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Hello Daniel,

Here's the Readers Digest version...I see repeated references to Asherah on MAD in what seem to be attempts to connect Asherah in some way to LDS theology. Can you tell me of what relevance or possible benefit, Asherah is to LDS belief/theology?

Jersey Girl

Latter-day Saints believe that part of the exaltation promised to the faithful in the hereafter is the continuation of family ties, and, specifically, of the marriage relationship.

Consistent with that, we believe that God himself has a consort.

The relatively recent recognition by archaeologists, epigraphers, and other scholars that many ancient Israelites (and ancient Semites more generally) believed that the Father God El (and/or his divine Son Yahweh) had a consort known as Asherah has caught the interest of alert Latter-day Saints.

More specifically, I published a lengthy article some years ago arguing that pre-exilic Asherah imagery (she was often associated with a tree) is present in Nephi's vision of the Tree of Life as it appears in 1 Nephi 11, in the Book of Mormon.

Daniel Peterson wrote:Latter-day Saints believe that part of the exaltation promised to the faithful in the hereafter is the continuation of family ties, and, specifically, of the marriage relationship.

Consistent with that, we believe that God himself has a consort.

The relatively recent recognition by archaeologists, epigraphers, and other scholars that many ancient Israelites (and ancient Semites more generally) believed that the Father God El (and/or his divine Son Yahweh) had a consort known as Asherah has caught the interest of alert Latter-day Saints.

More specifically, I published a lengthy article some years ago arguing that pre-exilic Asherah imagery (she was often associated with a tree) is present in Nephi's vision of the Tree of Life as it appears in 1 Nephi 11, in the Book of Mormon.

Scary...so the tree we're all after is also our Mom. Freud would cackle with glee.

If you look up "Grove" in th etopical guide there are numerous references to having to tear down groves that were aprt of religious rites. People in ancient Israel began to worship the heavenly mother, the festivities included little cakes and wine if I'm not mistaken. I believe that is where the imagery of the tree of life as a connection to Asherah comes from.

Dan, is there some connection to the "Nut' goddess in egyptian culture to the groves of Asherah?

Also, is it just me, or do they mention Asherah in this song from "The Prince of Egypt" ? Comes in about the 2:21 mark when the kids start speaking in Hebrew.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpK8WdCsYzk

Gazelam wrote:Dan, is there some connection to the "Nut' goddess in egyptian culture to the groves of Asherah?

I've wondered about that. Perhaps. But, if there's a connection at all, it's fairly loose.

Gazelam wrote:Also, is it just me, or do they mention Asherah in this song from "The Prince of Egypt" ? Comes in about the 2:21 mark when the kids start speaking in Hebrew.

It sounds like they do, but they don't, actually:

A-shi-ra la-do-nai ki ga-oh ga-ah
(I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously)
A-shi-ra la-do-nai ki ga-oh ga-ah
(I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously)
Mi-cha-mo-cha ba-elim adonai
(Who is like You, oh Lord, among the celestial)
Mi-ka-mo-cha ne-dar- ba-ko-desh
(Who is like You, majestic in holiness)
Na-chi-tah v'-chas-d'-cha am zu ga-al-ta
(In Your love, You lead the people You redeemed)
Na-chi-tah v'-chas-d'-cha am zu ga-al-ta
(In Your love, You lead the people You redeemed)
A-shi-ra, a-shi-ra, a-shi-ra...
(I will sing, I will sing, I will sing)

The song of the Hebrew children is based on the song of Moses and the children of Israel in Exodus 15, particularly verses 1 and 13.

Daniel Peterson wrote:Latter-day Saints believe that part of the exaltation promised to the faithful in the hereafter is the continuation of family ties, and, specifically, of the marriage relationship.

Consistent with that, we believe that God himself has a consort.

The relatively recent recognition by archaeologists, epigraphers, and other scholars that many ancient Israelites (and ancient Semites more generally) believed that the Father God El (and/or his divine Son Yahweh) had a consort known as Asherah has caught the interest of alert Latter-day Saints.

More specifically, I published a lengthy article some years ago arguing that pre-exilic Asherah imagery (she was often associated with a tree) is present in Nephi's vision of the Tree of Life as it appears in 1 Nephi 11, in the Book of Mormon.

So Asherah is supposedly Heavenly Mother? Or is that connection too strong? Like... maybe the ancient Hebrews thought she was God's concubine?

harmony wrote:So Asherah is supposedly Heavenly Mother?

Possibly. We're talking about the pretty dim reaches of early Levantine history, so it's hard to be definitive. And most of the relevant texts, if they ever existed, have probably been suppressed. She was likely edited out of the biblical canon, for example.

harmony wrote:Or is that connection too strong? Like... maybe the ancient Hebrews thought she was God's concubine?

I'm unaware of anything to suggest that she was thought of as merely a concubine.

Daniel Peterson wrote:Latter-day Saints believe that part of the exaltation promised to the faithful in the hereafter is the continuation of family ties, and, specifically, of the marriage relationship.

Consistent with that, we believe that God himself has a consort.

I don't know that the LDS church teaches that. I understand the background behind it, but I don't think the church knows a lot about it.

Daniel Peterson wrote:

harmony wrote:So Asherah is supposedly Heavenly Mother?

Possibly. We're talking about the pretty dim reaches of early Levantine history, so it's hard to be definitive. And most of the relevant texts, if they ever existed, have probably been suppressed. She was likely edited out of the biblical canon, for example.

harmony wrote:Or is that connection too strong? Like... maybe the ancient Hebrews thought she was God's concubine?

I'm unaware of anything to suggest that she was thought of as merely a concubine.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but ... it is my understanding that the greatest exaltation that can occur in Mormonism is to achieve Godhood, and be able to have your own universe. Part of that is being able to populate that universe through the multiple sealings that were done on earth. In other words, there has to be a Heavenly Father AND a Heavenly Mother, or, as it seems more likely to me, many Heavenly Mothers.

Daniel Peterson wrote:

harmony wrote:So Asherah is supposedly Heavenly Mother?

Possibly. We're talking about the pretty dim reaches of early Levantine history, so it's hard to be definitive. And most of the relevant texts, if they ever existed, have probably been suppressed. She was likely edited out of the biblical canon, for example.

harmony wrote:Or is that connection too strong? Like... maybe the ancient Hebrews thought she was God's concubine?

I'm unaware of anything to suggest that she was thought of as merely a concubine.

If most of the relevant text were suppressed, that assumes an agenda by the people doing the suppressing. Do you mean the texts existed, but were destroyed? Was there some sort of political agenda to suppressing this information? Did the ancient Levantines (whoever they were) worship her as a goddess or just acknowledge that she existed? Were the men in power intimidated by the idea of a Heavenly Mother/goddess?