God has a wife in heaven???

[bmy-]

Originally Posted by pam

Would you say that this would apply if talking to a member who had not yet attended the temple? Or how about to a non member as long as it is presented in the correct way?

Outside of the 'sensitive' topics -- yes. I see no harm in telling them what each ceremony consists of, etc. Those are to be considered 'sacred' but not secret. Even most of the information in there.. is just that.. information. A good example I think would be how the temple creation story differs from the story in our physical scriptures.

[bmy-]

Originally Posted by Vort

Any revelation that gives new and as-yet-unrevealed information is strictly private and not to be shared publicly, unless the recipient holds the keys to receiving such revelation for the world. See Alma 12:9 ("And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.") and Joseph Smith's famous remark that "I can keep a secret till doomsday."

I stand corrected. Appreciate it Vort.. perhaps that's why God hasn't let me in on any juicy secrets yet,

EDIT: I deleted the original post to fix the mistake.

[Hemidakota]

Originally Posted by Vort

I suspect Rameumptom was simply being charitable. Since the things you said are not publicly revealed truths, there are only three possibilities:

1. They are privately revealed truths.
2. They are lies.
3. They are speculation.

If #1 is true, that means you are guilty of a particularly nasty sin: That of revealing private revelation, thus proving yourself to be unreliable and unworthy of further revelations of the Spirit. If #2 is true, that means you are a liar. I'm guessing that Ram simply assumed the best of you and opted for #3.

Nice try Vort...let you know; I was being charitable with my response since this is a major problem in the church with limited ourselves in receiving the greater word. Now you can see why Joseph hands were tied in not able to teach more. No different in our own days with your own response.

If one follows GOD's will and the prophets, you should already know this and if the church as a whole was mature enough, this would be doctrine during Joseph Smith time.

[Hemidakota]

Originally Posted by bmy-

I stand corrected. Appreciate it Vort.. perhaps that's why God hasn't let me in on any juicy secrets yet,

EDIT: I deleted the original post to fix the mistake.

Let us examine what was given, whether it was given out of content or not being given in its entirety:

9. And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under [b]a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.

10. And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.

11. And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell

What was Alma teaching in verse 9? This reference is to the resurrection of the dead, the inseparable union of body and spirit. Look at the previous verses to see the full meaning. What is a mystery to one man may not be a mystery to another; it is simply a matter of preparation, readiness, and receptivity. To the world and the worldly the doctrines of faith, repentance, and rebirth are mysteries. To the recent convert the doctrine of atonement may be a mystery. To the experienced and seasoned Saint the matter of a plurality of gods and of man becoming as God may be mysteries. To the people of Zarahemla the noble King Benjamin said: "I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view'" (Mosiah 2:9). Benjamin then went on to speak of divine indebtedness, of putting off the natural man through the atonement of Christ, and of serving one another as a means of retaining a remission of sins from day to day. These are saved and solemn matters, to be sure. They are mysteries to the world and to those who live outside the realm of the divine influence.

In verse 10, to those who cry out, "I have enough"; those who refuse to learn more; those who are content to exist at their present level of light and truth, who say essentially, "Thus far and no further"-these shall live and die in ignorance of the mysteries of God and shall thereby subject themselves to the chains of hell. God is gracious: He provides for us that which we are willing-and thus able-to receive. I am not only talking about those outside of the gospel but them that are members of this same gospel.

When we speak on a subject of mysteries, this to me is not a mystery at all which was posted but there are subjects which cannot be expressed here and not allowed by the Spirit at all.

[rameumptom]

Originally Posted by pam

As far as secret in regards to the temple...what is your interpretation of the right locations and the right people?

I think if it is clearly taught in scripture, then it can be discussed. For example, we can discuss sacrifice and chastity as contained in the scriptures. But the portions which are not found in scripture should remain secret and sacred.

[Hemidakota]

Originally Posted by yellows23

In the other forum someone said that there is a mother who is married to God the father-wife.They have spirit children.What is the name of the mother and wife of God the Father??? The difference between LDS and NON_lds is the nature of God.In LDS,God the Father is flesh and bones.Non -Lds,God the father is a spirit-Trinity. Did Joseph Smith say that God was a man-mortal first who become a God??? Both LDS and non-LDS believe Mary was born a virgin.

Getting back to the topic discussion, some relative information found concerning Heavenly Mother - Encyclopedia of Mormonism 4 vols. by Daniel H. Ludlow

Mother in Heaven

Latter-day Saints infer from authoritative sources of scripture and modern prophecy that there is a Heavenly Mother as well as a Heavenly Father.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints rejects the idea found in some religions that the spirits or souls of individual human beings are created ex nihilo. Rather it accepts literally the vital scriptural teaching as worded by Paul: "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." This and other scriptures underscore not only spiritual sibling relationships but heirship with God, and a destiny of joint heirship with Christ (Rom. 8:16-18; cf. Mal. 2:10).

Latter-day Saints believe that all the people of earth who lived or will live are actual spiritual offspring of God the Eternal Father (Num. 16:22; Heb. 12:9). In this perspective, parenthood requires both father and mother, whether for the creation of spirits in the premortal life or of physical tabernacles on earth. A Heavenly Mother shares parenthood with the Heavenly Father. This concept leads Latter-day Saints to believe that she is like him in glory, perfection, compassion, wisdom, and holiness.

Elohim, the name-title for God, suggests the plural of the Caananite El or the Hebrew Eloah. It is used in various Hebrew combinations to describe the highest God. It is the majestic title of the ultimate deity. Genesis 1:27 reads, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him, male and female created he them" (emphasis added), which may be read to mean that "God" is plural.

For Latter-day Saints, the concept of eternal family is more than a firm belief; it governs their way of life. It is the eternal plan of life, stretching from life before through life beyond mortality.

As early as 1839 the Prophet Joseph Smith taught the concept of an eternal mother, as reported in several accounts from that period. Out of his teaching came a hymn that Latter-day Saints learn, sing, quote, and cherish, "O My Father," by Eliza R. Snow. President Wilford Woodruff called it a revelation (Woodruff, p. 62).

In the heav'ns are parents single?
No, the thought makes reason stare!
Truth is reason; truth eternal
Tells me I've a mother there.
When I leave this frail existence,
When I lay this mortal by,
Father, Mother, may I meet you
In your royal courts on high? [Hymn no. 292]

In 1909 the First Presidency, under Joseph F. Smith, issued a statement on the origin of man that teaches that "man, as a spirit, was begotten and born of heavenly parents, and reared to maturity in the eternal mansions of the Father," as an "offspring of celestial parentage," and further teaches that "all men and women are in the similitude of the universal Father and Mother, and are literally the sons and daughters of Deity" (Smith, pp. 199-205).

Belief that there is a Mother in Heaven who is a partner with God in creation and procreation is not the same as the heavy emphasis on Mariology in the Roman tradition.

Today the belief in a living Mother in Heaven is implicit in Latter-day Saint thought. Though the scriptures contain only hints, statements from presidents of the church over the years indicate that human beings have a Heavenly Mother as well as a Heavenly Father.

Bibliography
Wilcox, Linda P. "The Mormon Concept of a Mother in Heaven." In Sisters in Spirit, ed. Maureen U. Beecher and Lavina F. Anderson. Urbana, Ill., 1987.
Woodruff, Wilford. The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, ed. G. Homer Durham. Salt Lake City, 1968. ELAINE ANDERSON CANNON

[Hemidakota]

With 2900 plus hits on phrase 'Heavenly Mother' on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - selected only handful for your reading -

"One Thing Needful": Becoming Women of Greater Faith in Christ
in Patricia T. Holland, Ensign, 1987, Oct.
... my first priority, so I had tried to be a full-time mother to a grade-schooler, a high-schooler, and a son preparing for his ... in maternal modesty, of the restrained, queenly elegance of our Heavenly Mother, and knowing how profoundly our mortal mothers ...

The True Way of Life and Salvation
in Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, 1978, May
... he gave them liberty to fully express themselves as mothers, as nurses to the sick, as proponents of high community ideals, and... in maternal modesty, of the restrained, queenly elegance of our Heavenly Mother, and knowing how profoundly our mortal mothers ...

Comment
in , Ensign, 1973, July
...think that you are feeling some of what our heavenly mother may have felt as she...opportunity to further prepare the children of our Heavenly parents. Then, as our eternal successes...your children praise their earthly mother and father also, forever.” Mrs....

The Women of God
in Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign, 1978, May
...only with a great father but also with a superb mother, Lucy Mack, who influenced a whole dispensation. When we ... a regal homecoming be possible without the anticipatory arrangements of a Heavenly Mother? Meanwhile, there are no separate paths back ...

The Lord as a Role Model for Men and Women
in Ida Smith, Ensign, 1980, Aug.
... fathers—and I would add—because of their mothers as well. The people cried “blasphemy” when the Prophet declared ..., but married; that there is a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother; and that we were made in their image: male and female children.

A Sure Trumpet Sound: Quotations from President Lee
in , Ensign, 1974, Feb.
... our children. We forget that we have a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother who are even more concerned, probably, than ... human beings, all of whom, of course, are the children of our Heavenly Father. Purposes of the Temples When you enter a holy ...

A Champion of Youth
in Vaughn J. Featherstone, Ensign, 1987, Nov.
... my sister’s, but my mother made me wear them.” Some ... knowledge brings the fulness of accountability. Our Heavenly Father is far more merciful, infinitely ... role, and the traits they received from heavenly mother are equally as important as those given ...

A Time for Hope
in Ardeth G. Kapp, Ensign, 1986, Nov.
... friends. Sometimes I feel terribly lonely. I know Heavenly Father is aware of my problems, but I ...to go. I finally realized that my Father in Heaven is on my side, even though I have betrayed...go up and give Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother a big hug and ...

[rameumptom]

I have to agree with Vort. God is the one that determines when doctrine is public, not us. If I receive a personal revelation, it is just that, personal.

Example: Lorenzo Snow received personal revelation: "As God once was, man now is. As God is, man may become." When he passed it by Brigham Young (President of the 12), Brother Brigham told him that it sounded correct, but for him to keep it private, until Joseph publicly taught it.

I do not promote my personal revelations as public doctrine. Because it isn't. In the case of the world, it is speculation that I am sharing, not doctrine, because it is not binding on anyone but myself.

We do not know if the revelations an individual receives are from God or not. This is why we continually see the commandment to keep personal revelations to ourselves. And even if the revelation were from God, how do we know if the individual understands the revelation as he/she should? In the vision of the Tree of Life, Nephi saw that the river was filthy, but Lehi didn't notice - how do we know what things we may miss? Or what if we interpret it differently than another person would on a similar revelation? Or what if God reveals something one person is ready to receive, but gives a higher truth to the next person? Who do we listen to?

For this reason, it may be personal revelation to the individual, but it is speculation for all the rest of us.