[Gwen]

it may not be part of our canonized scripture but it is clearly part of our doctrines.

Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone
Of the First Quorum of the Seventy
“A Champion of Youth,” Ensign, Nov 1987, 27

...Women are endowed with special traits and attributes that come trailing down through eternity from a divine mother......Theirs is a sacred, God-given role, and the traits they received from heavenly mother are equally as important as those given to the young men.

“Lesson 9: Chastity and Modesty,” The Latter-day Saint Woman: Basic Manual for Women, Part A, 60

President Spencer W. Kimball, speaking to Latter-day Saint girls in Mexico City, said: “You are daughters of God. … You are made in the image of our heavenly mother. … Your body is sacred to you and precious” (in Conference Report, Mexico City and Central America Area Conference 1973, 108).

“A Sure Trumpet Sound: Quotations from President Lee,” Ensign, Feb 1974, 77

There are forces that work beyond our sight. Sometimes we think the whole job is up to us, forgetful that there are loved ones beyond our sight who are thinking about us and our children. We forget that we have a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother who are even more concerned, probably, than our earthly father and mother, and that influences from beyond are constantly working to try to help us when we do all we can.

Ida Smith, “The Lord as a Role Model for Men and Women,” Ensign, Aug 1980, 66

One newly restored truth that the Prophet taught—hard for the world to swallow in his day, and still misinterpreted by many in our own time—was the Lord’s view of women. The Prophet taught that men and women are of equal value and of equal importance in the sight of God. He preached that in order for a man to achieve his highest potential (the celestial kingdom and godhood) he must have a woman—equally exalted—by his side and sealed to him forever! (See D&C 131:1–4.) A just God would not require the yoking of two unequal beings for eternity. Building upon the foundation laid by Joseph Smith, subsequent prophets taught that God was not single, but married; that there is a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother; and that we were made in their image: male and female children. (See James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6 vols., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965–75, 4:203, 205.)

Neal A. Maxwell, “The Women of God,” Ensign, May 1978, 10

When we return to our real home, it will be with the “mutual approbation” of those who reign in the “royal courts on high.” There we will find beauty such as mortal “eye hath not seen”; we will hear sounds of surpassing music which mortal “ear hath not heard.” Could such a regal homecoming be possible without the anticipatory arrangements of a Heavenly Mother?

again i do not understand the need for so many to continually emphasize it's not in "canonized scripture"... to me that leaves the impression that one is trying to avoid the question and pretend the doctrine is not out there. or that the doctrine is not important.

this isn't some obscure question about time or space or where does god live that really has no bearing on our salvation... this doctrine is important. it's part of our yw's identity (as evidenced by some of the quotes). it adds clarification to the fact that we are an eternal family and that god is truely our father. it gives the obsessive need we as lds have to seal our families together meaning... if there is no heavenly mother and there is no marriage then what exactly are we doing? if gender is essential and eternal and there is no marriage and we only see god (the male) as important then what exactly is the woman's eternal purpose? the doctrine of a heavenly mother clears resolves those concerns. it's logical and makes good since. if we make this doctrine part of our yw's identity and then we dismiss it as nothing what message are we sending our yw? in my opinion it is a very important doctrine and relevant to our exaultation. so it's not in the canonized scripture... and...?

i also don't understand what it is that other faiths find so offensive about this concept.

if anyone can shed some light on this please. it really does bother me that some can be so dismissive about it. this is not directed at any particular person. this discussion has taken place here on more than one occassion.