OKLAHOMA TIES

Several Oklahoma City area leaders with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently weighed in on the subject of the church’s name.

Tom Gray, Oklahoma City stake president: First of all, I think it’s going to be a difficult change. I think a lot of people when they think of me, they think of a Mormon. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has always been the name of the Church. Mormons or LDS, those have been nicknames. I think this (announcement) is just to draw our own attention and to draw the attention of the world to the idea that Jesus Christ is at the center of our faith, that our faith is Christ centered. We’ve been known as Mormons and we’ve been referred to as Mormons so it might be a little tricky to break those habits, but that’s OK. It’s a change we’ll all adjust to over time.

Becky Wilkinson, Oklahoma City coordinating council public affairs director: Using the full name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not new instruction, members have long been encouraged to refer to the Church by its proper name. It’s important that we keep the name of Jesus Christ in the title when we speak of our church because He is the center of our faith. It will take time and conscious effort to change our habit of using the nicknames that are a cultural part of The Church of Jesus Christ, but we know that by keeping our focus on Jesus Christ we will be better representatives of Him.

Peter Adams, Oklahoma City coordinating council media director: I’m kind of excited. I think this is good. It’s a chance for me to remind myself more often to keep Christ at the center of life. There was a primary song that we would sing as kids and this reminds me of that song and fond memories of growing up. The name has not changed, so why not use it?