Speak like a "Mormon"

When I was a child, a woman showed up at our ward to find out about the church. A missionary asked her if she was an investigator, and she told him she wasn't from a government agency. She just wanted to learn more about the church. As with sports or tech talk, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have a lingo all their own. Here's some words and their meanings.

Ward: The people who meet together at the same time to attend church are a ward or congregation. A ward is a mix of members of different ages within a geographical boundary. In areas where there are a lot of members, the ward boundaries are small. In large areas, the ward could cover many miles. The members within the ward take care of each other by teaching each other on Sundays and visiting each other monthly. Did you know that even if you aren't a Mormon, you are still part of a ward? We consider anyone who lives within our ward boundaries, part of our ward family. Need something, ask? Want to ask questions, go ahead? Attend church? Of course. We'd love to share our beliefs with you.

Stake: This is not meat. This is a group of wards within a geographical area. This word comes from the type of stake you use to secure a tent. We are the stakes of Zion, the posts that reach out all over the world under the tent of the entire church.

Mormons: This is a nickname that was given to members of our church many years ago. The name comes from The Book of Mormon, a book of scripture abridged by an ancient prophet, Mormon. We are fine with being called Mormons as long as you understand that we do not worship Mormon. We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We follow Christ. We are Christians.

Priesthood: The priesthood is the power of God given to men to administer his church and ordinances. Men hold the priesthood. They are not the priesthood. Priesthood is a power. Men meet in quorums or groups with the same priesthood office. High priests have the Melchizedek priesthood or higher priesthood. They are usually older and hold leadership positions in the church. Elders also have the Melchizedek priesthood. Usually a young man receives the Melchizedek priesthood and is ordained an elder before he goes on a mission. That is why the missionaries are called Elders. Youth or young men who hold the priesthood are deacons (usually ages 12-13), teachers (14-15), and priests (16-17).

Relief Society: This is the organization for woman in our church. We are a relief-society, a group of woman who offer relief to women in the church and the community. We meet weekly on Sundays and once a month for a week night activity. We also visit each other once a month as Visiting Teachers. The motto of Relief Society is "Charity Never Faileth."

Beehive: In addition to being the home of bees, a Beehive is a young woman, aged 12 and 13. When a girl turns twelve she becomes part of the Young Women program of the church. A Beehive is busy doing good things.

Mia Maid: A Mia Maid is a young woman, aged 14 and 15. "Mia" comes from the historical term for the youth program of the church, the Mutual Improvement Association. A maid is a young woman.

Laurel: A Laurel is a young woman, aged 16 and 17. The term comes from the leaves of the laurel tree which were traditionally woven into a crown and awarded for achievements. Laurels are preparing to be adults and to make and keep sacred covenants in the temple.

Primary: Primary means first. Children belong to Primary where they learn about Jesus, sing songs, and attend classes. Within Primary, children start with Nursery at 18 months, move onto Sunbeam classes (they are bright and shiny) at the age of 3, become a CTR (learning to choose the right) for ages 4-7, and are in Valiant classes (someone who is courageous in following correct principles) during ages 8-11.

Now you can use some of the correct lingo and speak like a Mormon. This can be useful when you too decide to investigate.