What is a Mormon?

[UtahDan]

I was following an interesting debate surrounding this question:

Is it correct to call any person who claims to follow Joseph Smith a Mormon? (think here CC, FLDS, etc.)

What do people think?

[myboynoah]

Isn't self-identification the key?

That term has been associated for such a long time with the main group of LDS (by LDS and non-LDS alike) that a redefinition would require a major shift on the part of LDS, the other restoration groups, and non-LDS. In particular, the other restoration groups would need to start self-identifying as "Mormons" (not Fundamentalist Mormons or some other kind of xx-Mormons).

This seems to be a quixotic quest of John Delign but I don't see it happening anytime soon.

[Clark Addison]

I was following an interesting debate surrounding this question:

Is it correct to call any person who claims to follow Joseph Smith a Mormon? (think here CC, FLDS, etc.)

What do people think?

I've thought that if we get offended when others say we aren't Christians, than we should be OK with other groups being "Mormon"

[YOhio]

The problem is that the word Mormon really mean much (except More Good), at least in the way that Protestant means something. As such it's difficult to use a nickname to identify a broad section of people with widely varying beliefs. Perhaps a term like Restorationists would be more helpful.

[ERCougar]

The problem is that the word Mormon really mean much (except More Good), at least in the way that Protestant means something. As such it's difficult to use a nickname to identify a broad section of people with widely varying beliefs. Perhaps a term like Restorationists would be more helpful.

"I'm a Restorationist, yes I am!
So if you want to follow a Restorationist, I'm a living specimen!..."

[YOhio]

"I'm a Restorationist, yes I am!
So if you want to follow a Restorationist, I'm a living specimen!..."

That's kind of catchy!

[Jeff Lebowski]

I am not sure I understand your question, UD. Can you give us a little more context?

I am not sure we can control things like this as they tend to take hold organically. Witness the church's failed attempt a few years ago to script how the church is referenced in news articles. In terms of the broad category you describe, I can't think of any widely-recognized label that would be more appropriate.

[Solon]

I am not sure I understand your question, UD. Can you give us a little more context?

I am not sure we can control things like this as they tend to take hold organically. Witness the church's failed attempt a few years ago to script how the church is referenced in news articles. In terms of the broad category you describe, I can't think of any widely-recognized label that would be more appropriate.

Daymon Smith's book talks about the LDS church's (to this point unsuccessful) attempts to copyright the term "Mormon."

Maybe a "Mormon" is just a registered trademark.