[3] Although references to a Heavenly Mother by church leadership have occurred every few years[4] since Smith first taught the doctrine, the hymn is significant in terms of Mormon theology in that it is perhaps the most prominent and well-known reference to a "Heavenly Mother" in materials published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After discussing pre-mortal existence and a sense of belonging to "a more exalted sphere" in heaven, stanza three reasons that if there is an eternal Father there must also be an eternal Mother: I had learn’d to call thee father Through thy spirit from on high; But until the key of knowledge Was restor’d, I knew not why.
No, the thought makes reason stare; Truth is reason—truth eternal Tells me I’ve a mother there.
The Times and Seasons first published the words on 15 November 1845, more than a year after Smith was killed.
When a collection of Snow's poems were published in 1856, this work was placed first in the double-volume set and entitled "Invocation, or The Eternal Father and Mother".