Mormon Lingo

Welcome to my quick and easy guide to help decode some of the Mormon-specific words you may have heard.

Apostle-

An ‘apostle’ is an ordained leader in the Melchizedek Priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Apostles are chosen through inspiration by the President of the Church, sustained by the general membership of the Church, and ordained by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles by the laying on of hands. … In addition to serving as witnesses of Jesus Christ to all the world (D&C 107:23), as Jesus’ apostles did, members of the current Quorum of the Twelve Apostles hold the keys of the priesthood—that is, the rights of presidency (D&C 107:35; cf. 124:128)” (Encyclopedia of Mormonism [1992], 1:59-60). Just like in the early church of Jesus’ day, there are 12 Apostles at any one time.

Baptisms for the Dead–

Baptisms are performed in temples for those who have died. There are no dead bodies in temples. Someone stands in as a proxy for the deceased individual and is baptized in their place. Then if the individual chooses in the world beyond, they can accept that baptism.

Baby Blessing–

Mormons do not baptize babies. But when a baby is a few weeks or months old it is custom to give them a “Name and a Blessing”. This naming ceremony is performed at the beginning of Sacrament Meeting. And the baby is given a blessing at that time by the child’s father or another trusted individual who is important to the family.

Beehives-

This refers to the young women age 12 and 13. It is their Sunday School class title. Not to be confused with actual bees.

Bishop-

The leader of a congregation. He is not paid but is also not a volunteer. He is selected by the Stake President and agrees to make his time available to help the members of the congregation. He typically serves for a period of five years. He is also the leader of the Priest’s Quorum. And responsible for the temporal and spiritual welfare of his congregation.

Bishopric-

The Bishop serves with the help of two other men, called his ‘Councilors’. This group of three men together is called the Bishopric.

Bishop’s Store House-

Located all over the world, these huge buildings are warehouses for supplies and food. When a Bishop determines a family needs assistance, they are sent to the Bishop’s Store House with a list and are essentially given any items they are in need of. The Store House is a combination of a grocery store and a long-term food storage area.

Blessing-

With the gift of the Priesthood, there are several kinds of blessings that Mormons receive. There are several different kinds of blessings.  First, is ‘Administering to the sick.‘  Two Priesthood holders will anoint the sick person with consecrated or blessed oil. Then they will seal the anointing with a blessing.  Father’s Blessings involve a father blessing his child with comfort and counsel from God.  Patriarchal Blessings are only received from a Patriarch. And every member of the church is encouraged to get one.  It is used as a guide for the lifetime of the individual. And finally, there is a blessing of special counsel and keys given when someone receives a calling. This is given by the Bishop or one of his councilors and is called being Set Apart.

Branch-

Congregations are given names based on their size. A Branch is the smallest size for a congregation.

Branch President-

Instead of a Bishop, a Branch is led by a Branch President and his councilors. They are called a Branch Presidency.

Calling-

Another word for this is a “Church Job”. In the Mormon church, nobody is paid for what they do. They also don’t volunteer. They are asked or assigned to a specific job in the congregation for a short time. And that assignment is called a “calling”.

Councilors-

Every leadership role in the Mormon church has assistants. These assistants are called Councilors. There is a First Councilor and a Second Councilor. Each has specific duties. And their job is to lift some of the burdens of the leader they support. There are councilors for the Primary President, the Bishop, the Relief Society President, the Stake President, the Elder’s Quorum President, and on up the chain to the Prophet. He too has two councilors.

CTR-

A Mormon reminder to be our best. The letters stand for Choose The Right.

Deacon-

The lowest office of the Aaronic Priesthood. Boys are ordained at age 12, and the Sunday School class for these boys is traditionally having the 12 and 13-year-old boys. They form the Deacon’s Quorum.

However, grown men who join the church later are ordained to the office of Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood.

Elder-

An Elder is an office of the Melchizedek Priesthood. Also used as a title for male missionaries or General Authorities of the Church. Elders have authority to bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands and to bestow priesthood blessings.

Endowments-

In the temple

Fireside-

An evening gathering with a gospel focus. Similar to a devotional. Often followed by socializing and treats. The term comes from when the pioneers would gather in the evening, literally around the fire.

General Conference-

A twice a year meeting for the entire membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are 5 sessions, each lasting 2 hours. Saturday there are 3 sessions and Sunday there are 2. Saturday meetings are from 10-12 am MST, 2-4 pm MST, and 6-8 pm MST. Sunday the meetings are at 10-12 am MST, and 2-4 pm MST. Members are encouraged to listen to all the sessions they can. However, the talks are all published in the church magazines and online at churchofjesuschrist.org immediately following the conference session.

Girl’s Camp-

A week-ish long camping experience for girls ages 12-18. Always supervised with adult leaders, and in a protected space, the girls get to learn camping skills and have fun spending time together. There is usually some kind of major hike and nightly songs around the fire. A great way for young women to learn some leadership skills, and get to experience the beauty and wonders of nature.

High Priest-

Initiatory-

Laurels-

Linger Longer-

Mia Maids-

Mission President

Missionary-

Mormon Helping Hands-

Mutual-

Patriarch-

Presidency-

Priesthood-

Priesthood Quorum-

Priests-

Primary-

Prophet-

Quorum-

Relief Society-

Sacrament meeting-

Sealings- (how to pronounce)

Seminary-

Service missionary-

Setting Apart-

Seventy-

Stake-

Stake Center or Stake House-

Sunbeams-

Super Saturday-

Teacher-

Trainer-

Ward-

A congregation of members. Usually containing between 300-500 members. Each Ward has a set geological boundary. If you wonder which Ward you belong to, feel free to look up your address in Meetinghouse Locater. It will tell you the Ward and Stake you reside in. Even the US Military has Wards, and there are Wards all around the world.

If I have missed anything, or you have further questions, please go to churchofjesuschrist.org.  They have a wonderful resource page. Just search anything you would like to know in the search box on the top left-hand corner of the page.