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Revision as of 18:37, 14 April 2002 by Rgamble (talk | contribs) (-/Talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Mormon is a colloquial term referring to adherants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The name comes from The Book of Mormon, which is held to be scripture by the church.
In the past, the term was widely used within the church as evidenced by the name of the church's most prestigious choir "the Mormon Tabernacle Choir", the names of several church songs, such as "I'm a Mormon Boy", and the tagline "From the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Mormons", which appeared at the end of a series of short television spots produced by the church in the late 1970's. However, as early as 1979 church leaders began discouraging use of the term due to concerns that "Mormon Church" was being used to the exclusion of the church's official name, which is believed to have been decreed by God (see for example ). In 2001, the church issued the following official statement regarding the name of the church and the use of the term "Mormon" in the media :
- The official name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This full name was given by revelation from God to Joseph Smith in 1838.
- 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.
- When writing about the Church, please follow these guidelines:
- In the first reference, the full name of the Church is preferred: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Please avoid the use of "Mormon Church," "LDS Church" or "the Church of the Latter-day Saints."
- When a shortened reference is needed, the terms "the Church" or "the Church of Jesus Christ" are encouraged.
- When referring to Church members, the term "Latter-day Saints" is preferred, though "Mormons" is acceptable.
- "Mormon" is correctly used in proper names such as the Book of Mormon, Mormon Tabernacle Choir or Mormon Trail, or when used as an adjective in such expressions as "Mormon Pioneers."
- The term "Mormonism" is acceptable in describing the combination of doctrine, culture and lifestyle unique to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- When referring to people or organizations that practice polygamy, the terms "Mormons," "Mormon fundamentalist," "Mormon dissidents," etc., are incorrect. The Associated Press Style Guide notes: "The term 'Mormon' is not properly applied to the other ... churches that resulted from the split after Smith's death."
Despite the church's preference, the term "Mormon" is also used, especially by some scholars, to refer to a follower of any one of the various groups descended from Joseph Smith; see Mormons.
According to the theology of the church, Mormon was an ancient prophet, who lived in the Americas circa 400 A.D. Faced with the destruction of his people, the Nephites, by a rival tribe known as the Lamanites, Mormon compiled a history of his people on plates of gold. This history, which was an abridgement of more extensive records, was passed on to Mormon's son, Moroni, who buried them in order to prevent them from being destroyed by the Lamanites. Latter-day Saints believe the plates were later given to Joseph Smith by the angel Moroni and translated into English by divine assistance. This translation is published as The Book of Mormon.
To read the text of the Section of The Book of Mormon, also entitled, The Book of Mormon, go to http://scriptures.lds.org/morm/contents.