You know when you attend Church and here someone come up to you and say, "Hi Brother, how was home teaching for you this week, did you manage to see to visit with your companion and report to the Elders Quorum President the families on your list?" Or how about... "Hi, I'm Brother Smith, the Executive Secretary, the Bishop wants to have a PPI with you after block meeting concerning the chairman of the activities committee."
Of course if a non-member heard this they would think it were a business or some sect. What are other common mormon sayings and cliches that you come across in the Church that would totally confuse a non-member?
When my wife and I were investigating the church, she thought bishopric was the name of our bishop. ( Bishop Rick). So she called him that for at least a month I'd say.
Also the use of the word atonement, and even dispensation throws a few people off. These are just a couple of things I've seen.
In the movie "The RM" there is a part when a father is talking to his son who just returned with honor, and began to spout out so many acronyms it made my head spin. (DL, ZL, GA etc...)
As Missionaries we are always using Sayings:
-We have to EBP this Area (Elder Ballard's Promise)
-oh Elder, you better BRT that family (Built Relationship of Trust)
- You don't need to FTC
I am sure nobody wants to know the last one... But as missionaries, we always need to use simple terms with people...
Edited: Elix on 27th Nov, 2006 - 5:23pm
Name: Eric
Comments: Mormon Sayings, "FTC means Flirt To Convert".
"Our whole strength rests on the validity of [Joseph Smith's] vision. It either occurred or it did not occur. If it did not, then this work is a fraud. If it did, then it is the most important and wonderful work under the heavens."
-- Gordon B. Hinckley - Oct. Gen. Conf. 2002
"Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was either a prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and commissioned, or he was one of the biggest frauds this world has ever seen. There is no middle ground."
- Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, vol 1, Page 188-189