Number One. The name of our church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
There is no such thing as the Mormon Church. The name of the church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Individuals in the Church are called ‘members’. Sometimes members are called Saints. Calling members ‘Mormons’ or the church ‘Mormon’ is a nickname that arose in the early history of the church (over 150 years ago), based on (the title of) The Book of Mormon. Non-members came up with the nickname and meant it negatively. However, we like the nickname fine! We call ourselves Mormons and don’t mind if others call us Mormons. It is sometimes a handy and well-known reference. In many instances, however, it is important to remember that more correctly we are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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3 Nephi Chapter 27 (Book of Mormon)
1 And it came to pass that as the disciples of Jesus were journeying and were preaching the things which they had both heard and seen, and were baptizing in the name of Jesus, it came to pass that the disciples were gathered together and were
united in
mighty prayer and
fasting.
2 And Jesus again
showed himself unto them, for they were praying unto the Father in his name; and Jesus came and stood in the midst of them, and said unto them: What will ye that I shall give unto you?
3 And they said unto him: Lord, we will that thou wouldst tell us the
name whereby we shall call this church; for there are disputations among the people concerning this matter.
4 And the Lord said unto them: Verily, verily, I say unto you, why is it that the people should murmur and dispute because of this thing?
5 Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the
name of Christ, which is my name? For by this name shall ye be called at the last day;
6 And whoso taketh upon him my name, and
endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day.
7 Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake.
8 And how be it
my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel.
(The remainder of chapter 27 is good too.)
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Doctrine & Covenants 20:1 The
rise of the
Church of Christ in these last days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the
coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly
organized and established agreeable to the
laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April—
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Doctrine & Covenants 115:4 For thus shall
my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints.
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1 Corinthians 1:9-13 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?