Dictionary P Passover See Sabbath of Passover. Peace offering Hebrew, “zevah shelamim.” One of the sacrifices and offerings required by God before the coming of Jesus in the flesh. There are three types of peace-offerings: the thank-offering, the votive-offering given in fulfillment of a vow, and the free-will offering. The thank-offering was given in response to blessing or acts of divine favor. The votive offering was given at the fulfilment of a petition. The free-will sacrifice was given when one was moved by the Holy Spirit as a spontaneous show of piety. Today one would take the Sacrament of Communion and give offerings or to charitable causes. See 4 Moses 28, Leviticus 3; 7.11–34. Peh/2 Bet (or Feh) is the seventeenth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. It signifies the number eighty. Peh means “mouth” and is related to the letter Hei (“throat”). Because of this, Peh/ Feh refers to the power of speech in Kabbalah. This power is a double-edged sword. As it says in “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Speech is a spiritual power that can cause good or evil, depending on how it is used. Words from a blessing can heal, while violent actions can be birthed from violent words. From Peh/Feh we learn that to control our tongues can lead to selfmastery. The shape of the Peh/Feh represents the spiritual spark that is the soul, created inside the physical body when one is born again. Perdition The final state of ruin, the opposite to salvation. One who is perdition, in this life or in the first estate, is one who will not take part in the glory of God in the resurrection. These will be in a state of eternal punishment and damnation. See 1 Moses 7:18; Daniel 12:2; John 17:12; 1 Timothy 6:9; 2 Peter 3:7; Revelation 17:8, 20:14; Alma 9:29 RAV, 12:16b OPV; Helaman 5:73 RAV, 14:18b OPV; Doctrines of the Saints 42:22, 27-39, 113:28-29; Book of Remembrance 5:34. See also Iyrin. Pharaoh The term “pharaoh” was not used for the ruler of Egypt until about 1210 BC. Before the Nineteenth dynasty, “king” was the term most frequently used. And there could be (and were) multiple kings at the same time. Both the Old Testament and the plates of brass seem to use the term Pharaoh as a name or title for the king of Egypt. More than a king, the Pharaohs were said to be an intermediary between the Egyptian gods and the people. In Mormon Kabbalah, the Pharoah can represent our conscience or worldly thoughts or desires. He is the height of our worldly or physical desires to bestow to gain, the sun that shines light upon Egypt and the Egyptians. If we follow the path of Pharaoh, we will be led down the path of Cain. Pierced heart See Born again. Priestcraft Hebrew, kesheph; masculine noun, “sorcery.” In the Latter Day Saint movement priestcraft is seen as men and women that “preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the Welfare of Zion” (2 Nephi 11:106b RAV, 26:29b OPV). Examples of priestcraft range from necromancy to sorcerers/sorceresses, and idolators to false prophets. It can include those that make a mockery or even a business of religion, and those teaching egoism and pride, materialism, and even those in the Churches of Christ using unrighteous dominion. See Alma 1:3-17 RAV, 1:2-12a OPV; 3 Nephi 7:34 RAV, 16:10a OPV, 9:105-106 RAV, 21:19-20 OPV; Doctrines of the Saints 13a 29- 40, 22g: 5-6, 106:5-35, 119:13-14; Book of Remembrance 9:18, 25-26, 16:6-7, 24:24-27, Prosperity gospel. Polygamy Having more than one wife or husband at the same time. Monogamy is the practice of marrying only one spouse. Polygamy is the practice of marrying multiple spouses. Polygyny is the practice of a man marrying multiple spouses. Polyandry is the practice of a woman marrying multiple spouses. Polyculy/Polycule or group marriage is the practice of both marrying multiple spouses. There is no technical term for group marriages, but we are including these as a form of polygamy. Polygamy is not fornication, open marriages, “swinging,” or the like with individuals having side relationships for sexual pleasure. These are emotional bonds of marriage where all involved enter into eternal covenants with the Lord. The Law of Moses clearly allowed for polygamy. Exodus 21:10 mentions that a man may take another wife. The following verse states that she may leave him if he doesn’t care for her financially. Deuteronomy 21:15-17 is clear what to do with an estate if a man had two wives, and only likes one of them. Deuteronomy 25:5 commands a man to marry his deceased brother’s wife, it gives no exception for him if he is already married. We know the Nephites had this Law, as 5 Moses 22:17- 19 and 25:17 mirror these chapters and verses in Deuteronomy. We also see the example of Sarah taking multiple husbands in 1 Moses (1 Moses 21:13, 23:15-18, 24:21). The Lord does not appear care if we are polygamists of monogamists, as long all involved are one with each other and with God, and together they work to keep their covenants with God (Doctrines of the Saints 17d:18). Monogamy appears to be the rule when men are not faithful to their wives (Jacob 2:31, 40-41 RAV, 2:23, 31-32 OPV). Polygamy is not seen as a sexual orientation by law, like heterosexuals or those of the LGBTQ community, but rather as a lifestyle. Thus, it is a choice. That said, some psychologists disagree pointing out that there are those that do identify as polyamorous as their sexual orientation. They and their partners may choose to live in a way that honors their covenants to and with God in polygamy or in monogamy. See Book of the Law of the Lord 44:5; 5 Moses 25:31-32; Exodus 21:10; Doctrines of the Saints 17a-e Polyamory From Ancient Greek “polloí,” meaning “many,” and the Latin “amor,” meaning “love.” Polyamory is the modern term used to describe the practice of romantic relationships with more than one partner at the same time, with the informed consent of all partners involved. Polyamory is not necessarily a form of marriage, but a lifestyle. When discussing polyamory in the Christian/ Latter Day Saint framework, the term likely refers to a group marriage. Some that believe Joseph Smith Jr. was a polygamist understand his form of polygamy to be polyamory as he allegedly married other men's wives. Some in the polyamorous community do not like including polygamy or polygamists in their understanding of this term, especially those that see polyamory as open relationships, and not as marriages or sacred unions. This is a cultural understanding, not shared by all that involve themselves in this practice. See Doctrines of the Saints 17a-e; see also Polygamy. Priesthood Hebrew feminine noun, refers to our connection with God, and the power of God used by mankind. In the Latter Day Saint movement, the Priesthood is a term used for three distinct things: 1. the power of God 2. service to others 3. the ministry (including Offices of the Priesthood). When we pray and that prayer is answered, that is the priesthood in action. Some things we do, as seekers, disciples, and ministers require us to hold an Office of the Priesthood to run parts of the various sects and other organizations. There are two ways we may use God’s power. The first is theurgy. Theurgy is when we attempt to better ourselves through God. The second way we use God’s power is thaumaturgy. Thaumaturgy is also known as “wonder working” or “miracle working.” These would be the gifts of the Spirit. All gifts of the spirit use the priesthood and may be used by men and women alike. All miracles may be considered thaumaturgy, and some require the priesthood keys. Yet miracles may also be performed by men or women that are not ordained to the ministry, based on their faith and the grace of God. God has no limits, thus neither does the priesthood. The Presence See Shekinah. Prophet/Prophetess Hebrew, “nabi,” “spokesman,” “speaker,” or “prophet;” or “ydris,” “prophetess,” “seer.” A prophet or prophetess can be anyone regarded as an inspired teacher, or one proclaiming the will of God (4 Moses 33:5, 14). In the Latter Day Saint movement, a prophet or prophetess is generally seen as one in contact with God, called to speak on the Lord's behalf, serving as an intermediary with humanity (the Church), delivering messages, or teachings from the supernatural source to other people (5 Moses 19:7, 11). Moses, being the example of a prophet, did more, bringing the will of the people to God, being a true emissary between the Lord (the Bridegroom) and the Israel (the Bride). Moreover, the Book of Revelations states that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy,” making all Saints prophets (Revelation 19:10). Doctrines of the Saints 2d calls us to be a prophetic people. Doctrines of the Saints 2e echoes this, proclaiming: “God is calling for a prophetic community to emerge, drawn from the nations of the world, that is characterized by uncommon devotion to the compassion and peace of God revealed in Jesus Christ” (DoS 2e:71). Many see a prophet as one who foresees future events, or one who utters divinely inspired revelations. And this is one understanding of a prophet. This does not, however, make a prophet all seeing, all knowing, or even necessarily a seer or a revelator. A prophet can be one that is wise teaching through the power of the Holy Spirit. We can test prophets by 5 Moses 19:14-15; Deuteronomy 18:20-22; 1 John 4:1-3; Moroni 7:4b-26 RAV, 7:5-26 OPV. See 1 Moses 11:5, 24:29, 37:9; 2 Moses 25:22; 3 Moses 5:12, 8:2, 21:22, 44:34, 45:8 (Numbers 12:6); 4 Moses 33; 5 Moses 10:1-6, 19:11; Jeremiah 1:9; Zenos 11:2; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 2:19-20; Revelation 19:10; Mosiah 5:77-80 RAV, 8:16-17 OPV; Doctrines of the Saints 2d; 2e:55, 71-75; Seer, Revelator. Prosperity gospel A religious belief or theology claiming that financial blessings are a reward from God for the righteous, and that faith, positive speech or feelings, and donations religious groups or leaders will increase an individual's physical and/ or financial well-being. This theology teaches the idea that our spiritual and physical realities are inseparably connected, therefore those that are saved are entitled to “the good life.” The idea is that as we grow in grace, we will grow in wealth, and creates a theology where how we appear to others takes precedence over who we are in our hearts. This theology promotes nationalism, pride, egoism, and other “us verse them” tropes to keep the Saints against one another, making it harder to convert others to God. This theology was taught by Enmer Kar/Nimrod, leading to the destruction of his people by God. See 1 Moses 17-20, Priestcraft.