Supernal is really a word

[ldswanderer]

I heard three different speakers in General Conference say supernal. I had to look it up in the dictionary. Apparently it means heavenly. Is this a new linguistic trend or have people been using that word for a long time?

[pam]

I've heard it many times over several years.

[marshac]

I think that LDS members have their own lexicon- some seemingly unknown word will pop up in an ensign article (or talk), and thusly be injected into the common vernacular of LDS members... I suspect 'supernal' will now be with us for some time. :)

[Moksha]

How many times have we wanted to run the words Super and Eternal together, but were afraid to say Supernal, because the General Authorities had not yet used it in General Conference?

Now that fear can be resolved in a guilt free manner.

[sensibility]

Well, I looked it up for you in the Oxford English Dictionary. The first references are from the 1400's, so it's definitely been around for a while. It looks to be derived from Latin, big surprise there.

Interestingly, apparently it can also be used as a noun. I've only ever heard it as an adjective. Language is great.

[Jamie123]

I heard three different speakers in General Conference say supernal. I had to look it up in the dictionary. Apparently it means heavenly. Is this a new linguistic trend or have people been using that word for a long time?

It's certainly not a very common word, though I do remember it from a rather lovely carol which I once had to sing the tenor part to:

Chorus: Past three o’clock and a cold frosty morning,

Past three o’clock, good morrow masters all!

Born is a baby, gentle as may be,

Son of the eternal, Father supernal.

Seraph quire singeth, angel bell ringeth,

Hark how they rhyme it, time it and chime it.

Mid earth rejoices hearing such voices

Ne’ertofore so well caroling Nowell.

Hinds o’er the pearly dewy lawn early,

Seek the high Stranger laid in a manger.

Cheese from thy dairy, bring it for Mary,

And not for money, butter and honey.

Light out the star-land leadeth from far land,

Princes to meet him, worship and greet him.

Myrrh from full coffer, incense they offer,

Nor is the golden nugget withholden.

Thus they I pray you, up sirs nor stay you,

‘Till ye confess him, likewise and bless him.

[Tarnished]

There are a lot of great words out there that we don't use all too often because many people don't really have them in their vocabulary. I think words are great!

[Moksha]

There are a lot of great words out there that we don't use all too often because many people don't really have them in their vocabulary. I think words are great!

I like the words in Holy Week. Today I am contemplating having a Maundy Thursday, but tomorrow I intend to have a Good Friday.

[Snow]

I learned the word "recumbent" (lying down) from President Hinckley. He used it to describe the original plans for the Angel Moroni on the Nauvoo Temple.

[TruthSeekerToo]

See? Not only can we get spiritual edification from conference, but vocabulary lessons as well!!!

I'm convinced that every once in a while a fake work is thrown in just to see who is paying attention.

[BenRaines]

Supernal has been used for years by Elder Richard G. Scott. One of my favorites.

I have always been a fan of vocabulary. I can remember as a kid doing the vocab tests in Reader's Digest. Being an avid reader helps with vocabulary.

Ben Raines