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FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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== A == | == A == | ||
− | ;Aaronic Priesthood:This is one of the two Latter-Day Saints priesthoods. It is made up of three offices Deacon, Teacher and Priest each with increasing duties. In the | + | ;Aaronic Priesthood:This is one of the two Latter-Day Saints priesthoods. It is made up of three offices Deacon, Teacher and Priest each with increasing duties. In the Church it is generally given to young men starting at age 12. In the Community of Christ and most other restorationist churches, it is generally given to adults. Capitalize both words. See ''priesthood''. |
* {{Encyclopedia|article=Aaronic Priesthood|link=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/doc_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=5438&CISOBOX=0}} | * {{Encyclopedia|article=Aaronic Priesthood|link=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/doc_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=5438&CISOBOX=0}} | ||
− | ;Aaronic Order:A communal restorationist faith in and around Esk-Dale, Utah. Not part of the Salt Lake City based | + | ;Aaronic Order:A communal restorationist faith in and around Esk-Dale, Utah. Not part of the Salt Lake City based Church. |
− | ;anti-Mormon: Those who actively campaign against Mormon beliefs or practices. Merely disbelieving Mormon doctrine, leaving the Church, or disagreeing with Church policy does not make someone anti-Mormon. Some anti-Mormons write books, pamphlets and articles, while others protest outside of church buildings and conference centers while the Mormons worship. For an example of anti-Mormon activities, see: [http://www.fairlds.org/Anti-Mormons/Street_Preachers.html here]. Anti-Mormons generally share one of two ideologies: (a) Evangelical/Fundamentalist Christian groups or (b) secular/agnostic/atheist, usually former members. Authors should be aware that that some who pass themselves off as experts on Mormonism have their own ideologic agendas, and sometimes derive some or all of their income from material attacking the | + | ;anti-Mormon: Those who actively campaign against Mormon beliefs or practices. Merely disbelieving Mormon doctrine, leaving the Church, or disagreeing with Church policy does not make someone anti-Mormon. Some anti-Mormons write books, pamphlets and articles, while others protest outside of church buildings and conference centers while the Mormons worship. For an example of anti-Mormon activities, see: [http://www.fairlds.org/Anti-Mormons/Street_Preachers.html here]. Anti-Mormons generally share one of two ideologies: (a) Evangelical/Fundamentalist Christian groups or (b) secular/agnostic/atheist, usually former members. Authors should be aware that that some who pass themselves off as experts on Mormonism have their own ideologic agendas, and sometimes derive some or all of their income from material attacking the Church. |
* {{Encyclopedia|article=Anti-Mormon Publications|link=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/doc_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=5473&CISOBOX=0}} | * {{Encyclopedia|article=Anti-Mormon Publications|link=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/doc_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=5473&CISOBOX=0}} | ||
;apostate: An inflammatory word used by some to denote a person who has been a member of a Church and who has been excommunicated or who has withdrawn from membership because of belief in doctrines that are not compatible with church doctrine. The term, however, should not be used to describe or label any church or person. If a church can trace its origins to another church, then it should be so stated. For example: ''The Restoration Church of Jesus Christ was formed by members of the RLDS Church in 1989.'' If an individual is no longer a member of the church, they should be referred to as a "former member" or some other less inflammatory term. | ;apostate: An inflammatory word used by some to denote a person who has been a member of a Church and who has been excommunicated or who has withdrawn from membership because of belief in doctrines that are not compatible with church doctrine. The term, however, should not be used to describe or label any church or person. If a church can trace its origins to another church, then it should be so stated. For example: ''The Restoration Church of Jesus Christ was formed by members of the RLDS Church in 1989.'' If an individual is no longer a member of the church, they should be referred to as a "former member" or some other less inflammatory term. | ||
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== B == | == B == | ||
− | ;Baptism for the dead: The practice of baptizing a person by proxy for a deceased person. When used in a sentence do not capitalize. This rite is performed most often in the temples of the | + | ;Baptism for the dead: The practice of baptizing a person by proxy for a deceased person. When used in a sentence do not capitalize. This rite is performed most often in the temples of the Church. |
* {{Encyclopedia|article=Baptism for the Dead|link=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/doc_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=5502&CISOBOX=0}} | * {{Encyclopedia|article=Baptism for the Dead|link=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/doc_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=5502&CISOBOX=0}} | ||
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;Book of the Law of the Lord: A book of scripture translated by James J. Strang in 1851. Used by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strang) and related groups. | ;Book of the Law of the Lord: A book of scripture translated by James J. Strang in 1851. Used by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strang) and related groups. | ||
− | ;The Book of Mormon: A book of scripture used by most, but not all, of the restorationist churches. Translated by Joseph Smith, Jr. it is also known as ''The Record of the Nephites'' by some churches. The | + | ;The Book of Mormon: A book of scripture used by most, but not all, of the restorationist churches. Translated by Joseph Smith, Jr. it is also known as ''The Record of the Nephites'' by some churches. The Church's media style guide gives the name as ''The Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ'' which is rarely used even within the Church. Citing scriptures from the Book of Mormon. Because the Book of Mormon has two different verse numbering systems in use it is important to cite verses from it in a consistent way. The numbering system used by the church about which the story is concerning should be used with the alternate system used afterwards. The two systems are noted as either LDS or RLDS. For example: 1 Ne. 1:1 (1 Ne. 1:1 RLDS) You should do this even in cases where the two numbering systems agree. |
* {{Encyclopedia|article=Book of Mormon|link=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/doc_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=5531&CISOBOX=0}} | * {{Encyclopedia|article=Book of Mormon|link=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/doc_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=5531&CISOBOX=0}} | ||
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*Moro. Moroni | *Moro. Moroni | ||
− | ;Branch: Ecclesiastical unit in the | + | ;Branch: Ecclesiastical unit in the Church that is comparable in function to a ward but that is smaller. It is presided over by a Branch President. |
*{{Encyclopedia|article=Branch, Branch President|link=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/doc_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=5559&CISOBOX=0}} | *{{Encyclopedia|article=Branch, Branch President|link=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/doc_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=5559&CISOBOX=0}} | ||
− | ;Brigham Young University: Also known as BYU or "The Y". A University in Provo, Utah operated by the | + | ;Brigham Young University: Also known as BYU or "The Y". A University in Provo, Utah operated by the Church. It is one of the largest private Universities in the West with approximately 27,000 daytime students. It has received many national recognitions and is ranked high in several categories. |
* Website: [http://www.byu.edu www.byu.edu] | * Website: [http://www.byu.edu www.byu.edu] | ||
* {{Encyclopedia|article=Brigham Young University|link=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/doc_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=5561&CISOBOX=0}} | * {{Encyclopedia|article=Brigham Young University|link=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/doc_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=5561&CISOBOX=0}} | ||
− | ;Brigham Young University-Idaho: A University in Rexburg, Idaho operated by the | + | ;Brigham Young University-Idaho: A University in Rexburg, Idaho operated by the Church. Formerly known as "Ricks College." |
* Website: [http://www.byui.edu/ www.byui.edu] | * Website: [http://www.byui.edu/ www.byui.edu] | ||
− | ;Brigham Young University-Hawaii: A University in Laie, Hawaii operated by the | + | ;Brigham Young University-Hawaii: A University in Laie, Hawaii operated by the Church. |
* Website: [http://www.byuh.edu/ www.byuh.edu] | * Website: [http://www.byuh.edu/ www.byuh.edu] | ||
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== D == | == D == | ||
− | ;Deacon: An office in the Aaronic Priesthood. In the | + | ;Deacon: An office in the Aaronic Priesthood. In the Church this office is generally given to boys at the age of 12. In the Community of Christ (RLDS) it is held by adults, both men and women. This office generally performs non-ecclesiastical duties such as collecting offerings and passing the sacrament (communion) to the congregation. |
* {{Encyclopedia|article=Deacon, aaronic priesthood|link=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/doc_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=5660&CISOBOX=0}} | * {{Encyclopedia|article=Deacon, aaronic priesthood|link=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/doc_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=5660&CISOBOX=0}} | ||
− | ;Doctrine and Covenants: Scripture used by | + | ;Doctrine and Covenants: Scripture used by Church; consists of revelations given to Joseph Smith and a few from his successors. Abbreviated as D&C. See [[MormonFAQ:Terms#B|Book of Commandments]]. |
* {{Encyclopedia|article=Doctrine and Covenants|link=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/doc_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=5686&CISOBOX=0}} | * {{Encyclopedia|article=Doctrine and Covenants|link=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/doc_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=5686&CISOBOX=0}} | ||
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;General Authorities: Church Leaders who have authority in the world wide church and who are not restricted in authority to certain geographical regions alone. The First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the First and Second Quorums of Seventy, and the Presiding Bishopric are all general authorities. | ;General Authorities: Church Leaders who have authority in the world wide church and who are not restricted in authority to certain geographical regions alone. The First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the First and Second Quorums of Seventy, and the Presiding Bishopric are all general authorities. | ||
*{{E|General Authorities|2=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=3724&filename=3725.pdf}} | *{{E|General Authorities|2=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=3724&filename=3725.pdf}} | ||
− | ;General Conference: The first weekend in April and the first weekend in October, all of the General Authorities of the church will meet in Salt Lake City in the conference center. They will give sermons and talks on a variety of subjects. It is broadcast all over the world and listened to by the members of the | + | ;General Conference: The first weekend in April and the first weekend in October, all of the General Authorities of the church will meet in Salt Lake City in the conference center. They will give sermons and talks on a variety of subjects. It is broadcast all over the world and listened to by the members of the Church. You can see the talks from General Conference here http://www.lds.org/conference/sessions/display/0,5239,49-1-775,00.html |
;Gift of the Holy Ghost: The right to have, whenever one is worthy, the companionship of the Holy Ghost. This right is given only after proper and authorized baptism and is conferred by the laying on of hands by those who hold Melchizedek Priesthood. It acts as a cleansing agent to purify a person and sanctify them from sin. | ;Gift of the Holy Ghost: The right to have, whenever one is worthy, the companionship of the Holy Ghost. This right is given only after proper and authorized baptism and is conferred by the laying on of hands by those who hold Melchizedek Priesthood. It acts as a cleansing agent to purify a person and sanctify them from sin. | ||
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;Patriarchal Blessings: Special blessing given by patriarchs to each member. The blessing is written down and is frequently used as a guide for life. | ;Patriarchal Blessings: Special blessing given by patriarchs to each member. The blessing is written down and is frequently used as a guide for life. | ||
*{{E|Patriarchal Blessings|2=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=4036&filename=4037.pdf}} | *{{E|Patriarchal Blessings|2=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=4036&filename=4037.pdf}} | ||
− | ;Pearl of Great Price: A book of scripture held sacred by the | + | ;Pearl of Great Price: A book of scripture held sacred by the Church. It contains various texts including: |
*The Book of Moses: Joseph Smith's retranslation of the early chapters of Genesis. | *The Book of Moses: Joseph Smith's retranslation of the early chapters of Genesis. | ||
*The Book of Abraham: Joseph Smith's translations of some papyrus that was discovered with some mummies by Michael Chandler. | *The Book of Abraham: Joseph Smith's translations of some papyrus that was discovered with some mummies by Michael Chandler. | ||
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*The Articles of Faith: A brief statment of basic beliefs of the Church, originally part of a letter from Joseph Smith to John Wentworth, Editor of the ''Chicago Democrat'' who inquired of Joseph about the Church. | *The Articles of Faith: A brief statment of basic beliefs of the Church, originally part of a letter from Joseph Smith to John Wentworth, Editor of the ''Chicago Democrat'' who inquired of Joseph about the Church. | ||
*{{E|Pearl of Great Price|2=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=4040&filename=4041.pdf}} | *{{E|Pearl of Great Price|2=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=4040&filename=4041.pdf}} | ||
− | ;Priest: A level in the LDS priesthood held by young men ages 16–18. It is also often held by newer male converts in the | + | ;Priest: A level in the LDS priesthood held by young men ages 16–18. It is also often held by newer male converts in the Church. In the Community of Christ (RLDS) the office of Priest as with other Priesthood offices is generally held by adults, both men and women. |
*{{E|Priest, Aaronic Priesthood|2=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=4079&filename=4080.pdf}} | *{{E|Priest, Aaronic Priesthood|2=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=4079&filename=4080.pdf}} | ||
− | ;Primary: The children's organization in the | + | ;Primary: The children's organization in the Church. |
*{{E|Primary|2=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=4089&filename=4090.pdf}} | *{{E|Primary|2=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=4089&filename=4090.pdf}} | ||
== Q == | == Q == | ||
− | ;Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: In the | + | ;Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: In the Church, the apostles preside following the death of the prophet/president of the Church until a new prophet (usually the senior apostle) is chosen. |
*{{E|Quorum of the Twelve Apostles|2=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=4111&filename=4112.pdf}} | *{{E|Quorum of the Twelve Apostles|2=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=4111&filename=4112.pdf}} | ||
== R == | == R == | ||
− | ;Relief Society: the woman's organization within the | + | ;Relief Society: the woman's organization within the Church. All women within the church belong to this organization. |
*{{E|Relief Society|2=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=4121&filename=4122.pdf}} | *{{E|Relief Society|2=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=4121&filename=4122.pdf}} | ||
== S == | == S == | ||
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;Terrestrial Kingdom: The middle kingdom of Glory in the LDS view of heaven. It is compared to the glory of the moon. | ;Terrestrial Kingdom: The middle kingdom of Glory in the LDS view of heaven. It is compared to the glory of the moon. | ||
*{{E|Terrestrial Kingdom|2=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=4274&filename=4275.pdf}} | *{{E|Terrestrial Kingdom|2=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=4274&filename=4275.pdf}} | ||
− | ;Testimony: This has two uses within the | + | ;Testimony: This has two uses within the Church. First it is a description of belief, as in "He has a testimony of the gospel." Secondly, it is used to describe the verbal expression of that belief, as in "He bore his testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ." Members are encouraged to receive a testmimony for themselves: i.e., they are to petition God for answers about the truth or falsity of the Church and its doctrines, and to receive such answers via personal revelation. |
*{{E|Testimony|2=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=4276&filename=4277.pdf}} | *{{E|Testimony|2=http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/EoM&CISOPTR=4276&filename=4277.pdf}} | ||
;Tithing : Tithing has been defined by the Lord as "one-tenth of [a person's] interest annually" ([http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/119/4 D&C 119:4]). Generally this has been interpreted to mean "income." The Church has not defined "interest" or "income" specifically, leaving such determination up to each member. | ;Tithing : Tithing has been defined by the Lord as "one-tenth of [a person's] interest annually" ([http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/119/4 D&C 119:4]). Generally this has been interpreted to mean "income." The Church has not defined "interest" or "income" specifically, leaving such determination up to each member. |
Like all religions, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has terms or expressions which may not be familiar to outsiders. Some of these are described below.
Abbreviations of book titles The following are the accepted abbreviations.
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