~~ Dictionary of Mormonese ~~

This is a condensed version. Read the complete version in Adobe format here.

One of the major difficulties in witnessing to Mormons is that they speak a unique language. Not only have they coined numerous words and expressions unique to Mormonism, but they have also given unique definitions to commonly used words and expressions. Some have called the language "Mormonese".

This dictionary is an attempt to help the non-Mormon understand Mormonese. On the one hand, I have tried to give as concise definitions as possible. On the other hand, I have frequently elected to quote their authoritative writings. The reason for doing this is twofold: (1) to support the definition given; (2) to illustrate how Mormons use a particular word.

In the case of numerous words, it was quite difficult to arrive at a single definition because Mormons themselves, and even their authoritative writings, differ on its definition. In such cases, I tried to give their most commonly used definition.

Occasionally, the biblical meaning of a word will be offered in contrast to the Mormon definition. These references to the biblical meaning are not meant to be thorough definitions.

Finally, it will be important to keep in mind that the definition given is not the biblical or Christian definition, but the LDS definition.

AARONIC PRIESTHOOD: Also known as the lesser priesthood. It serves as the entry point into the priesthood for boys twelve and older and adult male converts. Members of the priesthood supposedly experience "the ministering of angels." This priesthood is responsible for the church's temporal affairs........

ATONEMENT: (1) Used almost exclusively as a reference to Jesus' conquering physical death for all people. By conquering physical death, Jesus made it possible for them to enter again into the presence of Heavenly Father-if for no other reason than to be judged by him. In other words, they are again at one with him, or atoned. (2) At times it includes the thought of Jesus' paying for their sins. But underlying all such references is the thought that they have to pay him back. For a good example of the LDS view of Jesus' atoning work, see Gospel Principles, pp.68-71.........

BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD: One of the three main missions of the LDS church is to redeem the dead by being baptized for them. Mormons believe that spirits who accept Mormonism in the spirit world cannot progress until they are baptized. Such spirits must receive baptism vicariously through a living person since they don't have a body that can be baptized. Such baptisms can be performed only in the temple..........

BIBLE: One of four books Mormons consider scripture. They believe it to be the Word of God "as far as it is translated correctly" (Eighth Article of Faith). In addition they believe many precious parts have been lost from it (1 Nephi 13:28). Consequently they consider it the least reliable of their scriptures. Most Mormon are not familiar with it. .........

BLOOD ATONEMENT: A concept not discussed much in modern Mormonism. Historically Mormonism taught that the only way murderers could atone for their crime was through the shedding of their own blood. A remnant of this teaching can be seen today in that Utah still offers the option of being executed by firing squad............

BOOK OF ABRAHAM: A section of the Pearl of Great Price, and thus a part of LDS scripture. It talks about gods creating the world and about Kolob, the star closest to God's throne. Joseph Smith claimed to have translated it from Egyptian papyri he obtained. This was disproved in 1967 when these papyri were found in the Metropolitan Museum in New York and it was ascertained that they contained a description of Egyptian burial rites.

BOOK OF MORMON: Subtitled "Another Testament of Jesus Christ," it is one of four books Mormons consider scripture. It contains the story of the supposed migration of groups of Jews to the Americas and their subsequent history in the Americas. It does not contain much LDS teaching. Mormons highly respect it, but many have never read it. Certain of its stories are commonly known, being taught to them since childhood.

BOOK OF MOSES: A section of the Pearl of Great Price and thus considered part of Mormon scripture. It contains teachings on the plurally of gods, Adam's "good" fall, and Satan's rebellion and fall. ..........

CELESTIAL MARRIAGE: Being married in the temple for time and eternity, which is essential for exaltation. It is also called eternal marriage. This can also be performed vicariously for the dead. "Everything required of us by God is associated with the law, but the major crowning point of the law which man must obey is eternal marriage. Therein lie the keys of eternal life, or, as the Doctrine and Covenants puts it, 'eternal lives.' In other words, an eternal increase of posterity" (Achieving A Celestial Marriage, p. 4). .........

CHRISTIAN: (1) Mormons are increasingly applying this term to themselves. They claim that Mormonism is true Christianity. They base their claim to being Christian on the fact that they have Christ in their church name and because they honor him highly. "Mormonism is Christianity; Christianity is Mormonism; they are one and the same, and they are not to be distinguished from each other in the minutest detail" (Mormon Doctrine, p. 513). (2) Christians. But they believe that Christians do not have the "fullness of the gospel." ..........

DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS: One of Mormonism's four scriptures. It consists of 140 "divine revelations and inspired declarations" received mostly by Joseph Smith. It teaches more Mormon doctrine than the other three LDS scriptures combined. ..........

ELOHIM: The Hebrew word for God. Mormons identify it exclusively with Heavenly Father. They say Jesus was Jehovah (translated LORD in English), although the Bible often uses both names in reference to the same person. For example see Genesis 2:4. Also see Jehovah.

ENDOWMENT: The initiatory temple rite that consists of being ceremonially washed, receiving a new name, receiving sacred garments, viewing the LDS version of creation and the fall, and learning various handshakes that are essential for exaltation. These rituals "are called endowments, because in and through them the recipents are endowed with power from on high" (Mormon Doctrine, pp. 226f.). Endowments are also performed vicariously for the dead. ........

FIRST VISION: The vision of Joseph Smith supposedly received in 1820 when Heavenly Father told him not to join any church since they were all corrupt. Mormons believe that it proves that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. "The key to a testimony of the gospel is Joseph Smith's first vision. All that we believe hinges on this account. . . . The greatest event that has ever occurred in the world since the resurrection of the Son of God from the tomb and his ascension on high, was the coming of the Father and of the Son to that boy Joseph Smith, to prepare the way for the laying of the foundation of His kingdom" (Sharing the Gospel Manual, pp. 33, 34). ...........

FORGIVENESS: Mormonism teaches that person must earn God's forgiveness. "Peace comes only through forgiveness. But forgiveness has a high price. President Kimball tells us: 'To every forgiveness there is a condition. . . . The fasting, the prayer, the humility must be equal to or greater that the sin. There must be a broken heart and contrite spirit. . . . There must be tears and genuine change of heart. There must be conviction of the sin, abandonment of the evil, confession of the error to properly constituted authorities of the Lord' " (Gospel Principles, p. 243, emphasis added). ...........

GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE: The place of Jesus' greatest suffering. "Even his crucifixion would not surpass the bitter anguish that he suffered in Gethsemane" (Gospel Principles, p. 61). Mormons base this on the fact that many people were crucified but only Jesus sweat drops of blood. ...........

GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST: The key to receiving revelation. "The gift of the Holy Ghost is the privilege given to a baptized person, after he has been confirmed a member of the Church, to receive guidance and inspiration from the Holy Ghost. . . . A person may be temporarily guided by the Holy Ghost without receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. . . . Today many nonmembers of the Church learn, by the power of the Holy Ghost, that the Book of Mormon is true. But the flash of testimony leaves them if they do not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Gospel Principles, p. 131ff.). Also see confirmation.

GOD: Mormons believe that Heavenly Father was once a man who subsequently obtained godhood. A popular couplet states: "As man now is, God once was; As God now is, man may be." They call him an exalted man and believe he has a physical body. " ' I say, if you were to see him today, you would see him like a man in form' [Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345]. God is glorified and perfected man, a personage of flesh and bones" (Gospel Principles, p. 6). Believing that God has a physical body is one of the most important tenets of Mormonism. ..........

GRACE: Not the unconditional, undeserved, unfathomable love on God's part that moved him to save us. Rather it is the power God gives people to save themselves, which he grants only after they have done everything they can do. "This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts" (LDS Bible Dictionary, p. 697). "We know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do" (2 Nephi 25:23). Also see free salvation. .........

HOLY GHOST: In Mormonism the Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit are two distinct entities. The Holy Ghost is a member of the godhead but not equal to the Heavenly Father. "The Holy Ghost is the third person in the Godhead. As such he possesses the power of Deity. However, he is not fully like the Father and the Son in that he does not have a body of flesh and bones. He is a personage of Spirit" (Sharing the Gospel Manual, p. 104). "He has a body of spirit. . . . He can be only in one place at a time, but his influence can be every place at the same time" (Gospel Principles, p. 34).

HOLY SPIRIT: A very confusing concept in Mormonism and therefore an expression Mormons don't employ much. It is not synonymous with the Holy Ghost but with the Spirit of the Lord, the Light of Christ, and the Spirit of Christ. "This other spirit is impersonal and has no size, not dimensions; it proceeds forth form the presence of the Father and the Son and is in all things. We should speak of the Holy Ghost as a personage as 'he' and this other Spirit as 'it', although when we speak of the power or gift of the Holy Ghost we may properly say 'it' " (Ensign, June, 1991, p. 26). ..........

JESUS: Mormons regard him in the following ways: (1) As the first spirit child of Heavenly Father. (2) As Jehovah. (3) As the only begotten Son. They believe he is the only Heavenly Father physically begat on this earth. Also see only begotten. (4) As the Savior. Not a Savior who did everything for mankind but rather one (a) who conquered physcial death for mankind, (b) who paid our debt and is patient with us as we pay him back in full, (c) who served as our example, showing us what we have to do to save ourselves. .........

JOSEPH SMITH: The founder of the Mormon religion. Mormons often refer to him simply as the Prophet. They believe that he participated in the creation of the world, that his coming was prophesied in the Book of Mormon, and that all who enter the celestial kingdom will have to be approved by him. "Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it" (D&C 135:3). Also see first vision. ..........

KINGDOMS OF GLORY: The three kingdoms of Mormon heaven: celestial, terrestrial, telestial. KOLOB: The star nearest the throne of God (Book of Abraham 3:3-9). One of their hymns (284) is entitled: "If You Could Hie to Kolob." Also see everlasting burnings. .........

MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD: The higher priesthood that worthy young men enter at the age 18 or 19. Mormons believe Peter, James, and John bestowed it on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in 1829. The offices of the Melchizedek priesthood are elder, seventy, high priest, and patriarch. MIA: Abbreviation for Mutual Improvement Associations, the name of their youth organizations. .........

MISSIONARY: Many young LDS men, at the age of 19, go on a two year mission. Some young women go on eighteen-month missions at the age of 21. Increasingly, retired persons are also serving on missions. Ideally, all who go on missions are to support themselves, although many also receive support from the church. Missionaries who remain in the United States receive only two weeks of training, while those going to a foreign country receive two months of language and culture training. ..........

ONLY BEGOTTEN SON: Mormons use this expression, not as Christians do to express Christ's divinity, but to refer to their belief that Jesus is the only person Heavenly Father physically begat on earth, "God was the Father of his fleshly tabernacle, and Mary--a mortal woman and virgin--was His mother. He is, therefore, the only person born who rightfully deserves the title 'the Only Begotten Son of God'" (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, April 1991, p. 2). "We believe that he came into the world, born of Mary, literally and actually, as we are born of our mothers: that he came into the world, born of God the Eternal Father, the Almighty Elohim, literally and actually, as we are born of our earthly fathers" (Bruce R. McConkie, quoted in Sharing the Gospel Manual, p. 74). ........

OUTER DARKNESS: The closest Mormonism comes to the biblical concept of hell. (Mormons define hell differently. See hell.) Outer darkness is the abode of Satan, demons, and the sons of perdition. Many Mormons believe that only a handful of people will qualify as sons of perdition and thus go to outer darkness. Also see son of perdition.

PARADISE: The section of the spirit world for the spirits of deceased Mormons. There they can continue their progression towards godhood; from there they can go on missions to spirit prison in order to convert non-Mormon spirits to Mormonism. .........

PEARL OF GREAT PRICE: One of the four Mormon written scriptures. It contains a collection of five brief items: the Book of Moses, the Book of Abraham, Joseph Smith--Matthew, Joseph Smith--History, and the Articles of Faith. Because it is short, it is usually printed with the Doctrine and Covenants in one volume. Most Mormons have never read it. ..........

PERFECTION: The major emphasis of Mormonism. Becoming perfect is the key to becoming exalted. This emphasis places great stress on many Mormons. "Perhaps no idea creates more emotional stress for some of us than the idea that we need to be perfect right now--or soon! . . . And when we fail to achieve perfection in some area, we criticize ourselves harshly, even to the spirit of despair" (Ensign, Sept. 1990,p.50). ..........

PLURAL MARRIAGE: Mormons use this term instead of polygamy. In 1843 this doctrine became part of LDS scripture (D&C 132). Plural marriage had been practiced by Joseph Smith and selected others previous to this and continued to be practiced openly until 1890. At that time, the living prophet, Wilford Woodruff, supposedly received a revelation which forbade this practice (cf. D&C Declaration 1). .........

PREEXISTENCE: Also called premortality or our first estate. Mormons believe we existed before our earth-life as spirit children of Heavenly Father. Also see spirit children. ........

PRIESTHOOD: Entered into by all worthy male members. Defined as both the authority and power God gives to act on his behalf. "The priesthood is the greatest power on earth" (Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood B, p. 19). Only those rites and ordinances performed by holders of the priesthood are valid in Mormon eyes. They also believe that it gives them the power to receive divine revelations. There are two types of priesthood: the Aaronic and the Melchizedek. .........

REPENTANCE: Abandoning the sin. Mormon repentance follows faith rather than preceding it. "If we sincerely repent, we turn away from our sins and do them no more. We no longer have any desire to commit the sins" (Uniform System for Teaching the Gospel, p.2-14). "There is one crucial test of repentance. This is abandonment of the sin. . . . The saving power does not extend him who merely wants to change his life. . . . Nor is repentance complete when one merely tries to abandon sin. To try is weak" (Spencer W. Kimball, quoted in Sharing the Gospel Manual, p. 94). .......

SABBATH: Sunday. On Sunday they are not to work (even around the house), shop, go to the movies, or engage in sports. They are to attend church meetings, rest, visit with family or sick, read inspirational literature. SACRAMENT: Used exclusively as a reference to the Lord's Supper. Mormons partake of the sacrament every Sunday. It consists of bread and water, and all members, including toddlers, receive it. Its purpose is to remind them of their obligation to obey God. " To keep his saints in constant remembrance of their obligation to accept and obey him--or in other words, to eat his flesh and drink his blood--the Lord has given them the sacramental ordinance" (Life and Teachings of Jesus & His Apostles, p. 93). ........

SANCTIFICATION: A term not commonly used in Mormonism. They use it to refer to a state of saintliness which is obtained as people purify themselves by overcoming sin. ........

SAVIOR: Mormons often refer to Jesus as their Savior. They believe he paid their debt to Heavenly Father and also conquered death for them. But they also believe that they have to pay him back in full. (For a good example of this, see Gospel Principles, pp. 68-71.) In other words, they believe he saved them by assuming their loan, refinancing it, and spreading out the payments. They do not believe that he saved them fully and freely by paying for their sins and then canceling the debt. Also see free salvation, Jesus. .........

SPIRIT CHILDREN: Mormons teach that in preexistence everyone lived as a spirit child of Heavenly Father and mother. They claim that spirit children can develop characteristics and begin their progression to godhood through the wise use of their agency. Also see spirit bodies and intelligences. ........

TELESTIAL KINGDOM: The lowest kingdom of heaven. It is not visited by Heavenly Father or Jesus but only by the Holy Ghost. This will be the final destination of carnal and wicked people. Although it is the lowest kingdom, its glory, which is symbolized as the the glory of stars, is described as surpassing all mortal understanding. Some Mormons refer to it as the "slums of heaven."

TEMPLE: A place not of joint worship but of individual sacred work. (Mormons would say that participating in the sacred work is worship.) Only temple-worthy Mormons can enter. There are three main temple rituals: (1) baptisms for the dead,(2) endowments both for living and the dead, (3) celestial marriage (sealings) both for the living and the dead. Participating in these rituals is essential for exaltation. Mormons are encouraged to have a picture of the temple hanging in their houses. In many ways, the temple holds the same place of reverence in a Mormon's life as Christ's cross does in a Christian's life. There are presently more that 50 temples worldwide.

TEMPLE GARMENTS: (1) The special garments worn only in the temple; (2) The sacred undergarments worn at all times which many feel gives them supernatural protection. Only temple-worthy Mormons can wear either of these garments. .........

TERRESTRIAL KINGDOM: The middle kingdom of heaven where people will be visited by Jesus but not by Heavenly Father. This will be the finial destination of honorable people and nonvaliant Mormons (Jack Mormons). ........

TITHING: Giving 10% of your income to the church. It is an important requirement for remaining in good standing in the church. It is essential for becoming temple-worthy. "Accordingly, tithing becomes one of the great tests of the personal righteousness of church members. 'By this principle, 'President Joseph F. Smith says,' the loyalty of the people of this Church shall be put to the test. By this principle it shall be known who is for the kingdom of God and who is against it. There is a great deal of importance connected with this principle, for by it it shall be known whether we are faithful or unfaithful' " (Bruce R. McConkie, quoted in Temple Preparation Seminar Discussions, p. 62). .........

TRINITY: Mormons do not believe in the Trinity. "And virtually all the millions of apostate Christendom have abased themselves before the mythical throne of a mythical Christ whom they vainly suppose to be a spirit essence who is incorporeal, uncreated, immaterial, and three-in-one with the Father and the Holy Spirit" (Mormon Doctrine, p. 269). ........

VICARIOUS WORK: A common Mormon expression describing temple work for the dead. It is most often used to describe being baptized for the dead........

WORD OF WISDOM: Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants. It rules out the use of liquor, tobacco, and "hot drinks" (which have been officially interpreted as tea and coffee). In a recent survey of LDS youth the #1 sin cited was breaking the Word of Wisdom; sexual immorality came in #5 (see Miracle of Forgiveness, pp. 64,65). A Mormon must keep the Word of Wisdom to be temple-worthy. .......

The complete Dictionary of Mormonese is in the book called:
"Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons"
By
Mark J. Cares

It can be purchased in its entirety from:
Northwestern Publishing House
1250 N. 113th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53226-3284
Published 1993
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN 0-8100-0487-9