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In the new tech world where text-speak acronyms have changed our language at warp speed, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wants to put the kibosh on using LDS or Mormon and be known only as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That's a mouthful.
In a statement released Mormon News on Thursday, President Russell M. Nelson told members they should refrain from calling church goers Mormons and using LDS when speaking about the church. The statement read:
The Lord has impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He has revealed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We have work before us to bring ourselves in harmony with His will. In recent weeks, various Church leaders and departments have initiated the necessary steps to do so. Additional information about this important matter will be made available in the coming months.
There were also a list of style guides for media when it comes to speaking about the church:
The official name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The full name was given by revelation from God to Joseph Smith in 1838.
In the first reference, the full name of the Church is preferred: "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."
When a shortened reference is needed, the terms "the Church" or the "Church of Jesus Christ" are encouraged. The "restored Church of Jesus Christ" is also accurate and encouraged.
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. Thus, please avoid using the abbreviation "LDS" or the nickname "Mormon" as substitutes for the name of the Church, as in "Mormon Church," "LDS Church," or "Church of the Latter-day Saints."
When referring to Church members, the terms "members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" or "Latter-day Saints" are preferred. We ask that the term "Mormons" not be used.
"Mormon" is correctly used in proper names such as the Book of Mormon or when used as an adjective in such historical expressions as "Mormon Trail."
The term "Mormonism" is inaccurate and should not be used. When describing the combination of doctrine, culture and lifestyle unique to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the term "the restored gospel of Jesus Christ" is accurate and preferred.
When referring to people or organizations that practice polygamy, it should be stated that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not affiliated with polygamous groups.
With the announcement being made on a website called Mormon News, it's a little difficult to see how the church will work around this.
Twitter had some thoughts on what to call them.
@Reuters The LDS cult and high-ranking Morman leadership do not apparently practice but still condone polygamy in t… https://t.co/6XIBJqPaC4— Danny Pharr (@Danny Pharr) 1534472572.0
@Reuters Can we still say “the crazy, but pretty nice people from Utah”?— CoC Liberal (@CoC Liberal) 1534473562.0
@Reuters Just call them fundamental Christians— koos de boer (@koos de boer) 1534473631.0
@Reuters whatever you call it, coercing people into tithing is remarkably profitable.— Chuck Thulhu (@Chuck Thulhu) 1534472984.0
@Reuters So it’s back to just calling them cult nutjobs, then?— Rob Major (@Rob Major) 1534472492.0
But some folks were willing to discuss the option, with a few conditions.
@Reuters A little less "The Lord has impressed upon my mind...” in the world might just ramp everything down a notch or two, doncha think?— Jeff Brewer (@Jeff Brewer) 1534474278.0
But some folks are slow to change, and flat out refuse.
@Reuters And hillbillies want to be called “sons of the soil,” but it ain’t going to happen.— Whittaker Maes (@Whittaker Maes) 1534485503.0
IMHO most people are ROTFLMAO at LDS' attempt to change but MHOTY for trying.
H/T: Salt Lake Tribune, Reuters