Field Guide: Mormonism: Glossary of Mormon terms

This Glossary is part of a Field Guide profile on Mormonism: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Click here to go to the main page of the Mormon profile.

The following list is adapted in part from a list of terms in an appendix to the book The Mormon Papers by Harry L. Ropp. (See the Bibliography at the end of the main page of the Mormon profile for book details.)

Apostles
When speaking of the organization of the LDS Church, the term apostles refers to the twelve men who serve in positions of responsibility directly under the First Presidency.

Apostate
An individual who has at one time been a member of the LDS Church but who has abandoned that Faith.

Baptism for the Dead
A ceremony in which individuals are immersed in water on behalf of those who died before having an opportunity to learn of the Mormon faith and accept or reject it. Such a physical baptism is necessary, according to Mormon doctrine, before a departed person can have access to the highest station in the afterlife. These deceased individuals are believed to be in a conscious state in that afterlife in which they can either accept or reject the benefit offered by the baptism ceremony.

Bishop
The unpaid leader of a local LDS congregation (ward), fulfilling a role similar to a Protestant "pastor."

Chapel
The building in which a local LDS congregation (ward) meets.

Deacon
An office and title given to Mormon boys at age 12.

Elder
An office and title given to young men before they embark on their two year missionary stint. It is also used as a general term for most men in influential positions in the church other than bishops, including apostles.

Endowments
A secret ceremony held in Mormon temples in which special information is conveyed and special powers imparted to those holding the Mormon priesthood office. It is performed prior to the marriage ceremony in which faithful Mormons are bound to mates "for time and eternity," or before missionaries are sent to foreign fields.

First Presidency:
The current LDS Prophet (also called President) and his two chief counselors

Garments
The usual term to describe the special type of underwear given to a Mormon in relation to their first endowment ceremony. Historically, the garments have been somewhat like a "union suit," although there is a two-piece version available these days, somewhat like a T-shirt and knee-length shorts. The garments come in a variety of materials, but all have the same symbolic markings on them at various points. After receiving their first garments at the Temple, faithful Mormons are expected to have several of these undergarments in their wardrobe and wear them at all times, day and night, for the rest of their life. And they are buried in them. Women are instructed to wear their bras over the undergarment. (Surely very uncomfortable!) The LDS Church teaches that these garments are a "shield and protection against the power of Satan."

General Authorities
The governing body of the LDS Church, consisting of the First Presidency and the 12 Apostles

Gentile
Anyone who is not a member of the LDS Church

Missionaries
Young single men, and in recent times, women, who voluntarily serve two years (18 months for women) after high school going door to door trying to get new converts to the Mormon faith. They (or their families) must pay for all their expenses. They usually are assigned a “mission field” far from their home, perhaps even in another country. Missionaries always serve in pairs. Many no doubt get lonely as they begin their tour of duty: They are encouraged to write a letter to their parents once a week, but other than that they must limit communication with other family members or friends to writing letters or using a church email account on their “preparation day” once a week, at a public computer such as at a library. They may only call their parents twice a year by phone (usually Christmas and Mother’s Day.) They are forbidden to have any relationships with individuals of the opposite sex during their mission period. Retired married couples are also allowed to do missionary work, but not married couples of child-bearing age. See the Wikipedia article on Missionary (LDS Church) for a detailed overview of the mission experience.

Patriarchal Blessing
A special "prophecy" spoken regarding the future of one of the devout young Mormons in a ward, spoken by the "Ward Patriarch," a role held by an older man in each ward.

Priesthood
A role held by virtually every male Mormon over the age of 12. It implies the authority to act for God in certain matters.

Saints
The designation of all faithful members of the LDS church.

Stake
A geographical area made up of several wards (congregations)

Temple
Ornate buildings set aside for the performance of secret ceremonies of the LDS Church. Only Mormons with a Temple Recommend may enter such buildings. Although the number of LDS Temples has increased dramatically in recent years, they are still only available mostly in larger metropolitan areas around the world. Thus individuals wishing to take part in Temple ceremonies must often travel long distances to do so.

Temple Recommend
A certificate granted to an LDS member who is in good standing with the organization, including having been faithful in tithing, necessary to present when requesting admission to a Mormon Temple in order to take part in the secret ceremonies conducted there.

Ward
A local Mormon congregation

Word of Wisdom
An alleged revelation given to Joseph Smith Jr. which forbids the consumption or use of coffee, tea, tobacco, and alcohol. This is usually considered to include modern drinks such as soda pop containing caffeine.

Careful effort has been made to give credit as clearly as possible to any specific material quoted or ideas extensively adapted from any one resource. Corrections and clarifications regarding citations for any source material are welcome, and will be promptly added to any sections which are found to be inadequately documented as to source.

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Glossary of Mormon Terms