Is Mormon really a good term to describe people who are LDS?

[mormonmusic]

I have to confess, one thing I dislike about being a Mormon, is the nickname "Mormon".

Mostly because it says nothing about the fact that I'm a Christian, and has a fringe ring to it, almost like the Morlocks in a a sci-fi book I read by HG Wells.

I wish there was a better name. I know there is Latter-Day Saint, but still doesn't do it for me because it's simply not Christian enough.

I use the term "Mormon Christian" whenever people ask me my religion. I like it because it assets the fact that I consider myself a Christian without raising the issue as a debate item.

I found it had a postive impact on some of the people I've used it with. At the barbershop the other day, the lady cutting my hair picked up on the phraseology after I used it, describing herself as a Lutheran Christian, her mother a Pentecostal Christian, and her father a Catholic Christian. One person's eyes got wide and they looked totally shocked when I said the term -- my sense of discernment told me she never thought of those two words -- Mormon & Christian, going together, and had no idea how to respond -- perhaps the result of anti-Mormon indoctrination on her part.

Unfortunately, I find resistance to this term inside the LDS church! Fellow Mormons say "I don't like the term because it implies there are Mormons that aren't Christians". When so much of the rest of the world thinks we aren't Christians anyway - I see no harm done.

Are you happy with that moniker -- Mormon -- to describe yourself? Or do you share in my dislike for the term? And what do you think of the term "Mormon Christian" as an alternative?

[PS, I know my login name is Mormonmusic, which is inconsistent -- if I was to do it over again, I'd call myself MormonChristian]

[Islander]

For me being a convert also the nic "Mormon" is a misnomer! It sounds strange since it is not even the name of the religion. I think we continue to hold on to it out of pride and historicity. It does not bother me but it really makes no sense. It would be the equivalent of calling Catholics Popeists or others Islams.

I never use the term. I always identify myself as a Later-day Saint.

[OneEternalSonata]

Which is like saying, "Ooh, I'm an Isaiah-an!"

[pam]

Heather, who is the administrator of this site wrote an article concerning this topic that was published in Mormon Times. Since I'm of the same opinion as her I thought it easier to just post a link to her article.

MormonTimes - Heather Newell: We are Mormon

One of the biggest points to her article is this and I say AMEN!!

The talk Mormon Should Mean "More Good" given by President Hinckley in the October 1990 General Conference is really what got me over that last hurdle, that last remaining stigma. "If there is any name that is totally honorable in its derivation, it is the name Mormon. . . .After all, it is the name of a man who was a great prophet who struggled to save his nation, and also the name of a book which is a mighty testament of eternal truth, a veritable witness of the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ."

If it's okay with President Hinckley, it's okay with me.

[mormonmusic]

I've never heard Church leaders comment on this before -- thanks. It's nice to know some official position on the topic.

I still think I'm going to call myself a Mormon Christian, however, as I think the rest of the world doesn't understand the more-good angle, or that Mormon was even a prophet. Plus, years of anti-Mormon propaganda has created the wrong impression of who we are.....As long as I've got the word Mormon in it, I think I'm OK....

Alternatively, next time I'm asked the question "What Church do you go to?". I might reply "I go to a Christian Church -- I'm a Mormon". The more we can associate the word Mormon, with Christianity, the better, in my view....

[pam]

Mormonmusic, I respect your thoughts on this. I understand what you are saying. My comments were in no way to take away from your opinion on this..I hope you understand that.

I just wanted to show a different perspective on the word Mormon which means "More Good." Which is what we are all about. Doing more good. I just wanted to show that there is no shame in using the term Mormon. It's what the world is familiar with and it really does have meaning.

The only concern I have with using "Mormon Christian" is that some might perceive there are differences in the Mormon religion. That there is a differentiation between Mormons and I don't mean the differences in those that have branched off but even in our own Church.

[talisyn]

Oddly enough, I have no problem calling myself 'Mormon'. It's others who do not share my faith who call me 'Mormon' that bugs me

[pam]

Now that I can agree with talisyn. When it's used against us in a derogatory fashion..yes that bugs the heck out of me.

[Wingnut]

Originally Posted by pam

The only concern I have with using "Mormon Christian" is that some might perceive there are differences in the Mormon religion. That there is a differentiation between Mormons and I don't mean the differences in those that have branched off but even in our own Church.

I was thinking along these lines, too. The term "Mormon Christian" implies that there are Mormons who aren't Christian, and you do a disservice to members of the LDS faith that that person might meet in the future who refer to themselves simply as "Mormon."

[OneEternalSonata]

On a serious note: Sometimes its easier to say I'm a Mormon, because rattling off our Church's name can ruin the conversation with someone who is unfamiliar. (Wow, he must be a religious nutcase...)