Mormonspeak (Mormon dictionary)

         Learning to talk like (and understand) a Mormon

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C

Calling: A job or assignment in the Mormon Church; since Mormonism has a lay ministry, all positions in the Church from bishop to janitor are filled by members of the local congregations.  These are referred to as callings.

Celestial Kingdom: The highest Degree of Glory in the Mormon understanding of the afterlife. To obtain this kingdom, which Mormons frequently call simply heaven, one must be baptized, receive the endowment, be married in the temple (see Celestial Marriage), and endure to the end.  After this effort on our part, Jesus Christ saves the person from his/her sins.  Salvation in this kingdom is called eternal life, or eternal progression.

Celestial Marriage:  Marriage in a Mormon temple which is for time and all eternity.  It is also called eternal marriage or a temple marriage. 

CES: Church Educational System: refers to the various seminaries, institutes, and schools, such as Brigham Young University, run by the Mormon Church.

Charity:  Refers to the pure love of Christ which every person must strive to develop through prayer, sacrifice, and service.

Conference: Conferences are held on many levels from Ward conferences to the biannual General Conference.  These conferences provide opportunities for higher Church leaders to visit congregations and give training to local leaders and counsel to the members as well as give members an opportunity to sustain their leaders.

Conference Center: A building constructed from 1997 to 2000 to hold the General Conferences of the Church.  In addition to the main auditorium it includes a gallery, a small theater and rooftop gardens.  It is adjacent to Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Confirmation: The bestowal of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, also known as baptism by fire.

Common Consent: All callings and ordinations in the Church are presented for a sustaining vote in the various meetings and conferences.  Common consent means that the members over which the person called to the position will preside accepts him or her and promises to support them.  See also Sustain and Preside.

Confer: The act of giving the priesthood authority to a man.

Consecrate: Consecration refers to the principle that everything we own belongs ultimately to God and we should promise to use what God has given us to bless others and serve in the Church.  See also Stewardship.

Convert: Someone who has converted to the Mormon Church as an adult.

Covenant: A promise between two people; usually God and man.  God sets the conditions and asks mankind to agree to enter into the covenant.  If we are faithful in keeping our end of the covenant, God will assuredly fulfill His agreement.  Mormons often refer to baptismal covenants and temple covenants.

Council: A council refers to committees of leaders in the Church at various levels who meet to conduct church business.  There are ward councils, high councils and so forth.

Counselor: Every presiding officer such as bishop or Relief Society President has at minimum two counselors to assist him or her in the duties of their office.

CTR:  An abbreviation of Choose the Right, a popular saying among youth of the Church.  The initials are generally placed inside a stylized shield similar to those used in heraldry.

CTR Ring:  A popular ring worn by boys and girls.  See CTR.

Cultural Hall: Mormonism teaches that through wholesome recreation and games, families and congregations can become more unified.  Each church building has multipurpose, called the cultural hall, which is a room equipped as a gymnasium that can be used for dinners, plays, concerts, sporting events, and so on.  Some cultural halls have stages.

D

D&C: An abbreviation for Doctrine and Covenants.

Deacon: An office of the Aaronic Priesthood.  Deacons have the responsibility to pass the sacrament to members of the congregation and assist the bishop by ushering, setting up the chapel for services and so on.

Degrees of Glory: Mormons believe that heaven includes degrees of salvation based on a person’s valiance and commitment to Christ in this life.  They are the Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial Kingdoms.

Deseret:  1) A Book of Mormon word meaning honeybee (see Beehive).  2) Often used in the names of Mormon Church owned stores like Deseret Book and Deseret Industries.

Distribution Center:  Places where members can purchase Church related materials such as manuals, scriptures, music, and garments.  These centers also do mail order and on-line sales for members in remote locations.

District:  A district is an administrative division of the Church organized in areas where there are few Church members.  It is analogous to a stake, but contains fewer members and generally is comprised of branches and not wards.

Duty to God: An award for Mormon boy scouts which requires that they set goals in prayer, church meeting attendance, and service.

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