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| Mormon FAQ page is under construction.
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| | {{FAQPortal}} |
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| The purpose of this page is two-fold: | | The purpose of this page is two-fold: |
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| # to provide factual information about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons, the LDS Church); | | # to provide factual information about the restoration sects (i.e., religious groups who trace their origins to Joseph Smith, Jr.) including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (i.e., the Mormons, the LDS Church); |
| # to provide reporters and other authors with advice on the consistent use of words, names, places and other elements in writing about the Church and related restorationist groups. | | # to provide journalists and other authors with advice on the consistent use of words, names, places and other elements in writing about the Church and related restorationist groups. |
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| It is hoped that the information given will be helpful to journalists and others who write about restorationist faiths and their members, doctrines, practices, or beliefs. | | It is hoped that the information given will be helpful to journalists and others who write about restorationist faiths and their members, doctrines, practices, or beliefs. |
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| ''Disclosure statment:''While this page is sponsored by a pro-LDS group, every effort has been made to take a neutral position on the issues presented here. There may be links in some of the entries. Be forewarned that following those links may lead to information that is likely sponsored by sources favorable to the religions described. | | # Who are the Mormons? ''See'': [[/Who are they|Who are they?]] |
| | # Are there other groups related to Mormons? ''See'': [[/Other groups|Other groups from Joseph Smith?]] |
| | # What are basic beliefs of the Church? ''See'': [[/Basic beliefs|Basic beliefs]] |
| | # Common myths, misunderstandings, and mischaracterizations? ''See'': [[/Myths and Questions|Myths and questions]] |
| | # Need a term or vocabulary word explained? ''See:'' [[/Terms|Terms]] |
| | # Want to learn about disciplinary councils, for the rare cases when members may be removed from Church membership? ''See:'' [[/Church Discipline FAQ|Church Discipline]] |
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| = WHO ARE THEY? =
| | Have a question you don't see answered? You can: |
| | * check out the table of contents for our [[Table of Contents|FairMormon Answers Wiki]]. |
| | * write an [http://www.fairlds.org/contact.php e-mail]. One of our volunteers will get back to you within 24 hours; most replies arrive within an hour or two. |
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| ==Restorationist Faiths.==
| | If you're a journalist looking for information or a quote, FairMormon can help you. Our members have also appeared on radio call-in shows, and other venues in which a faithful LDS perspective is useful. Please feel free to contact us, using the link in the box below. |
| | | <!-- <BR> codes below are to push the question box below the level of the Portal graphic on the right, so they don't override. Can be removed if we add more text below--> |
| Restorationist faiths or churches are defined as all faiths who can trace their origins to Joseph Smith, Jr. [1805-1844] and the religious manifestations that he reported during his life. Restorationist movements either spring directly from the religious community founded by Smith, or via separation from some other restorationist faith(s), much as Protestant groups broke with Roman Catholicism and then fragmented further.
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| It is vital that writers maintain a neutral tone when reporting on events. This is of particular concern when the writer is a member of one of the restorationist churches. Pejoratives such as ''apostate'' or ''break-off'' should never be used to describe faith groups, except when directly citing a source. When this is done, it ought to be clear that the characterization belongs to the source, not the media.
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| ===The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS)===
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| This is the largest of all of the restorationist movements and is based in Salt Lake City.
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| Note the lower case on the word "day" and the use of hyphenation. Also, since the starting "The" is part of the formal name of the Church, it should be capitalized, even if used in the middle of a sentence.
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| http://www.lds.org/, http://www.mormon.org/
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| ===The Community of Christ (RLDS)===
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| Previously known as The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This church is the only other world wide church with in the restorationist movement, and is headquartered in Independence, Mo. Note the lack of hyphenization in "Latter Day," and the fact that both words are capitalized.
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| http://www.cofchrist.org/
| | {{DoYouHaveQuestions}} |
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| ===Restoration Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.===
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| This group was formally organized in 1991 in response to what they felt was the liberal direction of the Community of Christ (RLDS). Note the lack of hyphenization in "Latter Day," and the fact that both words are capitalized.
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| ===Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints===
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| This church also broke with the The Community of Christ over the issues of the ordination of women and other changes in that church. Note the lack of hyphenization in "Latter Day," and the fact that both words are capitalized.
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| http://www.theremnantchurch.com/
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| ===The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS)===
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| The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS Church) is one of America's largest practitioners of plural marriage. The FLDS Church emerged in the 1930s largely because of the LDS Church's continued practice of excommunicating any practitioners of plural marriage. There is no connection between the FLDS Church and the LDS Church, as members of the FLDS church are mostly children or grandchildren of people who were excommunicated from the LDS church because of their practice of polygamy.
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| Note the lack of hyphenization in "Latter Day," and the fact that both words are capitalized.
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| ===Others===
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| There are many other small denominations of restorationist churches. The purpose of this guide is not to list them all, but to make interested authors aware that they exist. The various denominations are not affiliated with each other, so it is important to correctly identify which denomination you are referring to in anything you may write. There is no "synod" or "umbrella group" of restorationist movements.
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| ===Mormon===
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| The term ''Mormon'' was originally used as a pejorative to identify a person who believed in The Book of Mormon (some early critics also used the term ''Mormonite,'' but this quickly fell from favour. Some early newspapers used the term Mormonite. While it may be tempting to use the label "Mormon" to identify all that that belong to a restorationist movement church, that would be incorrect. Using the term "Mormon" without additional modifiers has come to represent members of the Salt Lake City based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is not appropriate to identify members of the Community or Christ or members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as "Mormon" as that would be confusing. It becomes especially objectionable to the LDS church members to identify members of the FLDS as Mormons because the founders of that denomination were excommunicated from the LDS church.
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| =ORGANIZATION AND LEADERSHIP=
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| ==The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS)==
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| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led at the highest levels by two presiding quorums: The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
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| ===The First Presidency===
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| The First Presidency consists of the President of the Church—often referred to more informally as the Prophet of the Church—and counselors, generally two. Historically there have been occasions when more than two counselors were used, usually when the President of the Church had health issues that would not allow him to function at full administrative capacity.
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| Upon the death of a councelor, the President will call a replacement—such replacements generally come from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (see below), but any faithful male may be called. If the current President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is called as a counselor in the First Presidency, then the next most senior Apostle is designated as Acting president of the Quorum while he serves in the First Presidency.
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| The First Presidency is automatically dissolved upon the death of the President—the councelors have no role or authority apart from him. If councelors were members of the Quorum of the Twelve prior to joining the First Presidency, they resume their previous place in the senority of that Quorum. If the President of the Quorum had been selected as a counselor then he resumes his duties as President of the Quorum.
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| ===The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles===
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| The second governing quorum of the Church is the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Quorum members are called by the First Presidency, and are ranked by seniority. The President of the Quorum is thus that quorum member who has served in the quorum for the longest period of time.
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| The President presides over this body, and assumes the leadership of the Church upon dissolution of the First Presidency. When this occurs, the pre-eminent function of this body is to reconstitute the First Presidency.
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| ''Exception'': As noted above, councilors of the First Presidency resume their positions within the Quorum of the Twelve upon the death of the Church President, and are ranked by seniority. The longest-serving member of the Quorum of the Twelve is ''always'' the President of the Quorum of the Twelve, even if he is a member of the First Presidency. For administrative reasons, however, the next-longest serving apostle will be designated the "Acting President" of the Quorum of the Twelve.
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| This situation actually exists at present—President Thomas S. Monson of the First Presidency is the longest-serving apostle after the current Church president. President Monson is thus "President of the Quorum of the Twelve." The next-longest serving apostle is Boyd K. Packer, designated the "Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve" because of President Monson's assignment in the First Presidency.
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| ===Succession in the LDS Church===
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| Historically, the longest-serving apostle will be chosen by the Quorum of the Twelve to replace a deceased president of the Church. Generally, this will be the President of the Quorum of the Twelve. If, however, the longest-serving apostle was a member of the First Presidency at the death of the Church president, when he resumes his place and senority within the the Quorum of the Twelve he becomes the presiding authority for both the Twelve and the Church.
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| Once the Quorum of the Twelve has designated a new President of the Church, the President chooses two councelors, generally from among the remaining apostles. This leaves the Quorum of the Twelve with eleven apostles remaining, and a replacement apostle is chosen. Being the most recently called, he assumes the lowest position of senority.
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| ===The Quorums of the Seventy===
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| The Quorums of the Seventy serve throughout the Church under the direction of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
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| Seventies may help supervise large geographic areas, oversee missionary work, and represent the Church leadership around the globe. The Seventy are presided over by seven presidents that together form a quorum called the Presidents of the Seventy. The roles of the Seventy have, historically, been frequently adapted and altered to meet the needs of a growing Church.
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| ====First Quorum of Seventies====
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| Members of the First Quorum of Seventy are called for life and serve full-time. They generally receive inactive "emeritus status" at age 75. They are general authorities of the Church, with world-wide responsibility, as assigned by the First Presidency and Twelve.
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| ====Second Quorum of Seventies====
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| Members of the Second Quorum of Seventy serve full-time for a period of five years. After their term of service, they return to regular occupations and pursuits. They are general authorities of the Church, with world-wide responsibility, as assigned by the First Presidency and Twelve.
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| ====Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Seventies====
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| Members of these quorums are designated "Area Seventies," and continue their previous occupations. They receive assignments from The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, generally in geographic areas relatively close to their homes. Members of these quorums are considered "general officers," of the Church, but have no authority except as designated by the First President and Twelve. They can, however, be assigned to any duty anywhere in the world.
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| The specific quorums are assigned on the basis of geography:
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| * Third Quorum -
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| * Fourth Quorum -
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| * Fifth Quorum -
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| * Sixth Quorum -
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| * Seventh Quorum -
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| ===The Presiding Bishopric===
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| The Presiding Bishopric oversees the work of the Aaronic Priesthood throughout the Church. This includes work related to welfare, building construction and maintenance, and youth programs. The Presiding Bishopric also sits on the "Council for the Distribution of the Tithes," which oversees and manages the Church's financial affairs. '''NEED MORE HERE? Check membership of Council?'''
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| The Presiding Bishopric consists of a Bishop and two counselors.
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| ===Stake Leadership===
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| At the local level, the highest governing body is the Stake presidency. A stake oversees a group of local congregations (called wards). The leadership form is patterned after the leadership of the Church. There is a Stake Presidency with a President and two counselors, and a high council of twelve men. Unlike the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, however, the high council has no seniority system. Replacement stake presidents are chosen by the Twelve Apostles or Seventies as assigned, and not necessarily from the high council. All positions in Stake and in Ward leadership are strictly filled by volunteer labor. There is no remuneration for serving in these "callings" so people who serve will also have a regular job outside of their church position.
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| ===Ward Leadership===
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| ====The Bishopric====
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| A ward or local congregation is presided over by a Bishopric, which consists of a Bishop and two counselors. Bishops are chosen by stake presidents, and approved by the First Presidency prior to their call. It is a volunteer positions and the Bishop and his counselors receive no income for their position or labor.
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| In conjunction with other lay priesthood leaders, the Bishopric forms a committee called the Priesthood Executive Committee (PEC). This committee regulates the functioning of local priesthood units. The Bishopric, in conjuction with all other leadership of the ward and its auxilary organizations, form a committee called the Ward Correlation Committee. Through this committee, ward efforts are brought together in unity.
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| ====Relief Society====
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| The woman's organization is titled "Relief Society." It has a president and counselors. The Relief Society president serves in two important councils of the local congregation. The Ward Correlation Committee, where ward efforts are harmonized, and the Welfare Committee, where physical needs of members of the ward are discussed and efforts are made to relieve sick, impoverished, and otherwise afflicted members. The Relief Society President is often called the "mother of the ward". She is often the first to hear of families in need, and her hands are often the first to respond to that need.
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| ====The High Priests Group====
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| ====Elders Quorum====
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| ====Youth Organizations====
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| ====Sunday School====
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| ====Primary====
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| The children's organization is called "Primary." It is traditionally presided over by a presidency consisting of a president and two counselors, all women.
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| =BELIEFS AND PRACTICES=
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| =TERMS=
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| == A ==
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| '''Aaronic Priesthood''' This is one of the two Latter-Day Saints priesthoods. It is made
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| up of three offices Deacon, Teacher and Priest each with increasing duties. In the
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| LDS Church it is generally given to young men starting at age 12. In the RLDS and
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| most other restorationist churches it is given to adults most of the time. Capitalize
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| both words. See priesthood.
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| '''Aaronic Order''' A communal restorationist faith in and around Esk-Dale, Utah.
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| '''apostate''' Never use the word ''apostate'' to describe or label any church or person. If a
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| church can trace its origins to another church, then it should be so stated.
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| For example: ''The Restoration Church of Jesus Christ was formed by members of
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| the RLDS Church in 1989.''
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| '''Apostle''' A calling usually in reference to a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
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| In the RLDS Church it may be used as a title, ''Apostle John Smith''. Use the term
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| Elder in the LDS Church, ''Elder John Smith. a member of the Quorum of the Twelve
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| Apostles.''
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| '''Area Authority Seventy'''
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| '''Articles of Faith'''
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| '''Auditorium, The''' Capitalize when referencing to the building (RLDS) at Independence, Mo.
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| == B ==
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| '''baptism for the dead''' The practice of baptizing a person by proxy for a deceased person.
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| Do not capitalize. This rite is performed most often in the temples of the LDS Church.
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| '''Barlow University''' A college in Colorado City, Arizona operated by the Fundamentalist
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| Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Barlow)
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| '''Beehive''' A term used for a class of young women age 12 or 13.
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| '''bishop''' A lay person called to oversee the operation of a local congregation (LDS) or to assist
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| in the temporal affairs of the church in a given area (RLDS). Capitalize when part of
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| the title. ''Bishop John Smith'' otherwise lower case as in ''the bishop's storehouse''. In
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| the RLDS and Temple Lot, etc. bishops have the general oversight and responsibility
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| for all the temporal affairs of the church and its members.
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| '''Book of Commandments''' A book of scripture first published in 1833, consisting of revelations received by Joseph Smith. It was reissued in 1835 with additional revelations as the Doctrine and Covenants. The Book of Commandments is still used by the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) and several other restorationist churches. .
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| '''Book of the Law of the Lord''' A book of scripture translated by James J. Strang in
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| 1851. Used by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strang) and related
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| groups.
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| '''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
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| the Nephites'' by some churches.
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| The LDS 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 LDS Church.
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| Citing scriptures from the Book of Mormon. Because the Book of Mormon has two
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| different verse numbering systems in use it is important to cite verses from it in a
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| consistent way. The numbering system used by the church about which the story
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| is concerning should be used with the alternate system used afterwards. The two
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| systems are noted as either LDS or RLDS. For example: 1Ne. 1:1 (1Ne. 1:1 RLDS)
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| You should do this even in cases where the two numbering systems agree.
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| Abbreviations of book titles The following are the accepted abbreviations.
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| *1 Ne. 1 Nephi
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| *2 Ne. 2 Nephi
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| *Jacob Jacob
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| *Enos Enos
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| *Jarom Jarom
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| *Omni Omni
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| *W of M Words of Mormon
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| *Mosiah Mosiah
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| *Alma Alma
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| *Hel. Helaman
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| *3 Ne. 3 Nephi
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| *4 Ne. 4 Nephi
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| *Morm. Mormon
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| *Ether Ether
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| *Moro. Moroni
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| '''Brigham Young University''' Also known as BYU or "The Y". A University in Provo, Utah operated by the LDS 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. http://www.byu.edu
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| '''Brigham Young University-Idaho''' A University in Rexburg, Idaho operated by the LDS church. Formerly known as "Ricks College." http://www.byui.edu/
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| '''Brigham Young University-Hawaii''' A University in Laie, Hawaii operated by the LDS church. http://www.byuh.edu/
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| == C ==
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| '''Celestial Kingdom'''
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| == D ==
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| '''Deacon'''
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| '''Doctrine and Covenants'''
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| == E ==
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| '''Elder''' There are three uses for the term "Elder." First it is a level of priesthood that belongs to most male members between the ages of 18 and 50. Secondly, it is the title used when referring to all male LDS missionaries. Third, it is the title used when referring to members of the the Quorum of the Twelve, or the Seventy. For example, Thomas S. Monson may be referred to as "Elder Monson."
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| '''Endowment'''
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| '''Exaltation'''
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| == F ==
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| '''Family Home Evening '''
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| '''Family Prayer'''
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| '''Fasting'''
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| '''Fast Offerings'''
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| '''First Presidency'''
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| == G ==
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| '''Garments'''
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| '''General Authorities'''
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| '''General Conference'''
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| '''Gift of the Holy Ghost'''
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| '''Godhead'''
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| == H ==
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| '''High Priest''' This is a level in the LDS priesthood given to most males over the age of 50, or to those who have served in Ward or Stake leadership positions.
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| '''Home Teaching'''
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| '''Homosexuality'''
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| == I ==
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| '''Institute'''
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| == J ==
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| '''Jesus Christ'''
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| '''Joseph Smith '''
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| == K ==
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| == L ==
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| '''Laurel'''
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| == M ==
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| '''Melchizedek Priesthood'''
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| '''Mia Maid'''
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| == N ==
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| == O ==
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| == P ==
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| '''Patriarch'''
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| '''Patriarchal Blessings '''
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| '''Pearl of Great Price'''
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| '''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 LDS church. (RLDS?)
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| '''Primary'' the children's organization in the LDS church.
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| == Q ==
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| == R ==
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| '''Relief Society''' the woman's organization within the LDS church. All women within the church belong to this organization.
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| == S ==
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| '''Sabbath'''
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| '''Seminary'''
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| '''Stake'''
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| == T ==
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| '''Teacher'''
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| '''Telestial Kingdom'''
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| '''Temple'''
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| '''Terrestrial Kingdom'''
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| '''Testimony'''
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| '''Tithing '''
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| == U ==
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| == V ==
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| == W ==
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| '''Ward'''
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| '''Welfare'''
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| '''Word of Wisdom '''
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| == X ==
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| == Y ==
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| == Z ==
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| '''Zion'''
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RESOURCES
PERSPECTIVES
MEDIA