Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the News

[Green Monstah]

Uh... do you mean James the Latter Day Saint?

His publicist prefers James the Member of the Restored Church of Jesus Christ

[Jeff Lebowski]

James the MOTCOJCOLDS.

Branding decisions for large organizations take decades to implement. We had just started a "Mormon" branding effort 10-20 years ago that has been reasonably successful. I know this doesn't really matter. But I'm having a hard time thinking why this is a good idea. At some point the "God told me to do it" angle is going to lessen in effectiveness. I think we're about there.

Come on. Has anyone claimed this is a revelation?

[jay santos]

Come on. Has anyone claimed this is a revelation?

First sentence of the statement:

"The Lord has impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He has revealed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

[Solon]

First sentence of the statement:

"The Lord has impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He has revealed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

I think they should re-name the church The Reorganized Community of Christ.

[Jeff Lebowski]

First sentence of the statement:

"The Lord has impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He has revealed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

So does that mean that every detail of the implementation is direct from God? I am surprised that bugs you.

[MartyFunkhouser]

So does that mean that every detail of the implementation is direct from God? I am surprised that bugs you.

I've noticed how one member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will have different interpretations of statements of leaders of of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints than the other member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I've noticed how one member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will have different interpretations of statements of leaders of of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints than the other member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

It is almost like people are individuals or something!

[jay santos]

So does that mean that every detail of the implementation is direct from God? I am surprised that bugs you.

Yeah I know, me too. I get brain lock sometimes. This one is just really irritating me.

[Donuthole]

James the MOTCOJCOLDS.

Branding decisions for large organizations take decades to implement. We had just started a "Mormon" branding effort 10-20 years ago that has been reasonably successful. I know this doesn't really matter. But I'm having a hard time thinking why this is a good idea.

I agree with your above sentiment completely. And while the rebranding technically began in 2010, it really began in earnest in late 2011, when the "I'm a Mormon" stuff started launching beyond a select few markets. Which is interesting, because I distinctly remember rolling my eyes at an M. Russell Ballard talk in 2011, when, while the Church was in the midst of this rebranding effort, he gave a talk about how we shouldn't call ourselves Mormons. So here we are, less than 7 years after a full-fledged embrace by the Church of the name Mormon, now supposed to pretend like we didn't mean it? Ridiculous. Just like George Costanza doesn't get to pick his nickname, we don't get to pick ours.

I seem to recall a campaign a few years (several years?) back that was basically the same thing about no longer using "mormon" and referring to the full name of the church. It didn't really last long.

See M. Russell Balllard talk referenced above. Talk given right smack in the middle of the "I'm a Mormon" campaign. Makes sense, right?

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-importance-of-a-name?lang=eng

[Jeff Lebowski]

I agree that this is likely a futile effort.

[Flystripper]

who cares? People will continue to call members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Mormons, and most Mormons won't care. Those who do care will make Mormons seem strange, but not any stranger than they already are. I say Mormons are strange knowing full well I can't escape my own strangeness due to my upbringing, yea even embracing my strangeness bestowed upon me by my people.

[Flystripper]

His publicist prefers James the Member of the Restored Church of Jesus Christ

Probably should just change it to James the Member and nix the rest

[falafel]

Probably should just change it to James the Member and nix the rest

James the Organ? James the Unit? James the Junk?

[Flystripper]

go with Member because he can keep JTM

[creekster]

First sentence of the statement:

"The Lord has impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He has revealed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

The revelation was in the D&C, which is linked through the church's statement, where God DID reveal the name of the church. All the Prophet here is saying is that he has been impressed with the importance of that earlier revelation.

In looking at the style guide, I don't see too much that should be a problem except for the request not to call members Mormons and to not refer to Mormonism. It's fine to ask that the chiurch's actual name be used when referring to the church, but I think the use of the terms "mormon" and :"mormonism" are so efficient and entrenched (its not only a nickname chosen for us, it is the nickname we chose to use) that I cant see the reference disappearing. But nothing in either the statement or the guide says this is a revelation. To the contrary, it distinguishes the revelation, which is in the D&C, from the statement, which is an impression.