Author: Eric Johnson
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Wentworth Letter (Defined)
Wentworth Letter: A letter written by Joseph Smith at the request of John Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat. The 1842 letter briefly gave an account of Joseph Smith’s background and his new movement. The letter concluded with a list of Smith’s beliefs, which has since come to be known as the Articles of Faith.…
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Welfare (Defined)
Welfare: The Church Welfare Plan was started in 1936, created to help take care of the physical needs of church members as well as perform humanitarian work. Return to dictionary here.
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Washing and Anointing (Temple Ceremony) (Defined)
Washing and Anointing: Initiatory temple ceremony that purifies the patron who does this only once for him or herself. All other ceremonies a person does would be on behalf of deceased people. For more information, see here. Return to dictionary here.
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War in Heaven (Defined)
War in Heaven: Conflict in the premotral life started by Lucifer when his bid to become the savior of the world was rejected. For more information, see here.Return to dictionary here.
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Ward (Defined)
Ward: A local Mormon congregation presided over by a Bishop made up of members from a particular geographic location, usually consisting of between 150-500 members. When a ward becomes too large, it is split up. Smaller congregations are called Branches. Return to dictionary here.
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Virgin Birth (Defined)
Virgin Birth: The literal siring of Jesus via the agency of Heavenly Father and Mary. Sixth President Joseph F. Smith explained, “Now, we are told in scriptures that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God in the flesh. Well, now for the benefit of the older ones, how are children begotten? I answer…
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Urim and Thummim (Defined)
Urim and Thummim. Described by Joseph Smith as “two stones in silver bows…fastened to a breastplate” (Joseph Smith-History 1:35).He said, “With the records was found a curious instrument, which the ancients called ‘Urim and Thummim,’ which consisted of two transparent stones set in the rim of a bow fastened to a breast plate. Through the…
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Unpaid Clergy (Defined)
Unpaid clergy: Reference to local leaders who volunteer their time in church positions, including branch presidents and bishops. Return to dictionary here.
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Trinity (Defined)
Trinity. In Mormonism the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost make up the Godhead. They are “one God” only in the sense that they are united in the attributes of perfection.” LDS Apostle Bruce McConkie called the Christian view of the Trinity “the chief and greatest heresy of Christendom” (Sermons and Writings of Bruce R. McConkie ,…
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Triple Combination (Defined)
Triple Combination: The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price bound together in one volume. Return to dictionary here.
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Tithing Settlement (Defined)
Tithing Settlement: A private meeting members have with their bishops; if less than a tenth of one’s income was given to the church, the deficit is encouraged to be made up.
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Tithe (Defined)
Tithe: A tenth of one’s income, which is given to the church. It is required for those desiring to enter the temple. For more, see here and here.Return to dictionary here.
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Times and Seasons (Defined)
Times and Seasons. A monthly Mormon periodical printed during the time when the LDS Church was headquartered in Nauvoo, Illinois. Edited by Ebenezer Robinson and Don Carlos Smith (Joseph Smith’s brother). Its first issue appeared in November 1839. November 1839 to February 1846. The motto of the paper was “Truth will prevail,” Return to dictionary here.
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Testimony (Defined)
Testimony.
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Terrestrial Kingdom (Defined)
Terrestrial Kingdom. The middle kingdom of glory to which honorable non-Mormons are assigned after death. The residents of this kingdom will be visited by Jesus Christ but will be separated from God the Father throughout eternity. Explained twelfth President Spencer W. Kimball: “Lukewarm Saints get terrestrial glory. The terrestrial kingdom will not be enjoyed by the…
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Temple Square (Defined)
Temple Square. A city block in downtown Salt Lake City featuring the Salt Lake temple and the Tabernacle, among other buildings. Much of Temple Square was closed between 2020-26 in order to remodel the temple and create new visitors’ centers. Return to dictionary here.
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Temple Recommend (Defined)
Temple recommend. A barcoded card that allows a member of good standing in the LDS Church access to a temple for two years at a time. This is given only after an interview with the Mormon’s bishop if the applicant is deemed worthy. A temple recommend expires after two years. When a renewal is sought, the applicant…
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Temple Patron (Defined)
Temple Patron. Person holding a temple recommend and participating in rituals at a Mormon temple.Return to dictionary here.
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Temple Open House (Defined)
Temple Open House: A short period of time–usually two to four weeks or, in the case of the Salt Lake temple open house in 2027, six months–where a new or remodeled LDS temple is opened to the public for free tours before it is officially dedicated. Click here to download a newspaper we hand out at…
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Temple (Defined)
Temple: Sometimes called “university of the Lord.” Special buildings where members deemed worthy get married and participate in ordinances, including work on behalf of the dead. According to Mormon Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, “With temples men can be exalted; without them there is no exaltation” (The Mortal Messiah: From Bethlehem to Calvary 1:99). Apostle Russell…