Yes, they are forbidden. The beards are forbidden because, unlike the nineteenth century when beards were common and considered to be conservative–and the rebellion was to shave–today’s culture is the other way around; conservative (that’s cultural, not political!) practice is to be clean shaven, and rebellion = beards. That seems to be settling down some, so I imagine that someday beards might well be acceptable. Maybe. (shrug)
I see. Your explanation makes a lot of sense, Dianaiad. I experienced this curious reversal in my culture, too (in Hungary, a country made up mostly of Catholics and Protestants). I do have a beard, but I do not associate it with rebellion - I associate it with some of the greatest statesmen, military men, and scientists my country had in the past, and they were conservative, patriotic types. However, a majority of people today will probably not make the same connection, and some may feel uncomfortable meeting a man with a beard, given that hippies, rebels, and fringe elements of society wear beards today. I feel a gut reaction of repulsion when I see tattood people, men with earrings, and women with body piercings going beyond a simple earring.
By the way, the name of the church is “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” If you need to shorten it, try TCJCoLDS, or “LDS church.” I know, “LDS Church” and “the Church of the LDS” look like they SHOULD mean the same thing, but custom has shown that they don’t, quite.
“LDS Church” means “the church that Latter-day Saints” go to. Expanding that to “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” is an ‘unpacking’ of the abreviation. Those of us who belong to the CoJCoLDS are “Latter-day Saints.” That’s what we call ourselves. You can also call us “Mormon,” though there are quite a few Mormon sects that are not LDS. We’re just the biggest group.
“The Church of the LDS,” on the other hand, is an appellation used almost entirely by anti-Mormons; it has come to mean “we don’t want to allow you to put Jesus Christ anywhere because it’s not HIS church” It’s a subtle, but very real, insult, bypassing His Name and making it all about the members. Going from that to 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" 'feels like" to the antis and the LDS alike, a different name. To the antis who use it knowing how we feel about Jesus Christ and where He stands in our faith, it is a deliberate and not all that subtle insult. To us, it’s a red flag…here is someone whose agenda has nothing of ‘open mindedness’ about it.
You are using it, I believe, in all innocence, which is why I’m letting you know about it; blame the English language! It’s all the fault of the English language anyway, right?
Thanks so much for this explanation! Indeed, I wasn’t aware of the appropriate and respectful manner to address Mormon people, or members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I appreciate you teaching me and informing me about this, not only because I love learning about other people in general, but I may need to travel to Salt Lake City on business. And indeed, I could have ended up talking to someone in a manner that’s considered insensitive or insulting, not on purpose, but out of ignorance.
May I ask, do you think I might inadvertently offend some people in Salt Lake City, with my beard? Also, I guess I should not consume coffee (or caffeinated drinks such as coke, energy drinks) in a social setting, just to stay on the safe side.
