for readers of other faiths

The characters in Just the Way You Are are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as Mormons. While this does influence how they see things and how they live their lives, much of what they experience (dating woes, schoolwork pressures, getting along with roommates and family, and so on) is pretty universal to the age group. If you aren't familiar with Latter-day Saints, this is your chance to peek inside the minds of a few of them. Their religion adds depth to their characters just like any other trait would add depth to a fictional character.

Following is a list of some of the LDS terms and ideas that come up in Just the Way You Are. This list was compiled and written by me and is not endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is simply here to explain some terms that may be unfamiliar to some readers, to help them better understand the story. If you would like to know more about the church, please visit www.mormon.org. Please also feel free to e-mail me if you have more questions I can answer.

--Katie

Branches and Wards --The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is organized at the local level into units called wards and branches. Branches are smaller units where there are fewer church members. Wards are larger units. Both are congregations where people attend church meetings on Sundays and other activities during the week.

Cultural Hall -- This is a large multi-purpose area in LDS church buildings. They usually have a basketball court, and often a stage area. Among many other possible uses, they are great places for holding church dances. Many churches have similar large rooms that can be used for large gatherings.

Dancing -- Some religions believe that dancing is evil. Latter-day Saints do not. We do, however, choose our music with care and encourage young unmarried people to dance "at arm's length" instead of closely. Many popular dance moves of the day are not appropriate for LDS church dances, but there are plenty of good ways for people to express themselves. Church dances are great opportunities for young people to socialize with each other. 

Doctrine and Covenants -- Recognized as a book of scripture by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with the Bible, Book of Mormon, and the Pearl of Great Price. This is in keeping with our belief that we have a living prophet on the Earth today and communication between man and God did not end with the close of the Bible.

Enrichment Night -- See "Relief Society."

Family Home Evening -- Latter-day Saint families meet together once a week and share an evening together. Often this is Monday night, but families can adapt as needed. The evening generally consists of a family member sharing a gospel lesson, a fun activity that all can participate in, and, of course, yummy refreshments to enjoy together. Singles groups often hold their own "family home evening" on Monday nights, since many singles are without nearby family members.  Besides, it makes for a fun evening together.

Institute -- LDS Institutes of Religion exist near many college campuses. They are places where Latter-day Saints (and anyone else who'd like to join them) may take classes on the scriptures and other gospel topics, attend church meetings and activities, and "hang out" between classes and socialize with other students. You may know of other religions that have similar buildings.

Marrying Within the Faith -- It is generally a benefit to any marriage for both partners to have the same religious beliefs. Latter-day Saints have an extra incentive to date and marry within their faith because of the importance of marrying in the temple. (See "Temple Marriage.")

Mission Call -- People preparing to serve missions wait for their mission calls from church headquarters. Exactly which mission in the world a missionary is called to serve in is made a matter of prayer and is approved by church leaders. When the assignment is made, the prospective missionary will receive the "call" in the mail. This is typically an exciting time, as friends and family gather around to find out where the prospective missionary will be serving.

Missionaries -- This term generally refers to those young men who go in pairs, dressed in suits and often riding bikes, who are known for knocking on doors and who teach people about what Latter-day Saints believe. Generally men are encouraged to serve missions and become missionaries when they are about nineteen years old. They serve for two years. This is a voluntary service and missionaries are not paid. They do not hold jobs, attend school, or date; this allows them to put their full attention to serving the Lord and the people around them for the length of their missions. Young women can also serve if they choose. Not only does this give the church a way to share the gospel, but you can imagine that it is also a tremendous growing experience for these young people. Full-time service of any kind is a wonderful way for people to begin their adult lives.

Relief Society -- The LDS church's organization for women ages 18 and over. Once a month they hold "Enrichment Night" where the women gather and participate in activities and visit with each other.

Returned Missionaries -- Once young men "return" from their missions to their old homes and regular lives, they are known as "returned missionaries," or RM's for short. Many young LDS women see them as newly available and desirable for dating and relationships.

Missionary Couple --Older married couples whose children have left home can also serve missions. Some of them, such as the Dunlaps in Just the Way You Are, help with Institute programs.

"Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree" -- This is a well-beloved children's song about looking out the window in the spring and seeing "popcorn" on the apricot tree. There are actions that go with it. Many young LDS children would name this as their favorite song.

Sacrament Meeting -- This meeting occurs on Sundays and is held by each branch or ward (see "Branches and Wards," above). It is a large meeting for the entire congregation. There are hymns, talks given by various members of the congregation or other church leaders, and the sacrament (you might recognize it as the Lord's Supper or Communion) is given to the congregation.

Stake, Stake Center -- Branches and wards (see "Branches and Wards," above) are organized into stakes. A stake will encompass several wards and sometimes a few branches, depending on the distribution of congregations in the area. There are leaders at the stake level who provide an additional measure of organization and assistance for branch and ward leaders. One church building in the stake is designated as the "stake center" and contains the offices of the stake leaders. Often, but not always, stake-wide meetings and activities are held at the stake center.

Temple Marriage --Faithful Latter-day Saints generally marry or aspire to marry in an LDS temple. Marriages performed here are binding not only "till death do they part," but "for time and all eternity." The children of a couple married here are also "sealed" to them, creating an eternal family unit. (Pretty powerful concept, isn't it?) Only worthy Latter-day Saints may enter a temple. Families who have not been sealed in the temple but who are or who become faithful Latter-day Saints can have the sealing done later as their circumstances allow.

"Waiting" for a Missionary -- Sometimes a young man's mission (or occasionally a young woman's mission) interrupts a flourishing relationship. Sometimes the other person "waits" for the missionary for the duration of the mission and the two of them attempt to keep the relationship alive from a distance for two years. Sometimes these relationships even work out. ;-)

Word of Wisdom -- This is our doctrine that teaches us to abstain from alcohol, tobacco, and coffee, and to eat foods that are good for us.