The doctrine of a Heavenly Mother is one of the more distinctive and obscure beliefs within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While officially acknowledged, her presence is conspicuously absent in both worship and doctrine. The Church teaches that all human beings have Heavenly Parents—a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother. Yet, despite this acknowledgment, there is little to no guidance on who she is, what role she plays, or why she remains shrouded in silence.

The Church’s Gospel Topics Essay on Mother in Heaven attempts to outline the origins of this belief. It states that while there is no record of Joseph Smith receiving a formal revelation on Heavenly Mother, some early Latter-day Saint women recalled that he taught them about her. The hymn O My Father, penned by Eliza R. Snow, is often cited as the earliest and most prominent expression of this doctrine. The Church has since reaffirmed the belief in a Heavenly Mother through leaders’ statements, including in The Family: A Proclamation to the World (1995). However, beyond these references, little is said about her role or attributes.

One of the more troubling aspects of this doctrine is the absolute silence surrounding Heavenly Mother. Unlike Heavenly Father, she is not addressed in prayer, nor is she depicted as having an active role in the lives of her children. The rationale provided is that Jesus Christ himself directed prayers to the Father, setting the precedent for worship. However, this explanation does little to address the broader implications of her absence. If Heavenly Mother is equal to Heavenly Father, why is she voiceless and invisible?

Mormon doctrine teaches that exaltation—the highest degree of salvation—means becoming like God. For women, this means becoming like Heavenly Mother. But what does that actually entail? If her example is to be followed, does that mean the ultimate divine role for women is one of silence, invisibility, and eternal subservience? The celestial model presents a deeply concerning message: women may be exalted, but only as silent partners to their husbands, destined for an eternity of childbearing in polygamous unions, with no personal voice or power.

This theological framework raises significant questions about gender roles within Mormonism. The structure of the church already mirrors this dynamic—men hold priesthood authority, preside over their families, and govern every major decision in the faith. Women, on the other hand, are encouraged to support and sustain but not to lead. The portrayal of Heavenly Mother reinforces this paradigm, suggesting that women’s highest aspiration is to become invisible, to exist only in relation to a husband, and to forego autonomy.

If Heavenly Mother truly exists and loves her children as much as Heavenly Father does, why would she not be accessible to them? Why would a loving mother remain eternally silent? Some have argued that her absence is meant to protect her from blasphemy or dishonor. But what does that say about Heavenly Father? He is worshiped, called upon, and even criticized—yet his role remains secure. If divine fatherhood can withstand scrutiny, why must divine motherhood be hidden away?

For many women within the faith, the silence of Heavenly Mother is deafening. It calls into question not only the doctrine of exaltation but also the very nature of divinity as taught in Mormonism. If becoming like Heavenly Mother is the goal, then the message is clear: to be divine is to be unseen, unheard, and ultimately erased. That is a future that many women find deeply unsettling.

As the Church continues to explore and clarify its teachings, it must reckon with the implications of a doctrine that elevates motherhood while simultaneously silencing the divine feminine. If Heavenly Mother is truly a god, then women deserve to know her, speak of her, and seek guidance from her. Until that happens, the doctrine remains incomplete—a half-truth that leaves women searching for answers in a faith that only gives them silence in return.

As Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has said, “Our theology begins with heavenly parents. Our highest aspiration is to be like them.” If that is true, then women’s ultimate destiny in Mormon theology is to be silenced forever—never to speak, never to guide, never to be known. A doctrine that claims to exalt women instead renders them invisible, both in mortality and in eternity.