Is the "Mormon" label fading?

[rongo]

1 hour ago, JLHPROF said:

I'm curious why Latter-day Saint is preferable to Mormon.  Neither address President Nelson's concern when he started this.  Both equally leave Christ out of it.

It's because it doesn't have the hated "Mormon." That seems to be the crux in practice, not neglect of the name of Christ. 

[JLHPROF]

52 minutes ago, rongo said:

It's because it doesn't have the hated "Mormon." That seems to be the crux in practice, not neglect of the name of Christ. 

Which is so ironic, because I've literally had debates on this board in Pres. Monson's era where I was told ONLY the LDS Church is entitled to be called Mormon.
I personally consider Mormon like Christian - a catch all term for anyone believing in the Book of Mormon and the restoration through Joseph Smith.
That means CoC, Bickertonites, Hedrickites, FLDS etc.  The idea of labelling some groups as "fundamentalist mormon" upset people at the time.  I suppose now the word has been vilified it's ok.

Someone here even told me that the term Mormon was copyright by the Church and shouldn't be applied to other believers in the Book of Mormon, only to the Church.
So I actually find these threads amusing after that.

[bluebell]

2 hours ago, JLHPROF said:

I'm curious why Latter-day Saint is preferable to Mormon.  Neither address President Nelson's concern when he started this.  Both equally leave Christ out of it.

I think it's because the emphasis is supposed to be on calling the church by the name of who's church it is.  Pres. Nelson was most concerned about the way that we and others were referring to the organization, because Christ specifically told JS what His church was to be called.  Christ never specified how He wanted members of His church to be referred to.

I think we have to look back a few decades to see why Pres. Nelson and others prefer Latter-day Saint over Mormon.

From his 1990 GC talk on the name of the church, focusing on the term "saint"-

Quote

 

The last word in the title is Saints. I smile when I remember a comment made after my call to the Quorum of the Twelve. A doctor friend relayed a report made at a professional meeting that “Dr. Nelson was no longer practicing cardiac surgery because his church had made him ‘a saint.’”

Such a comment was not only amusing but revealing. It evidenced unfamiliarity with the language of the Bible, in which the word saint is used much more frequently than is the term Christian.

The word Christian appears in only three verses of the King James Version of the Bible. One verse describes the historical fact that “disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26); another quotes a sarcastic nonbeliever, King Agrippa (see Acts 26:28); and the third indicates that one known as “a Christian” must be prepared to suffer (1 Pet. 4:16).

In contrast, the term saint (or saints) appears in thirty-six verses of the Old Testament and in sixty-two verses of the New Testament.

Paul addressed an epistle “to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 1:1.)

To recent converts there he said, “Ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” (Eph. 2:19; see also Eph. 3:17–19.)

In his epistle to the Ephesians, Paul used the word saint at least once in every chapter!

Despite its use in ninety-eight verses of the Bible, the term saint is still not well understood. Some mistakenly think that it implies beatification or perfection. Not so! A saint is a believer in Christ and knows of His perfect love. The giving saint shares in a true spirit of that love, and the receiving saint accepts in a true spirit of gratitude. A saint serves others, knowing that the more one serves, the greater the opportunity for the Spirit to sanctify and purify.

A saint is tolerant, and is attentive to the pleadings of other human beings, not only to spoken messages but to unspoken messages as well. A saint is different from an individual whose response to a concern might be a selfish “What do I care” attitude. A real saint responds, “What? I do care!” Do is an action verb, and it becomes the driving force in the reply of one who will care for another in need. (See 1 Cor. 12:25–27; 2 Cor. 7:12.)

A saint “refrain[s] from idleness” (Alma 38:12) and seeks learning by study, and also by faith. Education not only helps in communication with others, but it enables one to discern truth from error, particularly through studying the scriptures. (See D&C 88:118.)

A saint is honest and kind, paying financial obligations promptly and fully, treating others as she or he would want to be treated. (See Matt. 7:12; 3 Ne. 14:12; D&C 112:11.)

A saint is an honorable citizen, knowing that the very country which provides opportunity and protection deserves support, including prompt payment of taxes and personal participation in its legal political process. (See D&C 134:5.)

A saint resolves any differences with others honorably and peacefully and is constant in courtesy—even in traffic at the rush hour.

A saint shuns that which is unclean or degrading and avoids excess even of that which is good.

Perhaps above all, a saint is reverent. Reverence for the Lord, for the earth He created, for leaders, for the dignity of others, for the law, for the sanctity of life, for chapels and other buildings, are all evidences of saintly attitudes. (See Lev. 19:30; Alma 47:22; D&C 107:4; D&C 134:7.)

A reverent saint loves the Lord and gives highest priority to keeping His commandments. Daily prayer, periodic fasting, payment of tithes and offerings are privileges important to a faithful saint.

Finally, a saint is one who receives the gifts of the Spirit that God has promised to all His faithful sons and daughters. (See Joel 2:28–29; Acts 2:17–18.)

 

And then his focus on the word Latter day-

Quote

 

The term latter-day is an expression especially difficult for translators who labor in languages in which there is not a good equivalent term. Some translations may suggest last day.

It is true that scriptures foretell the final days of the earth’s temporal existence as a telestial sphere. The earth will then be renewed and receive its paradisiacal, or terrestrial, glory. (See A of F 1:10.) Ultimately, the earth will become celestialized. (See Rev. 21:1; D&C 77:1; D&C 88:25–26.) But its last days must be preceded by its latter days!

We live in those latter days, and they are really remarkable. The Lord’s Spirit is being poured out upon all inhabitants of the earth, precisely as the Prophet Joel foretold. His prophecy was of such significance that the angel Moroni reaffirmed it to the Prophet Joseph Smith. (See Joel 2:28–32; JS—H 1:41.)

For millennia, methods of farming, travel, and communication were largely unchanged from ancient techniques. Developments since the birth of Joseph Smith, however, have risen in remarkable contrast.

Joseph Smith had long been foreordained as God’s prophet for the restoration of the gospel in the fulness of times. (See 2 Ne. 3:7–15.) Twenty-five years after his birth, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was officially organized.

Later in that same century, the telegraph was developed, the Atlantic Ocean was first crossed by a steamship, and the telephone, the automobile, and motion pictures were invented.

The twentieth century has been even more extraordinary. Farming has become mechanized.

Modern transportation allows travel to nearly any destination in the world within a day or two.

Computers have been developed that allow the Church to serve living members and to organize information relative to progenitors who live on the other side of the veil. People throughout the world, once little concerned with family history, now search for roots of their ancestral heritage using technologies unavailable a century ago.

Long-distance telephone, telefax, radio, television, and satellite communications have become routine. In these latter days it is possible for the word of the Lord to be broadcast from world headquarters of His Church and heard in the most remote areas of the globe.

The divine promise is being fulfilled that this restored “gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” (D&C 133:37.)

Political changes have occurred recently in many countries. Previous restrictions of personal liberties have been relieved. The shell of spiritual confinement has been shattered. Swelling shouts of freedom fill the air. Surely the hand of the Lord is apparent. He said, “I will hasten my work in its time” (D&C 88:73), and that time of hastening is now.

 

 

[bluebell]

5 minutes ago, JLHPROF said:

Which is so ironic, because I've literally had debates on this board in Pres. Monson's era where I was told ONLY the LDS Church is entitled to be called Mormon.
I personally consider Mormon like Christian - a catch all term for anyone believing in the Book of Mormon and the restoration through Joseph Smith.
That means CoC, Bickertonites, Hedrickites, FLDS etc.  The idea of labelling some groups as "fundamentalist mormon" upset people at the time.  I suppose now the word has been vilified it's ok.

Someone here even told me that the term Mormon was copyright by the Church and shouldn't be applied to other believers in the Book of Mormon, only to the Church.
So I actually find these threads amusing after that.

Not everyone who participates in these threads made that argument though.

And I think if we let Pres. Nelson explain himself, rather than taking Rongo's opinion on it as the reason Latter-day Saint is acceptable, that we can see that it's not because Mormon is a hated word.

Edited February 25, 2022 by bluebell

[JAHS]

1 hour ago, rongo said:

2 hours ago, JLHPROF said:

I'm curious why Latter-day Saint is preferable to Mormon.  Neither address President Nelson's concern when he started this.  Both equally leave Christ out of it.

It's because it doesn't have the hated "Mormon." That seems to be the crux in practice, not neglect of the name of Christ. 

The term "Saint" can be enough because the term usually refers to someone who follows and and believes in Christ and His teachings. It did in the New Testament.

[CA Steve]

52 minutes ago, bluebell said:

And I think if we let Pres. Nelson explain himself, rather than taking Rongo's opinion on it as the reason Latter-day Saint is acceptable, that we can see that it's not because Mormon is a hated word.

I think Pres. Nelson has explained himself how he feels about using the word Mormon.

Quote

The president of the Mormon church reiterated Sunday that he wants members, the media and others to use the faith’s full name, saying nicknames are “a major victory for Satan.”

Addressing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ twice-yearly conference in Salt Lake City, Russell M. Nelson said the church’s name “is not negotiable.”

“When the Savior clearly states what the name of his church should be, and even precedes his declaration with, ‘Thus shall my church be called,’ he is serious,” Nelson said. “And if we allow nicknames to be used and adopt or even sponsor those nicknames ourselves, he is offended.”

 

Edited February 25, 2022 by CA Steve

[the narrator]

14 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

We both know about the Mormon History Association (MHA).  I just noticed that there is an American Catholic Historical Association.  Both association names are pithy and to the point.  I can't imagine the MHA being changed to the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints History Association, which sounds like an official association of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, like the so-called "Church History Library" (CHL), which clearly does not use the full name of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints simply because it would be too unwieldy, even though it is an official part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Nor do we foolishly refer to  the "Tabernacle Choir of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."  Instead we say "The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square."  Someone among the Brethren clearly understands that such references can go too far.

I don't mind the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints being mentioned by its full, official name when scholars or news reporters first mention it in a book or article -- when it is actually the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the subject matter.  However, articles analyzing Mormon culture would best be segregated from irrelevant notions of sainthood and religion when discussing Mormon sociology or ethnicity, both of which may entail discussion of the Mormon Corridor and the historical settling of the West in a secular context.

Prolixity is not divinty.

My attempt at carving out a space somewhere in the middle was published a few years ago in Dialogue (here) and was largely embraced at an emergency closed-door meeting of various Mormon Studies organizations shortly after Nelson's GC talk. How much we stick to it varies though depending on context and target audiences. We had a scare a couple years ago when rumors spread that Deseret Book was being prohibited from selling books that had "Mormon" on the cover, but we were later assured that the prohibition was limited to new books published by Deseret Book and other church entities.

[rongo]

23 minutes ago, JAHS said:

The term "Saint" can be enough because the term usually refers to someone who follows and and believes in Christ and His teachings. It did in the New Testament.

It has very different connotations for other churches, though (especially Catholic), and is confusing to outsiders. People envision the Mexican candle aisle at the store.  

Again, a lot of this comes from people who themselves don't have conversations about the Church with "everyday" non-members very often. I think it's actually easier for general authorities to only use the full name of the Church, because their conversations with non-members are almost always "high profile" situations (diplomats, the media, government officials, arranged situations, etc.). Their neighborhoods and weekly schedules don't put them in contact with non-members in the same situations that most of us have. 

Edited February 25, 2022 by rongo

[the narrator]

12 hours ago, Scott Lloyd said:

These words were recorded by Nephite prophets and preserved by the prophet Mormon himself. What do you suppose he, Mormon, would think of President Nelson’s “little pet peeve”? Do you honestly think he, Mormon, would approve of you or anyone else calling it “the Mormon church” instead of what Christ commanded that it should be called, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”?

Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, ... Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson all embraced and used "Mormon."

Just sayin'.

[CA Steve]

6 minutes ago, the narrator said:

Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, ... Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson all embraced and used "Mormon."

Just sayin'.

We can't really know what dead prophets mean until the living one tells us, just like 50 years from now the prophet of the "World Wide Mormon Church" will explain what President Nelson really meant now. At least that is how it seems to work.

[bluebell]

34 minutes ago, CA Steve said:

I think Pres. Nelson has explained himself how he feels about using the word Mormon.

 

Yes he did.  He does not approve of it as a nickname for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or it's members.  But otherwise, such as the Book of Mormon or Historical names (Mormon Battalion, etc.), it's fine. 

To suggest that the word itself has been vilified is not correct, and it's not how Pres. Nelson explained himself.

[bluebell]

48 minutes ago, rongo said:

It has very different connotations for other churches, though (especially Catholic), and is confusing to outsiders. People envision the Mexican candle aisle at the store.  

Again, a lot of this comes from people who themselves don't have conversations about the Church with "everyday" non-members very often. I think it's actually easier for general authorities to only use the full name of the Church, because their conversations with non-members are almost always "high profile" situations (diplomats, the media, government officials, arranged situations, etc.). Their neighborhoods and weekly schedules don't put them in contact with non-members in the same situations that most of us have. 

I don't know that the term mormon is any less confusing than saint is to some though.  

[Teancum]

21 hours ago, Freedom said:

This is not just a pet peeve.

Sure it was. Nelson had complained about this for some time. He gave a talk in GC about it and in the next GC President Hinckley subtly criticized and said using Mormon is quite fine.  Monson promoted the I am a Mormon campaign and meet the Mormons.   One of the first things President Nelson did was insist on nit using Mormon anymore.

21 hours ago, Freedom said:

 

 

This edict has come before but the leadership was not committed to fully put it into action. Monson raised it for example and then we were all confused when mormon.org was launched. We are not mormons just a baptists are not bibles and Jews are not mose's. Just because the media likes simple single word titles for their sound bites does not mean gods religion needs to comply.

THe LDS CHurch has embraced Mormon almost since its inception.

[the narrator]

8 minutes ago, Teancum said:

One of the first things President Nelson did was insist on nit using Mormon anymore.

It seems pretty clear that this is one of the items on his "What I Will Do When I'm In Charge" list of things that his wife said he had for when he was "unleashed."

Edited February 25, 2022 by the narrator

[smac97]

4 hours ago, JLHPROF said:

I'm curious why Latter-day Saint is preferable to Mormon.  Neither address President Nelson's concern when he started this.  Both equally leave Christ out of it.

From Wikipedia:

Quote

The use of "saint" within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) is similar to the Protestant tradition. In the New Testament, saints are all those who have entered into the Christian covenant of baptism.

From The Encyclopedia of Mormonism (emphases added) :

Quote

The revealed name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (D&C 115:4), wherein the term "saints" is synonymous with "members." The Church has no "patron saints" and does not canonize or venerate the dead. The usage of the term follows biblical precedents in which "saints" refers to Israelites as the chosen people of God-that is, as a community of believers set apart from nonbelievers (cf. "the congregation of the saints," Ps. 89:5). The Hebrew and Aramaic usage of the term in the Old Testament and in the writings of the Essene community is qadosh and qaddish respectively, meaning "separate, set apart, holy."

Paul used the term "saint" (Greek hagios also denotes "set apart, separate, holy") in referring to baptized members of the Church of his day (e.g., Phil. 1:1). The Book of Mormon also designates "saints of God" as all those who belong to the "church of the Lamb" (1 Ne. 14:12).

Used this way, the term today denotes all members of Christ's Church, who, through baptism, have expressed a desire to follow the Savior's counsel to become more Godlike, toward the ideal to be "even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matt. 5:48), and who, though imperfect, strive to live in a manner that will lead them toward that goal.

References to "saint" or "saints" in the Bible:

Quote

Saints

See also Church Organization; Holy; Sheep

• he came with ten thousands of saints, Deut. 33:2 (Jude 1:14).
• He will keep the feet of his saints, 1 Sam. 2:9.
• Gather my saints … that have made a covenant, Ps. 50:5.
• God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, Ps. 89:7.
• preserveth the souls of his saints, Ps. 97:10.
• Sing unto the Lord … in the congregation of saints, Ps. 149:1.
• saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, Dan. 7:18 (7:22, 27).
• war with the saints, Dan. 7:21 (Rev. 13:7; D&C 76:29).
• heard one saint speaking, Dan. 8:13.
• God shall come, and all the saints with thee, Zech. 14:5.

• many bodies of the saints which slept arose, Matt. 27:52 (Hel. 14:25; 3 Ne. 23:9–11).
• heard … evil he hath done to thy saints, Acts 9:13.
• to the saints which dwelt at Lydda, Acts 9:32.
• when he had called the saints and widows, Acts 9:41.
• beloved of God, called to be saints, Rom. 1:7.
• he maketh intercession for the saints, Rom. 8:27.
• Distributing to the necessity of saints, Rom. 12:13.
• I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints, Rom. 15:25.
• sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, 1 Cor. 1:2.
• saints shall judge the world, 1 Cor. 6:2.
• author … of peace, as in all churches of the saints, 1 Cor. 14:33.
• saints which are in all Achaia, 2 Cor. 1:1.
• fellowship of the ministering to the saints, 2 Cor. 8:4.
• not only supplieth the want of the saints, 2 Cor. 9:12.
• to the saints which are at Ephesus, Eph. 1:1.
• no more strangers … but fellowcitizens with the saints, Eph. 2:19.
• who am less than the least of all saints, Eph. 3:8.
• For the perfecting of the saints, Eph. 4:12 (D&C 124:143).
• fornication … let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints, Eph. 5:3.
• all perseverance and supplication for all saints, Eph. 6:18.
• saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, Philip. 1:1.
• To the saints and faithful brethren, Col. 1:2.
• coming of our Lord … with all his saints, 1 Thes. 3:13.
• he shall come to be glorified in his saints, 2 Thes. 1:10.
• ye have ministered to the saints, Heb. 6:10.
• Salute … all the saints, Heb. 13:24.
• contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints, Jude 1:3.
• odours, which are the prayers of saints, Rev. 5:8.
• offer it with the prayers of all saints, Rev. 8:3.
• the patience and the faith of the saints, Rev. 13:10 (14:12).
• thou King of saints, Rev. 15:3.
• they have shed the blood of saints, Rev. 16:6.
• woman drunken with the blood of the saints, Rev. 17:6.
• in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, Rev. 18:24.
• they … compassed the camp of the saints about, Rev. 20:9.

• church … which slayeth the saints, 1 Ne. 13:5.
• power … descended upon the saints, 1 Ne. 14:14.
• saints of the Holy One … they who have believed, 2 Ne. 9:18.
• perish because they cast out the prophets, and the saints, 2 Ne. 26:3.
• heard my father speak concerning … joy of the saints, Enos 1:3.
• putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint, Mosiah 3:19.
• many saints shall appear unto many, Hel. 14:25.
• blood of the prophets and the saints shall not come any more, 3 Ne. 9:5 (D&C 87:7).
• many saints who should arise from the dead, 3 Ne. 23:9.
• saints … shall cry, yea, even from the dust, Morm. 8:23.
• when all the saints shall dwell with God, Moro. 8:26.

• Lord shall have power over his saints, D&C 1:36.
• saints that have slept shall come forth, D&C 45:45.
• saints also shall hardly escape, D&C 63:34.
• gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion, D&C 84:2.
• prepare the saints for the hour of judgment, D&C 88:84.
• church … that persecuteth the saints of God, D&C 88:94.
• saints shall be filled with his glory, D&C 88:107.
• devil … shall not have power over the saints, D&C 88:114.
• adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints, D&C 89:3.
• earth is given unto the saints, D&C 103:7.
• do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, D&C 105:3.
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, D&C 115:4.
• left unto himself … to persecute the saints, D&C 121:38.
• graves of the saints shall be opened, D&C 133:56.

• saints arose, and were crowned at the right hand of the Son, Moses 7:56.

References to "Christian" in the Bible (and the Book of Mormon):

Quote

Christian

See also BD Christians

• disciples were called Christians first in Antioch, Acts 11:26.
• Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian, Acts 26:28.
• if any man suffer as a Christian, 1 Pet. 4:16.

• took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians, Alma 46:15 (48:10).

Thanks,

-Smac

[JLHPROF]

4 minutes ago, the narrator said:

It seems pretty clear that this is one of the items on his "What I Will Do When I'm In Charge" list of things that his wife said he had for when he was "unleashed."

I think regardless of what we think of this change or President Nelson's motivations it's pretty clear that each Prophet brings their own preferences and personality to the Church.
I mean, beards were cool until President McKay.  Mormon was cool for President Monson but not for President Nelson.  President Nelson emphasized the name of the Church back in 1990.  Now 30 years on he set policy.

It makes us wonder what a President Oaks or President Holland (assuming President Ballard doesn't outlive President Oaks) presidency would emphasize.  What is their current focus when they speak?  What do they emphasize now?
When the likely President Bednar administration finally rolls around in a decade or so we can probably expect more traditional orthodoxy emphasized based on his record.

 

[bluebell]

11 minutes ago, JLHPROF said:

When the likely President Bednar administration finally rolls around in a decade or so we can probably expect more traditional orthodoxy emphasized based on his record.

 

And probably an emphasis on receiving revelation and getting rid of cultural tradition.

[Bob Crockett]

I don't think so much of the name change, nor the selection of the Christus (it was used to decorate graves in the San Fernando Valley) as the Church's logo.  Angeles dancing on the head of a pin.

[the narrator]

1 hour ago, JLHPROF said:

I think regardless of what we think of this change or President Nelson's motivations it's pretty clear that each Prophet brings their own preferences and personality to the Church.
I mean, beards were cool until President McKay.

Well, a big difference is that McKay didn't claim in a general conference talk that past bearded prophets were assisting Satan with their facial hair.

[bluebell]

17 minutes ago, the narrator said:

Well, a big difference is that McKay didn't claim in a general conference talk that past bearded prophets were assisting Satan with their facial hair.

But the church did move towards a tradition that having a beard made someone unworthy of certain callings and that being clean shaven was somehow spiritually better.  Something some stakes in the church are still dealing with.

[JAHS]

20 minutes ago, bluebell said:

But the church did move towards a tradition that having a beard made someone unworthy of certain callings and that being clean shaven was somehow spiritually better.  Something some stakes in the church are still dealing with.

I wouldn't say it made them "unworthy" or unspiritual. It's just that there was a certain appearance  that was more expected for certain callings.
While explaining the BYU grooming code in a talk that Dallin Oaks gave, he said,
"There is nothing inherently wrong about long hair or beards, any more than there is anything inherently wrong with possessing an empty liquor bottle. But a person with a beard or an empty liquor bottle is susceptible of being misunderstood. Either of these articles may reduce a person's effectiveness and promote misunderstanding because of what people may reasonably conclude when they view them in proximity to what these articles stand for in our society today."

Of course Oaks gave this talk back in 1971 when in the minds of many people at that time, the beard and long hair were associated with protest, revolution, and rebellion against authority. But that is not really the case nowadays. 
 David S. King, president of the Washington Temple, answering a question in the Feb. 1993 Ensign, said;
"Church leaders, recognizing that fashions go in cycles, are sensitive to the rich cultural diversity within the Church. For example, they have recently held that clean, neatly trimmed and managed beards and long hair for men as well as certain other fashions that to some might seem trendy, are acceptable for the temple, provided they are not inherently offensive or vulgar."

Edited February 25, 2022 by JAHS

[Thinking]

On 2/24/2022 at 10:37 AM, smac97 said:

It stands to reason that jettisoning it will not be an immediate or easy process.

My wife pays her tithing online. On the bank statement it says "LDS Tithing."

[Freedom]

3 hours ago, Teancum said:

Sure it was. Nelson had complained about this for some time. He gave a talk in GC about it and in the next GC President Hinckley subtly criticized and said using Mormon is quite fine.  Monson promoted the I am a Mormon campaign and meet the Mormons.   One of the first things President Nelson did was insist on nit using Mormon anymore.

THe LDS CHurch has embraced Mormon almost since its inception.

It also embraced systemic racism. Was the revelation on priesthood just a pet project of pres Kimball? The name of the church is clear. This was a correction what was started long ago but then leadership waffles. Mormon is a slang term that should go away. We are not mormons, we are not bibles, we are saints, and we are Christians. 

[Amulek]

You know, I can imagine people having an argument - years from now - about whether or not using the word Mormon to describe members of the Church was ever really a revelation or if it was just a policy which came about following the revelation about avoiding the term to refer to the Church itself.

When that time comes - and I'll probably be dead so I won't be able to give you all a big, 'told you so' - it will be funny to see the roles in this debate switch sides.

In my opinion, the move to exorcise the word Mormon from all of Mormondom is clearly a policy preference and not a revelation. I don't have a problem with the prophet setting policy for the Church, but I don't feel obligated to treat policy on par with actual revelation.

 

[Hamba Tuhan]

7 hours ago, rongo said:

Again, a lot of this comes from people who themselves don't have conversations about the Church with "everyday" non-members very often.

I live in a city where Church members make up 0.32 per cent of the population. I strongly suspect I have at least as many conversations about the Church with 'everyday' non-members as you do ... and quite possibly more. I have never referred to the Church or its members as 'Mormon'. It's not difficult.