List of Terms

Aaronic Priesthood:The lesser or preparatory priesthood. It is named after Aaron in the Old Testament. Aaron was the brother of Moses and was appointed by the Lord to be his spokesman.

Auxiliaries:Organizations in the Church that support the Melchizedek Priesthood and help minister to and teach the members of the Church. The auxiliary organizations are Relief Society, Young Men, Young Women, Primary, and Sunday School.

Calling:A formal assignment or responsibility to help serve in the Church.

Companionship:A team of two people (where possible) who regularly work together to fulfill a home teaching or visiting teaching assignment.

Family home evening:One night each week (usually Monday night) reserved for family members to learn the gospel and enjoy uplifting activities together.

Home and visiting teaching:Programs that help ensure that everyone in the Church is cared for. Priesthood holders serve as home teachers to individuals and families. Relief Society sisters serve as visiting teachers to other women. Home and visiting teachers serve in companionships and visit those they teach at least once a month to pray, share a spiritual message, and serve as needed.

Melchizedek Priesthood:The higher or greater priesthood. It is named after Melchizedek in the Old Testament, who was a righteous high priest and king.

Missionary work:Sharing the gospel with others, helping them build faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, and inviting them to experience the blessings of the gospel for themselves.

Personal revelation:Personal communication from God to an individual regarding that individual’s own life or calling.

Priesthood blessing:A blessing in which a Melchizedek Priesthood holder places his hands gently on a person’s head and says a special prayer. Such blessings are given through the power of the priesthood to provide counsel, comfort, or healing.

Priesthood ordinance:A sacred, religious act performed by the authority of the priesthood. Examples include baptism, receiving the gift of Holy Ghost (confirmation), and the sacrament. Ordinances are a means for entering into covenants with God.

Primary:The auxiliary organization for children in the Church between the ages of 18 months and 12 years.

Quorum:An organized group of men or young men who have the same office, or duties, in the priesthood.

Release:To relieve someone of the assignment, responsibilities, and duties of a calling, allowing him or her to serve in other capacities.

Relief Society:The auxiliary organization for women in the Church ages 18 and over.

Sacrament:An ordinance that reminds Church members of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. By partaking of the sacrament, we renew covenants we have made with God. Bread and water are blessed and then given to the congregation. The bread represents the body of Jesus Christ, and the water represents His blood. This ordinance occurs each week in a worship service called sacrament meeting.

Set apart:To give someone a blessing that gives him or her the authority from God to act in a calling and to receive inspiration related to it.

Sunday School:An auxiliary organization for youth and adult members of the Church where they are taught the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sustain:To support others in their callings. Members acknowledge that they will sustain others in their callings by raising their right hand when invited to do so in sacrament meeting.

Testimony:A spiritual witness given to an individual by the Holy Ghost.

Young Men and Young Women organizations:The auxiliary organizations for youth in the Church between ages 12 and 18.