Reference help

I remember some term changes within the church but can't find the references, I wonder if someone can help.

I know the term "minister(s)" is used quite often but I found FAQ 14 at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/stu ... q?lang=eng

I remember "Auxiliaries" are now called "Organizations" but can't find a reference

I also remember "Gospel Doctrine" is now simply "Adult Sunday School" but also can't find the reference.

Can someone help?

Several of these are listed on page 77 of the Church Style Guide.

Why some words and phrases are no longer used in the Church’s General Handbook is another reference.

Here are a few more examples:

Fireside —> Devotional
Homemaking meeting —> Enrichment meeting —> Relief Society meeting
Investigator —> "Friend of the missionaries" or "Person being taught"
Mutual —> Youth activities
Primary chorister —> Primary music leader
Elders quorum instructor —> Elders quorum teacher
Activity Days —> Valiant Activities
Genealogy —> Family history
Church service missionary —> Service missionary
Music chair —> Music coordinator
Family history leader —> Temple and family history leader
Interview —> Meeting (in some cases)
Limited-use temple recommend —> Temple recommend for proxy baptisms and confirmations
Fourfold mission of the Church —> Divinely appointed responsibilities
Church Distribution —> Church Store
Handbook of Instructions —> General Handbook
Tithing settlement —> Tithing declaration
Brigham Young Academy —> Brigham Young University

Then there are the changes to emphasize the correct name of the Church:

LDS Tools —> Member Tools
Mormon Tabernacle Choir —> Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square
LDS.org —> ChurchofJesusChrist.org
Corporation of the President and Corporation of the Presiding Bishop —> The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
etc.

Thanks. Now I have clear reference to the auxiliary name change. I must have been mistaken about Gospel Doctrine to Adult Sunday School

wrigjef wrote: Mon May 18, 2026 3:51 pm Thanks. Now I have clear reference to the auxiliary name change. I must have been mistaken about Gospel Doctrine to Adult Sunday School

No, I think you're correct – Gospel Doctrine is no longer in use. Adult Sunday school is the correct term (that's what's used in the General Handbook).

Why does the church still have a circle in the living app called Gospel doctrine?

I'm not sure the name has really gone away as much as class(es) for adults isn't named in the Handbook.

For example:

13.3 - Sunday School Classes
With the bishopric’s approval, the Sunday School president organizes classes for adults and youth. If the president has counselors, they assist him or her.
...
Young men and young women typically start attending a youth Sunday School class at the beginning of the year they turn 12. They may start attending an adult class when they turn 18.

I think this change came about when the class for investigators/new members was dropped. At that point, there was no need to distinguish between the types of adult classes as they all teach from the same manual.

The Style Guide seems pretty clear to me, but I think not all of the app and website teams read the style guide:

The following names and terms are no longer current in Church usage, but they may be used in referring to past publications, programs, or activities: … Gospel Essentials, Gospel Principles, Gospel Doctrine class