Author: Eric Johnson
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Church of the Firstborn (Defined)
Church of the Firstborn. The highest of three levels in the celestial kingdom. Only Mormons who keep all the commandments of God will enter this heaven and become Gods (or exalted) in eternity (The Way to Perfection, p. 206). According to tenth LDS President Joseph Fielding Smith, “Eternal life is life in the presence of the…
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Church News (Defined)
Church News. A weekly, tabloid-sized periodical reporting LDS Church news and events.
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Child of God (Defined)
Child of God. Humans are the literal children of God, born in the pre-existence as offspring of Heavenly Father and one of his heavenly wives. Christianity doesn’t agree, as the Bible says that the children of God are those adopted by faith. They are sinners who have trusted in Christ for their salvation.
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Christianity (Defined)
Christianity. In biblical times, the church as described in the Bible. However, because of the Great Apostasy, Christianity in its full form can be found on the earth since the founding of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sixth President Joseph F. Smith explained, “…for I contend that the Latter-day Saints are the only…
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Chapel (Defined)
Chapels. Latter-day Saint buildings used for Sunday worship services. According to a general conference message by James Faust, a member of the First Presidency, “Our chapels are dedicated to the Lord as holy places. We are told we should go to the house of prayer and offer up our sacraments upon His holy day. Partaking…
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Celestial Marriage (Defined)
Celestial Marriage. Traditionally meant polygamy. Second President Brigham Young stated, “Our sisters need not be worried about any doctrine. Brother Penrose said it would be better for them if they believed in the doctrine of polygamy. But they do believe it; they know it is true, and that is their torment. It perplexes and annoys…
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Celestial Kingdom (Defined)
Celestial kingdom. The highest kingdom of glory in the LDS concept of heaven, available only to Mormons who exhibited complete obedience to LDS laws and ordinances during their entire lifetimes. This is the only kingdom of glory where one may enjoy the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Within the Celestial kingdom there are…
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Calling (Defined)
Calling. Invitation a member receives for a particular assignment.Return to dictionary here.
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BYU (Defined)
BYU. Brigham Young University. A college and graduate school located in Provo, Utah, owned by the Mormon Church. Extension campuses are located in Hawaii, Idaho, and Israel.
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Brother (Defined)
Brother. Title given to a male church member.
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Doctrines/Theology Index
Want to know what we at MRM believe?How to Have a Relationship with GodNEW! How can a person get into heaven?NEW! How can
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Branch (Defined)
Branch. Mormon congregations that are not large enough or stable enough to form wards. These are divided into two categories: independent branches, which comprise larger and more powerful branches; and dependent branches, usually smaller in size and “less endowed” with local leadership. Several branches comprise a district.
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Born in the Covenant (Defined)
Born in the Covenant. A child born to Latter-day Sain parents who were married in a Mormon temple, automatically sealing the child to his or her parents for eternity.Return to dictionary here.
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Born Again (Defined)
Born Again. According to one church manual, “through the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, you were born again in to a new life” (True to the Faith, 2004, p. 25). Another says, “We are saved when we are ‘born again.’ This happens when we enter into a covenant relationship with Christ by accepting baptism, receiving the…
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Book of Moses (Defined)
Book of Moses. Found in the Pearl of Great Price, one of Mormonism’s standard works. Mormon scholars claim the Book of Moses was given to Joseph Smith by direct revelation in June of 1830. Its purpose was to restore many “lost truths” that are not included in the Pentateuch. Mormon Apostle Bruce McConkie claimed the Book of Moses “is one of…
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Book of Mormon (Defined)
Book of Mormon. One of Mormonism’s standard works. It contains the story of a group of Jews led by a man named Lehi who left Israel and sailed to the American continent around 600 B.C. with, among others, his sons Nephi and Laman. The book records the wars and ultimate demise of their followers known…
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Book of Commandments (Defined)
Book of Commandments
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Book of Abraham (Defined)
Book of Abraham. “A Translation of some ancient Records, that have fallen into our hands from the catacombs of Egypt.—The writings of Abraham while he was in Egypt, called the Book of Abraham, written by his own hand, upon papyrus. See History of the Church 2:235, 236, 348-35” (Introduction to Abraham 1). According to a…
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Blood Atonement (Defined)
Blood Atonement. A doctrine that stems from the belief that the blood of Christ does not cleanse all sins; therefore, one who sins a sin beyond the cleansing power of Christ must atone for his own sins by having his blood shed. While current Mormon leaders may deny the blunt description of this practice as…
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Bishopric (Defined)
Bishopric. Presiding officers of a ward, including a bishop and two counselors.