Mormonspeak (Mormon dictionary)
Learning to talk like (and understand) a Mormon
I
Immortality: Essentially means living forever. Mormons believe that all mankind are immortal spirits that cannot die, though our bodies can. After resurrection, the spirit and the body will be united permanently and people will become immortal souls. Immortality is distinct from Eternal Life which is living forever in the presence of God.
Inactive: Refers to members of the Mormon Church who do not regularly attend meetings, participate in the activities and events of the Church, or fulfill Church assignments.
Inspiration: The Holy Ghost inspires people through impressions, thoughts, dreams, feelings, and so forth. The Church is led by inspiration and members and leaders are counseled to seek inspiration of the Spirit in making decisions.
Institute: An educational program run by CES that provides weekday religious education for college age youth and adults. Many universities have institute programs and if there are sufficient members there is an institute building; otherwise classes are held in local church buildings or other facilities. Stakes also have institute programs taught by volunteers.
Investigator: A person who is learning about the Mormon Church with the intent to join.
Iron Rod: A symbol of the Word of God which mankind must grip in order to stay on the straight and narrow path that leads to Eternal Life. It comes from a vision seen by Nephi in the Book of Mormon (1 Nephi, chapter 11).
J
Jesus: Jesus of Nazareth is the central figure in Mormon theology and worship and is the only name through which a person can be saved.
Jesus Christ: Mormons typically refer to Jesus as Jesus Christ or simply Christ.
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Keys of the Priesthood: Whereas the priesthood is the power to act in God’s name, keys are the authority to perform a certain ordinance or fulfill a certain position. For example, deacons, teachers, and priests all hold the same priesthood power, but only priests have the keys given to them authorizing them to bless the sacrament or baptize.
L
Laurel: Girls ages 16 and 17 in the Young Women’s program.
Laying on of Hands: A priesthood ordinance in which a person holding the priesthood places his hands on the head of the recipient to given him or her a blessing or to bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost, or set him or her apart to a calling (see Set Apart).
Latter-day Saint: The preferred name for members of the Mormon Church. See also Mormon.
LDS: An abbreviation for Latter-day Saint; often used as an adjective as in LDS Church, LDS hymn, etc.
Liahona: 1) A guide or director given by the Lord to Lehi and Nephi in the Book of Mormon to help them travel through the wilderness. (See 1 Nephi 16:10). 2) The official magazine of the Mormon Church outside of the United States. Its American, English-language counterpart is the Ensign. The Liahona is available in dozens of languages.