"For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light..."

Daily Life

 

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless woe, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." (The Book of Mormon, Helaman 5:12)

Latter-day Saint Glossary and Vocabulary
These words are frequently encountered when reading or listening to discussions about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Activity in the Church
"For Latter-day Saints, activity in the Church involves a broad range of public and private religious practices intended to enhance the spiritual well-being of the faithful and accomplish good works." Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Agriculture
"The Latter-day Saints were pioneers in developing techniques and institutions of irrigated agriculture and dry farming in the Far West, probably because of a particular juxtaposition of modern attitudes toward farming and farm life, skills gained in early industrial Britain and the United States, and the pressing need to increase production on Utah's hardscrabble farms."

Attitudes Toward the Arts and Media
Latter-day Saints have a great love for all of the arts, including Art, Media, Music, Literature, and Architecture.

Music
Music resources in the church.

Attitudes Toward Health, Medicine, and Fitness
"In light of modern revelation, Latter-day Saints believe that the physical body and its health and well-being are an essential part of the gospel of Jesus Christ." Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Attitudes Toward Business and Wealth
"Elements of history, theology, and practice combine to form a positive LDS attitude toward honest business endeavors." Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Church Organization and Priesthood Authority
"Jesus Christ is the great High Priest of God; Christ is therefore the source of all true priesthood authority and power on this earth (Heb. 5- 10). Man does not take such priesthood power unto himself; it must be conferred by God through his servants (Heb. 5:4; D&C 1:38)." Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Dating and Relationships
A description of LDS dating and courtship practices

Education
"The Articles of Faith underscore the deep and fundamental role that knowledge plays in the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things" (A of F 13)." Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Family History or Genealogy
"The terms 'family history' and 'genealogy' are synonymous for Latter-day Saints... LDS interest in family history is based on the fundamental doctrines of salvation, agency, and exaltation." Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Family Home Evening
"Family Home Evening is a weekly observance of Latter-day Saints for spiritual training and social activity, usually held on Monday evenings" Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Church History
A selection of articles about some of the events and personalities in LDS history.

Holidays and Celebrations
"Through their religious and community celebrations, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints express some of their spiritual and social values and expectations." Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Hunting
"...to take the life of [animals] wantonly is a sin before the Lord." President Joseph Fielding Smith

Interfaith Relationships
A discussion of the interfaith relationships between Mormonism and other Christian denominations as well as non-Christian faiths.

Teachings About Law
"Three types of laws exist: spiritual or divine laws, laws of nature, and civil laws. Latter-day Saints are deeply and consistently law-oriented, because laws, whether spiritual, physical, or civil, are rules defining existence and guiding action. Through the observance of laws, blessings and rewards are expected, and by the violation of laws, suffering, deprivation, and even punishment will result." Encyclopedia of Mormonism

 

Military and the Church
"The Church considers being loyal citizens to be a duty of its members, irrespective of nationality. Responding to a call for military service is one appropriate manner of fulfilling this duty of citizenship.." Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Missionary Work
"The mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to invite everyone to come to Christ. This includes a mandate to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people." Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Modesty in Dress
"Latter-day Saints believe that modest dress reflects commitment to a Christlike life and shows respect for self, for fellow beings, and for God. In their homes and in the Church, they are taught that modest dress has a positive effect on both self-esteem and behavior." Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Parenting
Latter-day Saints believe it is a great responsibility and also a divine privilege to have Heavenly Father's children entrusted to our care. We are expected to teach our children the principles of eternal life and help them grow into adulthood.

Policies, Practices, and Procedures
"The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have developed policies, practices, and procedures to give order and continuity throughout the units of the Church and to provide guidelines for its leaders." Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Politics
"Concerning the general duties of government and citizen, latter-day scriptures and the prophets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teach that governments should protect freedoms and provide for the public interest and that citizens should honor and uphold laws and governments." Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Prayer and Fasting
Prayer is "... the way to commune with God and receive revelation from him. Faith, sincerity, obedience, and seeking are attributes that lift the soul to God; this is the essential character of prayer for the Latter-day Saint." Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Recreation
"Recreation is an essential and vital part of the gospel of salvation -- a gospel which makes provision for every need of man, both temporal and spiritual." Elder Bruce R. McConkie

Reverence
"Latter-day Saints share with other religious people an inner yearning or inclination to venerate that which is holy." Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Sabbath Day
"The Sabbath is a day set apart for rest and spiritual renewal. The importance of Sabbath observance, taught from the Creation and throughout religious history, is reconfirmed in modern scripture and in the teachings of LDS leaders." Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Sexuality
"In LDS life and thought, sexuality consists of attitudes, feelings, and desires that are God-given and central to God's plan for his children, but they are not the central motivating force in human action. Sexual feelings are to be governed by each individual within boundaries the Lord has set." Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Social Characteristics
"Comparisons can be based on information that has been gathered about Latter-day Saints in the United States regarding their family characteristics, such as marriage, divorce, fertility, and sexual attitudes, as well as their social class, gender roles, substance use and health, political affiliation, attitudes toward social issues, religiosity, and migration." Encyclopedia of Mormonism

Welfare and Humanitarian Assistance
The Church has extensive programs available to help both members and nonmembers in need.

Word of Wisdom
"The practice of abstaining from all forms of alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea, which may outwardly distinguish active Latter-day Saints more than any other practice." Encyclopedia of Mormonism