Saturday, August 18, 2018

"The word 'Mormon' is out, says the president of the Utah-based church"

NYT:
President Russell M. Nelson insisted that Mormons and non-Mormons alike stick to the term “the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

Mr. Nelson, 93, said that the policy change came to him in a revelation from God

...

The church’s updated style guide specifies that “Mormon Church,” “Mormons” and “Mormonism” are no longer acceptable. And no, you should not use the abbreviation “L.D.S.,” either.

...


The church recognizes that people will need more concise terminology, and suggests that they use the “restored Church of Jesus Christ,” among other terms.

Matthew Bowman, the author of a book called “The Mormon People,” said this suggests that the policy might be an effort to emphasize the church’s distinctive take on Christianity

...

Over a decade ago, before the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, church leadership made a similar push for people to use its full name: the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But the effort was a bust.