What Should Catholics Call Mormons?

[Formon]

And ironically their famous choir is still called the MORMON Tabernacle Choir, and there is no sign that they will change that name.

They officially dropped the Mormon part. They are called The Tabernacle Choir.

 

[ThomasMT]

. . . .

One of the “Spiritual Works of Mercy,”
-To admonish sinners

3 of “Nine Ways of being accessory to another’s Sin,”
-By consent -By partaking -By silence

. . . .

 

[CoffeeCatholic]

I still say “Mormon” and the ones I’m in contact with in any way, shape or form still say “We’re Mormon” except when it’s more fitting to use the mouth-full Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - which I almost never hear them say because… it’s a mouth full. Typically, even now, when their prophets are telling them to use the ‘mouth full’ or ‘Christian’ among public (trying to fit in with mainstream Christianity) - I find “LDS” and “Mormon” most often used by them so I don’t mind using it myself.

Having said THAT - I’d use whatever your neighbors prefer to be called. Ask them.

 

[HomeschoolDad]

I have to think that this was a change handed down from on high, and that Mormons/LDS will refer to themselves the way they have always been used to referring to themselves. Officially, yes, it’s the COJCOLDS, but I would bet that in daily life, they haven’t changed a thing. At most, it might be kind of like when they changed Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City — yes, that’s the official name… but it’s still Saigon.

 

[dochawk]

As long as you don’t mind them calling you something you’ve asked people not to call you.

The problem in this particular case is that the requested name is for the purpose of misdirection. Specifically, it is a calculated effort to be considered “Christian” and draw attention away from the fact that they reject fundamental tenets of Christianity.

 

[Convert3]

How about “Hey neighbor!”

 

[redcatholic]

Having read and enjoyed many of your posts. I’m actually shocked that you are citing fr Martin. I know you are annoyed when people do this with other personalities and other threads. Just taken aback by that post!

 

[ThomasMT]

Ditto… I found it pretty disappointing myself.

 

[Wampa]

We had a thread on this back in 2018:

Is this disrespectful to Mormons? Non-Catholic Religions

Mormons are making a big deal out of their name. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is now called The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. Their president, Russel M. Nelson says that they don’t want to be called Mormons anymore, but members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I predict that this will be a significant part of this weekend’s general conference messages. I’m thinking that they will drop all, or most of the references to Mormon, such as “I’m a Mormon” and mormon.org and s…

Re-purposing a few of my comments from there…

It was reported at the time that Church President Russell Nelson issued guidelines that "Latter-day Saints” was acceptable shorthand.

Around the time this change happened, I asked my Mormon friend what he thought of it. He said he didn’t really think there was a good reason to make the change. I asked if he thought it would “take” and he said that internally it definitely would. But outside of their church, he expected everyone to keep saying Mormon, as he was also planning to do.

 

[PaladinSword]

I’d rather call them a friend these days than an enemy. we may be vastly theologically different but we have a lot in common.

 

[Jen7]

A side point - distancing ones self or ones group from the features that make them distinct in an effort to look like everyone else & be indistinguishable from (in this case) other Christians… don’t you think that’s a step toward the decline of their whole church? I’m surprised they want to do that. I thought the features that make them different from other Christians should be (in their minds) their claim to fame. I wonder if they’re loosing members and thinking this will draw more converts? Anyway just some thoughts.

To answer your question - of course they aren’t The Church! Who demands a title like that from outsiders? I don’t expect non Catholics to call us The Church either. It’s be kind of like if I wanted all the moms in my neighborhood to call me The Mom. Lol. How ridiculous. Even if my kids see me as The Mom, naturally other moms & their kids don’t see me that way. The LDS’ request to be called The Church seems out of touch with other people’s feelings. No one is going to be comfortable with that - not if they believe in a different church of their own. Just ignore that. If your neighbors protest, tell them they have to call your church The Church too because that’s what Catholics often call it & it matches what we believe about our church. Make them be fair.

 

[Irishmom2]

Your Majesty, does it really come up in conversation very often? I only ask because I can’t think of a situation where I would need to “call them” anything. I don’t discuss religion with anyone unless I really know they won’t be offended. And let’s face it, we know even Catholics are offended by other Catholics.

 

[Niblo]

And let’s face it, we know even Catholics are offended by other Catholics

They are??? Shucks

 

[Montrose]

I think it’s safe to say that most anyone who’s spent any time in the US knows that LDS/Mormons are not run-of-the-mill Christians

They are not Christians at all so whatever anyone calls them the word Christians should not be mentioned.

 

[blackforest]

Your Majesty

does it really come up in conversation very often?

I interact with a sizable amount of Mormons on a daily basis. So far I’ve avoided the issue in conversation, however.

We had a thread on this back in 2018:

I used the search feature but clearly am not super savvy with it. Thanks for sharing this.

I’m surprised they want to do that. I thought the features that make them different from other Christians should be (in their minds) their claim to fame.

This is a good point.

Also, to expound on matters, one miscalculation I’m making is that Mormons/LDS relate much differently with their Church hierarchy than we do with ours. So their Bishop can make a request, but they won’t feel the obligation that Catholics would to fall in lock-step with it. (When we Catholics received orders nearly a decade ago to say, “And with your spirit,” by golly we did it, lol!)

 

[Irishmom2]

I interact with a sizable amount of Mormons on a daily basis.

I must live a very sheltered life. I don’t know anyone that is LDS. Never even lived anywhere where there was a church until the last third of my life.

 

[whatistrue]

There is nothing loving about capitulating to and enabling a fallacy, and a sinful one at that. Yes, it does amount to endorement. If someone is ill and in need of help, it would wrong to support someone’s believe that they are just fine while they are actually dying.

This doesn’t seem consistent to me. If someone is ill and in need of help, how are they being sinful? Do you routinely admonish schizophrenics for their issues? If not, then why admonish transgender people for “being deluded that they are in the wrong type of body”? I can understand refusing to use desired pronouns, even while disagreeing with both the rationale and the effectiveness of doing so, but to “admonish” someone for the “sin” of being mistaken seems to me to go too far.

 

[blackforest]

It may just depend on where you live. We have a higher LDS population out West. (Old map - sorry. I’m pretty sure the demographics are consistent ten years later).

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

 

[Irishmom2]

Aha! According to that, even though I have lived in 4 states, they have all been in the 0.1% - 0.9% range. :crazy_face:

 

[Jen7]

I must live a very sheltered life. I don’t know anyone that is LDS. Never even lived anywhere where there was a church until the last third of my life.

I used to live in a tiny town and four of us new moms were friends. One Mormon, one lesbian, and two Catholics. We were a interesting bunch. We talked about everything - religion, sex, kids, significant-others, life philosophies. Somehow we never “had to” refer to the LDS gal as LDS, Mormon, or anything beyond “your church.” And I believe we called my church “your church,” also. Pretty easy. :woman_shrugging:t2:

Edited to add, my tween sees a therapist who has got to be Mormon. He’s never directly SAID that but he’s a young dad with four kids and they just moved here from Salt Lake City. He’s the you nag est of eight kids himself. I can kinda guess he’s LDS. My daughter has definitely talked about religion with him because it’s such a huge part of her life. And he has talked about religion with her as he tries to understand Catholicism better. My tween doesn’t even know the word Mormon or LDS. Somehow for two years she’s talked to this man and not needed to call his church anything beyond “your church” or “your beliefs.”