Why I still call Mormons, Mormons
Updated: Jun 25
“I’m a father, an actor, a chef…my name is Jose Luiz and I’m a Mormon,” says a man with a big smile and an apron that reads “Grill Master.” Jose was one of many individuals featured in one of over 160 videos as part of a media campaign put on by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) around the 2010's. The goal of this campaign appeared to be somewhat of a “normalization” effort to demonstrate Mormons as everyday people. Doctors, construction workers, actors, neighbors, etc. In 2001, just a few years before this campaign began, the LDS church also launched a new website under the title of “Mormon.org.” You might even be familiar with the impressive “Mormon Tabernacle Choir.” However, all of this would change in 2018.
On August 16th 2018, church President and prophet Russell M. Nelson announced that the Lord had impressed upon his heart that the label “Mormon” should no longer be used. He further stated that this was an explicit command from God and that any use of nicknames was a victory for Satan (1), despite its use by many prophets and church leaders for almost two centuries (including being used comfortably by Joseph Smith). Mormon.org was changed to ComeUntoChrist.org, which today redirects to ChurchofJesusChrist.org
During the summer of 2023 many people began to notice a new, additional branding change that the church was quietly advancing. The LDS church was changing their “markers” on Google Maps from a silhouette of the angel Moroni (whose image is found atop all of their temples) to that of a cross. This may seem insignificant to some, but to those with a moderate familiarity of the LDS church and its practices, this comes as pretty surprising for a big reason - the LDS church discourages the use of the cross as a symbol for their faith. In fact, all of the LDS church buildings (known as Wards) are designed without any crosses. No crosses on windows, walls, or steeples. This brings us to the big question - why all of these changes over the past few years?
The answer seems quite apparent to an observer from the outside - the LDS church desires to be viewed as a part of mainstream Christianity. Either by divine revelation (as Russell M. Nelson claims) or otherwise, all of this culminates into what is a major change in strategy by church leaders.
So what is the big deal? Since the beginning of the LDS church in 1830 by Joseph Smith, the church has been decidedly non-Christian both in statement and practice. This is first seen in the alleged revelation to Joseph Smith that he should join no existing Christian church, for “they were all wrong…their creeds were an abomination…[their] professors were all corrupt.(2)” This statement of corruption applies to you, me, your local pastor, anyone who “professes” the historic Christian faith.
On the surface, Mormonism is very similar to the faith that you and I know. We use much of the same language such as grace, faith and sin, and similar names such as Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Heavenly Father, etc. But once you unpack the meanings behind these words, the differences between Mormonism and Christianity become glaring. One of the most notable differences is in regard to our understanding of who Christ is.
Mormonism teaches that Jesus is a celestial offspring of God the Father, in the same way that Satan (Mormonism teaches that they are brothers) is and that you and I are. God is but one of many gods and if you do enough good deeds in this life, you can be exalted to a type of godhood and rule over a unique world one day. This is the greatest goal a Mormon can have.
The purpose of this blog is not to list the differences between Mormonism and historic Christianity. That chasm is far too great to accomplish here. However, Christians need to understand that while Mormons are wonderful people - good neighbors, citizens, etc.- they are not our brothers and sisters in the Faith. This may sound abrasive, but it has been the demonstrated strategy of LDS leaders to blur these crucial lines. This forces, by necessity, an emphasis and pushback in response. So when I use the "Mormon" label, it is not my intent to use it as an offensive slur, but it is my intention to differentiate.
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