Mormon Terms:Potential Terms

Revision as of 02:17, 7 September 2008

Please note:

These are suggested words for inclusion in Mormon Terms. Just because the word is on this list does NOT NECESSARILY mean that it should be included! Please review our inclusion criteria if you have any doubt!!

A

Abomination

a.p. - See assistant to the president.

Aaronic Priesthood - The lower order of priesthood authority in the L.D.S. Church, encompassing the offices of deacon, teacher, and priest. Young males are usually ordained deacons at the age of twelve. Named for Aaron, the brother of Moses -- not for baseball great Hank Aaron, as is widely believed. All "worthy" young Mormon boys are "ordained" to this priesthood beginning as young as age twelve. There are three "offices" within this priesthood: deacons, teachers, and priests. The lesser priesthood of the Church, consisting of the offices of deacon, teacher, priest, and bishop. Holders of this priesthood attend to temporal affairs of the Church (cf. Melchizedek Priesthood).

Abeyance

able

Abraham, Gospel of

Abrahamic Covenant

active

active in the Church Refers to regular attendance at meetings, observance of the principles of the gospel, and acceptance of Church callings.

Activity in the Church

Adam-God Theory

Adam-ondi-Ahman The place (in what is now Daviess County, Missouri) where Adam gathered and blessed his posterity before his death; a locale where a future priesthood meeting will be held just previous to Christ's second coming.

Adam The first man. Latter-day Saints view him as one of the greatest and noblest of all men.

Adamic language A perfect spoken and written language given by God to Adam. added upon A phrase indicating that the faithful receive additional blessings in the life to follow. Those who were faithful in premortal life had blessings "added upon" them in mortality. Those who are faithful in this life will have "glory added upon their heads for ever and ever" (Abr. 3:26). administer To perform an ordinance, such as anointing the sick with oil or saying the set prayers to bless the bread and water of the sacrament.

Administration of angels

Administration of Ordinances

Adoption

Adult

Adversary

Advocate With the Father

After Life

age of accountability The age at which a child becomes personally responsible for motives, attitudes, desires, and actions. Designated by revelation to begin at eight years of age (D&C 68:25).

Age of Consent

agency (often called free agency) The granted right to choose good or evil, and the responsibility for the choices made.

Alpha and Omega

Altar

Ancestral File(TM) A computerized system of genealogical information that links names of individuals into pedigrees, showing their ancestors and descendants.

Ancient Apostles

Ancient of Days A term used in Daniel 7:9, identified by revelation to Joseph Smith as Adam.

angel

Angel Moroni

angel, fallen Specifically, the devil.* Generally, all who followed the devil in the premortal existence.

angels Literally, messengers; usually referring to messengers from God.

Anoint

anointing(s) The placing of a drop or two of consecrated olive oil on a person's head as part of a special blessing, under the direction of the Melchizedek Priesthood.

Anti-Christ

Anti-Mormon

Anti-Mormon Critic non-Mormon scientist, writer, historian, whose work undermines LDS doctrine.

Anti-Mormon Publications

Antichrists

AP - See assistant to the president.

ape - See assistant to the president.

Apologetics

Apologist

apostasy

apostate - One who has repudiated Mormonism for whatever reason and in whatever fashion, whether or not his or her name remains on the church's rolls. The commonly repeatedly Mormon party line would have it that these are the most unhappy people on the face of the earth, but reasonable humans are likely to perceive this attitude as sour grapes.

apostle - The second highest office in the Melchizedek Priesthood, and a special witness of Jesus Christ. Common Mormon belief holds that apostles know the resurrected Christ personally. Apostles are considered "prophets, seers and revelators," though only the ordained president of the Church holds all the keys necessary for administering the Kingdom of God on earth. See also Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the. An office in the Melchizedek Priesthood; usually a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

apostolic Church The Church presided over by the Twelve Apostles following the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.

appropriate

April 6

archives A general description for the record-keeping facilities of the Church in Salt Lake City. The archives hold a wide variety of records, including Church membership information, historical accounts, and the largest collection of genealogical data in the world.

area - The usually relatively small geographical region to which two missionaries are assigned

Area Presidency

area A geographical ecclesiastical unit of the Church consisting of several regions and presided over by a president, who is a General Authority.

Armageddon

Article of Faith

Articles of Faith Thirteen concise statements of LDS belief written by Joseph Smith in the Wentworth Letter.

assistant to the president - One of two missionaries who, by virtue of superior dedication, spirituality, and brown-nosing, are privileged to push paper in the mission office rather than pound pavement.

Assistants to the Twelve Persons who at one time in the Church were specifically called to be General Authorities to assist the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

atonement

Atonement of Jesus Christ

attitude

attributes

Authority believe this was restored to Joseph Smith by having key Bible leaders appearing and ordaining Smith. Anyone ordained in the church receives a card tracing his priesthood back to Joseph Smith. Duly conferred priesthood power or delegated responsibility associated with position or function.

Auxiliaries

Auxiliary Organizations The Primary (children), Relief Society (adult women), Sunday School, and Young Men and Young Women organizations of the Church. Auxiliary organizations exist primarily to assist the priesthood government of the Church.

B

b.o.m. - Book of Mormon.

Babylon A term symbolic of worldliness.

Baptism by Immersion

baptism by proxy

Baptism for the Dead

Baptism of Fire and the Holy Ghost

Baptism:* "Baptism by immersion under the hands of a legal administrator, one empowered to bind on earth and seal in heaven, is the initiatory ordinance into the Church on earth and the celestial kingdom in the world to come (D. & C. 20:68-74; 2 Ne. 9:23-24). Baptism is the formally appointed means and ordinance which the Lord has provided so that man can signify his personal acceptance of all of the terms and conditions of the eternal gospel covenant. Thus in baptism, which as part of the gospel is itself a new and an everlasting covenant (D. & C. 22), man covenants to abide by all of the laws and requirements of the whole gospel."

Baptismal Covenant

Baptismal font

Baptismal Prayer

baptize

Barge:* Jaredite

Barrow pit: * Something found only in Utah--a ditch alongside the road.

bear - In Mormon parlance, a verb invariably used with the word "testimony" to refer to the process of relating one's personal conviction of the truthfulness of certain religious precepts. This curious usage of the word is probably derived from the phrase "to bear witness." See also fast-and-testimony meeting, testimony meeting.

bear the priesthood To possess or hold duly conferred priesthood authority.

bear testimony To express one's personal convictions of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Beard

Bearing a testimony

Bearing testimony

Beatitudes

Beehive - 1) An LDS symbol of industry. 2) Young women's class.

Beehive house

Beehive Symbol* A logo representing industry and harmony, appearing frequently on objects associated with the LDS Church and Utah.

best two years of my life, the - A phrase sometimes employed by returned missionaries to describe their mission experience.

Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt

beyond the veil A metaphorical expression for the spirit world or for life after death.

BIC:* Born in the Covenant

bind on earth, bind in heaven Through the priesthood sealing power, to make an ordinance performed on earth valid throughout eternity.

Birth

Birth, Spiritual

Bishop:* heads a ward [300 to 500 members] who is also ordained a High Priest in their Melchizedek priesthood. They are largely unpaid and perform marriages and funerals and conduct services.

bishop's court A term used until recent years to indicate a disciplinary council conducted by a

Bishop's Storehouse

Bishopric - In the L.D.S. ecclesiastical hierarchy, the presiding body of a ward, consisting of a bishop and his two counselors. See also first counselor.

Black

Blasphemy

Bless

blessing - This term can be used generically to refer to most any prayer, particularly prayers before meals, meetings, activities, etc. The term is often used specifically, however, to refer to an ordinance of the priesthood whereby hands are laid on a supplicant's head and a pronouncement of health, comfort, counsel, or christening is made. Though the syntactical structure of the blessing is similar to that of a regular prayer, the words are directed to the recipient rather than to God, often with instructions such as "be healed" or "live worthily" or "remember that your Father in Heaven is mindful of you." The giver of a blessing of this sort must be a worthy priesthood holder, and he is directed to keep his mind open and not speak his own thoughts or wishes, but rather to listen for the promptings of the Holy Ghost in knowing what instructions and/or promises to pass along to the recipient. When giving a blessing, the spokesman may be assisted by one or more other priesthood holders, who stand shoulder to shoulder and also place hands on the recipient's head.

Blessing on Food

Blessings

Block of meetings

block schedule

blood

Blood Atonement Some Mormons historically believed that some sins are so serious that they are outside of the blood of Christ. They believed it would be in the best interest of the offending person to have their own blood shed so they can have a hope that they will eventually be released from hell into the lowest kingdom in their afterlife. Some underground militia like fundamentalists feel they would be doing certain apostates a favor by shedding their blood.

BMW:* Big Mormon Wagon.

board (general, auxiliary) A small group of Church members called to help leaders of Church auxiliary organizations, such as Relief Society or Sunday School, at both the stake and the general Church administrative levels.

body

BOM:* Book of Mormon.

Book of Abraham* Writings of Abraham, revealed to Joseph Smith. The Book of Abraham is one of the books in the Pearl of Great Price.

Book of Commandments* The earliest published collection of revelations to Joseph Smith; a predecessor to the Doctrine and Covenants.

Book of Life

Book of Mormon - A collection of writings ascribed to various prophets who lived in undetermined regions of the American continents between 600 B.C. and A.D. 421. Another testament of Jesus Christ, and the keystone of the L.D.S. faith. The Book of Mormon tells the story of the prophet Lehi, who fled Jerusalem with his family after having been warned in a dream of the city's impending destruction by the Babylonians. They built a ship and sailed to America, where his son Nephi, also a prophet, began to keep a record of their proceedings on engraved metal plates. Subsequent prophets and kings continued this practice. Nearly a thousand years later, a prophet named Mormon abridged the records kept by his predecessors onto engraved plates of gold. These he gave into the keeping of his son Moroni -- you guessed it, another prophet -- who added a few chapters and then buried the record in a hill in what would later become the state of New York. In the early 1800s, a resurrected Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith, Jr., and led him to the site where the record was buried. Young Smith, aided by the Urim and Thummim, translated the engravings from the Reformed Egyptian into an English reminiscent of King James and soon thereafter published the work as the Book of Mormon -- so named in honor of its prime abridger. An account of ancient inhabitants of the Western Hemisphere, recorded on gold plates and translated by Joseph Smith. The record contains both a history of the people and the fulness of the everlasting gospel as revealed by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants.

Book of Moses* A record from the creation of the world and mankind to the flood at Noah's time, revealed to Joseph Smith while he was translating the Bible. Selections from the Book of Moses are now part of the Pearl of Great Price.

Book of Remembrance (1) A record begun by Adam and his immediate posterity; (2) a personal book containing genealogy and significant family history.

born

Born Again

Born in the Covenant All children born to a couple after they have been married (sealed) in a temple.

Born of God

born of goodly parents

Branch

Branch President

Brass Plates - A record spoken of in the Book of Mormon, which was similar to the Old Testament, written on plates of brass, containing many writings of the prophets (1 Ne. 5:10-16); brought by Lehi and his family to the Western Hemisphere.

bread

Brethren - (1) All male members of the Church; (2) "The Brethren," a designation of the General Authorities of the Church.

Brigham Tea or Brigham Weed:* See Mormon tea [DAW].

Brigham Young Cocktail:* [DAW] Moonshine, especially firewater or Indian whiskey.

Brighamite:* A follower of Brigham Young in the schism following Joseph Smith's death.

Brother of Jared

Brother

Brotherhood

bucket - Calgary Canada Mission slang for a lazy missionary who habitually breaks the rules. Derivation uncertain. See also kicker.

buckfart - A flakism roughly equivalent to such words as "joker," "clown," "scumbag," and "stoopnagle."

Buffetings of Satan

build

Building Program

buildings

Bulletin

Burial

burning in the bosom A metaphorical description of the feeling that sometimes attends the enveloping Spirit of the Lord, particularly when one understands God's words through the influence of the Holy Ghost (Luke 24:32; D&C 9:3-8).

Burnings, Everlasting

BYD-This term stands for Bishop Youth Discussion. This is usually a Sunday evening meeting that youth 12 to 18 are asked to attend. At the meeting the Bishop gives a lesson on a specific topic, then the youth are able to ask him questions at the end.

BYU

BYU Motto:* Enter to serve, go forth to learn. The campus is our world.

BYU-Idaho

C

Call - To offer a Church job to someone, through inspiration from God; e.g., "Brother Gilmore, the Lord has seen fit to call you to the position of Young Men's President." Derived from the Biblical passage Matthew 20:16: "For many be called, but few chosen." Also, the official notice of having been called. See also calling, mission call.

Calling and Election

Calling* Invitation to accept an office or assignment; offices or assignments themselves. Any position of responsibility within the Mormon Church, from nursery attendant right up to prophet. Holders of such positions are said to have been "called" by God -- by inspiration through the duly constituted member of the bureaucratic chain. Missionaries receive their callings directly from the President of the Church, who purportedly receives revelation as to where in the world each one should be sent.

Canon

Canonize - To remove knowledge from member awareness by placing it in scriptures.

Celestial Kingdom* The highest of three degrees of glory in the kingdom of heaven.

Celestial marriage

celestial room

Celibacy

center place of Zion The "center place," Independence, Missouri, the future site of the City of Zion (the New Jerusalem) and the temple (D&C 57:3); sometimes incorrectly called "center stake."

Ceremonies

CES

Chapel: * is the building the branch or ward meets in every week. The room or hall in a Church meetinghouse used for worship services.

Chaplains

charity

Child of God The Latter-day Saint belief that all persons are spirit children of God in the premortal existence and that this parent-child relationship continues on this earth and through eternity.

choice

choose

chosen people Specifically those selected by God for special responsibilities, often requiring service and sacrifice; participants in the covenant of the gospel.

Christ

Christian

Christology

church

Church Court

Church Educational System

Church of Jesus Christ

Church of the Firstborn* Those who are exalted or assured of receiving exaltation.

clean

Clergy

Clerk

Closing hymn

Coffee

Cohab:* See Polyg.

collection of fast offerings The collection of voluntary offerings on fast day, usually the first Sunday of each month.

comfort

Comforter* The scriptures speak of two Comforters. The First Comforter is the Holy Ghost. The Second Comforter is Jesus Christ (John 14:1623; see also TPJS, pp. 150-51).

commandment

Commandments, The

commitment

Common consent* The principle whereby Church members vote to sustain and approve those called to serve in the Church and decisions made by leaders.

common judge The bishop of each ward, who has the responsibility to judge the spiritual and temporal condition of members of his ward. The stake president of each stake serves as a common judge for all members of his stake.

Communion

Community

Companion - A missionary's assigned partner. Often shortened to comp. See also companionship.

companion, missionary A missionary's partner. Missionaries in the Church always work in pairs.

companionship - A unit consisting of two partnered missionaries who spend all their time together and are assigned to proselyte in a specific area. See also companion.

Compassionate Service* Aid or comfort rendered to others, in particular by members of the Relief Society.

Condescension

Condescension of God

Conference Center

Conference Reports* The published proceedings of the general conferences of the Church.

Conference:* Where one goes twice a year to hear "Mo"-tivational speakers.

confess

Confession of Sins

confirmation* The bestowal of the gift of the Holy Ghost to newly baptized members by holders of the Melchizedek Priesthood; also official recognition of Church membership.

confirm

conscience

Consecrate

Consecration, law of* A divine principle whereby men and women voluntarily dedicate their time, talents, and material wealth to the establishment and building up of God's kingdom.

consequences

Contention

Conversion

Convert (noun) A person who has chosen to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by being baptized and confirmed.

Corianton

correlation meeting - Any of a broad spectrum of regularly scheduled meetings where Mormons in positions of responsibility get together to compare notes, swap gossip, and step on each other's toes as much a possible where their duties overlap.

correlation* A process by which all programs of the Church are identified and placed in proper relationship to each other: teachings, organizations, programs, meetings, and instructional materials.

Council in Heaven* The meeting in the premortal life of the Godhead and spirits designated for this earth, in which the plan of salvation was presented.

Council of Fifty

Council of the Twelve, the - See Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the.

counsel

Counselor: A person called to serve as an adviser, assistant, and occasional substitute for an officer or leader in the Church.

Couple Missionaries

court (Church)* A term formerly used to mean a Church disciplinary council.

Covenant

Covenant Israel, Latter-Day

create

Creation

Creeds

crickets (Mormon) A type of cricket that threatened the crops of early Mormon pioneers. The crops were saved when large flocks of seagulls came and devoured the crickets.

Cross

Crossroads of the West

Crucifixion of Jesus Christ

CTR Ring

CTR-This stands for Choose The Right, and is often seen on rings that members wear as reminders.

Cub Scouts

Cultural Hall - A very large space in the exact center most Mormon meetinghouses, suitable for stage plays, banquets, Scout ceremonies, blood drives, wedding receptions, and so forth -- though most often used for basketball games.

cumom - According to the Book of Mormon, a "more especially useful" beast living in ancient America. See note for "curelom." See also elephant, horse, ass.

Cumorah* (1) A hill in which the Book of Mormon prophet Mormon concealed sacred records before the annihilation of his people; (2) the hill in New York State, near the town of Palmyra, where Joseph Smith unearthed the gold plates from which he translated the Book of Mormon.

curelom - According to the Book of Mormon, a "more especially useful" beast living, along with cumoms and elephants, in ancient America. No one knows for certain what a curelom or cumom looked like, but apologists have speculated that they may have been mammoths or mastodons, and that Joseph Smith knew no English word to use as translations from the Reformed Egyptian.

Cymorgs

D

D - Slang for "discussion"; e.g., "How many D's did you teach this week, Elders?" See also discussions, the. D & C - See Doctrine and Covenants. d.a. - See dinner appointment. D&C Daily Prayer Dale Murphy Dale Murphy:* 1982-1983 National League MVP. Mormon Ball Player. Took a lot of Sundays off. Made up to the church by serving a mission with his wife for three years in Boston. Dallas Texas Temple Dallin H. Oaks damage damnation damnation* (1) The opposite of salvation; (2) to be stopped in one's spiritual progress; (3) the suffering of various degrees of penalty at the final judgment by those who have not accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ and repented of their sins. DAMU:* Disaffected Mormon Underground. Dance Dance - A whole lot of wear and tear on volume controls and light switches. dang danger Daniel Daniel, Prophecies of Danites Danites* A small and briefly organized band of Mormon militia men in 1838 who became the source for anti-Mormon legends. Danny Ainge darkness Darkness - The absence of Mormons. Darkness:* The total lack of any light for three days, where even the sun could not light up the clouds during the day, and no one could light a fire with dry wood for three days. Mormons easily accept this claim in Third Nephi, Chapter 8 without any question or doubt whatsoever, and that has to be real "spiritual darkness!" Dating Dating and Courtship Daughter of Jared Daughters of the Whore:* LDS scriptural name for Protestant churches, the whore being the Roman Catholic Church. Mormons often say this and wonder why other churches won't let them join in. David David A. Bednar David B. Haight David B. Haight:* David Be Hate. David Berate. David B. Haive. David Beehive David Neeleman David O. McKay David W. Patten David Whitmer David, King David, Prophetic Figure of Last Days day Day - Approximately fifteen seconds of scripture reading. Days of 47 Parade:* Utah's unique version of "The Renaissance Festival" deacon Deacon, Aaronic Priesthood Deacon:* Mormon youth group for "worthy" boys age 12 up to 14. These young men are "ordained" into the Aaronic priesthood of which the office of deacon is the first held. Deacons pass the sacrament in LDS church services. deacon* An office in the Aaronic Priesthood. Deacons Dead Sea Scrolls Deaf, Materials for the Dean Heller Dear Jane Dear Jane - A gender-reversed "Dear John" letter. Dear John Dear John - A letter to a missionary from his significant other, informing him that she has failed to successfully wait. Often accompanied by a wedding announcement linking the significant other with one of the missionary's former companions. See also "Dear Jane." death Death - Our chance for ultimate happiness that we put off as long as possible. Death and Dying Death Rates Debt Reduction Deception Deception LDS Scriptures decide decisions Dedications Deer:* A kind of horse used in the book of Mormon (FARMS). A "tapir" fitted excuse for lack of horse bones discovered corresponding to Book of Mormon time periods degree Degrees of Glory degrees of glory* The celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms in heaven. degrees of glory* The celestial, terrestrial, and telestial kingdoms in heaven. denying the Holy Ghost (1) In general terms, rejecting a spiritual witness given by the Holy Ghost; (2) another term for blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which is an unpardonable sin. Deification, Early Christian Delbert L. Stapley Delicious - An adjective describing everything Grandma cooks. Demographics Denver Colorado Temple denying the Holy Ghost d (1) In general terms, rejecting a spiritual witness given by the Holy Ghost; (2) another term for blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which is an unpardonable sin. depend Depression Depression and Anxiety Depression Tithing descendants describe Deseret Deseret Alphabet Deseret Alphabet:* A phonetic alphabet initiated by BY, which was going to replace Roman script. Although it failed, it was quite a head of its time, and resembles some modern systems e.g. IPA. Deseret Book Company Deseret Book:* Mormon Amazon.com Deseret Dinosaur:* A General Authority, more especially the prophet or one of the twelve apostles. Deseret Hospital Deseret Industries Deseret Industries. Mutual ·Family History Deseret Management company Deseret Management Corporation Deseret Morning News:* Desperate Mormon News. Deseret Mutual Benefit Association:* Desperate Marital Benefit Association. Deseret News Deseret News:* D News. Doomsday News. Deserted News. Dessert News. Duh News. Desperate News. Dumbserted Noose. Provo-da. CN-end times. Deseret, State of Deseret:* "Desert" with an extra "e" to make it sound more attractive. A territory marked out by Brigham Young and his followers, originally comprising all of Utah, most of Nevada & Arizona, and parts of the states of California, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon and Wyoming. The word comes from the BoM where it is glossed as "Bee". In actual fact, it would be "DeBeret" in Hebrew, which means "BeeS". deseret* A Book of Mormon word meaning "honey bee," often used in titles of LDS institutions or by businesses in areas with concentrated LDS populations. Desert Tea:* See Mormon Tea [DAW]. desires Despair Detroit Michigan Temple Deuteronomy develop devil Devils devils* Those spirits who chose to follow Lucifer in his revolt against God in the premortal existence. dh Dialog - A conversation involving two Mormons talking and none thinking. Dialog :* A one way conversation in printed format. The opposite of prayer. A pseudo intellectual pacifying Mormon friendly publication. Dial a frog. die die - In mission parlance, to be released from one's mission and return home; e.g., "I hope I die here in Babylonville, Elder. I'd hate to have to adjust to a whole new area before going home." Derived by analogy with the process in Mormon theology whereby spirits leave their premortal existence, are born physically and die on earth, then return to the spirit realm to await resurrection and judgment. Dieter F. Uchtdorf Dieter F. Uchtdorf difficult diligence dinner appointment - An occasion when a member family invites the local missionaries over for dinner. The Church encourages this activity because a) it gives the missionaries a chance to remind the members that they should be introducing non-members of their acquaintance to the Restored Gospel, and b) it assures the missionaries of nutritious hot meals on occasion. Some missionaries are more zealous about pursuing dinner appointments than about pursuing actual converts. Diplomatic Relations direct direction Disappear:* What happens to your beer if you invite only one Mormon to deer hunt with you. Always invite two Mormons to deer hunt, they will tattle on each other if they touch your beer. Discernment, Gift of Disciples of Christ Discipleship Disciplinary Procedures disciplinary procedures* The process of bringing a Church member before a priesthood officer or disciplinary council to account for alleged transgressions against Church standards and to take necessary steps toward repentance. discussion - A lesson taught by missionaries to an investigator. So named, I believe, so as to minimize in investigators the feeling of being taught a rote catechetical sermon by inviting dialogue and greater back-and-forth participation. The current curriculum for prospective members includes six discussions, each about an hour in length, which cover the very most basic tenets of the Restored Gospel. Each discussion consists of several principles, which the missionaries are free to put across in their own words, adapting to the necessities of the situation. Companions usually take turns teaching principles. Most discussions end with an invitation to baptism. Most invitations to baptism end with a shake of the head. See also discussions, the. discussion (missionary term) A structured lesson on basic gospel principles presented to interested nonmembers. discussions, the - A term applied broadly to the set of six missionary discussions, or to the process of teaching them to an investigator; e.g., "Brother Bundy is taking the discussions for the seventh time now." disfellowship Disfellowshipment disfellowshipment A disciplinary action against a Church member that severely restricts participation in Church activity but falls short of excommunication. disfellowshipment* A disciplinary action against a Church member that severely restricts participation in Church activity but falls short of excommunication. disobedience disobey dispensation dispensation (of the gospel, of the fulness of times) A period of time in which priesthood authority and keys are established among mankind. The present dispensation, the last before the second coming of Christ, is called the "fulness of times." Dispensation of the Fulness of Times Dispensation:* What the doctor gives you to deal with present day reality. Dispensations Dispensations of the Gospel Distibution center Distribution Center Distribution Centers distribution centers* Centrally located outlets from which Church publications and other supplies are distributed. District district - A geographical area consisting usually of two to four companionships, encompassing from four to eight missionaries and supervised by a district leader. See also zone. district activity - A recreational activity designed to strengthen bonds of friendship, community, and purpose between the members of a district. Also, an excuse for goofing around. Contrast district meeting. See also zone activity. District Leader district leader - A missionary assigned to supervise usually two to four companionships, encompassing from four to eight other missionaries. Often shortened to d.l. See also zone leader. district meeting - A weekly meeting at which the members of a district convene to report on their achievements of the past week, set performance goals for the next week, practice their teaching skills, and decide on someplace cool to go for lunch. Also, an excuse for goofing around. Contrast district activity. District President District, District President district* (1) An ecclesiastical unit consisting of several branches of the Church in a geographic area where stakes are not organized; (2) a unit of organization in missions, consisting of missionaries and presided over by an experienced missionary called the district leader. Diversity:* When more than 2 LDS people in the ward speak english as a second language. 10% non-LDS town. One non Mormon church per town. Area still mostly white, some other, but not more than 10%, or else they should leave. Exists only outside Utah. Divinity Divorce DNA:* Dark Nephites Anonymous. Denied Native Americans. Don't kNow Anything about it. Do Not Apostatize. do doctrine Doctrine & Covenants:* a book of "revelations" severely edited since first published by Joseph Smith. Various LDS splinter groups have variations in the content and canon of these "revelations." Doctrine and Covenants Doctrine and Covenants - A collection of purportedly divine revelations received primarily by Joseph Smith, though other latter-day prophets are also represented. One of the four canonized works of Mormon scripture. Often shortened to D & C -- though the irony of calling a book of scripture by the common initials for "dilation and curettage" seems not to occur to most Mormons. Doctrine and Covenants As Literature Doctrine and Covenants Commentaries Doctrine and Covenants Editions Doctrine and Covenants or "D&C":* A book of riddle-like laws, regulations, and religious ordinances governing Mormondom that, interestingly, gives no real concrete definition of what the doctrines of the present-day church are, despite the fact that mundane and trivial commands concerning the affairs of individuals who lived in the first part of the 1800's are clearly stated. Doctoring and Covenants. Boring part of the scriptures only shown to investigators after they're dunked and for explaining the odd bit that's not in the Bible or Book of Mormon. The REAL Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Dusting and cleaning. Doctored and Covered Up. Doctrine & Couplets. Doctrine and Covenants* A volume of Latter-day Saint scripture containing selected revelations given to Joseph Smith and his successors in the presidency of the Church. DoctUrine:* Morg (Mormon) teachings. Doing Business the Mormon Way Doing Business the Mormon Way Gospel Music Pioneers Donnie and Marie:* First male - female Mormon media mercenary duo. double-digit midget - Mission slang for a missionary with less than a hundred days of service remaining. doubt Dove, Sign of the Downtown Rising Drama Draper Utah Temple drink Drivers’ License - The only effective parental weapon in world war hormone. drugs Drugs, Abuse of Dugout:* [DAW] Type of early Mormon log cabin. DUI:* Doing Underage Indecency. A penishood holder molesting a person under 18 years of age during a church activity. Dum Dum; Dum Dum - A dim-witted Hanna-Barbera cartoon dog. Sidekick to Touché Turtle. dunk - Mission parlance for baptism. Can be used as either a noun or a verb; e.g., "How many dunks have you scored this month, Elder? Are you going to dunk anyone else before the month is over?" So derived because Mormons baptize by total immersion. Dunnism:* Any FPR (faith promoting rumour) that is not true but presented as true with the main purpose of "Godifying" ones self in the eyes of the audience. Duty to God

E

E B Grandin E.B. Grandin Eagle Scout Early - Not late. As in, late to bed and early to rise; Go to seminary, then close your eyes. Early Morning Seminary - The Great and Subliminal Church. early morning seminary LDS religion courses for high school students offered before the normal school day begins. earth Easter easy eat Ecclesiastes Economic Aid Economic History of the Church Editorial Board Edmonton Alberta Temple Edmunds Act of 1882 Edmunds-Tucker Act of 1887 Education Education Facts Edward Partridge effort Efy. Egyptian:* language more commonly used by migrating Hebrews than their native tongue (FARMS). Eight Witnesses Eight:* Age of responsibility according to Mormonism. Eighty:* Average age of President/Prophet. Elaine L. Jack elder Elder - All male missionaries use this as their first name. But their girlfriends just call them John. elder - Lowest office of the Melchizedek Priesthood. Young men are usually ordained elders at around the age of eighteen. This is a prerequisite to serving a mission and attending the temple. Also, the proper form of address for a young male missionary; e.g., "Would you like to come see my etchings, Elder?" Elder Abuse:* When the missionaries WON'T go away. elder brother A name or title of Jesus Christ, the firstborn of all Heavenly Father's spirit children. Elder, Melchizedek Priesthood Elder:* the adult entry position into the Melchizedek priesthood that all active "worthy" men receive. The leader is the elders quorum president. Young missionaries are ordained to this office. It is the lowest office that would allow a male to enter the temple and be "endowed." Elder:* Title given a 19 year old Mormon male to make him feel important elder* An office in the Melchizedek Priesthood; a title designating a holder of this priesthood, a General Authority, or a male missionary. Elders Quorum elders quorum A group consisting of men holding the office of eider in the Melchizedek Priesthood. Elect of God elephant - According to the Book of Mormon, a "more especially useful" beast living, together with cureloms and cumoms, in ancient America. Also, a large land mammal, no remains of which have ever been found in the Western Hemisphere. See also horse, ass. Elias Elias, Spirit of Elijah Elijah, Spirit of Eliza R. Snow Eloheim:* Gawd. Indagoddadavita. Hellnoheem. Ego-him. Elohim Elohim God Elohim* God the Father. Emer Emer, son of Emer Emer, son of Omer Emergency Preparedness Emeritus General Authority's Prayer:* God grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference. Amen Emma Hale Smith Emma Smith:* Co-conspirator. Emmeline B. Wells Employment Programs Empty Sea - A slang reference to the M.T.C. Emron Encephalo:* The brother of Eloheim. Uncle God. The last of the MARX Brothers. Encephalogram:* A communication or prayer to the brother of Eloheim. Encephalopathy:* A psychotic or delusional state in which one believes that he/she is the brother of Eloheim. Rarely found in the general population but more common in Utah. encourage Endless and Eternal Endowed Endive Salad:* These tender white and delightsome leaves have been gently washed and anointed by hand with the purest of consecrated olive oil. The rich nutrients contained in this salad serve as a shield and protection against heart disease and cancer. endowment endowment - A sacred ordinance conducted in the Temple in which worthy L.D.S. initiates are treated to an abbreviated history of the universe, are asked to make solemn covenants with God, and learn the secret passwords and handshakes that will get them past the sentinels at the gates of the Celestial Kingdom when at last they shuffle off this mortal coil. Once upon a time, endowees swore a solemn oath that they would suffer their lives to be taken rather than reveal the secret "tokens" which they learned during this ceremony. Various "penalties," such as slitting one's own throat and disemboweling oneself, were also pantomimed as part of the endowment. However, these elements have been removed from the newly sanitized ritual, which was updated at the end of the Dark Ages in 1990. (Yes, that's right—1990. Not 1890.) A kinder, gentler endowment, as it were. An endowment for the Nineties. The endowment ceremony borrows liberally from Masonic traditions—both Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were Masons—but some of these elements have been eradicated from the new endowment as well. See also garments. Endowment Houses Endowment:* "Endure It". A great and heavy burden of sacred seriousness, known for putting great strain on the crotch. Endowment:* secret ceremonies performed only within the Mormon temples. For a Mormon to trust you enough to have an open discussion about their faith, they must believe you will not speak knowingly about their endowment. The information received in the endowment is essential data that a Mormon must be able to speak after death in order to travel into the higher realms of the Celestial kingdom. Mormons who divulge their endowment believe they forfeit any chance for forgiveness. They believe this sin lays outside the atoning blood of Christ. "Temple Mormons" have placed faith and trust in their endowment, because of this they have a high level of loyalty focused on protecting that information. Many Mormons also have placed faith and trust in the "underwear" they must wear after receiving their endowment. While the 1990 version of the endowment removed some of the spoken and acted out penalties, most of the endowment remains the same. endowment* Ordinances of instruction and covenant performed by and for individuals in temples. endure to the end Enduring to the End enduring to the end* The doctrine that converted individuals must continue to show their faith through good works till the end of mortal life. Enhance Your Article Eni Faleomavaega Enmormificate:* When normal secular things are given an LDS spin: Norman the Nephite, Celestial Pursuit, Mormonopoly, BYU, Utah liquor laws, Utah County store operating hours, etc. Enoch Enoch, book of A record kept by Enoch, yet to be revealed (D&C 107:57). Enohim (Brian):* A rock god. Enos Ensign Ensign Magazine Ensign:* Journal of Irreproducible Results or the Ensighn. The Enzyme. The Mo-Tower. Ensign* Since 1971, the official monthly periodical published by the Church. enter Ephraim Ephraim* The son of Joseph who was sold into Egypt, and heir to the birthright. Ephraim* The son of Joseph who was sold into Egypt, and heir to the birthright. The patriarchal blessings of many Latter-day Saints declare them to be of the lineage of Ephraim. Epistemology Equality Erastus Snow Eric Kettunen:* Founder of www.exmormon.org. The Ralph Nader of Mormonism. The commanding officer of Operation "Deseret" Storm. Ernest J. Istook:* The Latter Day Lunkhead. The Great White Okie. Gordy Hinky's golden boy. Evan Meacham's fraternal twin brother. Proof that Oklahoma ain't O.K. What happens when Salt Lake City gets involved in weird genetic experiments. Bad hair day gone worse. A Mormon theocrat sown among Baptist weeds. Eski-mo:* A Mormon who lives near the Artic Circle and claims be a Lamanite. Especially for Youth Esrom Esther Estrogen - From the suffix gen meaning to cause and the root word estro meaning, blubbering. eternal eternal investigator - An investigator who takes the discussions repeatedly, often for years, without ever joining the Church. Sometimes, though not always, this is because the investigator simply enjoys the company of missionaries. Missionaries are counseled to limit the amount of time they spend with eternal investigators and to focus on more immediate prospects. (But eternal investigators are usually so much more interesting than the other kind!) eternal life eternal life* Exaltation in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom; often spoken of as "eternal lives." Eternal Lives, Eternal Increase Eternal Progression Eternal Progression:* The carrot as opposed to the stick. eternal progression* Endless increase in glory and dominion. eternity eternity A synonym for "endless" as contrasted to things of mortality. Ethem Ether Ethics Europe, the Church in Euthanasia Evangelical:* Someone who, ironically, believes in the Bible but not the Book of Mormon. evangelist* The office of patriarch in the Melchizedek Priesthood. Evangelists Eve Eve* The first woman. Latter-day Saints view her as one of the greatest and noblest of all women. even = as in ...thy Son, even the Lord Jesus Christ (Hinckley genitive) Evening and the Morning Star, the Evergreen International Evergreen International:* The Mormon Church's "cure ministry" for turning Gay people straight. Of course it doesn't work (it it's not broken, you can't fix it) and it only ends up being little more than a top-secret dating service for self-hating homosexuals! Every Member a Missionary evil Evil - Caffeine and a few other things. Evolution ex mormon Ex-husband/Ex-wife:* FTU (Former Spousal Unit). Ex-Lax:* A movement of the bowels of mercy one feels upon being excommunicated from the LDS Church. ex-Mo Ex-Mormon Ex-Mormon gathering:* Exmo expo. exaltation Exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom:* Mormons believe they will become "gods" and "goddesses" creating and peopling their own planets within a patriarchal chain of authority linked to other "gods." exaltation* Attainment of the highest degree of glory in the celestial kingdom. example Excommunication Excommunication excommunication A disciplinary action against a Church member in which membership is withdrawn. Excommunication:* Radical churchectomy. Kolobectomy. "Ex-ed" - Getting voted off Packer's Island. The result of going public with the discovery that the Church is a load of baloney. exercise Exhibitions and World's Fairs Exmorcism:* A ritual in which one ex-Mormon exorcises the Mormonism from the soul of another ex-Mormon. Resignation for the dead. Exmormon(s):* Apostates-R-Us. Perdition Mission. The Church of the Latter-Day-Down-to-Earth People. Hellots. Exodus Exodus International experience explain Exspermination Order:* The real reason Governor Boggs ejected the Mormons from Missouri. What Boyd Packer yelled at his son after catching him masturbating. Extermination Order External Links Extra Telestial:* A naughty alien. Ezekiel Ezekiel, Prophecies of Ezias Ezra Ezra T. Benson Ezra Taft Benson Ezra Taft Benson:* The cold war president. Extra Daft Benson. Ezralite:* A cross between a Mormon and a John Bircher.