The Human Body is Full of Symbolism

I like to sketch and paint the human portrait. I like the shapes found on the human body. This might be surprising to you because I typically like symmetric, geometric shapes in my interior and clothing designs.

Did you know we have perfect semi-/circles and semi-squares on our bodies? Do you know where?

Our knees and elbows can be brought up to perfect 90 degree angles, we see the latter position used frequently for swearing-in ceremonies, typically with one's other hand on a book of scripture, and the classic "scout's honor."

As for circles, our eyes are perfect examples of this at the iris and pupils. Also, our nipples and navel. Even the pincer grasp (shown above) is strikingly similar to a compass and, in a pinch*, can be used to draw semi-circles with the thumb in fixed position.

Our society tends to associate masculinity with the square and femininity with curves, though certainly there are aspects of each in both sexes. In fact, before Jesus did away with the old law (which tore through the temple veil), men were bound to take on the circle through circumcision to be closer to God, in whose image both male and female were created.

Isn't the body beautiful? It is another testament to the divinity of God.

*nyuk nyuk

Where in the World(s) is Heavenly Mother?

Feminists be like...

Irony is wanting to leave the Church because it doesn't reveal much about Heavenly Mother, and then realizing there's even less said about her outside of our religion. This problem creates a lot of frustrated feminist Mormons, and plenty of converts to paganism.

So what's the deal with Mother in Heaven? Where is she? What's she up to?

There's three big schools of thought on this:

1. Shhhhhhhhhhh. We don't talk about she-who-shall-not-be-named.
2. She's home with the spirit children while Daddy checks into work here on earth.
3. Something else.

Let's entertain number 3 here, okay?

I have heard and read countless testimonials of outreach to Heavenly Mother and Her interactions in response. They're beautiful, touching, and of course real. 

Yet that isn't enough for many of us. Countless church members want to hear more about Her on Sundays. They want Her included in talks and prayers. 

If the question is should Heavenly Mother receive more acknowledgement at church, then the answer is an easy yes, in my opinion. (Who else recites, "We are daughters of our Heavenly Parents, who love us and we love them...?")

But if we as women are waiting for acknowledgement and further light about Mother from The Brethren, that makes about as much sense as asking Boyd K. Packer how to insert a tampon.

(Oh yes, I did just say that.) 

Because, dear sisters (and dudes who read this blog) the errand of angels is given to women, and part of that calling is to know Her and share Her goodness with others. We can do this in abstract ways, like giving glimpses of what She must be like as we render service to others. Or we can disclose information about our relationship to our Mother in sacred spaces.

Why did I take this in the direction of being a private matter? Because if I learned anything from the temple it's that knowledge regarding female divinity needs to be worked for, not casually received. There's implied intimacy and in many ways a parallel to a mother's birth story. 

There's also a neat challenge to be like Eliza R. Snow who inserted a pearl about Mother in a hymn titled "O My Father," which is sung my men, women, and children alike. To me this strikes the perfect balance of treating our Eternal Priestess and Queen with respect, while reminding others that women are the purveyors of Her love for us.