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Is It Mormons Or Latter-day Saints? - Page 3

As you say Lehi, Mormon is a nickname and that is all it is. I don't feel it implies that I worship Mormon anymore than calling my daughter honey implies that she lives in a tree and bees pollinate to her. Taking offense at being called Mormon will only advance a perception of intolerance. If as you say it was originally a term of scorn, that is no longer the case and I don't see the harm in it. There are countless examples of the brethren using the term in their everyday lives.

Saints Latter-day Mormons Is

This is the point of disagreement. Words, in the words of a famous (or infamous) radio personality, mean things.

"Mormon", whatever its source and whatever its connotations among LDSs, has a different meaning among those outside the covenant. I recognize and freely admit that words change their meanings over time. However, we routinely go back to earlier meanings, as the modern usage of "awesome" in English. The way my children's peers use it, it means "awesome" (inspiring awe), exactly what it meant to my grandfathers' generation.

In the XIX and XX, in England, it was considered an actionable libel or slander to call a man a "Mormon". That this had to do with Plural Marriage makes my case: in the minds of most people throughout the western world at least, "Mormon" dredges up images of harems and Mouselmin-like houries. It is one of the most frequently asked questions I had to respond to in either France or Switzerland, and a decade later in Italy. It did not matter to any of my interlocutors that we have not practiced the principle for ninety or a hundred years--they "knew" I either had or would have a stable of women bearing me children.

There are a host of similar issues, everything from our reverence for Joseph to the "Masonic" and "bloody" rituals they have heard we perform in the temples, that arise in many people's minds on their hearing the name "Mormon". Why drag unnecessary baggage along? It is easier, in my mind at least, to start from a new beginning than to clean up the false impressions left by decades and centuries of falsehoods, misrepresentations, and misconceptions about who and what we are. We can address the fallacies later, once we have a better foundation established. My military training may apply here: one does not choose the hardest avenue of approach when planning an attack, and he does not leave the most likely avenue of approach undefended.

Avoiding the misleading name "Mormon" and using the more accurate "Saint" would, I believe, lessen the unfortunate associations many people have about the Kingdom of God, and the church connected to it. It is easier to teach someone than to "unteach" him some erroneous thing he "knows".

Is It Mormons Or Latter-day Saints? Studies Doctrine Mormon

Lehi said:

It seems to me you follow the concept of a lot of members (and some leaders too) who somehow believe that by disguising the term Mormon, we are going to (somehow) get people to be more open about us and our doctrine...of course until they find out that the "Saints" or "Latter-Day Saints" are in fact the Mormons. (This always happen at some point of time). I do not think we should stop using it for that reason, there is nothing in our doctrine we should feel embarrassed about. If we know our history well then when the hard questions come, we will be able to answer them with confidence rather than indirectly trying to hide our "nickname" for the purpose of attracting someone to the Gospel.

Page 3 Saints Latter-day Mormons Is

Once again, it seems like the Church have changed their view/position with regards to the term "Mormon". Are they going to stick to this idea or do you all think we will see a chance again in the near future?

Source 3

Saints Latter-day Mormons Is

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issues new name guidelines, dropping term Mormon in most uses. President Nelson asks people to please avoid the abbreviation "LDS," the nickname "Mormon" or substitutes for the church's full name, including "LDS Church." Source 6n.

Is It Mormons Or Latter-day Saints?

Following the modern day prophet we are counseled to use the full name of the church and not "Mormon" as that was more of a nickname.

Is Mormons Latter-day Saints - Page 3

Name: Johnathan

Comments: I'm amazed with the stance of the church now to wipe out "Mormon" as though it was something bad and evil when its the name of the same book the church's beliefs stands on.

Is Mormons Latter-day Saints Mormon Doctrine Studies - Page 3

Don't worry Johnathan, the Mormon church is not consistent so when the next couple of prophets roll by this won't even be an issue any more.