In case you haven’t heard, don’t call Mormons “Mormon” anymore!
Religion
Officially known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, members now say that not only do they not wish to be referred to as “Mormons” anymore, but they also want people to stop using the LDS abbreviation.
So, what should we call them, you ask? From this day forth, Mormons say they prefer for people to use the church’s full name when referring to its members. Or, if a shortened name is ever needed, they prefer that everyone simply use the term “the Church” or “Church of Jesus Christ.”
So, how does this affect the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, you ask? Good question.
The now-former Mormon Tabernacle Choir has also gone through a rebranding of sorts, dropping the name “Mormon” and adopting the name The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square (Temple Square is where the church headquarters is located in Salt Lake City).
According to a new guide issued by church elders, “the term ‘Mormon Church’ has long been publicly applied to the Church as a nickname, it is not an authorized title, and the Church discourages its use.” Elders also asked for the term “Mormons” to be discontinued when referring to members.
Additionally, the word “Mormonism” is also a new no-no. As the guide states, the term is an “inaccurate” word used to describe the “doctrine, culture and lifestyle unique to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
Interestingly, the word “Mormon” was left intact and was deemed correct to use in proper names, such as the Book of Mormon, or in historical expressions like the Mormon Trail.
So, what brought about this major name change, you ask?
According to the church’s leader: “The Lord has impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He has revealed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” church president Russell M. Nelson said in a statement. “We have work before us to bring ourselves in harmony with His will. In recent weeks, various Church leaders and departments have initiated the necessary steps to do so.”
Over the next several months, church websites and other official materials will be updated to reflect this new directive. In the meantime, if you know any Mormons, you may want to start practicing now NOT to refer to them by that name anymore!
Initially, I had thought this change was motivated more by politics than anything else (i.e., how the label “Mormon” had affected Mitt Romney’s run for president). However, upon doing a little more research of the matter I learned that this actually ISN’T the first time church leaders have made this effort. As per CNN affiliate KSTU similar efforts were made “in 1982, 2001 and 2011.”
Well…only time will tell of their efforts are successful this time.