Confusing Mormon Vocabulary Words
Definitions for Unfamiliar Latter-day Saint Terminology
Oct 10, 2009
When a person joins the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they're getting more than just a religion: they're getting an entirely new Mormon vocabulary. Here are some of the top unfamiliar LDS words and their definitions.
Latter-day Saint Vocabulary — Doctrinal Words
Mormons have a vast array of theological terms. Some are unique to Mormonism, and others are general Christian terms used by Mormons to mean different things.
- Apostasy — "Falling away" from Jesus Christ's gospel. Mormons believe that worldwide apostasy after Christ's death made a restoration of the true church necessary.
- Restoration — Joseph Smith is believed to have restored Christ's true church in 1830 when he organized the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Atonement — Jesus Christ's suffering and death for humankind when He lived on the earth.
- Agency — The freedom to choose. People can choose obedience or disobedience to God's laws, but cannot choose the consequences of their actions.
- Sacrament — Bread and water representing Christ's sacrifice, called communion or Eucharist in other churches.
- Charity — Christ-like love and compassion for others.
- Conversion — A spiritual witness of the truth of Jesus Christ's gospel. Other churches may call it "being born again." Baptism is not synonymous with conversion.
- Prompting — Personal inspiration from the Holy Ghost.
- Testimony — A declaration of the spiritual truths one knows to be true, through the witness of the Holy Ghost.
- Millennium — The period of 1,000 years after Jesus Christ comes to earth again, during which He will reign as a king.
- Zion — Literally means "the pure in heart." Can refer to Mormons generally, or may mean a specific location (Jerusalem, Old Testament City of Enoch, or the site of a future city to be built in Missouri at Jesus' second coming.)
Mormon Terminology — Church Leadership
The LDS church is a hierarchical organization with many offices, organizations, and leadership positions.
- Prophet — A prophet is God's mouthpiece on the earth who directs the church through priesthood revelation from deity. The current prophet is the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Apostle — The 12 apostles of the LDS church today function as special witnesses and assistants to the prophet, much like the 12 apostles in the New Testament.
- Seventy — Priesthood holders who share the gospel, visit worldwide members of the LDS church, and assist the apostles and prophet in their duties.
- Bishop — The leader of a local congregation.
- Deacon, Teacher, Priest — Offices in the lower or preparatory priesthood. Mormon boys are typically ordained at 12, 14, and 16 years old, respectively.
- Quorum — A group of men or boys who hold the same priesthood office.
- Keys of the priesthood — The right to preside over a certain area of the church.
- Calling — Assignment to a leadership or teaching position in the LDS church. This is a volunteer service, but church leaders prayerfully choose the volunteer and ask them to accept the assignment.
Definitions of Mormon Words — Church Organization
The LDS church worldwide uses the same organizational system, full of unfamiliar terms that may be confusing to non-Mormons or new members of the church.
- Ward — A large congregation determined by geographic area.
- Branch — A small congregation that may eventually develop into a ward.
- Stake — A collection of 5 to 12 wards and branches in a geographical area.
- Primary — The LDS church's organization for children 18 months to 11 years old.
- Relief society — The LDS church's organization for women 18 years old and up.
- Enrichment — Monthly weeknight meetings for the women of the church. The name has recently been changed to "Relief Society meetings."
- Home teaching — The program whereby each family on the membership records of the LDS church is assigned to be visited by two priesthood holders once a month.
- Visiting teaching — The program whereby each woman on the membership rolls of the LDS church is assigned to be visited monthly by two Mormon women.
Weird Mormon Words — The Temple
Building temples is a uniquely Mormon function in the Christian world, and the temple has an LDS vocabulary all its own.
- Recommend — A card signifying the worthiness of a person to enter the temple, signed by ecclesiastical leaders.
- Ordinance — Spiritually binding act, such as baptism, performed by a priesthood holder. Some ordinances are performed outside the temple, while others are strictly temple ordinances.
- Initiatory — Initial ordinance of the temple consisting of symbolic washing and anointing.
- Endowment — Temple ordinance where one receives instruction and makes covenants.
- Covenant — Two-way promise with God.
- Sealing — Marriage performed in the LDS temple, believe to remain in force beyond death.
Latter-day Saints don't mean to deliberately confuse anyone with unfamiliar language about their beliefs. Usually they just forget that others aren't as familiar with the words they use every day. Use this dictionary and take comfort in the fact that it's always acceptable to ask a Mormon to explain what he's talking about when you haven't got a clue.
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