| New
members and investigators can always do with a little help when
confronted with the confusing and sometimes mind boggling phrases
and acronyms used at Church.
Often members
feel shy or embarrassed about pointing things out to new members,
not wanting to offend them. Most of the time we just assume
that the ward missionaries, full time missionaries, or "someone"
has covered all the corners. We forget that we're talking an
exclusive language. Take a look at what the members in one ward
had to say about their experiences as new converts to the LDS
Church.
Recently
returned missionary, Sister Taryn McBurney (Normanhurst Ward,
Greenwich Stake, NSW, Australia) shares some of her experiences
from when she was a new member.
"Up
until my baptism, I was the center of attention and everyone
was there to help me. But once I was baptized, peoples' focus
shifted and I felt as though no one was interested anymore.
It can be lonely and difficult as a new member until you find
your feet…A very kind lady gave me an A-Z of Church
terms and what they meant. It was very helpful and I soon
learnt what everyone was talking about!
The
most confusing word for me was 'Zion'. Was it a place? Was
it a state of being? Was it a people? How confusing!!
I
lived in Brisbane Australia when I joined the Church, and
the Brisbane temple wasn't built, so my ward went on a temple
trip from Brisbane to Sydney. I was told we would be given
white to wear in the temple, so I didn't pack any Church clothes.
Nobody told me that when you enter the temple to do baptisms
you are supposed to be wearing your Sunday best! I was so
embarrassed when I had to borrow a skirt from someone else."
Similarly
Meilee Yuan was confused with a lot of Church terms such as
'sealed for eternity', 'mutual activities', 'Mormon standard
time', 'Mia maid' and 'Beehive'.
Tony
Williams shares an experience from when he was a new member;
"I was just getting out of my car, about to walk into
the chapel when this guy pulled up and asked me if I knew
where the stake center was. I gave him the directions and
it wasn't until a few weeks later that I found out what the
stake center actually was. I'd sent the poor guy to Sizzler!"
LDS
Terms Explained
Please
feel free to use this resource in your wards. Start a friendship
with a new member or investigator by offering a print out of
this Mormonchic.com web page as friendly guide to start them
off on the right foot. Please also refer to the Church website
www.lds.org for literature such as The Strength of Youth pamphlet
and Church magazines.
Articles
of Faith: Thirteen statements explaining the basic
beliefs of the LDS Church.
Auxiliaries:
Different organizational groups within a ward or branch. These
are; Primary, Young Women's, Young Men's/Aaronic Priesthood,
Relief Society, Melchizedek Priesthood and Sunday school.
Bishop:
Similar to what other Churches may call a Pastor, but not paid
for his work. The local authority who presides over a ward or
branch with two counselors.
Branch:
Similar to a ward with fewer numbers in attendance. A Branch
President and his counselors preside over a branch.
Brothers:
This refers to the male members of the ward.
Calling:
To have a calling means that one member of the Bishopric has
asked you personally to take up a responsibility. Callings are
varied and can help develop skills and talents. All callings
served in voluntary capacity.
Chapel:
A meeting house held for Sunday services and other meetings
and activities.
Church
News: Weekly newspaper reporting Church news and events.
Ensign
Magazine: A monthly magazine published at cost by the
Church containing Church news, events, articles and policy announcements.
General Conference talks are printed in the Ensign in the May
and November issues each year.
Fast
and Testimony Meeting: A Church meeting held on the
first Sunday of each month wherein members in the congregation
can take the stand and share their positive feelings and gratitude
for the gospel truths. This marks the date of "fast offering":
money saved by fasting for two consecutive meals and then contributed
toward the care of the poor.
Fireside:
An extra Church meeting, usually on Sunday evenings. "Sunday
best" clothing is appropriate.
First
Presidency: The directing authority for the Church
on the earth, on behalf of Jesus Christ; comprised of the Prophet/President
and his counselors.
Food
Storage: A way of helping your family become self reliant.
This means storing food basics, gardening/ growing food and
emergency preparation such as a 72hr kit.
General
Authorities: Members of the third level of governing
bodies of the Church. These include the First Presidency (the
Prophet and his two counselors), the Quorum of the Twelve (Apostles),
and the Quorum of the Seventy (of which there are 5 Quorums).
They are administrative authorities, called by the Prophet to
preach the Gospel and direct Church affairs around the world.
General
Conference: A gathering each April and October to watch
via satellite, video or live (from Salt Lake City, Utah). These
meetings are for official instruction, announcements and teachings
given by the Prophet, General Authorities and other LDS leaders.
Gospel:
The general name given to the teachings of Jesus Christ. This
includes the plan of salvation, the scriptures and teachings
of the Church, enabling all to return to our Heavenly Father.
Home,
Personal and Family Enrichment: A Program for Relief
Society sisters to help increase their Personal skills, bringing
strength to their families and increasing bonds and friendships
with the sisters. This occurs on a week day once a month. Formerly
referred to as Homemaking
Home
Teacher: Two Priesthood holders assigned in pairs to
a number of families in the ward. Each set of Home Teachers
are required to share a monthly message (found in the Ensign
Magazine) and generally assist, help strengthen and be-friend
them. All families in the ward should have someone assigned
to Home Teach them monthly.
Mormon
Standard Time: This is a farcical reference to members
being at least 30minutes late for meetings and activities. Usually
used to emphasize a prompt starting time, "12:30pm Sharp
- Not Mormon Standard Time!"
Mutual:
This term is used to describe activities that are for both the
Young Women and Young Men in the youth program. 'Mutual' is
often used to describe their weekly activity, although not always
combined.
Preside:
To watch over and be responsible for.
Priesthood,
Aaronic: The Aaronic Priesthood functions under the
direction of the Melchizedek Priesthood and is of lesser power
and authority than the priesthood of Melchizedek. See Young
Men for offices of Aaronic Priesthood.
Priesthood,
Mechizedek: 'Melchizedek Priesthood are the offices
of elder, seventy, high priest, patriarch, apostle, and president…this
priesthood must be present and functional whenever the kingdom
of God is upon the earth in its fullness' (quoted from the LDS
online Bible Dictionary).
Primary:
An organization of the Church set up for children. Classes include
Nursery & Sunbeams (ages 18months to 3yrs), CTR's (ages
4-7) and Valiant's (ages 8-11).
Quorum:
A group of Priesthood holders e.g. Aaronic Priesthood, Deacons,
Teachers, Priests, Elders, High Priests.
Region:
An organizational division of the LDS Church made up of Stakes.
"Regional activities for Youth" implies that all of
the Youth in the region are invited to the activity.
Restoration:
The period of time in which the entire Gospel was restored
to the earth. This includes the authority to act in the name
of Jesus Christ (the Priesthood's), the Book of Mormon and other
truths were revealed to Joseph Smith and other witnesses.
Sealing:
A Temple ordinance, which unites a family (past and present)
in an eternal bond. Couples are sealed together forever as a
part of the marriage ceremony, thus having their future children
"born under the covenant".
Sisters:
Refers to the female members of the ward.
Sunday
School: Scripture study class for ages 12yrs and older.
Classes are in groups determined by age.
Stake:
A collection of wards and branches to make up one section of
a region. Named a "stake" as a metaphor of each area
keeping the LDS Church working as a whole. The wooden pegs (stakes)
that hold up a large tent. Each peg/stake that is firmly in
the ground keeps the tent held up in place. A Stake President
and his counselors preside over this group of wards and branches.
Standard
Works: The four volumes of scripture officially accepted
by the LDS Church. These are; King James Version of the Bible,
Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants and the Pearl of Great
Price.
Temporal:
Physical
Testimony:
A knowledge that the teachings of the Church are true
Visiting
Teachers: Two Relief Society sisters assigned in pairs
to a list of sisters in the ward. Each set of Visiting Teachers
are required to share a monthly message (found in the Ensign
Magazine) and generally assist, help strengthen and be-friend
their assigned sisters. All Relief Society sisters should have
someone assigned to Visit Teach them monthly.
Ward:
A local congregation that usually meets in a chapel.
The Bishop and his counselors preside over a ward.
Welfare:
This term is used to encompass our spiritual and physical
well-being. Used in line with 'Food Storage' and includes helping
the community and individuals become self reliant.
Young
Men: Youth program for boys aged 12 to 18 (Aaronic
Priesthood holders). Classes are divided by age; Deacons (ages
12 & 13), Teachers (ages 14 & 15, Priests (ages 16 &
17). The Aaronic Priesthood / Young Men work toward completing
their Duty to God Award before progressing to an Elder and holding
the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Young
Women: Youth program for girls aged 12 to 18. Classes
are divided by age; Beehive (ages 12 & 13), Mia Maid (ages
14 &15), Laurel (ages 16 &17). The Young Women work
toward completing their Personal Progress Award before leaving
to join Relief Society at age 18yrs.
Etiquette
"Bring
a plate"
- Bring a plate with food on it! Check with the organizer of
the activity to see what kind of food is appropriate.
"Brothers
and Sisters"- At Church it is appropriate for
other members to be addressed as 'Sister Smith' or 'Brother
Brown'. The Bishop of the ward can be referred to as 'Bishop
Jones'. This is not a strict rule and mainly used in meetings
or classes.
Clothing
- "Sunday best" is appropriate for Church
on Sundays. This means modest, smart and clean clothing. White
shirt and tie with suit pants for men and a dress or skirt (both
to be knee length or longer) and top with sleeves (cap sleeve
will do, just to cover the shoulders). Refer to the Strength
of Youth pamphlet. At other times attire should be modest and
clean. http://www.lds.org/youthresources/pdf/ForStrengYouth36550.pdf
Mother's
Room - A great tool for mothers at baby's feeding time;
this is also a place to take out the disruptive or upset child
from Sacrament meeting. Sometimes the mother's room should have
a sound system connected so you can still hear the talks and
announcements etc.
Sacrament
- Baptized members take the bread and water that is
blessed and passed to the congregation. This is taken with the
right hand.
Testimony
- If you want to share your testimony, keep in mind
that this is to be brief and that content should be appropriate
(not an update of the football scores or mentions of past sins).
See Testimony meeting. Testimony time can occur in other classes
also.
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