The Road Show Glossary and Explanations
The Road Show is a story about members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called "Mormons"). Like any group, Mormons have their own terms and jargon. Consequently, there are a number of terms and references that may be unfamiliar to some reader. This glossary is an attempt to provide readers with a resource that will help them clarify these terms and ideas.
The explanations in the glossary are the sole opinion of the author. They are not official statements of Church doctrine and policy. Any errors are the responsibility of the author. Readers interested in authoritative expressions of Church doctrine should go the Church's website.
Terms are listed in the order of their appearance in the book as opposed to alphabetically.
If you have a question, or would like to suggest a term that needs to be included, please click to contact me here.
PROLOGUE:
Road Show: Road shows are short (10-15 minute) plays that used to be produced every year by local congregations, usually by the youth group. In Utah, where there are multiple Mormon churches literally every mile or two, the actors would drive from church building to church building and perform the gathered audience who would watch several in one night. The performers took their show on the road to perform, hence the name. At some point, probably during the gas crisis in the 1970s, the Church changed the practice and everyone gathered in one building to watch and perform.
Theatre has been an important part of Mormon culture from the very early days of the faith. Road shows were intended to continue that tradition and create a wholesome, recreational event for the congregation, especially the youth. In this regard, they can be valuable community building events.
From a purely dramatic point of view, they were usually of poor quality with exaggerated acting, silly plots and so on. Consequently Mormons who are trained in theatre tend to not have very high opinion of them--and also dread being asked, or called, to direct them.
Visiting Teacher: Every woman in the Church has two women from the congregation who are assigned to watch over and support her. They visit her at least once a month and share a spiritual thought. These women are called "visiting teachers" and are to offer spiritual guidance, emotional support, and friendship. Every woman has these visiting teachers and every woman is, in turn, a visiting teacher to another woman.
Sister/Brother: Terms of formal address used in the Church, they are roughly analogous to Mr., Ms., Mrs., etc. Generally speaking, members of the Church who are friends with each other or are the same age would use first names. The title is generally used in more formal settings or as a sign of respect to an older person, or when the two parties conversing are not on familiar terms.
Priesthood Campout: There are no professional clergy in the Church. All leadership positions are filled by the lay members. Thus, the priesthood, which Mormons define as the authority to act in God's name, is open to all worthy, male members of the Church. Because of this, the term "priesthood" has come to mean both the authority to officiate in Church ceremonies as well as the body of men who hold the priesthood.
Camping is a popular activity in the Church, among many members. Thus it is quite common for the men in a congregation to go camping once a year.
Bishop, Stake Activities Chairman, Ward, Stake, Stake Presidency: The Church is highly organized on many levels. Local congregations are called wards. They are presided over by a bishop, and two counselors who assist. Together they are called the bishopric. A bishop is similar to a parish priest or senior pastor in other churches.
A group of wards together forms an administrative unit called a stake. This term comes from the Old Testament writings of the prophet Isaiah who prophesied that in the last days, the Lord's church would be like a large tent held up by numerous stakes, Isaiah 54:2) It is somewhat similar to a Catholic diocese. A stake is presided over by a stake president, also assisted by two counselors. Together they are called the stake presidency. A ward gets its name from the very early days of the church when the Mormons lived in one city and ecclesiastical and political governance overlapped. Wards or precincts were administrative areas of the city. The term now has no political meaning and refers simply to a local congregation.
Stakes and wards have committees that are in charge of organizing cultural, social, and athletic activities, hence they are called "Activities Committees."
Calling: Because there are no professional clergy in the Church, every task from senior pastor to working in the nursery is done a volunteer basis by regular members. These jobs are termed "callings" because Mormons believe they are given from God, by inspiration and one is therefore called to serve God in whatever capacity necessary. Generally speaking, every active member of the Church has at least one calling, often more. Usually, one serves in a calling for a few years, then moves on to a new assignment.
Sacrament Meeting: Sacrament meeting is the major religious service Mormons attend. It is held every week on Sunday. During this meeting they take the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, hence the name. Ward business is also conducted and then members of the congregations speak to the congregation about religious topics as assigned by the bishopric.
CHAPTER ONE:
Mission: It is customary for young Mormon men and women to serve missions. This is a period of 18 to 24 months during which the missionary concentrates full-time on proselyting, and/or service work. During this time, missionaries live away from home and support themselves at their own expense. Ordinary social practices, such as dating, are curtailed and the focus is exclusively on the ministry. Missionaries adhere to a strict schedule, going to bed no later than 10:30 and awaking no later than 6:30. Missionaries serve all over the world, from Salt Lake City, UT to India and everywhere in between.
Seminary building: Mormon high school students attend an hour of religious training each school day. This is called Seminary, and in areas where the concentration of Mormons is sufficiently high, the Church owns a separate building adjacent to high school campuses for this purpose. In less concentrated areas, students wake up early and attend a class before their school day begins.
BYU: Brigham Young University. A large, private university run by the Church in Provo, Utah.
LDS/Latter-day Saint: The official name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this context, the term "saint" is used in the New Testament sense--meaning one who follows Christ and is seeking to be sanctified, or cleansed, by the Holy Spirit. This term does not imply perfection or a state of sinlessness, like famous saints in history. Mormons refer to themselves as Latter-day Saints, meaning followers of Christ who live in contemporary times, as opposed to the early Saints who lived in Christ's time. LDS is a common abbreviation for this term.
Porn: One of the most fundamental doctrines of Mormon theology is that humans are created in the image and likeness of God, and that we are His children with the potential to return to Him one day. Mormons believe that God has a tangible, glorified, perfect body and that our physical bodies are a gift. Mormons further believe that the family, including marriage is ordained of God and integral to His purposes. Because of these key beliefs, Mormons see the marital relationship as sacred, including sexual relations between a husband and wife. Mormons view sex as being a divine gift intended to bind marriages together. These beliefs set Mormons against pornography, which is seen as a threat to the family, degrading to women, demeaning and possibly addicting to those who look at it, and something that belittles and cheapens the human body and spirit--which was created in the image of God. As pornography becomes more accessible and mainstream, it is a growing concern to Church leaders and members. In Western culture generally, there is no clear consensus about whether it is good or bad. However, there is growing concern in at least some circles that there are serious social costs to widespread consumption of porn. Here is one example.
CHAPTER TWO:
DeJong Concert Hall: The largest, most prestigious performing venue at BYU.
Young Ambassadors: A prestigious performing group at BYU that blends singing and dancing. The Young Ambassadors literally travel the world and YA alumni frequently go on to perform on Broadway.
CHAPTER THREE:
Blessing: Mormons believe in the New Testament (James 5:14) practice of blessing the sick. This ordinance is done by the laying on of hands. Any priesthood holder can give a blessing and home teachers are frequently called on to do this.
Home Teacher: Every household in the Church is supposed to be assigned home teachers. Home teachers are two priesthood holders who are to serve as shepherds and watch over the members of that household, assisting and helping in both spiritual and temporal challenges. A monthly visit with a spiritual message is the minimum standard.
The assignment to home teach is filled with varying degrees of faithfulness by different priesthood holders.
Book of Mormon: The full name is The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Mormons believe in and study the Bible but also regard another book as scripture. The Book of Mormon is the record of a group of people who left Jerusalem and migrated to the New World around 600 B.C. The Bible is a record of the prophets who lived in the Old World. The Book of Mormon is an additional testament of Jesus Christ, and records the prophetic teachings of the people on the American continent. The climax of the book is the appearance of Jesus Christ to his disciples here on this continent. The name comes from the ancient prophet (Mormon) who was the chief editor and compiler of the volume. For more information go here.
Relief Society: The Relief Society is the women's organization within the Church. It is one of the largest and oldest women's organizations in the world, having been founded in 1842. The name comes from its mission, which is to bring relief from physical and spiritual suffering to every possible person. The Relief Society meets for an hour every Sunday for a lesson, similar to Sunday School.
Elder Horton: Missionaries who are serving full-time missions go by the title, "Elder," denoting their position as a full-time minister, or elder of the Church. The fact that Elder Horton, the missionary who taught and baptized her into the Church, is still in school suggests that Eula is a convert of fairly recent years.
CHAPTER FOUR:
Elder's Quorum: Elder is a priesthood office in the Church. Priesthood groups are called quorums. Thus, the Elder's Quorum is a group of priesthood holders, generally younger men, usually between the ages of 21-40. They have responsibility for ministering to the needs of Church members and often end up taking care of some of the physically demanding jobs, such as helping people move, repairing homes of members, and so forth. The president of the elder's quorum is a position of substantial responsibility. It is a high-stress position that requires a great deal of time and energy.
Coke: Active Mormons adhere to a code of health called the Word of Wisdom. The Word of Wisdom prohibits coffee, tea, alcohol, and illegal drugs, while encouraging the consumption of whole grains and fresh produce. Many Mormons apply this to the drinking of any caffeinated beverages, such as cola drinks, although this is not an official teaching of the Church.
Gold-bible angel stuff: Mormons believe Joseph Smith’s statement that he translated The Book of Mormon from plates made of gold metal. He was led to these plates by an angel. For his account, here.
Polygamy: For a period of about 50 years in the 1800s, Mormons practiced polygamy. The Church officially stopped the practice in 1890. Since that time, polygamy is considered a serious transgression and is grounds for excommunication. A number of small splinter groups have continued the practice, and sometimes these groups are confused with the Mormons. This causes a great deal of embarrassment to members of the Church. This is one of the most frequent misconceptions that contemporary Mormons encounter. The conversation Curtis is having with his boss is something that many Mormons will recognize and is drawn from the author's personal experience.
President Hunter: The formal title for the presiding office of a priesthood quorum or stake is “president.”
PEC: Priesthood Executive Council. This is a weekly meeting in which the leaders of different groups and auxiliaries meet together with the bishop to coordinate efforts and discuss the needs of ward members.
KGB: Curtis is referring to the Russian KGB, this is not a Mormon term.
Priesthood Leadership Meeting: Because Mormons do not have a paid clergy, all position are filled by volunteers. Consequently, there is an active program of training meetings for those involved in the ministry. The positions named in this email are all leadership positions in a local congregation.
Move out to Utah: Because of the large concentration of Mormons living in Utah, there are many more people in each congregation to fill the needed positions. Consequently, Mormons outside of Utah sometimes joke about moving to Utah and not having a serious position of responsibility. In addition, the geographical boundaries of most wards tend to be measured in blocks as opposed to the much larger areas outside of Utah.
CHAPTER FIVE:
Stars, moons, and sun: In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul had a vision in which he described the various glories and kingdoms of heaven (1 Corinthians 15: 40-41). Joseph Smith amplified this teaching, based on a remarkable vision he had of the life to come. describing the traditional view of heaven in more detail. To Mormons, these are well recognized symbols of the cosmos and the span and scope of eternity.
Pearl of Great Price: A small volume of scripture, translated by Joseph Smith, including some remarkable visions of the cosmos and eternity by Moses and Abraham.
Restoration: Mormons believe that Christ taught his pure gospel and established his church while he was on the earth. A hallmark of this church was his authority—the priesthood—which he entrusted to his apostles. The priesthood enabled his earthly servants to minister in his name. When the apostles were killed and the early Christians persecuted, Mormons believe that this authority was eventually lost from the earth. It was restored in 1830 to Joseph Smith. This is what Mormons call the Restoration.
Alma: A book in The Book of Mormon, named after one of the prophets.
Temples: Like the ancient Israelites, Mormons build temples--sacred houses of worship. Temples are far holier than the meetinghouses where congregations meet. To a Mormon, the temple is the holiest place on the earth. Members take turns maintaining and cleaning the temples. Only members in good standing can enter a temple, so this phone call demonstrates that Ed may be unorthodox, but is still in full fellowship.
CHAPTER SIX:
"Sustained…all those in favor": Whenever a member of a congregation is given a new calling, he or she stands in front of the congregation and the bishop announces the calling. The congregation then affirms their support by raising their right hand. They also have the opportunity to vote against the proposed calling, if they know of any reason why the proposed candidate is unworthy, untrustworthy, or unsuitable.
“I Am A Child of God” A simple and beloved children’s song. You can hear the song here.
Sacrament: Mormons take the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper every week. It is considered one of the holiest moments of the week and members are supposed to do this only if they are in full fellowship with the Church. Mormons believe that it is a covenant with God, and not something to be done lightly. Mormon teaching emphasizes that as fallen sinners, humans can be saved only through the grace of Christ. However, that grace is available to those who are making an honest effort to obey Christ’s teachings. Mormons do not believe they can earn salvation, but they do believe God expects them to do what they can. This means that one should not take the sacrament unless one has repented of one’s sins.
Mosiah: A book in the The Book of Mormon, named after one of the prophets whose teachings are recorded therein.
Mission president: A mission president is a position of significant responsibility in the Church. Mission presidents preside over the young missionaries, usually between 150-200. It involves a great deal of administrative and ministerial effort to keep this many young men and women focused and engaged.
Zone conference: Meetings of small groups of missionaries that occur on a regular basis.
Confess: Mormons believe that most sins are dealt with between the Lord and the sinner. However, for more serious sins, including habitual problems or addictions, members are encouraged to seek the guidance and help of the bishop. The bishop, as the Lord’s earthly representative, gives counsel and support to aid the struggling member. However, Mormons believe that only the Lord can forgive sins—no earthly person has that power. Confession is seen as one step in a process of repenting, not as a final act that stands alone.
Church discipline: The Church exists to help imperfect people who are struggling to become better and to live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Everyone is a sinner who has fallen short of the glory of God. However, there are occasions when members commit sins that are so serious that their membership in the Church is called into question. For example, adultery, abuse, or criminal acts are all serious enough that they might require a Mormon to be excommunicated of disfellowshipped. Mormon teaching holds that the withdrawal of fellowship and membership is the most serious consequence that any religious society can impose.
Looking at pornography, while considered sinful, would not be in the category of something that would lead to this kind of formal discipline. It is a sign of Scott’s confusion, guilt, and lack of clear-thinking that he is worried about this consequence.
Joseph Smith made the whole thing up: Mormons believe that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, a latter-day equivalent of Moses or Isaiah or Elijah—any of the other Biblical prophets. In 1820, he first came to notice when he described a visit from God, the Father, and Jesus Christ. During this vision, Joseph was called to be a prophet and this visitation is foundational to Mormon belief. You can read a first-hand account of this vision here.
Fifth Sunday: On regular Sundays, Mormons all meet together in Sacrament Meeting. They then have Sunday School, which is followed by meeting together in their priesthood quorums or Relief Society classes. On months when there are five Sundays, the fifth Sunday all the adults in the congregation meet together and discuss an issue that the bishop feels is timely and important.
3 Nephi: One of the books in The Book of Mormon. 3 Nephi contains one of the highlights of the book in that it records a visit to the inhabitants of the Americas by the resurrected Jesus Christ. During his visit, Christ ministered to the people in the same way He had in Palestine. He blessed, taught, and healed them.
Primary: The children’s organization of the Church, similar to Sunday School. During this time, children from ages 3-12 meet by age. They sing and hear stories from the scriptures. Younger children often color pictures as well.
Nephite: One of the groups of people chronicled in The Book of Mormon.
CHAPTER SEVEN:
Branch: Larger Mormon congregations are wards. Very small congregations, with only a few people in them are called branches.
Ensign: A monthly magazine published by the Church.
First Presidency: The highest leadership body of the Church. The Church is led by a president and he is assisted by two counselors, or assistants. Each month one of them publishes a short message in the Ensign.
President Monson: Thomas S. Monson is the current president of the Church. He is known for his warm, personal style. He is particularly known for the personal anecdotes and stories he tells. As a young man in his twenties, he was called to be the bishop of his ward, a significant responsibility for one so young. The ward in which he served had a large number of widows and he became famous for the extra care and time he took to watch over them.
Word of Wisdom: In addition to the prohibition of tobacco and alcohol, the Word of Wisdom also encourages consumption of healthy foods, such as whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Ye Elders of Israel: A rousing hymn sung frequently at priesthood meetings. Using Old Testament imagery, it speaks of leaving Babylon (the symbol of worldly wickedness) behind and going to Zion, the city of the pure in heart. You can listen to this song here.
I Know That My Redeemer Lives: I Know That My Redeemer Lives: A beloved Mormon hymn that focuses on the personal aspects of Jesus' healing love. You can hear the song here.
CHAPTER EIGHT:
Gym floor: Most Mormon meetinghouses are built with the chapel in the center of the building. There is usually a gym behind the chapel, separated by an accordian curtain. This allows the gym to be used as overflow seating. Meetinghouses are almost like community centers in terms of the variety of activities that might be happening on weekends and some evenings. For active Mormons, a meetinghouse will be a primary locus of spiritual but also social life.
Relief Society room: In addition to the chapel and gym and other classrooms, most meetinghouses have a large room designated for the use of the Relief Society. Generally speaking, these rooms are the nicest rooms in the building in terms of furnishing and decor. They are usually the largest room after the chapel and gym.
Regional Singles Council: An organization to support and reach out to single adults in the Church. A singles council plans and coordinate activities.
Atonement: A word used to describe the totality of Christ's sacrifice. This includes His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and crucifixion. Mormons believe that it is through the Atonement that flawed mortals can gain forgiveness of sins as well as the grace to move past those sins and become better.
CHAPTER NINE:
Our Savior's Love: A beloved Mormon hymn. You can hear the song here.
Living Scriptures: Animated films of scripture stories from the Bible and Book of Mormon. These are popular among many Mormon families.
Forward the file to the Stake President: This young man is preparing to go on a mission for the Church. Part of that preparation includes an interview with the bishop and stake president. This interview certifies adherence to Church teaching, emotional and physical fitness. Missionary service is emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually demanding. Part of being a missionary is avoiding pornography, so the contrast is sharp for Scott.
CHAPTER TEN:
President Hinckley: Gordon B. Hinckley was the president of the Church and prophet immediately before the current president, Thomas S. Monson. Presidents of the Church serve in this capacity from the time of their calling until they pass away.
Missionary work: Although the full-time missionaries do the proselyting in the Church, they require a great deal of support from members of the local wards--meals and rides to appointments are two common ways members help.
CHAPTER ELEVEN:
Have I ever healed someone....: Mormons believe that the healing of the sick is possible through faith and the power of the priesthood.
CHAPTER TWELVE: President Hinckley challenged the youth in the Church to live according to "what he called the "Six B's." They were challenged to "Be grateful, be clean, be smart, be true, be prayerful, and be humble."
The explanations in the glossary are the sole opinion of the author. They are not official statements of Church doctrine and policy. Any errors are the responsibility of the author. Readers interested in authoritative expressions of Church doctrine should go the Church's website.
Terms are listed in the order of their appearance in the book as opposed to alphabetically.
If you have a question, or would like to suggest a term that needs to be included, please click to contact me here.
PROLOGUE:
Road Show: Road shows are short (10-15 minute) plays that used to be produced every year by local congregations, usually by the youth group. In Utah, where there are multiple Mormon churches literally every mile or two, the actors would drive from church building to church building and perform the gathered audience who would watch several in one night. The performers took their show on the road to perform, hence the name. At some point, probably during the gas crisis in the 1970s, the Church changed the practice and everyone gathered in one building to watch and perform.
Theatre has been an important part of Mormon culture from the very early days of the faith. Road shows were intended to continue that tradition and create a wholesome, recreational event for the congregation, especially the youth. In this regard, they can be valuable community building events.
From a purely dramatic point of view, they were usually of poor quality with exaggerated acting, silly plots and so on. Consequently Mormons who are trained in theatre tend to not have very high opinion of them--and also dread being asked, or called, to direct them.
Visiting Teacher: Every woman in the Church has two women from the congregation who are assigned to watch over and support her. They visit her at least once a month and share a spiritual thought. These women are called "visiting teachers" and are to offer spiritual guidance, emotional support, and friendship. Every woman has these visiting teachers and every woman is, in turn, a visiting teacher to another woman.
Sister/Brother: Terms of formal address used in the Church, they are roughly analogous to Mr., Ms., Mrs., etc. Generally speaking, members of the Church who are friends with each other or are the same age would use first names. The title is generally used in more formal settings or as a sign of respect to an older person, or when the two parties conversing are not on familiar terms.
Priesthood Campout: There are no professional clergy in the Church. All leadership positions are filled by the lay members. Thus, the priesthood, which Mormons define as the authority to act in God's name, is open to all worthy, male members of the Church. Because of this, the term "priesthood" has come to mean both the authority to officiate in Church ceremonies as well as the body of men who hold the priesthood.
Camping is a popular activity in the Church, among many members. Thus it is quite common for the men in a congregation to go camping once a year.
Bishop, Stake Activities Chairman, Ward, Stake, Stake Presidency: The Church is highly organized on many levels. Local congregations are called wards. They are presided over by a bishop, and two counselors who assist. Together they are called the bishopric. A bishop is similar to a parish priest or senior pastor in other churches.
A group of wards together forms an administrative unit called a stake. This term comes from the Old Testament writings of the prophet Isaiah who prophesied that in the last days, the Lord's church would be like a large tent held up by numerous stakes, Isaiah 54:2) It is somewhat similar to a Catholic diocese. A stake is presided over by a stake president, also assisted by two counselors. Together they are called the stake presidency. A ward gets its name from the very early days of the church when the Mormons lived in one city and ecclesiastical and political governance overlapped. Wards or precincts were administrative areas of the city. The term now has no political meaning and refers simply to a local congregation.
Stakes and wards have committees that are in charge of organizing cultural, social, and athletic activities, hence they are called "Activities Committees."
Calling: Because there are no professional clergy in the Church, every task from senior pastor to working in the nursery is done a volunteer basis by regular members. These jobs are termed "callings" because Mormons believe they are given from God, by inspiration and one is therefore called to serve God in whatever capacity necessary. Generally speaking, every active member of the Church has at least one calling, often more. Usually, one serves in a calling for a few years, then moves on to a new assignment.
Sacrament Meeting: Sacrament meeting is the major religious service Mormons attend. It is held every week on Sunday. During this meeting they take the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, hence the name. Ward business is also conducted and then members of the congregations speak to the congregation about religious topics as assigned by the bishopric.
CHAPTER ONE:
Mission: It is customary for young Mormon men and women to serve missions. This is a period of 18 to 24 months during which the missionary concentrates full-time on proselyting, and/or service work. During this time, missionaries live away from home and support themselves at their own expense. Ordinary social practices, such as dating, are curtailed and the focus is exclusively on the ministry. Missionaries adhere to a strict schedule, going to bed no later than 10:30 and awaking no later than 6:30. Missionaries serve all over the world, from Salt Lake City, UT to India and everywhere in between.
Seminary building: Mormon high school students attend an hour of religious training each school day. This is called Seminary, and in areas where the concentration of Mormons is sufficiently high, the Church owns a separate building adjacent to high school campuses for this purpose. In less concentrated areas, students wake up early and attend a class before their school day begins.
BYU: Brigham Young University. A large, private university run by the Church in Provo, Utah.
LDS/Latter-day Saint: The official name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this context, the term "saint" is used in the New Testament sense--meaning one who follows Christ and is seeking to be sanctified, or cleansed, by the Holy Spirit. This term does not imply perfection or a state of sinlessness, like famous saints in history. Mormons refer to themselves as Latter-day Saints, meaning followers of Christ who live in contemporary times, as opposed to the early Saints who lived in Christ's time. LDS is a common abbreviation for this term.
Porn: One of the most fundamental doctrines of Mormon theology is that humans are created in the image and likeness of God, and that we are His children with the potential to return to Him one day. Mormons believe that God has a tangible, glorified, perfect body and that our physical bodies are a gift. Mormons further believe that the family, including marriage is ordained of God and integral to His purposes. Because of these key beliefs, Mormons see the marital relationship as sacred, including sexual relations between a husband and wife. Mormons view sex as being a divine gift intended to bind marriages together. These beliefs set Mormons against pornography, which is seen as a threat to the family, degrading to women, demeaning and possibly addicting to those who look at it, and something that belittles and cheapens the human body and spirit--which was created in the image of God. As pornography becomes more accessible and mainstream, it is a growing concern to Church leaders and members. In Western culture generally, there is no clear consensus about whether it is good or bad. However, there is growing concern in at least some circles that there are serious social costs to widespread consumption of porn. Here is one example.
CHAPTER TWO:
DeJong Concert Hall: The largest, most prestigious performing venue at BYU.
Young Ambassadors: A prestigious performing group at BYU that blends singing and dancing. The Young Ambassadors literally travel the world and YA alumni frequently go on to perform on Broadway.
CHAPTER THREE:
Blessing: Mormons believe in the New Testament (James 5:14) practice of blessing the sick. This ordinance is done by the laying on of hands. Any priesthood holder can give a blessing and home teachers are frequently called on to do this.
Home Teacher: Every household in the Church is supposed to be assigned home teachers. Home teachers are two priesthood holders who are to serve as shepherds and watch over the members of that household, assisting and helping in both spiritual and temporal challenges. A monthly visit with a spiritual message is the minimum standard.
The assignment to home teach is filled with varying degrees of faithfulness by different priesthood holders.
Book of Mormon: The full name is The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Mormons believe in and study the Bible but also regard another book as scripture. The Book of Mormon is the record of a group of people who left Jerusalem and migrated to the New World around 600 B.C. The Bible is a record of the prophets who lived in the Old World. The Book of Mormon is an additional testament of Jesus Christ, and records the prophetic teachings of the people on the American continent. The climax of the book is the appearance of Jesus Christ to his disciples here on this continent. The name comes from the ancient prophet (Mormon) who was the chief editor and compiler of the volume. For more information go here.
Relief Society: The Relief Society is the women's organization within the Church. It is one of the largest and oldest women's organizations in the world, having been founded in 1842. The name comes from its mission, which is to bring relief from physical and spiritual suffering to every possible person. The Relief Society meets for an hour every Sunday for a lesson, similar to Sunday School.
Elder Horton: Missionaries who are serving full-time missions go by the title, "Elder," denoting their position as a full-time minister, or elder of the Church. The fact that Elder Horton, the missionary who taught and baptized her into the Church, is still in school suggests that Eula is a convert of fairly recent years.
CHAPTER FOUR:
Elder's Quorum: Elder is a priesthood office in the Church. Priesthood groups are called quorums. Thus, the Elder's Quorum is a group of priesthood holders, generally younger men, usually between the ages of 21-40. They have responsibility for ministering to the needs of Church members and often end up taking care of some of the physically demanding jobs, such as helping people move, repairing homes of members, and so forth. The president of the elder's quorum is a position of substantial responsibility. It is a high-stress position that requires a great deal of time and energy.
Coke: Active Mormons adhere to a code of health called the Word of Wisdom. The Word of Wisdom prohibits coffee, tea, alcohol, and illegal drugs, while encouraging the consumption of whole grains and fresh produce. Many Mormons apply this to the drinking of any caffeinated beverages, such as cola drinks, although this is not an official teaching of the Church.
Gold-bible angel stuff: Mormons believe Joseph Smith’s statement that he translated The Book of Mormon from plates made of gold metal. He was led to these plates by an angel. For his account, here.
Polygamy: For a period of about 50 years in the 1800s, Mormons practiced polygamy. The Church officially stopped the practice in 1890. Since that time, polygamy is considered a serious transgression and is grounds for excommunication. A number of small splinter groups have continued the practice, and sometimes these groups are confused with the Mormons. This causes a great deal of embarrassment to members of the Church. This is one of the most frequent misconceptions that contemporary Mormons encounter. The conversation Curtis is having with his boss is something that many Mormons will recognize and is drawn from the author's personal experience.
President Hunter: The formal title for the presiding office of a priesthood quorum or stake is “president.”
PEC: Priesthood Executive Council. This is a weekly meeting in which the leaders of different groups and auxiliaries meet together with the bishop to coordinate efforts and discuss the needs of ward members.
KGB: Curtis is referring to the Russian KGB, this is not a Mormon term.
Priesthood Leadership Meeting: Because Mormons do not have a paid clergy, all position are filled by volunteers. Consequently, there is an active program of training meetings for those involved in the ministry. The positions named in this email are all leadership positions in a local congregation.
Move out to Utah: Because of the large concentration of Mormons living in Utah, there are many more people in each congregation to fill the needed positions. Consequently, Mormons outside of Utah sometimes joke about moving to Utah and not having a serious position of responsibility. In addition, the geographical boundaries of most wards tend to be measured in blocks as opposed to the much larger areas outside of Utah.
CHAPTER FIVE:
Stars, moons, and sun: In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul had a vision in which he described the various glories and kingdoms of heaven (1 Corinthians 15: 40-41). Joseph Smith amplified this teaching, based on a remarkable vision he had of the life to come. describing the traditional view of heaven in more detail. To Mormons, these are well recognized symbols of the cosmos and the span and scope of eternity.
Pearl of Great Price: A small volume of scripture, translated by Joseph Smith, including some remarkable visions of the cosmos and eternity by Moses and Abraham.
Restoration: Mormons believe that Christ taught his pure gospel and established his church while he was on the earth. A hallmark of this church was his authority—the priesthood—which he entrusted to his apostles. The priesthood enabled his earthly servants to minister in his name. When the apostles were killed and the early Christians persecuted, Mormons believe that this authority was eventually lost from the earth. It was restored in 1830 to Joseph Smith. This is what Mormons call the Restoration.
Alma: A book in The Book of Mormon, named after one of the prophets.
Temples: Like the ancient Israelites, Mormons build temples--sacred houses of worship. Temples are far holier than the meetinghouses where congregations meet. To a Mormon, the temple is the holiest place on the earth. Members take turns maintaining and cleaning the temples. Only members in good standing can enter a temple, so this phone call demonstrates that Ed may be unorthodox, but is still in full fellowship.
CHAPTER SIX:
"Sustained…all those in favor": Whenever a member of a congregation is given a new calling, he or she stands in front of the congregation and the bishop announces the calling. The congregation then affirms their support by raising their right hand. They also have the opportunity to vote against the proposed calling, if they know of any reason why the proposed candidate is unworthy, untrustworthy, or unsuitable.
“I Am A Child of God” A simple and beloved children’s song. You can hear the song here.
Sacrament: Mormons take the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper every week. It is considered one of the holiest moments of the week and members are supposed to do this only if they are in full fellowship with the Church. Mormons believe that it is a covenant with God, and not something to be done lightly. Mormon teaching emphasizes that as fallen sinners, humans can be saved only through the grace of Christ. However, that grace is available to those who are making an honest effort to obey Christ’s teachings. Mormons do not believe they can earn salvation, but they do believe God expects them to do what they can. This means that one should not take the sacrament unless one has repented of one’s sins.
Mosiah: A book in the The Book of Mormon, named after one of the prophets whose teachings are recorded therein.
Mission president: A mission president is a position of significant responsibility in the Church. Mission presidents preside over the young missionaries, usually between 150-200. It involves a great deal of administrative and ministerial effort to keep this many young men and women focused and engaged.
Zone conference: Meetings of small groups of missionaries that occur on a regular basis.
Confess: Mormons believe that most sins are dealt with between the Lord and the sinner. However, for more serious sins, including habitual problems or addictions, members are encouraged to seek the guidance and help of the bishop. The bishop, as the Lord’s earthly representative, gives counsel and support to aid the struggling member. However, Mormons believe that only the Lord can forgive sins—no earthly person has that power. Confession is seen as one step in a process of repenting, not as a final act that stands alone.
Church discipline: The Church exists to help imperfect people who are struggling to become better and to live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Everyone is a sinner who has fallen short of the glory of God. However, there are occasions when members commit sins that are so serious that their membership in the Church is called into question. For example, adultery, abuse, or criminal acts are all serious enough that they might require a Mormon to be excommunicated of disfellowshipped. Mormon teaching holds that the withdrawal of fellowship and membership is the most serious consequence that any religious society can impose.
Looking at pornography, while considered sinful, would not be in the category of something that would lead to this kind of formal discipline. It is a sign of Scott’s confusion, guilt, and lack of clear-thinking that he is worried about this consequence.
Joseph Smith made the whole thing up: Mormons believe that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, a latter-day equivalent of Moses or Isaiah or Elijah—any of the other Biblical prophets. In 1820, he first came to notice when he described a visit from God, the Father, and Jesus Christ. During this vision, Joseph was called to be a prophet and this visitation is foundational to Mormon belief. You can read a first-hand account of this vision here.
Fifth Sunday: On regular Sundays, Mormons all meet together in Sacrament Meeting. They then have Sunday School, which is followed by meeting together in their priesthood quorums or Relief Society classes. On months when there are five Sundays, the fifth Sunday all the adults in the congregation meet together and discuss an issue that the bishop feels is timely and important.
3 Nephi: One of the books in The Book of Mormon. 3 Nephi contains one of the highlights of the book in that it records a visit to the inhabitants of the Americas by the resurrected Jesus Christ. During his visit, Christ ministered to the people in the same way He had in Palestine. He blessed, taught, and healed them.
Primary: The children’s organization of the Church, similar to Sunday School. During this time, children from ages 3-12 meet by age. They sing and hear stories from the scriptures. Younger children often color pictures as well.
Nephite: One of the groups of people chronicled in The Book of Mormon.
CHAPTER SEVEN:
Branch: Larger Mormon congregations are wards. Very small congregations, with only a few people in them are called branches.
Ensign: A monthly magazine published by the Church.
First Presidency: The highest leadership body of the Church. The Church is led by a president and he is assisted by two counselors, or assistants. Each month one of them publishes a short message in the Ensign.
President Monson: Thomas S. Monson is the current president of the Church. He is known for his warm, personal style. He is particularly known for the personal anecdotes and stories he tells. As a young man in his twenties, he was called to be the bishop of his ward, a significant responsibility for one so young. The ward in which he served had a large number of widows and he became famous for the extra care and time he took to watch over them.
Word of Wisdom: In addition to the prohibition of tobacco and alcohol, the Word of Wisdom also encourages consumption of healthy foods, such as whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Ye Elders of Israel: A rousing hymn sung frequently at priesthood meetings. Using Old Testament imagery, it speaks of leaving Babylon (the symbol of worldly wickedness) behind and going to Zion, the city of the pure in heart. You can listen to this song here.
I Know That My Redeemer Lives: I Know That My Redeemer Lives: A beloved Mormon hymn that focuses on the personal aspects of Jesus' healing love. You can hear the song here.
CHAPTER EIGHT:
Gym floor: Most Mormon meetinghouses are built with the chapel in the center of the building. There is usually a gym behind the chapel, separated by an accordian curtain. This allows the gym to be used as overflow seating. Meetinghouses are almost like community centers in terms of the variety of activities that might be happening on weekends and some evenings. For active Mormons, a meetinghouse will be a primary locus of spiritual but also social life.
Relief Society room: In addition to the chapel and gym and other classrooms, most meetinghouses have a large room designated for the use of the Relief Society. Generally speaking, these rooms are the nicest rooms in the building in terms of furnishing and decor. They are usually the largest room after the chapel and gym.
Regional Singles Council: An organization to support and reach out to single adults in the Church. A singles council plans and coordinate activities.
Atonement: A word used to describe the totality of Christ's sacrifice. This includes His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and crucifixion. Mormons believe that it is through the Atonement that flawed mortals can gain forgiveness of sins as well as the grace to move past those sins and become better.
CHAPTER NINE:
Our Savior's Love: A beloved Mormon hymn. You can hear the song here.
Living Scriptures: Animated films of scripture stories from the Bible and Book of Mormon. These are popular among many Mormon families.
Forward the file to the Stake President: This young man is preparing to go on a mission for the Church. Part of that preparation includes an interview with the bishop and stake president. This interview certifies adherence to Church teaching, emotional and physical fitness. Missionary service is emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually demanding. Part of being a missionary is avoiding pornography, so the contrast is sharp for Scott.
CHAPTER TEN:
President Hinckley: Gordon B. Hinckley was the president of the Church and prophet immediately before the current president, Thomas S. Monson. Presidents of the Church serve in this capacity from the time of their calling until they pass away.
Missionary work: Although the full-time missionaries do the proselyting in the Church, they require a great deal of support from members of the local wards--meals and rides to appointments are two common ways members help.
CHAPTER ELEVEN:
Have I ever healed someone....: Mormons believe that the healing of the sick is possible through faith and the power of the priesthood.
CHAPTER TWELVE: President Hinckley challenged the youth in the Church to live according to "what he called the "Six B's." They were challenged to "Be grateful, be clean, be smart, be true, be prayerful, and be humble."