‘Mormon’ may be out, but you likely haven’t heard the last of it
The word “Mormon” is out, says the president of the Utahbased church. But the proper term for what to call the faith and its followers is a mouthful.
In an announcement Thursday, President Russell Nelson insisted that Mormons and non-Mormons alike stick to the term “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
Nelson, 93, said that the policy change came to him in a revelation from God and that members of the church must work to adjust their vernacular. “The Lord has impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He has revealed for His Church,” he said in a statement.
The church’s updated style guide specifies that “Mormon Church,” “Mormons” and “Mormonism” are no longer acceptable. And no, you should not use the abbreviation “LDS,” either.
The only exceptions listed are for the Book of Mormon, the church’s sacred text, and historical names like the Mormon Trail, a governmentrecognized path that members of the church took from Illinois to Utah in the mid-19th century.
The abrupt shift was left largely unexplained by the church, whose spokesman declined to elaborate on the rationale behind the new policy, but church leaders have promoted the idea for decades. In 1990, Nelson pushed for the use of the church’s formal name as it was communicated by the prophet Joseph Smith in 1838, according to religious doctrine.
Some church members are well aware that the directive is unlikely to be followed by outsiders such as academics and journalists.
The church recognizes that people will need more concise terminology and suggests they use the “restored Church of Jesus Christ,” among other terms.
The new policy could present a challenge for prominent church members who discuss their faith in the wider public sphere, where the new directive is unlikely to be followed.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, for example, will have to consider adding several words to its name. And Mitt Romney, who is a Mormon, may have a choice to make as he campaigns to represent Utah in the Senate. (A spokeswoman for Romney declined to comment.)
Doug Andersen, a spokesman for the church, said church leaders planned to address concerns about issues of practicality, but there was “no timetable” for doing so.
Anderson eclined to discuss the decision in more detail.