Mormonism Research Ministry

Category: A-Z Glossary

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  • Kingdoms of Glory (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Kingdoms of Glory. The three possible eternal destinations of humankind known as the celestial, terrestrial  and telestial kingdoms. A common verse used to support this unique LDS teaching is 2 Corinthians 12:2. Return to dictionary here.  

  • Seventy (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Seventy. A man who holds a leadership position following the positions of the First Presidency and the Apostles. Those known as the Seventies fit into eight quorums. The men belonging to the first two quorums are known as General Authorities while the others are referred to as area authorities. Return to dictionary here.

  • New Name (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    New Name. A name that is received by Patrons during a Temple ceremony that will be used in the next life. Only a spouse is allowed to know the other person’s new name, which usually has its origins in the Bible or the Book of Mormon. See more on temples. Return to dictionary here  

  • Gospel Topic Essay (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Gospel Topics Essays. A series of essays posted on the official lds.org website that mainly deals with controversial issues. While the essays are meant to come clean on topics such as race and the priesthood and polygamy, complete objective information and analysis is not typical. The essays began to be posted one-by-one beginning in late 2013…

  • Polyandry (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Polyandry. A woman taking more than one man as a husband. At least 10 of Joseph Smith’s wives were married to other men. Return to dictionary here.

  • Brethren (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Brethren. Generally used to denote the Mormon leadership. “When we speak of following the Brethren, we mean particularly the First Presidency and the Twelve.” (Apostle Neal A. Maxwell, All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience, p. 102).

  • Plan of Salvation (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Plan of Salvation. The: A plan given by God the Father to allow the Children of God to become like Him (see Godhood). As a Spirit Child in the Preexistence, a person who rightly choses Jesus as Savior is given the chance to be born onto the earth with a physical body and has the opportunity…

  • Transgression (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Transgression: A formally prohibited action but not necessarily a sin. See sin. Return to dictionary here.

  • Zion (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Zion: Several possible meanings in Mormonism, but for contemporary Mormonism it generally means the “pure in heart”; as a community of people, it refers to those who belong to the LDS Church. Return to dictionary here.

  • Young Women (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Young Women: An organization for girls ages 12-17, created to help them to keep covenants and to prepare them for the ordinances of the temple. Return to dictionary here.

  • Word of Wisdom (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Word of Wisdom: A Mormon health law found in Doctrine & Covenants 89 commanding Mormons to abstain from hot drinks (interpreted as coffee and tea), tobacco, excessive amounts of meat, and alcoholic beverages. Obedience to this health law is one of the requirements to receive a temple recommend. Those who keep these sayings are promised…

  • Wentworth Letter (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    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.…

  • Welfare (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    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.

  • Washing and Anointing (Temple Ceremony) (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    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.

  • War in Heaven (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    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.

  • Ward (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    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.

  • Virgin Birth (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    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…

  • Urim and Thummim (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    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…

  • Unpaid Clergy (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Unpaid clergy: Reference to local leaders who volunteer their time in church positions, including branch presidents and bishops. Return to dictionary here.

  • Trinity (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    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 ,…