the Divine Feminine.

The panelists will be watching the comments to answer questions and discuss issues raised during the discussion.

Here are references and resources for this topic, several of which were cited or mentioned in the panel discussion.

• "A Mother There" A Survey of Historical Teachings about Mother in Heaven by David L. Paulsen and Martin Pulido
• Mormon Matters podcast Heavenly Mother in Today's Mormonism: Discussing the BYU Studies article "A Mother There"
• Review of Paulsen and Pulido's "A Mother There" by RT at Faith Promoting Rumor 
• Is There a Place for Heavenly Mother in Mormon Theology?: An Investigation into Discourses of Power by Margaret Toscano
• How to Worship Our Mother in Heaven (Without Getting Excommunicated) by Kevin L. Barney 
• God As Mother by Carrie A. Miles
• The Mormon Concept of a Mother in Heaven by Linda Wilcox
• The Genesis of Gender, or Why Mother in Heaven Can't Save You by Carrie A. Miles (followed by) If I Hate My Mother, Can I Love the Heavenly Mother? Personal Identity, Parental Relationships and Perceptions of God by Margaret Toscano
• Reflections On God The Mother by Julie Nicholes (followed by) Native American Concepts of a Mother in Heaven Bonnie Mitchelle (followed by) A Response by Suzanne Lundquist
• Feminist Episcopalian podcast: Circle Connections 
• Mother Wove the Morning by Carol Lynn Pearson
• Introduction from Mother Wove the Morning by Carol Lynn Pearson 
• Emerging Discourse on the Divine Feminine compiled by Maxine Hanks
• Personal Discourse on the God the Mother by Martha Pierce
• Daughters of God by Gordon B. Hinckley