[Wingnut]

Originally Posted by Elphaba

What was the reason for changing it?

Elphaba

President Kimball, whose slogan was "Do It" (long before Nike, I believe), requested that it be changed. Even though (as Truegrits pointed out), the knowledge is important and precursory, knowledge is not enough. We must do the right things, not just know them.

Originally Posted by MarginOfError

Ultimately, I think there is enough evidence to justify the belief. I'm not sure I would or would not call it 'official doctrine.' What I am sure about, however, is that it is unnecessary doctrine, as our salvation is in no way tied to whether or not a Heavenly Mother exists. I would think this has more to do with why missionaries don't teach about a Heavenly Mother--she's irrelevant to us at this stage of our eternal existence.

I think this is probably the biggest reason. Frankly, it just isn't important as a key part of our doctrine and belief system. Heavenly Mother is important, but like you said, our salvation isn't tied to it.

Originally Posted by Gwen

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

Four out of the five quotes you gave were from the Ensign. Two of those were Conference issues. A third was from Harold B. Lee. Do we not accept the doctrine of an "open canon"? Isn't that one of the biggest things that sets us apart from so many other Christian sects -- the fact that we have continuing revelation?

In April Conference this year, Elder Holland said the following:

In general conference last October, I said there were two principal reasons The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is accused, erroneously, of not being Christian. At that time I addressed one of those doctrinal issues—our scripturally based view of the Godhead. Today I would like to address the other major doctrine which characterizes our faith but which causes concern to some, namely the bold assertion that God continues to speak His word and reveal His truth, revelations which mandate an open canon of scripture.

(The full text of that talk can be found here: LDS.org - Ensign Article - My Words...Never Cease�)

Don't we consider the prophets' words in the Church magazines (and especially the Conference issues) to be part of LDS canon? I would argue, based on the references that you gave, that the Heavenly Mother teaching is part of official canon.