Category: A-Z Glossary
Click here for the full A-Z glossary.
-
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…
-
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…
-
New Era (Defined)
New Era. Monthly magazine produced for LDS youth from 1971-2020. Return to dictionary here
-
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…
-
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…
-
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.
-
Mutual (Defined)
Mutual. Meeting held during a weeknight for youth ages 12-17. Return to dictionary here
-
Murder (Defined)
Murder. The one unpardonable sin in Mormonism. According to D&C 42:18, “And now, behold, I speak unto the church.
-
Mortality (Defined)
Mortality. From birth to death, physical life on this earth. This is the time for humankind to perpare to meet God in the next life.
-
Moroni’s Promise (Defined)
Moroni’s Promise. Moroni 10:4 in the Book of Mormon reads, “And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith if Christ,…
-
Moroni (Defined)
Moroni. The son of Mormon who supposedly buried the Gold Plates containing the record of the Nephite people. In 1823 Moroni is said to have appeared to Joseph Smith and revealed to him the location of the buried plates.
-
Mormon Tabernacle Choir (Defined)
Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The “music missionaries”” of the Mormon Church. Made up of 360 volunteers, ages 25-60. According to its web site, “the Choir has appeared at 13 world’s fairs and expositions, performed at the inaugurations of five U.S.
-
Mormonism (Defined)
Mormonism. The religion of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since 2018, church members have been discouraged from using this term to refer to this religion. Return to dictionary here.
-
Mormon (Defined)
Mormon. Claimed by Latter-day Saints to be an ancient Nephite prophet who abridged and compiled the records of his people known today as The Book of Mormon. In addition, the term “Mormon” was a derogatory term given to followers of Joseph Smith. Today it is a non-offensive nickname commonly used to describe either The Church of…
-
Molly Mormon (Defined)
Molly Mormon. A Mormon female who aspires to be everything the Mormon Church expects a woman to be.Return to dictionary here.
-
Missionary Training Center (Defined)
Missionary Training Center. Also known as the MTC. It is here the Mormon missionary learns doctrine and procedure that will be used during his/her missionary service. Time spent at the MTC varies from 3-13 weeks. The LDS Church operates 11 total centers around the world: in Brazil, Congo, England, Ghana, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, the…
-
Missionary (Defined)
Missionary. Young men (ages 18 to 25) serve for two years, young women (minimum age 19) serve for eighteen months, and retired couples serve from six months to three years. Locations assigned by leaders. Before October 2012, the ages were 19 for boys and 21 for girls, but this was lowered in an annoucement at…
-
Missionary Lessons (Defined)
Missionary Lessons. A series of lessons taught by LDS missionaries to potential converts, the basis of which is found in the missionary manual Preach My Gospel. Return to dictionary here.
-
Mission President (Defined)
Mission President. Head of missionaries in a particular area who works with local bishops and meets regularly with stake presidents to coordinate missionary efforts. While he is not officially paid or pays taxes on his expenses, we estimated in 2013 that the total worth of his package begins at $100,000 per year, tax- and tithe-free.…
-
Ministering Servants (Defined)
Ministering Servants. Those spirits who did not qualify for the highest level within the celestial kingdom and will become angels to live out eternity taking needs of others who reached the highest plateau. Twelfth President Spencer Kimball explained that those who “reach the lower realms in the celestial kingdom, but there we will be ministering…