Author: Eric Johnson
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Patriarchal Order (Defined)
Patriarchal Order. Entered into today through marriage in an LDS temple. Doing this allows a couple and their children to live in the Celestial Kingdom The husband, or the priesthood holder, is the family’s presiding officer. However, he is instructed to consider the feelings and opinions of his wife. Return to dictionary here.
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Patriarchal Blessing (Defined)
Patriarchal Blessing. Conditional, personal prophetic utternace given to a Mormon either by a relative or by an ordained patriarch appointed by the LDS Church.For more information, see here.Return to dictionary here.
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Paradise (Defined)
Paradise. Temporary place in the postmortal spirit world for Mormons who have been properly baptized and who remained faithful until death. Return to dictionary here.
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Open Canon (Defined)
Open Canon. The teaching that scriptue does not end with the Holy bible but continues even in latter days through God’s prophets.For more information, see here.Return to dictionary here.
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Omnipresence (Defined)
Omnipresence. Because He “has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s” (D&C 130:22), God the Father can only be in one physical location. Still, a Mormon can say that He is “everywhere present” through the Holy Spirit. “Throught that divine medium God can be in and through and round about all things…
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Obedience (Defined)
Obedience. The necessity to keep the commandments of God. Many LDS leaders have commented on this issue and how vital it is if a person hopes to attain the Celestial Kingdom. According to D&C 25:15 says, “Keep my commandments continually. … And except thou do this, where I am you cannot come.” D&C 130:21 addes, “There is…
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Should Evangelism Always Suit a 21st Century Culture?
On Ash Wednesday, several Episcopalian priests from the San Diego, CA area went onto local street corners, putting ashes onto the heads of pedestrians. According to the article I read, this event was created so people who were too busy to go to church could participate in this rite. Some even stuck their heads out…
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Outer Darkness (Defined)
Outer Darkness. Severe punishment for eternity, reserved for Satan and his demons as well as the sons of perdition, those humans who once embraced Mormonism and left to fight against the faith, even though they knew Mormonism was true. This is a place very close in nature to the biblical hell.
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Ordinance (Defined)
Ordinance. Ceremony in which the Mormon makes a covenant with god. It includes baptism, sacraments, and work in the temple.Return to dictionary here.
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Offerings (Defined)
Offerings. Money gien above and beyond the tithe of one’s income. An example is the fast offering given at the fast and testimony service. For more information, see this blog. Return to dictionary here.
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New Jerusalem (Defined)
New Jersualem. A city to be built in Jackson County, Missouri. The Book of Mormon prophesies the coming forth of the New Jerusalem that “should be built up upon this land” (Ether 13:5). Joseph Smith claimed New Jerusalem would begin with the building of a temple and that the city would become a gathering place for God’s “covenant people” (D&C 42:35-36). Neither…
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New Names (Defined)
New Names. Temple patrons receive a name in the temple ceremony to be used after death; only a spouse is allowed to know the other person’s new name. The names are usually based on the Bible or the Book of Mormon; every male in the temple receives the same name, and the same for the…
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New Era (Defined)
New Era. Monthly magazine produced for LDS youth from 1971-2020. Return to dictionary here
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Nephites (Defined)
Nephites. The followers of Nephi, a righteous son of Lehi. The Nephites are said to have been exterminated by the Lamanites at the battle at the Hill Cumorah. Supposedly Joseph Smith had a great knowledge of these people, even though he had nothing to study. His mother reported, “During our evening conversations, Joseph would occasionally…
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Nauvoo Expositor (Defined)
Nauvoo Expositor. A newspaper published by enemies of Joseph Smith. Its only issue appeared on June 7, 1844 to reveal Joseph Smith’s abuse of authority in both ecclesiastical and civil affairs (Smith was also mayor of Nauvoo), as well as expose his plural-wife system. Three days later, on June 10, the Nauvoo city council ordered…
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Nauvoo (Defined)
Nauvoo. Literally means “beautiful place.” Originally known as Commerce, Illinois. This city became the headquarters of the Mormon Church until Joseph Smith’s death in 1844. Today the temple that was built in the 1840s but soon after was destroyed was rebuilt in 2002.
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Mutual (Defined)
Mutual. Meeting held during a weeknight for youth ages 12-17. Return to dictionary here
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Murder (Defined)
Murder. The one unpardonable sin in Mormonism. According to D&C 42:18, “And now, behold, I speak unto the church.
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Do I Not Understand Your Religion?
One complaint often made against Christians who are critical of Mormonism is that they just don’t “understand” Mormonism. It’s almost as if the Mormon is assuming that a person must be a Latter-day Saint in order to be accurate in any assessement of the religion. When the Mormon makes a statement saying “you just don’t…