Calling Ourselves Mormons Is "Acceptable" Again

[AllieOop]

I am seeing this posted on other forums (and I guess Kate Kelly posted it on Facebook), but there has been what is being termed a "softening" of Pres. Nelson's instructions and a change in "policy". Here's what it states now:

21.1.34
Referring to the Church and Its Members
As the Church grows across boundaries, cultures, and languages, the use of its revealed name, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (see Doctrine and Covenants 115:4), is increasingly important in the responsibility of the Church and its members to proclaim the name of the Savior throughout all the world. Accordingly, references to the Church should include its full name whenever possible. Following an initial reference to the full name of the Church, the contractions “the Church” or “the Church of Jesus Christ” are acceptable.

Referring to the Church as “the Mormon Church,” “the Latter-day Saints Church,” or “the LDS Church” is discouraged.

When referring to Church members, it is preferable to use the phrase “members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” As a shortened reference, “Latter-day Saints” is preferred and “Mormons” is acceptable.

The word Mormon will continue to be used in proper names like the Book of Mormon. It will also continue to be used as an adjective in phrases such as “Mormon pioneers.” In addition, it may be necessary to use the word Mormon to identify the Church as it is commonly known in some countries.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/stu ... le_number2

[Dravin]

It was only a matter of time, though I genuinely expected it to take until the next head honcho came into power for them to start backing away from that blunder.

[Red Ryder]

This is right out of the oral sex ban playbook.

Church leaders: Oral sex is unnatural and unholy. Don’t practice such things.

Members: uh.... that’s stupid. Stay out of my bedroom.

Church leaders: quietly walked it back.

Come on President Nelson! Man up and admit your name change was all your idea! Stand up at the pulpit and repeal the stupidity and while your at it tell the members oral sex is a commandment and should be practiced within celestial marriages on a regular basis for you to be considered temple worthy!

[Hermey]

I guess Satan’s victories were short-lived.

[Emower]

This has been the most complicated re-brand ever.

[Palerider]

Can you say "mixed messages"?

These guys are just setting themselves up for ridicule.

[Dravin]

This is right out of the oral sex ban playbook.

Church leaders: Oral sex is unnatural and unholy. Don’t practice such things.

Members: uh.... that’s stupid. Stay out of my bedroom.

Church leaders: quietly walked it back.

Come on President Nelson! Man up and admit your name change was all your idea! Stand up at the pulpit and repeal the stupidity and while your at it tell the members oral sex is a commandment and should be practiced within celestial marriages on a regular basis for you to be considered temple worthy!

I'll be honest. If Nelson was willing to admit that the rebranding was a mistake and his own error rather than the mind and will of the Lord I'd be willing to go to church with my wife at the next available Sunday.

[2bizE]

Maybe Nelson will talk about this in October conference.

[Stig]

What.A.Joke. Seriously, that's 2 big back-tracks in just a few months. The evidence that this organization receives no revelation from any deity just continues to pile up...even if it is one pebble at a time.

[Hermey]

Can we say....”New Coke”

[blazerb]

For what it's worth, they style guide at the church's website still says that "Mormons" is less desirable:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/style-guide

When referring to Church members, the terms "members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," "Latter-day Saints,” "members of the Church of Jesus Christ" and "members of the restored Church of Jesus Christ" are preferred. We ask that the term "Mormons" and "LDS" not be used.

The message is really mixed. I'm not sure that everyone is on the same page regarding what is acceptable and what is not. I just know that I am not going to stop using "Mormon" as a nickname for the church.

[fetchface]

If I didn't know better, I'd think that this organization was led with a bunch of guys, all with different opinions on how things should be run, instead of being run by God himself.

[AllieOop]

For what it's worth, they style guide at the church's website still says that "Mormons" is less desirable:
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/style-guide

When referring to Church members, the terms "members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," "Latter-day Saints,” "members of the Church of Jesus Christ" and "members of the restored Church of Jesus Christ" are preferred. We ask that the term "Mormons" and "LDS" not be used.

The message is really mixed. I'm not sure that everyone is on the same page regarding what is acceptable and what is not.

The style guide is for the writings and publications (if I understand correctly) and I saw that too. So it's acceptable to SAY you're a Mormon....just don't WRITE it?

Ok


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[StarbucksMom]

I am trying to understand the reason for this update. The name change was stupid and annoying, but not a complete PR disaster that caused members to leave etc like the POX. And people were kind of following it, so it gave Nelson (supposed) power. I don't get it. Were they having a hard time renaming a website or the BOM?

[blazerb]

I realize that I have officially spent too much time looking at this issue. It's crazy.

So, in the online handbook (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/ ... f?lang=eng page 190) it still says:

The word Mormon will continue to be used in proper names like the Book of Mormon and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

So did someone fail to get the memo about the name change for the Tabernacle Choir?

[2bizE]

Call me stuck in my new ways, but I’m having a hard time transitioning back to Mormon...

[nibbler]

Is this a walk back or an oversight? Meaning maybe that language was already in the handbook and no one has noticed or gotten around to correcting it.

And walking it back in the handbook is nice and all but it fails to address one of the more annoying fruits of the 'victory for Satan' talk - the self appointed "Mormon word" police. They heard the general conference talk but they're not going to see any correction in a handbook.

[wtfluff]

Is this a walk back or an oversight? Meaning maybe that language was already in the handbook and no one has noticed or gotten around to correcting it.

And walking it back in the handbook is nice and all but it fails to address one of the more annoying fruits of the 'victory for Satan' talk - the self appointed "Mormon word" police. They heard the general conference talk but they're not going to see any correction in a handbook.

Good point. Someone needs to compare this section of the newly released Handbook 1 to the previous version. Perhaps this was always in the Handbook, and no-one paid attention until now...

[AllieOop]

Is this a walk back or an oversight? Meaning maybe that language was already in the handbook and no one has noticed or gotten around to correcting it.

Apparently they addressed the change of name for the Tabernacle Choir, so it would be odd to not make sure this part was stated correctly.
It's on the church's website for all to access, so it's not the handbook that only leaders can read, but I guess we will see if it's changed.


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[asb]

It looks like the "acceptable" language has been there for some time. Here is the Internet Archive version of Handbook 2 from December 26, 2018.

https://web.archive.org/web/20181226192 ... s?lang=eng

This doesn't render correctly in the browser, at least in Chrome, but if you view the page source, search for "21.1.34" and read the HTML, you can see the "'Mormons' is acceptable" verbiage.