FLDS
An acronym for the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which is a fringe sect of the Mormon church. The FLDS differs from mainstream Mormonism in that it practices polygamy and other extremist beliefs. The FLDS has been designated as a "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
polygamy (plural marriage)
The practice of a man having more than one wife. The FLDS also use the euphemisms "plural marriage," "celestial marriage," and "spiritual wifery" to refer to polygamy.
scripture
The sacred writings of a religion. Mormonism reveres the Old Testament, New Testament, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine of Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price as their primary scriptures.
injudiciousness
Indiscretion and foolishness.
fanatic
Someone who is obsessively enthusiastic about something, often a religion.
ratiocination
The process by which someone thinks and reasons in an exact, concrete manner.
rapture
The transportation of a religious adherent (typically a Mormon or Catholic) to heaven after the long-alleged second coming of Jesus Christ.
edifice
A varied, multi-layered, and complex system of beliefs.
nexus
The connection of two or more things.
zealot
Someone who holds uncompromising views that are typically religious or political in nature.
apostate
A person who renounces their religion or faith community.
gentile
To the FLDS Church, a gentile is any person who is not a member of the fundamentalist Mormon faith.
The Second Great Awakening
A Protestant religious revival movement that lasted from around 1795 -1835. Joseph Smith was born and raised during this period, which had a significant impact on his theological development.
Money Digging
The practice of searching for treasure using mystical or magical methods.
Peep Stone
Also called a "seer stone," it is a rock or gem used in divination to decode texts or find buried treasure.
scrying
A form of divination where a "seer" looks into a peep stone to deduce hidden knowledge.
interpreters
Special glasses given to Joseph Smith by the angel Moroni that allowed him to decipher the Egyptian language written on the golden plates.
Blood Atonement
A controversial doctrine in the Mormon church that asserts Christ's crucifixion does not redeem certain sins. The sinner can only be redeemed if they are murdered and their blood is spilled on the ground.
commune
A group of people who live together and share resources and responsibilities.
doctrine
An official belief held and taught by a church.
Paiute
A general term for three groups of indigenous people based in the northwestern United States.
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
One of the governing hierarchies of the Mormon church.
Section 132 of The Doctrine and Covenants
Joseph Smith's 1843 revelation affirming plural marriage as a commandment from God.
