In Her Image: Finding Heavenly Mother in Scripture, Scholarship, the Arts, & Everyday Life

Today we have a a simplified retelling of an ancient Christian text that talks about Heavenly Mother and our special mission in this life. Get your own copy with InHerImage discount code at https://www.thehymnofthepearl.com/ LORI NIELSEN DRIGGS and her husband, Paul, live in South Jordan, Utah. They are the parents of six children and eight grandchildren. Lori loves learning and studying—especially the scriptures. This beautiful hymn is one of her favorites. She is so grateful to work with Mandy Green, who brought the hymn back to her attention and expanded her love of the scriptures. She feels so blessed to have Tshikamba (the beautiful Melissa Kamba Boggs) bring it to life with her glorious illustrations. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inherimage/support

Mechelle Wingle, our guest from episode 67 titled The Mother Hunger with Mechelle Wingle, sent us this beautiful meditation to share with you on the podcast. It is the second meditation in a series of four being releasing this month. Enjoy! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inherimage/support

This summer we're switching things up for a few weeks and offering you a series of meditations. Each week will feature a different meditation that relates to the Divine Mother, whether through symbol or guided experience. We hope that each meditation will bring you closer to Her and closer to peace and harmony within yourself. We kick off our "summer of meditations" with a Moon Meditation by Meg Rittmanic. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inherimage/support

Melissa Tshikamba, an illustrator and figurative artist, joins Jess for a conversation about artwork, divinity, and diversity. Melissa's art reflects sacred imagery, the divine feminine, history, African symbols, mythology, cosmology, Mother Nature, and her ancestral heritage. Tshikamba was raised in a mixed race, religious family, which instilled in her a love for the Divine. As a visual and kinesthetic learner, she noticed early on there weren’t any images that looked like her, or her siblings. Many religions claim that we are all sons and daughters of a Creator, yet their artwork lacks truth and diversity. This fueled her mission and passion to help shift that narrative and create images that are a better reflection of our human family. (Taken from Melissa's website, https://tshikamba.com/) See the website for inquiries, prints, and commissions, and browse Melissa's instagram https://www.instagram.com/tshikamba/?hl=en for some truly inspiring art! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inherimage/support

Happy Heavenly Mother's Day! Today we give you a reading from the recently published Cherish: The Joy of Our Mother in Heaven, curated by Ashli Carnicelli, Trina Caudle, and McArthur Krishna. Many poets, songwriters, researchers, and church leaders contributed to this book which is available for purchase now on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Cherish-Ashli-Carnicelli/dp/1948218879. We hope you feel your Divine Mother's love today and every day, as you ponder on the truth that YOU are Her beloved spirit child. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inherimage/support

Carol Lynn Pearson graces us on the podcast for the second week in a row to read a section from her book The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy: Haunting the Hearts and Heaven of Mormon Women and Men. She shares chapter 8, titled "Our Mothers Who Art in Heaven". --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inherimage/support

Jess talks about some of her own journey, putting into words some of the most difficult parts to describe as she articulates the journey of seeking Heavenly Mother to someone from the outside looking in. She shares her experience with faith, her evolving relationship with Deity, the pain she's experienced, and the joy. She relates why seeking Heavenly Mother has become important for so many. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inherimage/support

In this episode, award-winning writer and English teacher Tyler Chadwick discusses the power of language and the open canon around Heavenly Mother. Walking through his journey of conceptualizing and connecting with The Mother, he describes how he has found Her in poetry. As co-editor of the poetry anthology Dove Song: Heavenly Mother in Mormon Poetry (Peculiar Pages, 2018), with Dayna Patterson and Martin Pulido, he’s felt Her presence in the poetic witness of Mormon poets from the early restoration to today. And as a poet himself, he shares his own witness of the Goddess through delightful poems that appear in his most recent book, Litany with Wings (BCC Press, 2022). Tyler's vision that the seed of the Mother Tree can be planted in our hearts through the word is hope-filled and inspiring. Visit https://tyler-chadwick.com to find Tyler's books, poetry, and essays. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inherimage/support

Crystal Schultz shares her journey of finding the Mother through meditation, and discusses how she continues to deepen that relationship through her daily practice. She shares that a focus on freeing the soul to be open to truth allows for self-authorship and yoga- or union with God.  Find her on Instagram @crystalmeditates --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inherimage/support

In this episode, Jess speaks with Luann Purnell, who has had special experiences and a growing connection with Heavenly Mother. Luann shares how she was inspired through artwork and dreams to seek Mother God, and relates how Mother helped her in a vulnerable time. She discusses how finding the female half of God helps people embrace their own identities, and expand in love and understanding for others and their journeys. Luann testifies that one of Heavenly Mother's great roles is to relieve the oppressed.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inherimage/support

Jess and Kate interview Alynne Scirkovich, research extraordinaire on all things Eve and Heavenly Mother. In this conversation, Alynne dives into her discoveries from the scriptures, extra-canonical texts, and personal revelation on the parallels between the women protagonists that begin each portion of the Bible-- Eve in the Old Testament, and Mary in the New. She provides insight into how we can learn about the  Divine Mother through these women's examples, which in turn inspires introspection on how one can better embody these feminine qualities of unabashed faithfulness and sovereignty.  Wanting more from Alynne? Check out her online course "Our Glorious Mother Eve" at https://ourmothereve-s-school.thinkific.com/courses/glorious-mother-eve --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inherimage/support

Friends and co-editors McArthur Krishna and Bethany Brady Spalding join the podcast today to introduce their new ebook “In the Image of our Heavenly Parents: A Couple’s Guide to Creating a More Divine Marriage”. The purpose of the book is to create "more vibrant, thriving, equal partnerships", as Bethany puts it. They share the 12 principles included in the guide book that couples can work on throughout the year to model their marriages more closely on our Heavenly Parents’. They discuss why they saw a need for such a workbook and how they envision it being used in marriages. They share how the principles in the book have blessed their own marriages, and how they hope these principles will change not only the couples who put them into practice, but also the world at large.  The book is available here: https://dstreetpress.myshopify.com/products/a-couples-guide-to-creating-a-more-divine-marriage  Several respected therapists contributed to the guide book: Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife, Dr. Julie Hanks, Dr. Ty Mansfield, Geoff Steurer, LMFT & Jody Steurer. It is illustrated by artist and graphic designer Ben Crowder. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inherimage/support

Have you ever noticed the mental gymnastics it takes to constantly translate the written sacred texts to female pronouns? We have, and we're happy to share a resource that will bless your study of the New Testament and finally give that mental gymnast a break. In this episode, Jess and Kate introduce The Divine Feminine Version of the New Testament and why it's such a valuable resource. We read from its prologue, discuss the gender-expansive term "Godde", and share a few passages from this new-to-us version. We hope you'll enjoy the conversation on female representation in the scriptures, and especially the emphasis on seeing our Heavenly Mother there.  https://godde.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/dfv-final-2nd-ed.pdf https://www.amazon.com/Divine-Feminine-Version-Testament-Second/dp/1545080852/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+divine+feminine+version+of+the+new+testament&qid=1673731684&sprefix=divine+feminine+version%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-1 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inherimage/support

In this weeks' episode, Kate interviews Natalie Nazer Cosby, Kira Woodfield Leeper, and Jess Burdette about an event they are putting on in April 2023 centering the Divine Feminine in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area. From the group's page: "Our mission is to facilitate finding the common threads of feminine divinity throughout time and culture through sharing traditions, art, conversation, and community. We aim to empower everyone to explore their own divinity through an inclusive exploration of The Feminine Divine." Natalie, Kira, and Jess share details of the event, their why, and the scope of various religions and traditions that will be represented through artwork, poetry, dance, and lectures.  We look forward to this celebration, and invite all to participate whether through physical attendance, submitting poetry to be read at the event, or donating/volunteering.  Reserve your free tickets to the event here:  https://tinyurl.com/bdfpwawz Class descriptions and presenter bios: https://www.nataliejeanneart.com/bios Event schedule: https://tinyurl.com/bd955ry2 General info, including art and poetry submission details: https://www.nataliejeanneart.com/dfwdivinefeminineevent --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inherimage/support

Artist and art show curator Natalie Smith joins Jess for this episode to talk about her experience envisioning, painting, and writing about the Feminine Divine. Her recent art show titled "In Her Image"in Colorado featured various pieces by herself and other artists on symbols of Heavenly Mother. Natalie shares her story of loss, study, and inspiration and a poignant dream she had which led to the creation of her piece "Mother of All Living." She recites a poem she wrote in conjunction with this piece. Natalie's bravery and authenticity is inspiring! See Natalie's art and writings at www.instagram.com/natalieillustrates and at www.natalieillustrates.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inherimage/support

Jolyn Laney joins Jess to discuss the difference in form, function, and permanence in the two different types of priesthood: hierarchical and familial/patriarchal. Of the hierarchical priesthood and its roles, President M. Russell Ballard taught, “Although the church plays a pivotal role in proclaiming, announcing, and administering the necessary ordinances of salvation and exaltation, all of that, as important as it is, is really just the scaffolding being used in an infinite and eternal construction project to build, support and strengthen the family. And just as scaffolding is eventually taken down and put away to reveal the final completed building, so too will the mortal, administrative functions of the church eventually fade as the eternal family comes into view. In that context, it’s important to remember that our church assignments are only temporary, and that at some point we will all be released either by our leaders or by death. But we will never be released from our eternal callings within the family.” -M. Russell Ballard Moses 6:7 proclaims, "Now this same Priesthood, which was in the beginning, shall be in the end of the world also." Referring to this verse of scripture, Jolyn shares on her Instagram: "this Priesthood that is spoken of here, is the patriarchal order of the Priesthood. Entered into through marriage and held equally by woman and man. This Priesthood is what creates worlds by exalted women and men. This Priesthood is used by Kings and Queens, Priests and Priestesses. This Priesthood is what will be used and held in the eternities. This Priesthood is what we have now. Holding it. Accessing it. Using it. This is what will endure. This is the power used to govern, teach, exalt families. I just love pondering this patriarchal, familial priesthood and the possibilities when we step into our powers and privileges."  Jolyn can be found on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.familial.priesthood/ and https://www.instagram.com/jolyn.laneyphoto/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inherimage/support

In a world (and a church) where things tend to change very slowly, it can be hard to maintain a new way of being; a new way of seeing. It can start to feel hopeless when you feel you are the only one who sees things the way you do, and you are continually met with indifference, or worse, when you try to share your newfound truth. When it is easy to focus on the hard, to focus on what we don't want, it is nonetheless imperative to turn our focus back to our desires, and envision the world and the results we do want. What does a bright, beautiful, equitable future look like? What does unity entail? What can we co-create by focusing our thoughts and actions, our power on the good we want to see unfold? Jess and Kate discuss the cyclical nature of their experiences, and how they are turning their focus to hope and to what they might do to assist in the collective rise as the divine feminine, the Mother of Heaven and Earth, dawns on our collective awareness.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inherimage/support

In this episode, Jess talks with Brittany Manjarrez who is currently living in Paris, France. Brittany felt inspired to translate the hymn "Souviens-toi",  existing only in the French LDS hymnbook, into English. Its inclusion of Heavenly Parents immediately caught her attention and endeared her to the song. She shares what translating it was like and how "Remember, Little One," as she calls it in English, came to be included in the "Let's Talk About Heavenly Mother" fireside in Utah, USA. In order to include the hymn, Brittany tracked down the previously unknown author of the song, Marie-Françoise Euvrard. She shares excerpts from a conversation she had with Marie, relating tender details of infertility, pain, and pure revelation. Brittany reads her translation of this sublime hymn and discusses what finding Heavenly Mother has meant for her.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inherimage/support

Jess and Dr. Val Larsen continue their conversation on how Dr. Larsen first started contemplating Heavenly Mother and what he has discovered through careful reading of the Book of Mormon and studying associated historical works. He suggests that Lehi and Nephi, along with Joseph Smith, received and worked to restore the pre-deuteronomistic, old religion of Abraham in their respective dispensations. As Dr. Larsen and contemporary scholars have found, this ancient religion believed in a divine Council of the Gods, including Heavenly Mother, Heavenly Father, and their Son Jesus Christ. This belief in separate embodied, glorified members of a Heavenly Family makes the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints distinctive from other religions. Yet, as a church, we tend to deemphasize this point. Val suggests that this "Greater Apostasy" keeps us from fully worshiping the Divine Family, and that as we undo the removal of Heavenly Mother from our theology (which took place in the days of Josiah), we can continue to see the unfolding of the ongoing, modern-day restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and better help prepare the world for His Second Coming. Read Dr. Val Larsen's articles on Heavenly Mother here: "Hidden in Plain View: Mother in Heaven in Scripture" https://squaretwo.org/Sq2ArticleLarsenHeavenlyMother.html "First Visions and Last Sermons: Affirming Divine Sociality, Rejecting the Greater Apostasy" http://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/first-visions-and-last-sermons-affirming-divine-sociality-rejecting-the-greater-apostasy/ "Josiah to Zoram to Sherem to Jarom and the Big Little Book of Omni" https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/josiah-to-zoram-to-sherem-to-jarom-and-the-big-little-book-of-omni/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inherimage/support

In the previous episode, episode 59, Jess read "First Visions and Last Sermons: Affirming Divine Sociality, Rejecting the Greater Apostasy", written by Dr. Val Larsen and published in 2020. In this week's episode, Jess interviews Dr. Larsen on how he first started contemplating Heavenly Mother and what he has discovered through careful reading of the Book of Mormon and studying associated historical works. He suggests that Lehi and Nephi, along with Joseph Smith, received and worked to restore the pre-deuteronomistic, old religion of Abraham in their respective dispensations. As Dr. Larsen and contemporary scholars have found, this ancient religion believed in a divine Council of the Gods, including Heavenly Mother, Heavenly Father, and their Son Jesus Christ. This belief in separate embodied, glorified members of a Heavenly Family makes the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints distinctive from other religions. Yet, as a church, we tend to deemphasize this point. Val suggests that this "Greater Apostasy" keeps us from fully worshiping the Divine Family, and that as we undo the removal of Heavenly Mother from our theology (which took place in the days of Josiah), we can continue to see the unfolding of the ongoing, modern-day restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and better help prepare the world for His Second Coming. Tune in next Sunday for part 2 of this conversation. Read Dr. Val Larsen's articles on Heavenly Mother here: "Hidden in Plain View: Mother in Heaven in Scripture" https://squaretwo.org/Sq2ArticleLarsenHeavenlyMother.html "First Visions and Last Sermons: Affirming Divine Sociality, Rejecting the Greater Apostasy"  http://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/first-visions-and-last-sermons-affirming-divine-sociality-rejecting-the-greater-apostasy/ "Josiah to Zoram to Sherem to Jarom and the Big Little Book of Omni" https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/josiah-to-zoram-to-sherem-to-jarom-and-the-big-little-book-of-omni/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inherimage/support