What is a Mormon elder?

Question

I live in France, and when I see Mormon missionaries, they all wear that tag with their name, and 98% have the title "elder".

But most of them are so young! I have formal knowledge of English, and don't really know habits common in American churches, and something strikes me as wrong. I'd normally think that elder would be a title given to senior church members, not students still wet between the ears.

So I wonder : to what kind of people is that title given?
a) It is no indication of seniority and is given to anybody who has graduated from sunday school?
b) It is a title given to missionaries?
c) It does mark seniority because missionary work is a fast track to rise in the church?
d) something else of which I could not think.

Answer 1

True Elder is a title given to Missionaries, but any man who has reached the age of 19, is ordained to the office of an Elder in the Holy Melchezedek Priesthood. During a mission that is how you are addressed Elder so and so. When you come home you aren't called Elder, but you are still a holder of the Priesthood.

In order to be ordained an Elder, the following things must happen. You have reached the age of 19, you pass an interview with your Bishop or Branch President, then You have an interview with your Stake President. Then you wait until the next Stake Conference where everyone in the stake gives the approval. Then you must select someone who holds the Office of Elder of above to ordain you. I hope this helps.

Answer 2

"elder" is basically meaning they have been ordained with the Melchizedek Priesthood. At the age of 19, most young men go on missions, they must be ordained with this level priesthood by someone who already also holds it...to enter the temple also a man must have the Melchizedek Priesthood. And missionaries receive their endowment in the temple before going on their mission. It is a title given to missionaries, but also other men in the church in say the Quoram of the Seventy, they are called "Elder" whoever. But, like my husband holds the Melchizedek Priesthood but is referred to as "Brother ____" because he is not a missionary or in a high office in the church. Its sort of just another name for "brother" but has a more specific meaning to it...hopefully that sort of makes sense.
And yes they are young, usually between the ages of 19-21 is when most young men go. They are instructed at the Missionary Training Center (usually in Provo, Utah) like if they need to learn a language and they are there for about 4-6 weeks. Then basically they let the spirit take over!
Talk to some of them if you have any serious questions about doctrine, they can be very helpful.

Answer 3

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), there are two branches of the Priesthood: the aaronic and the melchizedek.

The aaronic priesthood is given to young men starting at age 12. The offices are deacon, teacher, and priest. Each office has differing responsibilities. The Melchizedek priesthood has other offices like elder, seventy, high priest, apostle, etc. As others have indicated, it is the title given to male missionaries usually around age 19.

To address your questions specifically:

a. It is not an indication of seniority. It is a position of responsibility granted to those who are spiritually mature enough and worthy to hold this sacred office despite ones' age, but at least 19 years of age.
b.It is a title given to missionaries. They retain the office of elder after their missionary service is completed, but are no longer referred to as elder.
c. There should be no aspiring to rise in the church. The entire church is a lay ministry (non-paid). Everyone is given a calling and responsibility. These can vary from bishop to sunday school teacher or from nursery leader to High Priest group leader. The most important thing is willingness to humbly serve wherever we are needed and to be worthy to accept any position.

Answer 4

Melissa is right. Its surprising she mentioned the Endowments, as these are supposed to be secret.

Mormonism is a separate world religion, a branch off from Christianity, much as Buddhism is a branch off of Hinduism. It does, however, use the traditional ecclesiastical nomenclature of American protestants.

Elder has two meanings for protestants. At the congregational level, it means a senior, respected member of the congregation who has been elected or appointed to the office. Elders generally carry out the social gospel of the congregation, as well as assist during services. There are also eldresses.

Elder is also the usual translation of Greek presbyteros, when 'presbyter' is not used. Catholics tend to use the word 'priest' to translate the word.

In terms of ordination, 'elder orders' refer to a fully ordained minister competent to handle the sacraments.

A deacon, from the Greek, literally means 'servant'. Deacons are also appointed or elected to a term, and also do some of the congregations social work.

In the Lutheran tradition, A deaconess is a protestant nun.

With Catholics, Anglicans, and Methodists, 'deacon's orders' are one step short of full ordination. Deacons traditionally can perform baptism and marriage.

Answer 5

An elder designates the boy and or man child that is part of the receiving end of the missionary position in the Mormon faith. Due to the intense anal trauma that occurs during the male-male missionary the "elder" develops a hump, mighty if you will, and is rejoiced with magical underwear upon returning to his Utah slum.

Answer 6

Elder is what we call the missionaries. The males can go once they turn 19, and they serve a 2 year mission in another state or country. They just are there to teach about our church. The women who choose to go on a mission are called Sister. It has nothing to do with rank or seniority.

Answer 7

An elder is a male who has been ordained into that level of priesthood bearing.. He has gone through the temple and received his own endowments in preperation for a mission

Answer 8

It's a title in the Church, like deacon or bishop.

Answer 9

you do not do something. i comprehend it sort of feels harsh, and that i'm not attempting to be impolite, yet that's not the time for love, not for the two of you, a minimum of not with one yet another. For one element, he's a missionary. he's meant to be giving all of himself to God, focusing in basic terms on the challenge Christ has given him to hold others to the Savior. If he allowed himself to be distracted by using a woman, he'd be dropping the two his and the Lord's time, and he's preserving himself from having the reviews that ought to ok replace his existence for the extra effective. Missionary paintings is extreme, yet people who serve faithfully tend to alter into lots extra desirable. they are extra centred on God, extra at peace, extra confident, extra keen to assist others. there is a lot they learn on an identical time as on missions, and if he returns your emotions or acts on them, he would be focusing on you extremely. Do you extremely prefer a guy who'd positioned you over even God? that would not often make for healthful relationships in the top, by way of fact a guy who would not save God in his heart won't be satisfied, and an unhappy guy often has an unhappy spouse. after all, he can not date you. He can not even write on an identical time as he's a missionary, although he can write your loved ones. Telling him on an identical time as he remains in the sphere will in basic terms distract him, and that isn't help the two of you. he would be transferred ultimately, after which you will discover that your appeal isn't as extreme as you theory it became. Do your self a prefer and spot in the experience that your affection survives something of his challenge. If it does, then write or call him as quickly as he is going homestead and initiate construction a friendship. Get to renowned him whilst he isn't a missionary, and in case you nonetheless like him, bypass from there. EDIT: How could he discover out from somebody else? once you are going to attend and spot, then do not bypass shouting it from the rooftops. If he does discover out, whether, then decide your next action by using his reaction. If he ignores it, then you definately comprehend he the two would not such as you that way or he's in basic terms behaving as he could desire to. If he enables you to comprehend that he does return your emotions, then you definately provide him your touch counsel and tell him you would be waiting to hearken to from him whilst he's not a missionary. the two way, you do not ought to hurry into this. you have time, that's stable, by way of fact are not the impressive issues in existence properly well worth the wait?

Answer 10

Why don't you just ask them? I'm sure they would be happy to tell you ... in your own language.