Mormon-ese: Common LDS Acronyms

Every organization has its own jargon, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 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 of Jesus Christ)

1st Pres = First Presidency (President of the Church and his two counselors who are also Apostles)

The 12 = Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (With the First Presidency leads the the Church of Jesus Christ)

GA = General Authority

RMN = Russell M. Nelson (current Church President)

DHO = Dallin H. Oaks (1st Counselor in the First Presidency)

HBE = Henry B. Eyring (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 Latter-day Saint edition of the Bible)

TG = Topical Guide (scriptural indices and cross-reference guide to all of the Latter-day Saint 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). Now called ministering brother.

VT = Visiting teacher (1 of 2 women assigned to visit several women every month). Now called ministering sister.

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 (composed of the Bishop and YM and YW class presidents-6 youth)

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). No longer used.

Mia Maid = Young women’s class (young women ages 14-15). No longer used.

Laurel = Young women’s class (young women ages 16-18). No longer used.

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 located in 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)

FSY = For Strength of 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)