My first thought was "what part of obedience do we not understand." Yep, that was also my second thought. Sometimes changes take time and we just have to be who we are. We are members of the Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-day Saints..
When I was young, my brother had a nickname. When he was about 10 years old, he said he wanted to be called by his "real" name. We honored that request and to this day (60+ years later), he is still called by his real first name. We remember his nickname fondly as does he, but we use his real name because he asked us to.
So, my feelings are that we should follow what the prophet has asked and drop the nickname and present ourselves to the world by the name of who we really are: Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
SuzieSeptember 1, 2018
When I first joined the church, my family wondered what kind of weird church had I joined, with a name like Mormon. I wonder how many more people would have been blessed by the restored truth had they not been turned off by that peculiar name, which was mockingly given to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by enemies to the church, and undoubtedly inspired by Satan. I am thrilled by our prophetâs strong and inspired reminder of what Jesus Christ commanded His church be called. As we humbly seek Heavenly Fatherâs help, I know He will help us to remember to refer to His church by its proper name. As a result, There is no doubt that the church will see many more converts in the coming years, as we repent of the error of allowing ourselves to be called Mormons. Refering to His church by itâs God-given name is one very important way, that we, as disciples of Jesus Christ, will help build up His kingdom in the last days.
Stewart LangAugust 29, 2018
T&J and Cheryl's comments nailed it - WHY are there those that want to question the Prophet - it's very simple!
"I will do it because the prophet has asked. I do not think he would if it were not important."
"If we find it too difficult to obey what the Prophet has asked is to do, we're in a lot of trouble!
ShareeAugust 27, 2018
Great article! It will take some time, but I do think we need to heed the prophet and call the Church by its correct name. However, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Tabernacle Choir is quite a mouthful, and as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, it has world-wide renown. That might prove difficult to change. And I'm not sure the prophet's pronouncement meant that the church's website must now be thechurchof jesuschristoflatterdaysaints.org. Sometimes you have to abbreviate just to be practical
Elder Sergeant RonAugust 26, 2018
My dog tags from Viet Nam and Korea say LDS
My tomb stone will say LDS.
We are at war with the great Adversary and he is winning.
It is time for the mighty trumpet to sound.
Onward Christian solders Marching as to War. Hymn 246
Or there will be NO Church of any name.
Sasha KwapinskiAugust 26, 2018
Christopher, I traveled the opposite direction. Prior to becoming LDS, I turned away from traditional Christian sectarian teachings over 45 years ago, largely due to issues concerning the Trinity (the nature and being of God); the matter or free will (moral agency and whether we in fact possess that capacity); the question of whether we are personally guilty or punishable for Adam's transgression (Original Sin),and the question of individual worth and dignity (which LDS teaching affirms but many Christians seem to reject or deny).
ValAugust 26, 2018
Well written and gave me thoughts to ponder. As our Prophets have told us, whenever they give us a revelation from the Lord it is our obligation to seek our own confirmation. Thanks for sharing yours.
ChuckAugust 26, 2018
I was baptized on 26 March 1971, ordained an elder a year later, and two years after that was ordained a Seventy. I say this because I spent 16 years as a teaching Seventy, having served as a mission leader four times, as a gospel essentials instructor five times, as a district mission president in the Philippines, and a stake mission president in the San Antonio, TX stake. During all this time, I taught people that our church was the church of Jesus Christ---not the church of Mormon (whom I deeply respect). If people will take to heart the words of our President and Prophet, then, in time, they will stop referring to the Lords' church as the "Mormon Church". It is truly the Church of Jesus Christ.
KevinAugust 25, 2018
This change in church "culture" will take some time but I think the church is serious about President Nelson's directive. I have never called myself Mormon. My mother gave me a different name at birth. Mormon lived 1400 years ago. However, I have always called myself a Christian and will continue to do so. I am excited about the exit of terms not deemed acceptable anymore. Follow the living prophet I say.
Paul PlumbAugust 25, 2018
Most 'born again' Christians deny we are Christian because of our doctrine - not because of the name. Correcting the name will have no effect on these people at all. But correcting it is the correct thing to do.
MichaelAugust 25, 2018
Ceasing to use it in one context but continuing to use it in another seems somewhat hypocritical. If the church is serious about this change, I expect the word will eventually be eliminated in all official church organizations and publications ie mormon.org, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, etc.
Terry LR DorseyAugust 25, 2018
Not to beat a dead horse but here are two thoughts to considerâŠ
In recent days there has been a huge calling from overzealous âSaintsâ for Facebook groups & pages, Websites, Twitter accounts and the like to change their names and titles to reflect the Prophets statement of use of the proper name of the church. They have taken his statement and added in the churchâs media style guide to back their claims. However they neglect this part of the style guide:
âMormonâ is correctly used in proper names such as the Book of Mormon or when used as an adjective in such historical expressions as âMormon Trail.â
In other words the use of âMormonâ in proper names or as an adjective. Would this not cover the proper names and titles of these pages, accounts and websites? I think so.
Secondly, if we go by the logic of the overzealous then why are we not allowed to call ourselves âChristianâ? It says nothing of that in the style guide just as it says nothing of us calling each other âLDSâ. The overzealous have condemned the use of the acronym âLDSâ (as what we call ourselves) but not âChristianââŠ.why?
President Nelson is talking about the use of the proper name of the Church. (PERIOD)
Not about the proper name of Facebook pages, Twitter accounts and Websites.
I run a Facebook page called âLDS Standing Unitedâ (with close to 200,000 followers and I have been inundated with requests to âfollow the Prophet.â The problem is, Facebook pages with more than 100K likes are not allowed to change their name. This includes pages like LDS.org, Mormon.org, The Mormon Channel and all other official church pages. Facebooks answer to their rule is to remove the page and start over. But anyone who knows social media knows that would not be a good idea because it takes years to build a following.
Everyone seems to have an opinion on this. So, until things are clarified I will continue to publish as âLDS Standing United.â All I can do is wait and see what the âChurchâ does with itâs official Facebook pages with âLDSâ or âMormonâ in their titles.
In the meantimeâŠStop attacking me like Iâm some sort of apostate!
This crazy âMormonâ mob mentality is making me feel like a statue in the south during the history purge of 2015.
Just my thoughts.
AnaAugust 24, 2018
When I started investigating The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over 20 years ago, I was surprised that people also called it the Mormon Church. All I knew about the Mormon Church was that the Osmonds were Mormons. To me Mormon was something like Quakers or Amish. I had never heard about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During the second discussion I asked to be baptized. I have always been a stickler about calling the Church by its proper name and anytime people use Mormon or LDS, I crinch because to a person who has never heard the correct name, these names donât mean anything. When i talked to people about our church I always use the correct name and i might add an explanation about the name Mormon. I was elated when I heard President Nelsonâs announcement and I know he was guided by The Lord Himself. He is the prophet The Lord has appointed for this time.
AnonAugust 24, 2018
Being a Mormon is how we have identified ourselves for longer than any of us have been alive, and it is not going to go away easily or quickly. And thatâs okay. Joseph Smith embraced calling ourselves Mormons, and so did president Hinckley. It is our cultural identity in the world, and thereâs nothing really all that terrible about it.
I also understand the reasoning behind identifying the church by its proper name, and as Jesus Christâs church. This is going to take years, and âMormonâ will probably never go away completely. I have no problem with that at all. Living the gospel of Jesus Christ is much more important than how we identify ourselves.
I hope this effort will not result in members shaming one another, or in policing each other. May we all make sure that doesnât happen as we each try to do our part to sustain our prophet.
JimAugust 24, 2018
Kim..... You nailed it! I shared this with everyone I know in the church.... Thank you so much.
HalAugust 24, 2018
Names are important. The Lord Himself said if a church is named after a man, then it is the church of a man. The true Church of Jesus Christ must bear His name. Telling people I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is something that took a bit of effort on my part over the years, but it has become second nature to me now. I had to do the same thing in the 1980's when I decided I should use the term "photo-copy" rather than "Xerox copy" and "denims" or "jeans" instead of "Levis." I consider it a sign of respect to avoid using a registered trademark name to cover the entire gamete of generic products.
TJAugust 24, 2018
I will do it because the prophet has asked. I do not think he would if it were not important.
Cheryl WrightAugust 24, 2018
If we find it too difficult to obey what the Prophethasasked is to do, we're in a lot of trouble!
Marsha SmithAugust 24, 2018
This is direct from our Prophet, and it is not new It is so clearly and simply stated in the D & C 115:3-4! This is not difficult and we will be blessed by conforming and making minor adjustments.
RachelAugust 24, 2018
Love this article- brought up points I hadnât thought of. Thanks for the thought-provoking read!
Neil DevereauxAugust 24, 2018
I don't believe that President Nelson is telling the rest of the non-member or unbelieving world what they should call us. I rather think that he is clearly communicating to all members that the Lord has indicated to him, as His chosen representative on Earth, that we as members should refer to the Church by the name that the Savior personally gave it. The proclamation of President Nelson may have little effect in the world as a whole, or he (we) may be mocked and criticized because of this new emphasis on the fact that we should call ourselves by the only name under heaven by which we may be saved and will be called by before the final judgement. Let the world mock and criticize. We should follow the heeding of him who has received revelation directed toward the members of His Church.
Christopher HansenAugust 24, 2018
It isn't difficult at all. I stopped using "Mormon" 30 years ago. I didn't need the prophet to tell me what was made clear in the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon. He said if it is in the name of a man then it is a man's church and if it is His church then it will be in His name. I am a Christian. I am not a Mormon and haven't been for 30 years. It cost me with my family and friends but I became closer to Christ in doing so.
Pam BraytonAugust 24, 2018
Thank you for your article. I've faced Latter-day Saint naysayers when this change was announced. They seemed to think it would be forgotten about just like the other times it has been tried. I told them I fully expect the changes to be made in due time, including lds.org and Mormon Tabernacle Choir. When the Lord speaks through his ordained prophet it is our duty to "make it so."
A. BinghamAugust 24, 2018
Well said.
Andy C.August 24, 2018
A point and a question: Point - When arriving on the island of Borneo as humanitarian missionaries a few months after the tsunami of several years ago, we heard of two churches that really helped out with the recovery--"the Mormons" and "the LDS". Question - What now is the accepted name for what used to be "The Mormon Tabernacle Choir"?
Larry WalterAugust 24, 2018
Very true. We are members of Christ's church and should do what He has asked to do thru His early leader President Nelson.
DebrahAugust 24, 2018
Thank you Kim, that was very insightful, and I learned some things I did not know. I especially liked your attention to the name of Christ being in only four of the major religions.
Harold RustAugust 24, 2018
Very well written and a reminder it is in our DNA as members to work very hard in bringing about a miracle.
Margaret SilsbyAugust 24, 2018
Thankyou so much for this article! It totally echoes my feelings, especially the paragraph about those searching for the true church of Jesus Christ, which describes exactly what I was doing over a period of several years more than half a century ago! What joy and gratitude i constantly feel that I found it; that I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ!
HeidiAugust 24, 2018
Great article. I have quietly observed others around me and I am shocked to see how many people say they will continue to call themselves Mormons, because thatâs what they are and will not change. I appreciate how this article points out that it was by our haters that we got that name. Just because we are so used to it doesnât negate that fact. My mom always taught me as a small child that when the prophet speaks the debate is over. We would all do well to stop debating the Mouthpiece of God. I heard a friend say that this is a way for all of us to not be so casual in our discipleship of Jesus Christ. It will be hard to make the change, but we have been doing hard things for a long time and will continue to do so. Personally I am grateful I havenât been driven out of my home in the middle of a cold winter night by mobs. I can certainly make a change in how I call my religion. Yes, itâs a mouthful, but no where in Mormon is our Savior Jesus Christ. It will be well to take his name on, Always! If we reject our prophet and his inspiration, we reject God and we wonât spiritually survive in the last days. Letâs hold strong and not let this be a power struggle and listen to our prophet in everything he says.
Robert StarlingAugust 24, 2018
Yes, it will be hard. But if the Lord has commanded it, those who truly believe that we have a living prophet will do it. I'm sure there is a good reason for it, although I don't at this time know what that reason is.
But in the 2nd edition of my book "Really Inside Mormonism", I'm changing the title to "The Case for Latter-day Christianity".
Gloria SchickAugust 24, 2018
Well written article!
Thank you, Kim White!
Joan JonesAugust 24, 2018
Thank you! This is an excellent article.
LecaGraemeAugust 24, 2018
Iâve been listening to Church leaders asking us to refer to The Church by its proper name for over 30 years. My grandmother said it went on even before that. I remember when Primary children began singing âI belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintsâ and knew it was part of this plea. It appears that, if you believe President Nelson, the Lord has finally tired of us not taking the request of our leaders and is making His will less easy to ignore.
A. BinghamAugust 24, 2018
Well stated. Clarity with simplicity is needed in today's world. We belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Unequivocal.
DebraAugust 24, 2018
I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. Great to sing, great to say.
Glen DanielsenAugust 24, 2018
Great article. I think it is as itâs always been: those who have discipleship and commitment will follow the Lordâs prophet. Those in the Church who are their own master and live by their own creed will grouse or mock. I hear the words whisper in the breeze, âThe bridegroom came and the door was shut.â
Judith GrantAugust 24, 2018
Of course we will try to do this .... bc the Lord has told the prophet we should, and i have always claimed to be a â Latter Day Saint â and explained âMormonâ was a nickname. I think the problem comes from the fact that just a few years ago, we were told it was ok to be a âMormonâ and it then was used all the time.
Sasha KwapinskiAugust 23, 2018
In areas where the church is just becoming established, or just beginning to demonstrate significant growth, the word "Mormon" probably does not have the level of recognition that it would have in the US, Canada, or Mexico. Think of areas like India, SE Asia, Africa, or Eastern Europe, for example. It is probably easier just to consistently use the official name of the church and stick with it.
Comments | Return to Story
Sandra NewellSeptember 1, 2018
My first thought was "what part of obedience do we not understand." Yep, that was also my second thought. Sometimes changes take time and we just have to be who we are. We are members of the Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-day Saints.. When I was young, my brother had a nickname. When he was about 10 years old, he said he wanted to be called by his "real" name. We honored that request and to this day (60+ years later), he is still called by his real first name. We remember his nickname fondly as does he, but we use his real name because he asked us to. So, my feelings are that we should follow what the prophet has asked and drop the nickname and present ourselves to the world by the name of who we really are: Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
SuzieSeptember 1, 2018
When I first joined the church, my family wondered what kind of weird church had I joined, with a name like Mormon. I wonder how many more people would have been blessed by the restored truth had they not been turned off by that peculiar name, which was mockingly given to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by enemies to the church, and undoubtedly inspired by Satan. I am thrilled by our prophetâs strong and inspired reminder of what Jesus Christ commanded His church be called. As we humbly seek Heavenly Fatherâs help, I know He will help us to remember to refer to His church by its proper name. As a result, There is no doubt that the church will see many more converts in the coming years, as we repent of the error of allowing ourselves to be called Mormons. Refering to His church by itâs God-given name is one very important way, that we, as disciples of Jesus Christ, will help build up His kingdom in the last days.
Stewart LangAugust 29, 2018
T&J and Cheryl's comments nailed it - WHY are there those that want to question the Prophet - it's very simple! "I will do it because the prophet has asked. I do not think he would if it were not important." "If we find it too difficult to obey what the Prophet has asked is to do, we're in a lot of trouble!
ShareeAugust 27, 2018
Great article! It will take some time, but I do think we need to heed the prophet and call the Church by its correct name. However, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Tabernacle Choir is quite a mouthful, and as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, it has world-wide renown. That might prove difficult to change. And I'm not sure the prophet's pronouncement meant that the church's website must now be thechurchof jesuschristoflatterdaysaints.org. Sometimes you have to abbreviate just to be practical
Elder Sergeant RonAugust 26, 2018
My dog tags from Viet Nam and Korea say LDS My tomb stone will say LDS. We are at war with the great Adversary and he is winning. It is time for the mighty trumpet to sound. Onward Christian solders Marching as to War. Hymn 246 Or there will be NO Church of any name.
Sasha KwapinskiAugust 26, 2018
Christopher, I traveled the opposite direction. Prior to becoming LDS, I turned away from traditional Christian sectarian teachings over 45 years ago, largely due to issues concerning the Trinity (the nature and being of God); the matter or free will (moral agency and whether we in fact possess that capacity); the question of whether we are personally guilty or punishable for Adam's transgression (Original Sin),and the question of individual worth and dignity (which LDS teaching affirms but many Christians seem to reject or deny).
ValAugust 26, 2018
Well written and gave me thoughts to ponder. As our Prophets have told us, whenever they give us a revelation from the Lord it is our obligation to seek our own confirmation. Thanks for sharing yours.
ChuckAugust 26, 2018
I was baptized on 26 March 1971, ordained an elder a year later, and two years after that was ordained a Seventy. I say this because I spent 16 years as a teaching Seventy, having served as a mission leader four times, as a gospel essentials instructor five times, as a district mission president in the Philippines, and a stake mission president in the San Antonio, TX stake. During all this time, I taught people that our church was the church of Jesus Christ---not the church of Mormon (whom I deeply respect). If people will take to heart the words of our President and Prophet, then, in time, they will stop referring to the Lords' church as the "Mormon Church". It is truly the Church of Jesus Christ.
KevinAugust 25, 2018
This change in church "culture" will take some time but I think the church is serious about President Nelson's directive. I have never called myself Mormon. My mother gave me a different name at birth. Mormon lived 1400 years ago. However, I have always called myself a Christian and will continue to do so. I am excited about the exit of terms not deemed acceptable anymore. Follow the living prophet I say.
Paul PlumbAugust 25, 2018
Most 'born again' Christians deny we are Christian because of our doctrine - not because of the name. Correcting the name will have no effect on these people at all. But correcting it is the correct thing to do.
MichaelAugust 25, 2018
Ceasing to use it in one context but continuing to use it in another seems somewhat hypocritical. If the church is serious about this change, I expect the word will eventually be eliminated in all official church organizations and publications ie mormon.org, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, etc.
Terry LR DorseyAugust 25, 2018
Not to beat a dead horse but here are two thoughts to consider⊠In recent days there has been a huge calling from overzealous âSaintsâ for Facebook groups & pages, Websites, Twitter accounts and the like to change their names and titles to reflect the Prophets statement of use of the proper name of the church. They have taken his statement and added in the churchâs media style guide to back their claims. However they neglect this part of the style guide: âMormonâ is correctly used in proper names such as the Book of Mormon or when used as an adjective in such historical expressions as âMormon Trail.â In other words the use of âMormonâ in proper names or as an adjective. Would this not cover the proper names and titles of these pages, accounts and websites? I think so. Secondly, if we go by the logic of the overzealous then why are we not allowed to call ourselves âChristianâ? It says nothing of that in the style guide just as it says nothing of us calling each other âLDSâ. The overzealous have condemned the use of the acronym âLDSâ (as what we call ourselves) but not âChristianââŠ.why? President Nelson is talking about the use of the proper name of the Church. (PERIOD) Not about the proper name of Facebook pages, Twitter accounts and Websites. I run a Facebook page called âLDS Standing Unitedâ (with close to 200,000 followers and I have been inundated with requests to âfollow the Prophet.â The problem is, Facebook pages with more than 100K likes are not allowed to change their name. This includes pages like LDS.org, Mormon.org, The Mormon Channel and all other official church pages. Facebooks answer to their rule is to remove the page and start over. But anyone who knows social media knows that would not be a good idea because it takes years to build a following. Everyone seems to have an opinion on this. So, until things are clarified I will continue to publish as âLDS Standing United.â All I can do is wait and see what the âChurchâ does with itâs official Facebook pages with âLDSâ or âMormonâ in their titles. In the meantimeâŠStop attacking me like Iâm some sort of apostate! This crazy âMormonâ mob mentality is making me feel like a statue in the south during the history purge of 2015. Just my thoughts.
AnaAugust 24, 2018
When I started investigating The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over 20 years ago, I was surprised that people also called it the Mormon Church. All I knew about the Mormon Church was that the Osmonds were Mormons. To me Mormon was something like Quakers or Amish. I had never heard about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During the second discussion I asked to be baptized. I have always been a stickler about calling the Church by its proper name and anytime people use Mormon or LDS, I crinch because to a person who has never heard the correct name, these names donât mean anything. When i talked to people about our church I always use the correct name and i might add an explanation about the name Mormon. I was elated when I heard President Nelsonâs announcement and I know he was guided by The Lord Himself. He is the prophet The Lord has appointed for this time.
AnonAugust 24, 2018
Being a Mormon is how we have identified ourselves for longer than any of us have been alive, and it is not going to go away easily or quickly. And thatâs okay. Joseph Smith embraced calling ourselves Mormons, and so did president Hinckley. It is our cultural identity in the world, and thereâs nothing really all that terrible about it. I also understand the reasoning behind identifying the church by its proper name, and as Jesus Christâs church. This is going to take years, and âMormonâ will probably never go away completely. I have no problem with that at all. Living the gospel of Jesus Christ is much more important than how we identify ourselves. I hope this effort will not result in members shaming one another, or in policing each other. May we all make sure that doesnât happen as we each try to do our part to sustain our prophet.
JimAugust 24, 2018
Kim..... You nailed it! I shared this with everyone I know in the church.... Thank you so much.
HalAugust 24, 2018
Names are important. The Lord Himself said if a church is named after a man, then it is the church of a man. The true Church of Jesus Christ must bear His name. Telling people I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is something that took a bit of effort on my part over the years, but it has become second nature to me now. I had to do the same thing in the 1980's when I decided I should use the term "photo-copy" rather than "Xerox copy" and "denims" or "jeans" instead of "Levis." I consider it a sign of respect to avoid using a registered trademark name to cover the entire gamete of generic products.
TJAugust 24, 2018
I will do it because the prophet has asked. I do not think he would if it were not important.
Cheryl WrightAugust 24, 2018
If we find it too difficult to obey what the Prophethasasked is to do, we're in a lot of trouble!
Marsha SmithAugust 24, 2018
This is direct from our Prophet, and it is not new It is so clearly and simply stated in the D & C 115:3-4! This is not difficult and we will be blessed by conforming and making minor adjustments.
RachelAugust 24, 2018
Love this article- brought up points I hadnât thought of. Thanks for the thought-provoking read!
Neil DevereauxAugust 24, 2018
I don't believe that President Nelson is telling the rest of the non-member or unbelieving world what they should call us. I rather think that he is clearly communicating to all members that the Lord has indicated to him, as His chosen representative on Earth, that we as members should refer to the Church by the name that the Savior personally gave it. The proclamation of President Nelson may have little effect in the world as a whole, or he (we) may be mocked and criticized because of this new emphasis on the fact that we should call ourselves by the only name under heaven by which we may be saved and will be called by before the final judgement. Let the world mock and criticize. We should follow the heeding of him who has received revelation directed toward the members of His Church.
Christopher HansenAugust 24, 2018
It isn't difficult at all. I stopped using "Mormon" 30 years ago. I didn't need the prophet to tell me what was made clear in the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon. He said if it is in the name of a man then it is a man's church and if it is His church then it will be in His name. I am a Christian. I am not a Mormon and haven't been for 30 years. It cost me with my family and friends but I became closer to Christ in doing so.
Pam BraytonAugust 24, 2018
Thank you for your article. I've faced Latter-day Saint naysayers when this change was announced. They seemed to think it would be forgotten about just like the other times it has been tried. I told them I fully expect the changes to be made in due time, including lds.org and Mormon Tabernacle Choir. When the Lord speaks through his ordained prophet it is our duty to "make it so."
A. BinghamAugust 24, 2018
Well said.
Andy C.August 24, 2018
A point and a question: Point - When arriving on the island of Borneo as humanitarian missionaries a few months after the tsunami of several years ago, we heard of two churches that really helped out with the recovery--"the Mormons" and "the LDS". Question - What now is the accepted name for what used to be "The Mormon Tabernacle Choir"?
Larry WalterAugust 24, 2018
Very true. We are members of Christ's church and should do what He has asked to do thru His early leader President Nelson.
DebrahAugust 24, 2018
Thank you Kim, that was very insightful, and I learned some things I did not know. I especially liked your attention to the name of Christ being in only four of the major religions.
Harold RustAugust 24, 2018
Very well written and a reminder it is in our DNA as members to work very hard in bringing about a miracle.
Margaret SilsbyAugust 24, 2018
Thankyou so much for this article! It totally echoes my feelings, especially the paragraph about those searching for the true church of Jesus Christ, which describes exactly what I was doing over a period of several years more than half a century ago! What joy and gratitude i constantly feel that I found it; that I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ!
HeidiAugust 24, 2018
Great article. I have quietly observed others around me and I am shocked to see how many people say they will continue to call themselves Mormons, because thatâs what they are and will not change. I appreciate how this article points out that it was by our haters that we got that name. Just because we are so used to it doesnât negate that fact. My mom always taught me as a small child that when the prophet speaks the debate is over. We would all do well to stop debating the Mouthpiece of God. I heard a friend say that this is a way for all of us to not be so casual in our discipleship of Jesus Christ. It will be hard to make the change, but we have been doing hard things for a long time and will continue to do so. Personally I am grateful I havenât been driven out of my home in the middle of a cold winter night by mobs. I can certainly make a change in how I call my religion. Yes, itâs a mouthful, but no where in Mormon is our Savior Jesus Christ. It will be well to take his name on, Always! If we reject our prophet and his inspiration, we reject God and we wonât spiritually survive in the last days. Letâs hold strong and not let this be a power struggle and listen to our prophet in everything he says.
Robert StarlingAugust 24, 2018
Yes, it will be hard. But if the Lord has commanded it, those who truly believe that we have a living prophet will do it. I'm sure there is a good reason for it, although I don't at this time know what that reason is. But in the 2nd edition of my book "Really Inside Mormonism", I'm changing the title to "The Case for Latter-day Christianity".
Gloria SchickAugust 24, 2018
Well written article! Thank you, Kim White!
Joan JonesAugust 24, 2018
Thank you! This is an excellent article.
LecaGraemeAugust 24, 2018
Iâve been listening to Church leaders asking us to refer to The Church by its proper name for over 30 years. My grandmother said it went on even before that. I remember when Primary children began singing âI belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintsâ and knew it was part of this plea. It appears that, if you believe President Nelson, the Lord has finally tired of us not taking the request of our leaders and is making His will less easy to ignore.
A. BinghamAugust 24, 2018
Well stated. Clarity with simplicity is needed in today's world. We belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Unequivocal.
DebraAugust 24, 2018
I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. Great to sing, great to say.
Glen DanielsenAugust 24, 2018
Great article. I think it is as itâs always been: those who have discipleship and commitment will follow the Lordâs prophet. Those in the Church who are their own master and live by their own creed will grouse or mock. I hear the words whisper in the breeze, âThe bridegroom came and the door was shut.â
Judith GrantAugust 24, 2018
Of course we will try to do this .... bc the Lord has told the prophet we should, and i have always claimed to be a â Latter Day Saint â and explained âMormonâ was a nickname. I think the problem comes from the fact that just a few years ago, we were told it was ok to be a âMormonâ and it then was used all the time.
Sasha KwapinskiAugust 23, 2018
In areas where the church is just becoming established, or just beginning to demonstrate significant growth, the word "Mormon" probably does not have the level of recognition that it would have in the US, Canada, or Mexico. Think of areas like India, SE Asia, Africa, or Eastern Europe, for example. It is probably easier just to consistently use the official name of the church and stick with it.
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