When to use “Mormon”
I follow a blog called LDS Media Talk which talks about many technology issues and announcements from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Because I write on this website that is titled LDS Family.net I have always wondered when I should be using Mormon, Mormons, LDS, Latter Day Saints, LDS Church, Mormon Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I really would not like to leave out the fact that it is The Church of Jesus Christ, but it is really heard to use the full name of the church every time I want to refer to my faith or my beliefs. It is so much easier to just say that I am a Mormon or I belong to the LDS Church. Well, the Newsroom Blog has posted a nice article about when would be appropriate to use each of these terms and why. Here is the article entitled, “Using the Term “Mormon”“.
I guess the bottom line is that it’s ok to use the term “Mormons” in referring to Church members, but don’t use “Mormon Church” as a substitute for the “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” It makes sense that many people that aren’t aware of the official name of the church. What they do know and recognize is the name Mormon. So, when members and non-members go searching for information on the internet, it looks like “Mormon” is one of those identifying words the helps them find LDS content.
Interesting. I always feel conflicted too when I’m talking about the church. People know the Mormon Church, but NEED to know that our name and church is based on Jesus.