Mother Fast is still going, I promise

I often describe an event earlier in my life as having "taken the wind out of my sails".  It was a heart-breaking incident that caused me to lose all forward momentum in my life and toward a goal.  I redirected my course and found what I needed, more than I had imagined, and for that I'm grateful virtually every day.  Still, I lost propulsion, lost power.

Looking at the past year of my life and the deceleration I've experienced again in areas I'm passionate about, I wonder if things haven't so much "taken the wind out of my sails" as "blown holes" in them.  The storms of life have ripped holes in my sails and made it difficult to make headway and steer where I want to go.   The Mother Fast has been one of the things that has suffered, I'm afraid.  Mothers have been a difficult subject for me for obvious reasons.

I have this stubborn pride thing where I don't like my motives to be... apparent... or guessable.  I don't like to be predictable.  I might fail at it, but I don't like it.  And I really hate it when I think someone might look down on me for it.  So, when I entered a time of Mothering crisis and grief in my personal life, I didn't want anyone to stumble on this venture and go "Stupid girl, she just misses her Mom and she's trying to replace her with Heavenly Mother.  Her personal struggle isn't a good enough reason to try and change the way the Church works!"

Mothers are a big thing for me, you see.  My first one gave me up for reasons unknown to me, except that a divorce was involved.  I was cared for by a foster mother for a short time before I came to my real mother.  And I grew up knowing of a Heavenly Mother, but knowing very little about her... kind of like my birth mother.  I ached for years to become a mother of many myself, and I surrounded myself with fertility and pregnancy and birth in order to be around and serve mothers.  I have mothered countless friends.  Even now, when I look at children and sometimes wonder if I really want to take that challenge on, I mainly question whether I'd really make a good mother, or if I'm too exhausted from caring for adults to have much left to dedicate to children.  Mothering matters to me, tremendously.  I don't want some monstrous, heartless, "well-meaning", self-righteous internet troll to come stamping up to the walls of my Mother shrine and graffitiing it with judgment and a conservative attitude toward upholding the traditions of patriarchy.

So I've hidden in my silence and floundered in the hurricane of my grief and confusion, the chaos that has enveloped my life for the past twelve months.  I've failed to fast so many times out of forgetfulness or neglect or just not feeling up to withholding whatever form of nourishment sustained me.  I've felt like a failure, like I wasn't doing my part in the struggle for equality and balance and hope for a better future.  I've had to be very compassionate with myself.

I'm not saying I'm ready to go roaring in, banners high, sails mended and billowing in the wind.  But I'm here, as battered by the storms as I am.  I still love my Mothers.  I need Mothers in my house, above and below, and I miss them in their absence.  Hopefully tomorrow, I'll be strong enough to fast, again.

Rumor has it women will be praying in General Conference.  That, too, gives me hope. :)

Mother Fast is still going

I've been very lax about posting on the subject of the Fast lately.  Sorry about that, folks!  Anyway, tomorrow is another Fast day--I think this month is on fast forward, no pun intended--and it's the one immediately preceding General Conference.  I've heard murmurs that I find encouraging, rumors that the welfare and place and role of women is of special concern and priority among the highest echelons of Church authority, even higher than LGBTQ issues.  These are second or third-hand rumors, so I can't substantiate them at all, but I can hope that it's true and that perhaps Mother is making Herself known among the Twelve and First Presidency.
So, by way of reminder, let us concentrate our hopes, thoughts, desires, devotions, prayers, and fasting toward  "Something official from the Quorum of the Twelve and/or the First Presidency giving clear, concise, revealed knowledge about the role, powers, duties, nature, and attributes of Goddess, in the form of a declaration, proclamation, or inspired Conference talk(s)."

Happy fasting. :)

Modified Fasting

I caught it in time this month!  Yay!

So, I will be doing my Fast tomorrow, praying for the preparation of the people and the unveiling of Goddess.  I plan to persist in this as long as I can, even if I persist alone.  However, I have to modify my fasting method this month.

Without getting into too many details, I'm anemic.  I have been for years, and this month has been especially horrific.  I put some serious (if very muddled) thought into driving myself down to the hospital for a transfusion.  That's a scary thought when you have no insurance.  (YAY for pre-existing conditions!  I'M NOT WORTH COVERING! /tangent)  Anyway, physically abstaining from food right  now is a very, very bad idea.  My body needs nourishment and not to be taxed beyond its strength, therefore I won't be fasting from food.

Instead, I'll be fasting from Facebook.  Possibly my whole computer, but definitely from Facebook.

In all honesty, that will probably be a more useful abstaining practice for getting me closer to deity.  I need the time away from such a huge distraction.  Food used to be the cultural time taker of a day.  Today, for me, it's technology, so that's what I place on the altar for the coming day.

Anyone else ever modify their fasts in like manner?

Mother Fast 6: Moving forward

6. Collective willingness to find ways to move beyond patriarchy into more feminist and egalitarian paradigms in order to restore balance and honor the gifts of both sexes, mortal and Divine.

I don't know, I think that is pretty self-explanatory.   We all just need to move on, evolve, be better, be wiser, be kinder, be more balanced and inclusive and Christ-like.

It's a little strange to think that it has (only) been six months (already).  It seems like this Fast has been going on much longer, and yet it feels like it just began.  I've changed a lot in six months' time.  I've changed a lot in twelve months' time.  I'm a different person than I was a year ago, moreso than most years.

This blog has changed a lot in that time, too.  It started just as a place to jot down the spiritual stuff that didn't belong on my business blog.  Now I'm a practicing Pagan Mormon Feminist who publicly asks risky questions of General Authorities and fasts every month for the unveiling of Heavenly Mother.   Dang, 2011 has been a heck of a year.  I blame the Solstice Eclipse last winter.

Speaking of Solstice, this month's fast coincides with the local Pagan community's gathering.  This will be my first time being able to attend one since I first heard of them from a friend, and I'm dragging Dryad (who has an awesome new post up, which you should go read) along with me.  My hope is that it will be all Goddess-y and dance-y and inspiring and such.

Enjoy your fasting, friends and siblings!  May we each commit ourselves in the coming year to be more truly Christ-like to those around us.

Mother Fast 5: Overcoming Patriarchy

Hello, everyone.  It's that Sunday again.  Keeping on as a reminder of the "official" course of the Fast for this month, here's what I had outlined:

• A growing consciousness of the damages inflicted on humanity by traditions of patriarchy, the system of social, cultural, and religious rule by men to the exclusion and oppression of women and children.

I, however, will not be addressing this one this month in my own private Fast.  After last week's events, I'm instead going to be fasting for the leadership again, specifically the Prophet and the Apostles, that their hearts will be softened and opened to the weight of the people's need for Heavenly Mother, and that they will seek after revelation concerning Her.  I'll be praying that the message I sent with the Seventy will be (or has already been) seriously received and become a matter of pondering and consideration.

Whichever you choose, welcome to another month of sacrifice and dedication in the cause of our Goddess.  Thank you for being with me. :)

As a woman on fire

 "The Spirit of God like a fire is burning...  The visions and blessings of old are returning, and angels are coming to visit the earth."

I felt the burning of the Spirit tonight as I found myself with the opportunity to be the voice for thousands of women.  I haven't had many experiences so forceful in my life, but there was no mistaking the Spirit when it came and moved me.

We have a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and an assisting Regional Authority in town this weekend to change our Stake Presidency.  At the end of adult session of Conference tonight, the Seventy gave us about 5 minutes to think of "inspired questions" that he or one of the others on the stand would answer.  He told us that he has a daily opportunity to eat lunch with members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve at Church headquarters, conversing with them and that he has been on assignment with every Apostle or Prophet for the past 16 years.  He said that he would take the hard ones and the easy ones could be answered by his assistant, the Mission President, or a member of our Stake Presidency.

I knew I had to ask about Mother.


As I was waiting for our thinking time to be over, I had the whole heart racing, hands shaking, sweating Spirit prodding thing going.  I was determined to be first.  When he finally opened it, my hand shot up.  I know I wasn't first in the air, but he called me and the mic came my way.  I stood with racing heart and I asked, "As a woman, "How can I as a woman know who I'm going to become if we know so little about Heavenly Mother, and how can we learn about her?"

I don't think he quite got the eternal scope of the question--or if he did, he didn't address it that way, in my opinion--but his answer was still good.  He talked about consulting Patriarchal Blessings, reading the scriptures to familiarize myself with the voice of the Lord/Spirit, and praying (to Heavenly Father) to know more.  He also spoke about finding little packets of blessings (I liked that) along life's road that would lead and guide me in the right direction.  I was hoping for something grander, personally.  However, when I stepped back from my expectations, I found that the answer given was a confirmation of what I've done and what I'm doing, the direction I'm traveling.  Also, for those out there who may be asking and thinking they're alone, or who are afraid to ask, or who don't even know to ask, I think it was a good intro answer that--if nothing else--might open dialogue and searching.

I was in process of leaving the building after the meeting, when I got this strong feeling to go back.  I almost didn't, but the pull was so strong.  It wasn't a forceful push or a drag, it wasn't a command it was... assurance.  I walked back inside and stuck my head into the chapel.  I looked for him, didn't see him, started to leave again.  Again the feeling came, telling me to go back and keep looking.  I did, but I didn't see him, didn't see him... Finally, I saw him across the room.  Of course, there were a couple doen people chatting between us.  I made my way in his direction, trying to find a path.  I almost stopped to hug a friend of the family, but I said to myself, "No, I'm not here for that," and got through the gym to the opposite foyer.  As I went through the door and looked up, I found myself face to face with the mission president, who said mine was a very good question and shook my hand.  I nearly shook the hand of the Regional Authority but the mission president distracted him.  Just as he was turning back to me, the Seventy approached and shook my hand and thanked me for being present tonight.

I thanked him for coming and I put my hand over his.  Instantly, I began to tear up as I looked at him.  I was filled with the fire of the Spirit and the weight of women's need.  It enveloped me and seeped into me.  It fused with my being for 30 electrifying seconds.  I have felt such a sensation once before--this thick feeling of being engulfed in water but never drowning, only being pressed in upon by something omnipresent and holistic--as I entered a Celestial Room for the first time.  I stood before him, wearing an unseen mantle lent to me by the spirit of every woman who ever lived, and choked out the words, "Please... I've talked to so many women about this, and we're very concerned.  We want to know about our Mother.  Please take that back to them.  Let them know.  Please, take it back to them."

He said he would, and thanked me again.  The mantle did not lift from my being until I left the building.  I couldn't help the tears falling down my face.  It was likely confusing to those who had seen me just two minutes before going in the other direction with a smile on my face, but I had done what I needed to do.  I did it without little fear and less hesitation.  I felt the Spirit move me in ways I would not have moved myself under my own, often-timid power.


Now I pray and I hope--I desperately hope--that he felt the weight of our need, and he will take it back to the Apostles and Prophet.  I will be praying for that this week as I prepare for this month's Fast.  I will likely also go off the "planned subject schedule", personally, and go back to Fasting for our leaders' inspiration.  Now may be the right time.

May our prayers be heard and answered.

Edits: Corrections made to titles of participants.

Mother Fast 4: The on-the-road edition

I realized about 8PM last night that I had forgotten to post a reminder about the Fast.  I remembered as I was two and a half hours from home and I had left my computer at home.  I am (usually) too lazy to post from my phone.  Nevertheless, I did remember to fast in time to do so, and it made my evening at a bachelorette party a little less fattening (though I did wait to begin until I'd had a cupcake.  Yummy.)

I'm afraid it has been a very long day, so I don't have a lot to say right now.  I know, I'm a bad blogger.  I did fast, though.  I hope you did too, and that something good happened to you because of it.

Yeah...--minor update

I'm a little bummed.  I was really hoping for at least a common thread or a trend, or a couple "Father and Mother"s at the very, very least.  I hear there was one "Heavenly Parents" mentioned, though it snuck past me.  (Update: Heather found it.)

Besides that--and perhaps it's the perspective I have these days as opposed to even 6-9 months ago--this Conference just seemed very... very... not for Me.  I had to dig more than usual for something that felt relevant to me and my place in life.  There was one session (Saturday afternoon?) that was about 2/3rds "MARRIAGE-BABIES-BE A MOM-FAMILY"

It made me want to flail my arms--like trying to ward off the inexorable advance of a steam roller--and scream, "I'M TRYING!!"

I know not everything is meant for everyone, and different people need different counsel, but for a rare incidence, I just didn't get a lot out of Conference.  Maybe it's my own fault.  I was distracted at various points, and I certainly was focusing a lot of energy searching for something that never came.  Maybe I'll find more when I go back and watch, listen, or read things over again.  And I will carry on with the Fast and with hoping and praying and seeking and looking forward.

Right now, I'm just bummed.

One more shot of optimism

Regendered/Inclusive Doctrine & Covenants Section 4 (with gently modernized language)

Now behold, a marvelous work and a wonder is about to come forth among the children of women.

Therefore, O you that embark in the service of Goddess and God, see that you serve them with all your heart, might, mind, and strength, that you may stand blameless before God and Goddess at the last day.

Therefore, if you have desires to serve Goddess and God you are called to the work.

For behold the field is white already to harvest; and she that thrusts in her sickle with her might, the same lays up in store that she perishes not, but brings salvation to her soul;

And faith, hope,charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God and Goddess, qualify her for the work.

Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, sisterly kindness, godliness, chairty, humilty, diligence.

Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  Amen.

Enjoy General Conference!

An extra day of prayer

I went to bed last night realizing that tomorrow starts the main body of Conference.  (I consider Relief Society and Young Women's Conferences to be part of the body of General Conference, just like Priesthood Session, in spite of the week between them.)  I went to bed last night praying that the veil would be lifted from Mother's face.  I woke this morning to pray again for understanding to come forth this weekend.  I may or may not Fast. I probably should, I just don't know if it's feasible for me today.  However, I will not stop praying.  (Praying is a free action. /nerd joke)

Every day, I dress to honor God.  Today I will also dress to honor Goddess.

Every day, I act in and by the name of God.  Today, I will also act in and by the name of Goddess, that those I encounter will feel some part of Her love.  I will do what I can to fill the need for a "Mother in a Motherless house."

Every day, I carry God in the song of my heart.  Today, I will also carry Goddess in the music I play and the music I sing, that Her voice might be heard in the world.

I give thanks to God and Goddess for the inspiration for this Fast, for the growth it has brought me, and the journey I am on.  I give thanks for the people with me on this journey and their kind words and support.  I pray for the courage to share it with more people I know.

My hope is high, though the voice of my faith sounds a little shaky in my own ears.  I know it may not come this weekend--that ultimately, I believe it is up to our Parents' timing, no matter what skeptics and naysayers would say about patriarchy and suppression--but I do believe it will come.  I just pray that if my small efforts can be worth anything this weekend, they will be.

Please pray with me today.

Response to podcast comments

If I feel strongly about something and I'm given free rein, I tend to talk a lot.  ("Phoenix" is a prime example.)  I'm posting the following here on my blog so I don't flood the comments here because I just can't shut up! ;)

Stacey and Anonymous -- I'll reply to you together since you speak along similar lines.

At the very least, I would really like to see the three points I mentioned addressed: nature, duties, power: What her character is like, what she's in charge of or what she's involved in (e.g. is she the ultimate Head of RS/YW? That was a speculation I heard as a youth that I forgot to mention), and her place in the Priesthood relationship she shares with Heavenly Father, and whether she has her own Priestesshood.  I feel it's very clear from the temple that eternal companions are meant to be equals in power, and I really am starting to believe that the current unequal standing is a result of misunderstanding and culture.  (I will be opining on that in a post in the nearish future so stay tuned if you care about my opinion. ;) )  So that is the bare minimum I want to see.

I don't specifically call for more because I feel like getting those questions answers opens many, many doors, and I (personally) want to remain open to what comes from it rather than possibly get stuck on asking the "wrong" question(s) and be closed off to receiving what what God wants to give.  After all, my views and opinions of how I think of Her could be wrong and I'm open to be corrected.  If I could have all I wished, though: I'd like to know her name.  I want to see the misunderstanding/cultural block mentioned above removed, and the authority that I feel is given in conjunction with temple covenants openly acknowledged and utilized.  I would like to see Her spoken of as an intelligent individual who works with her husband.  I want enough information about her to have something for women to sink their teeth into, chew on, take into themselves, and make a part of themselves.  I want whatever comes to infuse every cell of every woman who accepts it with an electric sense of her divine nature and potential, not as a platitude or even an attitude, but as spiritual knowledge.

I feel that being given something concrete and specific about the Feminine Divine will inherently result in a shift in the way women are perceived, treated, and involved in the Church.  Full integration and acceptance will take time.  Realistically, I see the shift possibly taking much longer than acceptance of the Priesthood being extending to all worthy males, because that "only" affected specific populations and those immediately around them.  To my knowledge, regions with a small or non-existent population of African descent would have been relatively unaffected by that change.  That won't apply if we have a similar opening up for women.  It has the potential for major culture clash around the world.  It flies in the face of thousands of years of patriarchy and that's going to make a lot of people very uncomfortable.

However, for all that and the accompanying difficulties, I can't help but believe it will be ultimately for the betterment of all.  I believe the advantage would be worth it's Emersonian tax.  (Okay, so that's taking the allusion slightly out of context.  Work with me here.)  I unequivocally believe that having a picture of female Divinity--Priesthood or Priestesshood--would only give us more tools with which to do the work we already perform.  I'm sure some would warn that giving women authority would lead to them thinking they don't need the men, but I disagree.  Men have more to offer women than Priesthood, and women have more to offer men than obedience.  I think it would bring better focus and clarity to the eternal partnership that is so stressed in our teachings about marriage and family life.  We will learn better how men and women can be true complements--yin and yang--when one isn't perceived as always needing to defer to the other.  I do think the vision of a Mother God would encourage interconnectedness, cooperation, acceptance, and appreciation of the strength men and women can bring each other.  I have nothing but hope and expectation that such a revelation would indeed improve the lives of women and children wherever it touches them.

Does that cover it?   I hope so.  Stacey, may I hear why it became a hard podcast to listen to for you.  And I think I get what you mean by "pushing back", but I'd love a little elaboration if you don't mind. :) Thank you both so much for your responses and thoughts and for listening.  Wherever you are in your journeys, I hope you'll consider my invitation.  And as for my passion and optimism... to take from Emerson again (I loves me them there Transcendentalists!): " Every great achievement is the victory of a flaming heart." So thank you! :D

My Preparation

Yesterday went off really well, I think.  From what I can tell from various places I've seen/heard of word of the Fast spread, I'm fairly certain there were at least a couple dozen people participating.  I never got a head count.  Part of me wants to start a Facebook page or private group, but that's for another day.  I'm not up to thinking about it right now.

As far as my experience yesterday went, it was... unusual for me.  I don't want to sound like I'm bragging, I'm not, but normally when I fast, I find inspiration comes with relative ease.  I feel like I have better answers at Church, like I can think more deeply, more quickly.  Yesterday I felt... not that way.  I don't know if I felt stumped or just normal.  I know I was looking for ways and times to try and talk about Heavenly Mother, and I found virtually none except the briefest mention in a talk I gave.  Maybe that was for the best.  It would've been largely for the sake of my ego, speaking of Her, trying to make a point.  That's one of my biggest struggles, to keep my motivations as pure as possible.  It's part of why I hesitated to call this a "movement": I don't want it to be seen as some political drive rather than a collective quest for spiritual light and understanding.  However, even that is a movement, so I guess I have to call it what it is.

Anyway, there is no room for my ego in this (says the blogger...), so I feel that I have no place trying to force the issue when it doesn't come naturally or when the Spirit doesn't make it apparent.  It never felt natural, I never felt impressed to share, and as I contemplated that fact after Church, I realized that my own heart has a lot of preparation left.

I'm still afraid.  I'm still nervous.  I still doubt and question myself regularly.  Should I really be doing this?  Is it time?  Am I jumping the gun?  What if She isn't supposed to be revealed: until the end, or at all?  What if my Stake President/Bishop/Dad (who's on the High Council) finds out?  What if I'm disciplined?  Stupid things, things I shouldn't be worrying about if I have faith, and if this path is right.  Worry stresses; it doesn't help.  But this is my journey just as much as it's our journey as a people, as a church, and while my heart has been opened, there is a lot of sweeping out and reorganizing to do.

I see that as a pattern in the larger Church membership, as well, and it's hard to fight the despair.  Am I jumping the gun?  Is it too soon?  Am I too eager?  I don't believe any act of faith will diminish me personally, or anyone who participates, but there is so much work involved for this to be successful.  It's very easy to look at that mountain and feel my heart sink.  However... the only way I currently have to make that mountain move is to climb it and put it under my feet.  (Credit Cherie Call for that perspective.)  And really, who has more invested in keeping women subjugated and the Female half of the Divine Union suppressed than the Adversary?  He is the source of such fears and doubts.

I can't afford to give in to that.  I won't give in to that.  I need preparation and strength if I'm to pursue this course, seek this miracle, arise from the dust and cast off the chains with which I have been bound.

Mother Fast 1: Preparation

Have you noticed the snazzy page I created to be an ongoing reminder?  It's right up there. ^  It's probably the easiest thing to link to as you share this movement with others.

Depending on how you fast, some time tonight is likely to be the beginning.  I won't dictate how anyone fasts; I just ask that in whatever manner you do it, it shows a willingness to sacrifice or set aside in favor of receiving blessings.  The amount of faith and effort we put forth will be directly proportionate to the quality of answers we receive.

Okay, enough lecture.

Suggested subject: Fast and pray primarily for the preparation of our people and our leaders to receive revelation about Heavenly Mother, and an increased desire in our hearts to know her and about her.
If you feel prompted to add something or concentrate a related subject, feel free, but as a group, I would like to focus our collective intention and faith on these things.  Please also contemplate whom you could share this movement with, who would be sympathetic and interested in participating.  We're as much missionaries to each other as we are to others.

I'd love to hear any stories and experiences you have this weekend and in the coming days, if you feel like sharing them in the comments.  Thank you in advance for your time, sacrifice, and faith!

Mother's Day every month: A fast for testimony

In the midst of this upwelling I've personally observed, this increased interest in God the Mother that seems to be gaining more momentum of late and the increasing pursuit of the Divine Feminine in Christianity over all, I've started thinking that we're possibly--even probably--being prepared to receive new revelation regarding Goddess our Mother. It has been a long time coming, as great steps forward usually are.

The Children of Israel wandered 40 years in the wilderness to begin their process from a slave mentality to that of a free people able and willing to stand on their own feet, spiritually and physically.

The lightbulb took nearly 80 years from Sir Humphry Davy's first platinum filament to Thomas Edison's long lasting filament and the revolutionary system that would make electric lighting accessible and viable for a larger scale.

The United States was approximately 300 years in the making from discovery of a new continent (attribute it to whom you will) to the Declaration of Independence. The Restoration of the fullness of the Gospel took almost the same amount of time and in almost the same time frame (using Martin Luther's 95 Theses as a landmark for the beginning of the process, though the Gutenberg Bible would be a worthy starting point as well) and required a massive shift in Western thought (the Enlightenment) to come about in the way that we know it.

If indeed, as Latter Day Saints we do "believe that [God] will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom" it is far from unreasonable to believe that greater light and deeper knowledge are on the way. It is also reasonable, given historical precedent, that it is important for us to ask for it. Very little major revelation comes forth spontaneously. God often waits for us to show readiness, worthiness, and willingness to listen and to receive.

So. Let's ask.

What if we, as a group of Her children who yearn for knowledge of our Mother, set aside an extra "fast Sunday" every month to fast and pray for that knowledge to come? Let us pray that definitive information about Her nature and duties will be revealed; that our leaders will be inspired to ask as well, and then be given the words to speak of Her forthrightly and openly; that the veil will be lifted to reveal the face of our Goddess; that Her daughters will be given solid information about their potential in the eternities, not only as mothers, but as divine beings of power and glory. I would suggest we do this as a unit on the third Sunday of each month, to give ample time between regular Fast Sundays for "rest" and reflection, though anyone is welcome to do so as it is convenient for them. I believe the intent of joining together and proving to the Lord that we hold this matter sacred enough to sacrifice as a people and raise our voices to Him is more important than perfect synchronicity.

I know this will feel very controversial--even dangerous or blasphemous--to many of my fellow faithful members of the Church, and I very much appreciate that. I know there has been a feeling among us that we ought not to touch this subject at all, and indeed I have felt that weight very recently, myself. I would encourage us all to remember the cherished fifth verse of James chapter one (which I alter only to include us all explicitly):

If any of you lack wisdom, let him or her ask of God, who giveth to all men and women liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given them.

By application of this verse, we received knowledge of the Father and the Son, and if indeed Mother is as eternal a truth as her husband and son, we have nothing to fear from a sincere prayer for revelation. The worst we can get in response from the Lord is "Have patience, be faithful; It is not yet time for you to know." However, perhaps it is time, and He awaits our request. Study and ponder the matter in your own heart, and if you feel so inclined, I invite you to join your faith with mine and others as we seek knowledge from our God. If it is the Lord's will, He will make it know. If it is not, I do not believe He will fault us for asking.

My hope is that we will fast and pray monthly as a group for at least one year, or until our prayers are answered at an official Church-wide level such as a Conference talk by the Prophet this October or next April, or an official Proclamation or Declaration. As we take this journey together, I welcome your stories and comments.

EDIT: As this post becomes maybe less apparent as time goes on, don't forget that you can link people to the stationary Page about the Fast.