Abstract

This thesis examines the belief in and use of the concept of Mother in Heaven among some women's support groups comprised of female members (and attached males) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The expectations were that those surveyed would express belief in Heavenly Mother, but that the concept would not be a central one. Various propositions suggested relationships between religious dimension, feminism, and alienation variables and belief in and salience of Mother in Heaven. Most of those surveyed believe in the Goddess, but the concept is underutilized among those surveyed. Belief in Mother in Heaven was found to be strongly a function of religious orthodoxy. Salience of Mother in Heaven was found to be related to a more complex set of model variables.

Degree

MA

College and Department

Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Sociology

Rights

http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

1987

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etdm429

Keywords

Mormon doctrine, Mother in Heaven, Mother-goddesses, Mormon women, Attitudes

Language

English

Share

COinS