This article is one in a series of articles about explaining our Mormon beliefs to our friends. See other articles in this series.
As Latter-day Saints, we have a peculiar set of terminology that often may not be familiar to our friends who are not members of the Church. Have you ever invited a friend to go to the stakehouse, only to discover that he thought you were inviting him to go out to dinner? Perhaps you’ve told a friend that you were teaching the sunbeams on Sunday and they wouldn’t be quiet and sit in their chairs–just to get a blank stare in return.
When talking about the Church with our friends, it helps to be careful with Mormon terminology so that we communicate clearly.
Below is a glossary of terms that may not be familiar to your friends. As you use these terms for the first time, be sure to explain what they mean that so your friends won’t be lost.
Aaronic Priesthood: This priesthood is held by worthy young men ages 12-18 and new adult male members of the Church. The offices (positions) in this priesthood are bishop, priest, teacher, and deacon. More information.
Baptism for the dead: In temples, a living person may be baptized on behalf of someone who has died. This ordinance offers the opportunity to accept the blessings of baptism to deceased persons who did not receive the teachings of Jesus Christ in mortal life. More information.
Bishop: The leader of a local congregation (known as a ward) with duties similar to those of a pastor, priest, or rabbi. Each bishop is assisted by two counselors. Together, this bishopric oversees the spiritual and social needs of their ward members. The bishop, his counselors, and other ward leaders are not paid for their service. More information.
Branch: Most congregations of the Church are organized geographically into wards, but in areas where there are fewer Church members, Latter-day Saints are organized into branches. The lay leader of a branch is called a branch president.
Brother/Sister: Because we are all children of our Heavenly Father, the title brother or sister followed by a person’s last name is a common way for members to refer to one another.
Calling: An assignment or position of service in the Church. Each calling has specifically defined duties that a member fulfills until he or she is released, often to fulfill a new assignment. Members are called by the bishopric and are not paid for their service.
Chapel: The large room or hall in a meetinghouse that is used for congregational worship services. A meetinghouse is used for Sunday meetings. A temple is a building used for different purposes.
Conferences: Meetings held periodically to conduct Church business, to confirm the appointment of officers, and to instruct and encourage. Conferences are held at ward, stake, and global (general) levels. The Church conducts 2 general conferences annually in April and October.
Covenant: A sacred promise, or agreement, made between a person or a group of people and God.
Deacon: An office of responsibility in the Aaronic Priesthood generally held by young men ages 12-13.
Elder: One of the ordained offices in the Melchizedek Priesthood. Since male full-time missionaries hold this priesthood office, they are often referred to by the title Elder.
Endowment: A bestowing of knowledge and understanding of gospel principles that faithful Latter-day Saints receive in temples.
Family Home Evening: The Church encourages families to gather for family home evening every Monday night to build and strengthen family relationships. A typical family home evening begins and ends with a prayer and usually includes singing, scripture reading, and a short lesson on a religious or practical topic. Families may also participate in a service project or join in an activity together.
Fast Sunday: A Sunday, usually the first one of each month, on which Latter-day Saints abstain from food and drink for 2 meals and donate the equivalent cost, or more, to the Church to assist the poor and needy. The money donated is called a fast offering. The sacrament meeting on each fast Sunday, called fast and testimony meeting, is devoted to the voluntary expression of testimony by members.
Garments: Members of the Church who have made covenants in temples wear special under clothing, called the temple garment, as a reminder of sacred beliefs and commitments.
General Authorities: Leaders who administer the affairs of the entire Church. They include the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the Seventy.
Home Teachers: Men who are assigned to watch over and help specific individuals or families in the ward. These men visit their assigned individuals and families each month to help and support them in their efforts to live gospel principles.
Latter-day Saints: Shortened title or name used to refer to members of the Church.
Laying on of hands: The act of priesthood holders placing their hands on a person’s head to give that person a Church ordination or blessing.
Melchizedek Priesthood: Level of priesthood held by worthy adult male members 18+. Elders, high priests, patriarchs, Seventies, and Apostles hold this priesthood.
Mission: A period of volunteer service, usually 6-24 months, when members devote themselves part-time or full-time to proselytizing, humanitarian assistance, or other service. A mission is also a geographically-defined area where missionaries work. The leader of a mission is called a mission president.
Mutual: A weeknight meeting or activity for youth ages 12-17.
Ordain: To give priesthood authority to a worthy male member of the Church by placing hands on the person’s head and saying a prayer.
Ordinance: A sacred rite or ceremony by which members make covenants (promises) with God, such as baptism, the sacrament, and temple ordinances.
Priest: An office of responsibility in the Aaronic Priesthood generally held by young men ages 16-18 and new adult male members of the Church.
Priesthood: The authority and power that God has granted to act in His name. All worthy male members ages 12+ may be given priesthood authority.
Priesthood blessing: A prayer for healing, comfort, or counsel given by a Melchizedek Priesthood holder, who lays his hands on the head of the person receiving the blessing.
Primary: The Church organization for children from 18 months to age 11. It is designed to supplement the religious instruction given by parents. Children meet on Sundays to discuss gospel doctrine, participate in learning activities, and sing songs. More information.
Quorum: An organized group of young men or adult men who hold the same office of priesthood authority, such as deacons, teachers, priests, elders, or high priests.
Release: To relieve members of their duties in a Church assignment or position with appreciation for the service they have given.
Relief Society: The Church organization for women ages 18+ whose purpose is to provide support for the temporal and spiritual needs of all women in the Church, as well as others who are in need. It is one of the largest women’s organizations in the world.
Sacrament: The formal blessing and administering of bread and water representing the body and blood of Christ to Church members, usually during a Sunday worship meeting. It is the equivalent of communion in many other Christian churches.
Set apart: To give a Church member the responsibilities and blessings associated with a Church calling by having Melchizedek Priesthood holders place their hands on the person’s head and say a prayer.
Seminary: A 4-year religious educational program for high school students. It is open to teenagers of all faiths. Institute is a similar program offered to individuals older than high school age.
Stake: Each member belongs to a stake, which is similar to a Catholic diocese. The leader of a stake is called the stake president. The word stake is taken from Old Testament tent imagery in which the “tent,” or church, is held up by supporting stakes. Each stake is comprised of several smaller congregations called wards or branches.
Sustain: To give support to those serving in Church callings or to give one’s approval for an action being taken by the Church. This is usually signified by raising one’s right hand when asked to do so by a Church leader in a meeting.
Teacher: (1) a person who teaches a class or (2) an office of responsibility in the Aaronic Priesthood generally held by young men ages 14-15.
Temple: A Church building dedicated for the performance of sacred ordinances, such as baptisms for the dead, the endowment, and the sealing of families. Only worthy members are permitted to enter temples, whereas all members and non-members are welcome in meetinghouses.
Testimony: An assurance or conviction of faith revealed by the Holy Ghost that God the Father and Jesus Christ live and that Their teachings and the Restoration of the gospel are true. When a person bears testimony, he or she is making a brief, heartfelt statement of this conviction to others.
Tithing: The donation of 10% of a person’s income to the Church.
Visiting Teachers: Women who are assigned to watch over and help specific women in the ward. These women visit their assigned sisters each month to help and support them in their efforts to live gospel principles.
Ward: Congregations of the Church are organized geographically and members attend worship services near their home. Each member belongs to a ward or branch.
Word of Wisdom: Health guidelines in the Church that include no alcoholic drinks, no smoking or chewing of tobacco, no tea or coffee, and no misuse of drugs. Wholesome herbs, fruits, and grains are specifically recommended. Meat is to be used sparingly.
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