Mormon-ese: Common LDS Acronyms
Every organization has its own jargon, and Mormonism is no exception. Here are a few common Latter-day Saint terms and acronyms :
LDS = Latter-day Saint(s) (member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) (I would say “I’m LDS” not “I’m an LDS”)
Mormon = Nickname for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (not a nickname for The Church)
1st Pres = First Presidency (President of the Church and his two counselors who are also Apostles)
The 12 = Quorum of Twelve Apostles (With the First Presidency leads the The Church of Jesus Christ)
GA = General Authority
TSM = Thomas S. Monson (current Church President)
HBE = Henry B. Eyring (1st Counselor in the First Presidency)
DFU = Dieter F. Uchtdorf (2nd Counselor in the First Presidency)
Latter-day Saint Scripture: OT = The Bible’s Old Testament
NT = The Bible’s New Testament
KJV = King James Version (Biblical translation used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
BoM = The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ
D&C = Doctrine and Covenants (collection of revelations to The Church of Jesus Christ through modern prophets)
PoGP = Pearl of Great Price (book of scripture providing additional insights from Moses, Abraham, and a history of Joseph Smith)
JST = Joseph Smith Translation (translated portions of the Bible and contained in footnotes throughout the Old and New Testaments. More lengthy excerpts are contained in a section at the back of the LDS edition of the Bible)
TG = Topical Guide (scriptural indices and cross reference guide to all of the LDS scriptures)
BD = Bible Dictionary (brief descriptions and definitions of terms and people in the Bible)
AoF = Articles of Faith (13 statements of faith written by Joseph Smith. Found in the Pearl of Great Price) WoW = Word of Wisdom (The LDS law of health found in Doctrine & Covenants 89.)
Quad = all of the scriptures bound into one book
General LDS Terms: CTR = Choose the right
FHE = Family Home Evening (church leaders set aside Monday nights as family night. Families spend time together and plan lessons and/or activities and/or treats)
FHC = Family History Center (genealogical research center)
FHL = Family History Library (genealogical research library)
BIC = Born In the Covenant (a child referred to as BIC. His/her parents were sealed in the temple before child’s birth)
MoTab = Mormon Tabernacle Choir
DI = Deseret Industries (Church sponsored thrift store similar to Goodwill)
Local Church Organization: Stake = administrative unit composed of congregations (or wards)
Stake Center/Stake House = church building housing stake offices. Used for regular Sunday meetings, and bi-annual stake conference where everyone in the stake attends a meeting.
Ward = congregation based on geographical location
Bishop = lay clergy leader of a ward.
Branch = congregation with too few Latter-day Saints in the area to be a ward
BP = Branch President (leader of a branch)
PEC = Priesthood Executive Committee. It consists of the ward's bishopric and other ward leaders.
HP = High Priest (Priesthood quorum)
EQ = Elder’s Quorum (Priesthood quorum)
PPI = Personal Priesthood Interview (meeting with Priesthood leader)
RS = Relief Society (organization for women over 18 years)
HT = Home teacher (1 of 2 men or young men assigned to visit several families every month)
VT = Visiting teacher (1 of 2 women assigned to visit several women every month)
SS = Sunday School
SA = Single Adult(s)
YSA = Young Single Adult(s) (single adults ages 18-30)
YW = Young women (12-18 year old teenage girls)
YM = Young men (12-18 year old teenage boys)
BYC = Bishop’s Youth Committee (comprised of the Bishop and YM and YW class presidents- 6 youth)
BYD = Bishop’s Youth Discussion (YM & YW gathering discussing Gospel principles, held monthly on a Sunday night in someone’s home)
Deacon = Refers to the Deacon’s Quorum or a member of that Quorum (generally young men ages 12-13)
Teacher = Refers to the Teacher’s Quorum or a member of that Quorum (generally young men ages 14-15)
Priest = Refers to the Priest’s Quorum or a member of that Quorum (generally young men ages 16-18)
Beehive = Young women’s class (young women ages 12-13)
Mia Maid = Young women’s class (young women ages 14-15)
Laurel = Young women’s class (young women ages 16-18)
Primary = Primary (organization for children 18 months – 12 years)
Sunbeam = Primary class for 3-4 year olds
Star = Primary class for 4-5 year olds
CTR = Primary classes for 5-8 year olds (Choose the Right)
Valiants = Primary classes for 9-12 year olds
Education: CES = Church Educational System (includes Seminary classes for high school students and Institute classes for young adults)
BYU = Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
BYUI = Brigham Young University, Rexburg, Idaho
BYUH = Brigham Young University, Laie, Hawaii
EFY = Especially For Youth (weeklong religious based summer camp for teens 14-18)
Girl’s Camp/Young Women’s Camp = weeklong camp for young women
Missionary Related: MTC = Missionary Training Center (where a missionary goes preparatory to going to assigned field of labor)
DL = District Leader (leadership position over several missionaries)
ZL = Zone Leader (leadership position over a group of missionaries)
AP = Assistant to the President (leadership position over all missionaries in assigned mission)
RM = Returned Missionary
RWH = Return with Honor
WML = Ward Mission Leader (local member of a congregation who coordinates missionary work between full time missionaries and ward members)
