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Terms
Before proceeding, it is important to offer clarification on terms that are common to Mormon culture, yet not part of the broader American vernacular. To start, “ward” is the word used by members of the LDS faith to describe their groupings of people who gather weekly for services in meetinghouses that are open to all. The bishop is the man in charge of each ward. There are different types of wards, including family wards, YSA (Young Single Adult) wards, and mid-singles wards. Like Catholic parishes, they are location-based. Unlike parishes, your place of worship is determined as much by your stage in life as it is by your location. An LDS family with young children can live right next door to an LDS young single man, yet they would not attend services together. A “stake” is a group of wards with a president of its own. Temples are spaces that only card-carrying (your “temple recommend” is a card given to indicate that someone is living a life that makes them worthy of entering the building) members can enter to participate in religious ceremonies.[1] A member of the “priesthood” is someone with power to act in God’s name. This person is always male and over the age of twelve, and the majority of male members are “priesthood holders.” The nature of the doctrine of the priesthood requires that those in significant leadership positions within the LDS Church be male. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, along with the President of the organization, are the most significant of the leaders. Members of the LDS faith see them as prophets who offer continuing revelation in the modern day (ergo the “Latter Day” portion of the name of the church). This revelation is seen to continue in the tradition of significant figures in the Judeo-Christian tradition. They are wide-ranging enough to include Moses and Paul.
[1] Liu, Joseph. “Glossary.” Pew Research Center’s Religion & Public Life Project. January 12, 2012. Accessed February 06, 2017. http://www.pewforum.org/2012/01/12/mormons-in-america-glossary/.