Author: Eric Johnson
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Golgotha (Defined)
Golgotha. See the Garden of Gethesemane.Return to dictionary here.
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Gold Plates (Defined)
Gold Plates. An historical record of American peoples written on plates of gold. In A.D. 421, Moroni, a Nephite warrior and son of Mormon, buried the plates in the Hill Cumorah. In 1823, as a resurrected being, Moroni revealed the whereabouts of the plates to Joseph Smith who was permitted to retrieve them in 1827.…
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Golden Contact (Defined)
Golden Contact. A person who knows little or nothing about Mormonism but is eager to learn and may possibly join the LDS Church.
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Godhood (Defined)
Godhood. Becoming exalted like God the Father.
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Why Can’t They See?
If you are like me, one of the most frustrating things in sharing your Christian faith is having the message rejected, sometimes even “in your face.” Recently I had a pair of Mormon missionaries come over to my house, unannounced. We had a very good one-hour conversation. The elder who had been on the field…
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Black (Priesthood Ban) (Defined)
Blacks. Before 1978, LDS leaders claimed that African Americans and others with dark skin could not hold the Mormon priesthood because they were cursed.
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Godhead (Defined)
Godhead. Three gods–God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost–who, while distinct in being, are one in purpose. Joseph Smith taught, “I have always declared God to be a distinct personage, Jesus Christ a separate and distinct personage from God the Father, and that the Holy Ghost was a distinct personage and a Spirit:…
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God the Father (Defined)
God the Father. Also known as Heavenly Father or Elohim. He was once a righteous human in another realm who died and then became God of this world. He has a tangible body of flesh and bones (D&C 130:22). According to Joseph Smith, “I will go back to the beginning before the world was, to…
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Gift of the Holy Ghost (Defined)
Gift of the Holy Ghost. Fullness of blessings available to LDS members after water baptism. The Holy Ghost remains with those who stay worthy, though he will withdraw when the commandments are not kept. Return to dictionary here.
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Gethsemane (Defined)
Gethsemane. Traditionally, according to LDS leaders, this the place where the heart of the atonement took place. Apostle Bruce R. McConkie explained, “Where and under what circumstances was the atoning sacrifice of the Son of God made? Was it on the Cross of Calvary or in the Garden of Gethsemane? It is to the Cross of…
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Gentile (Defined)
Gentile. Basically non-Mormons, but also understood to include non-Jews. “Like Israel of old, the Saints also referred to themselves as a ‘covenant people,’ and often concluded correspondence with phrases such as ‘yours in the everlasting covenant.’ In thinking of themselves as Israel, they began to refer to non-Mormons as ‘gentiles,’ not in derision but as…
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General Conference (Defined)
General Conference. An assembly of LDS membership held in Salt Lake City, Utah each April and October. These meetings are for official instruction, announcements and teaching given by General Authorities and other LDS leaders. What is said at conference is considered to be authoratative.
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Genealogy (Defined)
Genealogy. Research of one’s family history. Names are gathered so that those already deceased can have temple rituals performed on their behalf. According to Joseph Smith, “The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead. Those saints who neglect it in behalf of their deceased relatives,…
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Garments of the Holy Priesthood (Defined)
Garments of the Holy Priesthood. Sacred underwear worn by faithful temple Mormons which, they are told in the temple, “will be a shield and protection to you against the power of the destroyer until you have finished your work here on earth.” Sewn into the garments are markings that resemble the compass, square, and level of Freemasonry.…
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Friend (Defined)
Friend. A monthly magazine produced for the LDS children.
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Forgiveness (Defined)
Forgiveness. Received only after a member repents of all sins and keeps all the commandments. D&C 1:32 says, “Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven.” D&C 82:7 adds, “And now, verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, will not lay any sin to your charge; go your…
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Food Storage (Defined)
Food Stroage. The belief that Latter-day Saints should have sufficient storage of food and water along with other supplies to survive disasters. According to the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, “In their homes, members are encouraged to have food storage sufficient for a year and other essentials of emergency preparedness: clothing, bedding, fuel (where possible), and the…
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First Vision (Defined)
First Vision. Occurred in 1820 (officially) when Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, was 14 years old. Confused about religion and reflecting on James 1:5, Smith retired to the woods to pray and ask God which church to join. God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him. According to Joseph Smith-History 1:19, “I was…