Like many religions, organizations and groups around the world, there are terms or acronyms used in the Church that may be unfamiliar. Here's a quick guide to help as you learn about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
This priesthood is held by worthy young men ages 12 to 18 and new adult male members of the Church. The offices, or positions, in the Aaronic Priesthood are bishop, priest, teacher, and deacon. This priesthood administers the preparatory gospel, “the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins” (D&C 84:27).
In temples a living person is baptized on behalf of someone who has died. This ordinance offers the opportunity to accept the blessings of baptism to deceased persons who did not receive the teachings of Jesus Christ in mortal life.
You may hear us use words like brother or sister to address each other, like “Brother Jones” or “Sister Chan.” This tradition stems from our belief that we are all sons and daughters of God, and as such, brothers and sisters to each other.
You will also hear missionaries referred to as Elder and Sister while they are serving as full-time missionaries. This is a small way to show how these young men and women are doing something different and holy with their lives while they serve. Elder or Sister can also be a title for men and women who serve in general leadership positions in the Church.
An assignment or position of service in the Church. Each calling has specifically defined duties that a member fulfills until he or she is released, often to fulfill a new assignment.
A sacred promise, or agreement, made between a person or a group of people and God.
CTR stands for “choose the right.” It’s a motto young Primary children learn, and they receive a CTR ring as a reminder to do what’s right. It’s also the name of many of the classes that Primary-age children attend (for example, CTR 4 and CTR 8 are the names of the classes for the four- and eight-year-old children, respectively). Teens and adults sometimes continue to wear CTR rings or necklaces with these three letters.
An office of responsibility in the Aaronic Priesthood generally held by young men ages 12 to 13.
This is not a Sunday that goes by faster than others. On the first Sunday of each month, Church members fast, or voluntarily go without food and drink for two meals, in order to grow closer to God. The Church encourages members to take the money they would have spent on food and donate it as an offering to help the poor.
Don’t bring marshmallows or expect to have a real fire at a Church fireside. Fireside is a name for a special Sunday night meeting that usually involves a guest speaker and some refreshments. Firesides happen maybe once or twice a year and are often held for members of the youth program or those 12 years old and older.
Melchizedek Priesthood leaders who administer the affairs of the entire Church. They include the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Presidency of the Seventy, the First and Second Quorums of the Seventy, and the Presiding Bishopric.
General conference is the worldwide gathering of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Twice a year, during the first weekend of April and the first weekend of October, Church leaders from around the world share messages or sermons focused on the living Christ and His gospel. Viewers learn how to find peace, hope, and joy in Jesus Christ; how to strengthen families by following Jesus’s teachings; and how to receive personal guidance and inspiration from God. General conference is streamed and broadcast live in about 70 languages and is later translated into more than 100 languages. We invite everyone—of all faiths, beliefs, and backgrounds from everywhere in the world—to watch, listen, and participate.
Home evening is a night once a week where families or a group of individuals are encouraged to gather to spend time together, study gospel topics, and participate in fun activities.
The act of priesthood holders placing their hands on a person’s head to give that person a Church ordination or blessing.
You may have guessed this one. LDS is an abbreviation for “Latter-day Saint,” referring most often to a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “LDS Church” is another nickname; however, we have asked people to call the Church by its full name: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This way, everyone knows that Jesus is the core of our religion and beliefs. “Latter-day Saints” is a good way to refer to your friends who are members of the Church.
Under the direction of local priesthood leaders, worthy adult male members (18 and older) may receive this priesthood. Those who have this priesthood lead the Church and administer such ordinances as naming and blessing children, conferring the Holy Ghost, and giving other priesthood blessings. Elders, high priests, patriarchs, Seventies, and Apostles hold this priesthood.
A geographically defined area where full-time missionaries work. The leader of a mission is called a mission president.
The name “Mormon Church” is a nickname others gave to Church members because we believe in the Book of Mormon. The official name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We use the full name of the Church whenever possible as a reminder that Christ is central to it.
To give priesthood authority to a worthy male member of the Church by the laying on of hands.
A sacred rite, or ceremony, by which members make covenants (promises) with God, such as baptism, the sacrament, and temple ordinances.
An office of responsibility in the Aaronic Priesthood generally held by young men ages 16 to 18 and new adult male members of the Church.
The authority and power that God has granted to act in His name. All worthy male members age 12 and older may be given priesthood authority.
A prayer for healing, comfort, or counsel given by a Melchizedek Priesthood holder, who lays his hands on the head of the person receiving the blessing.
This is the name of our Church group for children ages 3–11. The Primary children periodically sing as a group during sacrament meeting and participate in other group activities on Sundays and weekdays.
An organized group of young men or men who hold the same office of priesthood authority, such as deacons, elders, or members of the Seventy.
To relieve members of their duties in a Church assignment or position with appreciation for the service they have given.
The Church organization for women age 18 and older.
To give a Church member the responsibilities and blessings associated with a Church calling by the laying on of hands of a properly authorized Melchizedek Priesthood holder.
You may hear us use words like sister or brother to address each other, like “Sister Jones” or “Brother Chan.” This tradition stems from our belief that we are all sons and daughters of God, and as such, brothers and sisters to each other.
You will also hear missionaries referred to as Elder and Sister while they are serving as full-time missionaries. This is a small way to show how these young men and women are doing something different and holy with their lives while they serve. Elder or Sister can also be a title for men and women who serve in general leadership positions in the Church.
A stake is also a geographical unit of the Church, made up of several wards and branches, similar to a Catholic diocese. They have meetings or conferences at the “stake” building or larger meetinghouse. Stakes are presided over by a volunteer group of leaders called a stake presidency.
If someone calls a three-year-old a sunbeam, it’s not necessarily because they are a little ray of light (although some would argue that they are). It’s because that’s the name of the children’s class for these young ones. It’s the youngest age group in Primary. The term comes from the song “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam” (Children’s Songbook, 60).
To give support to those serving in Church callings or to give one’s approval for an action being taken by the Church. This is usually signified by raising one’s right hand when asked to do so by a Church leader in a meeting.
(1) An office of responsibility in the Aaronic Priesthood generally held by young men ages 14 to 15; (2) a person who teaches a Church class or quorum.
A Church building dedicated for the performance of sacred ordinances, such as baptisms for the dead, the endowment, and the sealing of families.
An assurance or conviction of faith revealed by the Holy Ghost that God the Father and Jesus Christ live and that Their teachings and the Restoration of the gospel are true. When a person bears testimony, he or she is making a brief, heartfelt statement of this conviction to others.
The donation of 10 percent of a person’s income to the Church.
A ward is a local congregation. It’s a group of Church members who live within a specific geographic area. A ward generally consists of a few hundred members and is presided over by a volunteer Church leader called a bishop. You may also hear the term branch. Branches are much smaller congregations in areas with fewer Church members.