Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Which do you prefer?

A friend explained it this way. A mormon is a hypocrite, someone who judges others and is harsh towards those who don't believe as they do, even other members of the church.

A Latter-Day Saint is someone who is truly trying to live their religion by not judging others, who allows others to to worship and believe whatever they will. These are true Latter-Day Saints, perfect examples of what Christians should act like.

I am a Latter-Day Saint, not a mormon. I follow Jesus Christ, Not some old prophet named Mormon.

Oh actually I remember a teacher telling me once that the church had said this on name respect and ettiquite:

We can be called "Mormons" and it's okay. and we can say you are a "Mormon" and I am a "Mormon".

"Mormonism" is also okay, because that is our "ism." we couldn't say we practice Latter-Day-Saintism, see? what they don't want us to call it is "the Mormon church" or "I am a part of the LDS Church."

As for "LDS," because the whole acronym would be so long it would defeat the purpose, "LDS" alone is fine. By stating that we are LDS, we imply that we are latter day saints of the Church of Jesus Christ. It still is proper and shows respect.

Even though many other names acceptable, of course the most respect would indeed be to state that we are members of the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints." Or just "we belong to the Church of Jesus Christ" to simplify haha.

hope that was understandable and that it helped!

have a good night!

While I used to be really against being called "mormon" - especially because the First Presidency denounced the practice - I have since lightened up on the issue. However, whenever I get into religious conversations with others I always tell them I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Only rarely will I revert to "mormon" as I do still consider it a nickname used by people to persecute members of the church.

It's not something I wish to give any prominent place in my thinking.

I would prefer to be called "your highness." But that doesn't seem to be catching on. I'll settle for anything that isn't demeaning or derogatory.

Yoda's Duck. I saw something like that too after a really bad tornado season in the Midwest. There was a tape running at the bottom of a newscast with the names of various organizations that helped. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints went by, then a few others, and then the Mormon Church. It was pretty funny.

Thanks for starring this MCRmy.

About Mormon™.

My family Mormon heritage is only 140 years old. I wasn't born into the covenant, my father was Catholic. However, my mother's side of the family includes some Mormon "elitist" blood which includes famous Pioneers, Utah politicians and General Authorities.

The term Mormon has been perfectly acceptable when referring to members. I wasn't aware of any Guidelines of LDS politically correct ways to use the term Mormon. So I looked it up and found this:

"Style Guide - The Name of the Church

The official name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This full name was given by revelation from God to Joseph Smith in 1838.—

While 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.

When writing about the Church, please follow these guidelines:

* In the first reference, the full name of the Church is preferred: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

* Please avoid the use of “Mormon Church,” “LDS Church” or “the Church of the Latter-day Saints.”

* When a shortened reference is needed, the terms “the Church” or “the Church of Jesus Christ” are encouraged.

* When referring to Church members, the term “Latter-day Saints” is preferred, though “Mormons” is acceptable.

* "Mormon” is correctly used in proper names such as the Book of Mormon, Mormon Tabernacle Choir or Mormon Trail, or when used as an adjective in such expressions as “Mormon pioneers.”

* The term “Mormonism” is acceptable in describing the combination of doctrine, culture and lifestyle unique to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

* When referring to people or organizations that practice polygamy, the terms “Mormons,” “Mormon fundamentalist,” “Mormon dissidents,” etc. are incorrect. The Associated Press Stylebook notes: “The term Mormon is not properly applied to the other ... churches that resulted from the split after [Joseph] Smith’s death.”

To me, this borders on the hypocritical. We object when Mainstream Christians insist we are not Christian. Yet when it comes to apostate Mormons who use the nickname, we resort to the position that it is not properly applied to them. I find this hilarious.

I always say that I am LDS, and that stands for ... as you know. The reason that our prophet has asked us to do that , is because many people think we don't believe in Jesus Christ. I want to make sure that everyone knows our real name. When I am speaking to someone, they generally come back at me and say that Mormon appears in front of our buildings. I say it does not and never has. I do tell them that we still call the Mormon tabernacle choir, because they know it as such.

I don't have a preference. To me what's important is clear communication. The term, "Mormon" is well known and contrary to what you heard is not discouraged by the Church when referring to members. What is discouraged is using the term, "Mormon Church" to refer to the organization, probably because of the revelation that said the Church must be named after Christ to be his church. The following is found in the official style guide:

When referring to Church members, the term “Latter-day Saints” is preferred, though “Mormons” is acceptable.

I try to say LDS since that is what we have been advised by leadership. Also most of the other groups that have broken off the church like Warren Jeff's group also call themselves Mormon, LDS sets us apart so hopefully people will stop associating us with them.

I will say I am LDS and when people don't get it I clarify and say Mormon.

I'm obstinate, I am LDS OR TCOJCOLDS on here and in person, if called the M word, I tell the person saying it Mormon didn't have his own church. if the person says what is LDS I educate them. I even, wait for it, contacted headquarters, to ask why we don't change the name of the Choir to get Mormon out of their name, they were as obstinate as me, they refused. I want to be correct according to scripture so I use the right words

Yeah, what they said!... LDS/Mormon- Either way- it really doesn't affect my salvation or my relationship with my savior. In my heart, there is no difference. Mormon was a great man, I'm happy to be associated with him....

Here's a funny that this kind of confusion can cause---

A couple years ago, we had a pretty bad hurricane season, and the church (y'all know which one I'm referring to) sent a lot of help to the people affected by the storms.

In one town that had been particularly hard-hit, the TV news reporter was talking to a man who mentioned two churches that had done a lot to help their community-- "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the Mormons!"....

I think it's great that "both" churches were such a help to that community! ;)