If LDS people don't like the term "Mormon" (as I've been told) what should we call them?

Question

Granted labels are what they are, woefully incomplete words that can't really convey ideas adequatly. Given that, we still have to label groups something to talk about them. Language is just a b-tch that way. LDS people just sounds silly, it makes you sould like you have a disease that we have to abreviate. So what's a one word (Protestant, Muslim, Buddhist etc.) thing we can call you (them)?

Please, leave aside the "Cult" and "Brainwashed" jokes. Seriously, I'm just asking and not trying to engage in Mormon-bashing.

Latter-Day Saints? Well, if you want I will call you that....but don't you feel just a BIT squimish about claiming to be a saint? I mean that's a very loaded term, with alot of history behind it...isn't it going to come off as presumptuous or even arrogant? (Not trying to be insulting, just my first reaction)

Answer 1

For the term "Saint," it has taken on a new context and meaning with the Catholic canonization of Saints, but it originally meant (in ancient Greek) a "pious person," or one who followed Christ, similar to a disciple.

A common scholarly term used to describe Mormons (both Latter-day Saint and other Mormons) is "Smith-descended." Another term that applies to Mormons (but also to other faiths like the Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses) is "restorationist."

If they prefer to be labeled as something that resembles a disease, then that's their prerogative. I, for one, prefer to be called a Mormon (and a disbelieving one at that) for simplicity and clarity's sake. Seriously, does it really matter? The only ones that really get offended by the term "Mormon" are the ones with the polygamy complex, meaning that they're embarrassed by it, and the word "Mormon" still carries that connotation due to the smaller Mormon sects that still practice polygamy. The LDS prefer to be referred to as such simply because they are the largest of the Mormon sects, and because this appellation doesn't insinuate polygamy like "Mormon" does.

EDIT: The Rocky Mountain Mormon sects (namely, the largest one) can be referred to as either Brighamites or Woodruffites, and the sects that remained in the Midwestern states can be called "Strangites" or "Whitmerites" or "Bickertonites", depending on which leader(s) they decided to follow during the 1844 succession crisis.

Answer 2

The earliest Christians were also called saints; basically a saint is anyone who follows Christ. Perhaps it seems like a loaded term nowadays because the Catholics tend to reserve the term for very special Christians. Nevertheless, a saint is a saint, and the term was commonly used in the New Testament. Today, we use the term Latter-day Saint to distinguish between the early saints and the modern saints.

As far as the term "Mormon" goes, here's the history: it was initially used as a derogatory term by enemies of the Church, based on our belief in the Book of Mormon. Since then, we have commonly been referred to as Mormons. Technically speaking, however, we are to call ourselves Latter-day Saints rather than Mormons, because that is what we are. Nevertheless, very few in the Church take offense at being called a Mormon, and the term is even commonly used within the Church to describe ourselves. After all, one of the Church's official websites is http://www.mormon.org. I think the only reasons some Mormons prefer to be called Latter-day Saints is because 1) it's the more proper, technically correct name, and 2) they don't want people to think the name of the church is The Mormon Church. The proper name of the church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Answer 3

I am a Mormon and don't mind being called by that name, but like everyone else is saying, we have been instructed to use the name Latter Day Saint. I was at a meeting once when a local leader of the church came to speak and he said he had heard a definition of the word saint to mean "a sinner who keeps trying". Obviously not an official definition, but that is what I like to think of myself as. When I have thought about this question in the past, I have wondered if Mormon (Book of Mormon prophet) every realized that millions of people across the earth would be called by his name...
To finish, a one word "thing" you can call me... a Christian.

Answer 4

You can call me a Mormon, I won't be offended... I think just to clarify who we are, as members of the LDS church, that is why there has been a bit of an uproar about it - which really, there hasn't been an "uproar" I guess... we are called Mormons, LDS members, Latter-day Saints, any of those will do. And no, I don't feel squeemish about being called a "saint", it is basically a follower of Christ, like a Christian, so no that doesn't bother me.

Answer 5

The term Saint only refers to members of the church it is not like Catholics use the term. If you are uncomfortable using that word, just say LDS. The term "Mormon" originated as a derrogatory term against the early members of our church. To us it's like using the "N" word to a black person. Ok, to anyone (like myself) who had ancestors who were LDS during those difficult times.

Answer 6

Alas, my mother and mother-in-law have both passed, and with their passing, have passed that torch to me. I regularly call my brothers and offer them unsolicited advice, my random thoughts on how terribly they are doing with their lives. I loan them money and send extravagant gifts for holidays and birthdays for the privelege. My answer to you, sugar.... They won't stop until you start.. You need to phone them OFTEN with as much gossip as you can make up. Then call them again when you know they won't be home, leave a very long and detailed message about your child's last bowel movement...

Answer 7

If you read the Bible carefully, you will see that all believers in Christ in the New Testament referred to themselves as Saints. Paul uses it to talk of believers all the time.

I don't mind the term "Mormon" when it comes to me. The ONLY problem I have with it is when people refer to my church as The Mormon Church. There is no such thing as "The Mormon Church" (or if there is, I don't belong to it). We are The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints.

So, call me Mormon, LDS, Latter-day Saint, Christian, just don't call me late to dinner! ;-)

Answer 8

I don't mind being called mormon, but the more accurate term would be Latter-Day Saints.

EDIT: There are different meanings to the word "saint" one of which is simply a group of followers of certain religious beliefs. So, the definition of the name of our church, which is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, would be a group of followers of Jesus Christ in the latter days.

Answer 9

I am LDS, and I don't mind being called Mormon. If "LDS people" sounds silly, just use the term "Latter-day Saints".

Edit - That's your call, not mine. If you think "Latter-day Saints" is too high and mighty then don't refer to us as that, but remember this...the early Christians were referred to as "Saints". That's where the term came from. It isn't meant to say "I'm better than you".

Answer 10

I take no offense at being called a Mormon. What truly irks me is when someone leaves out the second M--turning the word into moron. But that is to be expected from many dissidents, disbelievers, and rank files of the anti-Mormon crowd.