Mormonism Research Ministry

Category: A-Z Glossary

Click here for the full A-Z glossary.

  • Quorum (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Quorum. Group of men holding the same priesthood authority.Return to dictionary here.

  • Quetzalcoatl (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Quetzalcoatl. An ancient Central American Aztec god believed by many Mormons to be Jesus Christ who visited the Americas after His resurrection. The name means plumed serpent and is derived from a colorful bird (quetzal) and a snake (coatl). “Quetzalcoatl, under a variety of names as presented in the traditions of the Indians of North,…

  • Quad (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Quad. All four of the Mormon standard works — the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price — bound together in one volume. Return to dictionary here.

  • Priesthood (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Priesthood. 

  • President/Prophet (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    President/Prophet. The highest office in the Mormon Church. It is the president’s duty to preside over the whole church. Also known as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, he is chosen from among the Council of the Twelve Apostles. Revelations concerning the LDS Church must come through the Presidency.

  • Preexistence/Premortality (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Preextistence/premortality: Also referred to as the First Estate or Pre-Mortal State. Mormonism teaches all humans lived near a planet called Kolob as God’s spirit children before coming to earth and taking on human form. Since God’s children could only progress so far in the pre-existence, it was necessary that they go through a probationary state…

  • Perfection (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Perfection. The idea that a Mormon must keep all the commandments. Often Matthew 5:48 (“be ye perfect”) is quoted to show that this standard must be met by the faithful Latter-day Saint. According to twelfth President Spencer Kimball: “This progress toward eternal life is a matter of achieving perfection. Living all the commandments guarantees total…

  • Paid Ministry (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Paid Ministry. The criticism Mormons have toward any local religious leader or pastor to receive a salary for their labors. According to Apostle Franklin Richards, “One of the important and distinguishing features of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that its affairs are administered by the lay members of the Church rather…

  • Polygamy/Plural Marriage (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Polygamy/Plural Marriage. A doctrine practiced in the LDS Church from the 1830s until 1890 in which men were encouraged to have multiple wives in order to receive greater blessings in eternity. Polygamy is no longer a practice of Mormonism, but the revelation that teaches it is still found in Doctrine and Covenants, section 132. Joseph…

  • Pearl of Great Price (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Pearl of Great Price.  One of the four Standard Works. Contains books such as the Book of Abraham, Moses, Joseph Smith’s history, and Smith’s retranslation of a portion of the gospel of Matthew. For more information, see here. Return to dictionary here.

  • Patriarchal Order (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    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.

  • Patriarchal Blessing (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    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.

  • Paradise (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    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.

  • Ordain (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Ordain. To bestow priesthood authority on a worthy male member through the laying on of hands. Return to dictionary here.

  • Open Canon (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    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.

  • Omnipresence (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    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…

  • Obedience (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    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…

  • Outer Darkness (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    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.

  • Ordinance (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    Ordinance.  Ceremony in which the Mormon makes a covenant with god. It includes baptism, sacraments, and work in the temple.Return to dictionary here. 

  • Offerings (Defined)

    Eric Johnson

    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.