The identity and destiny of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints requires that we be called by His name.
Mormon didn’t die for my sins. Mormon didn’t suffer for me in the garden of Gethsemane or on the cross of Calvary.
We have work before us to bring ourselves in harmony with His will.
That is a good attitude to take regarding any area in which we have need to repent.
A good question surfaced: Why now, when for many decades we had embraced the nickname “Mormon”? “The Mormon Tabernacle Choir,” the video spots “I’m a Mormon,” the Primary song “I Am a Mormon Boy”?
The doctrine of Christ is unchanging and everlasting. Yet specific and important steps of the Savior’s work are revealed at their appropriate time. This morning President Nelson said, “The Restoration is a process, not an event.” And the Lord has said, “All things must come to pass in their time.” Now is our time, and we are reestablishing the revealed name of the Church.
The identity and destiny of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints require that we be called by His name.
I didn’t think about this statement at the time but it suggests that accepting and embracing the identity of “Mormon” was perhaps a necessary step in the progression and development of the church culture and identity.
Brother Lauri Ahola from the eastern United States admits that at times he finds it awkward to share the full name of the Church. But because of the prophet’s counsel, he persists. On one occasion, he was visiting a friend at a church of another faith. Here are his words:
An acquaintance asked, “Are you a Mormon?”
“‘I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, yes,’ I said. He started asking me several questions, each beginning with: ‘Does the Mormon Church believe … ?’ And each time, I began my answer with the phrase: ‘In the restored Church of [Jesus] Christ, we believe …’
“… When he noticed that I wasn’t accepting the title ‘Mormon,’ he asked me point-blank, ‘Are you not Mormon?’
“So I asked him if he knew who Mormon was—he didn’t. I told him that Mormon was a prophet … [and I was] honored to be associated with [him].
“‘But,’ I continued, ‘Mormon didn’t die for my sins. Mormon didn’t … suffer in Gethsemane or die on the cross [for me]. … Jesus Christ is my God and my Savior. … And it is by His name that I want to be known. …’
“… After a few seconds of silence, [the acquaintance exclaimed], ‘So, you are a Christian!’”
That is a testimony that we should each have—that we recognize the difference between a prophet and The Savior and that we desire to take His Name upon us.
We appreciate the many good and gracious people who have honored our desire to be called by our correct name. I read an article recently that quoted a Catholic cardinal referring to “the Latter-day Saints.” As I visited with a leader of a Christian church a month ago in the eastern United States, he referred to the Church in his first reference with our entire name and followed it up more than once with “the Church of Jesus Christ.”
It just occurred to me that some of those who graciously make the effort to use our proper and preferred name will do so while entirely missing the significance of being identified as the Church of Jesus Christ.
There will be a few who, hoping to detract from or diminish the seriousness of our mission, will continue to call us “Mormons” or “the Mormon Church.”
This is like the early detractors who would consistently make Joseph Smith “Joe” as a way to reduce him to someone unserious or backward.
When we willingly follow the counsel of the Lord as revealed through His living prophet, especially if it runs counter to our initial thinking, requiring humility and sacrifice, the Lord blesses us with additional spiritual power and sends His angels to support us and stand by us. We receive the Lord’s affirmation and His approval.
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