do you think is ok for people to call us mormons instead of LDS?

[the Ogre]

That may be the case with some but I think that there are a lot of others that do consider us to be Christians and use the term "Mormon" simply to distinguish us from the other sects like Baptists, Methodists, or Catholics who are also Christian. Mormon is not a bad word and neither is Mormonism. lds.org actually states that both of these terms are acceptable when referring to the people or the religion as a whole. Style Guide - LDS Newsroom

Additionally, let us not forget the talk from our late President Gordon B. Hinckley who said (actually quoting Joseph Smith who first said this):

“if there is any name that is totally honorable in its derivation, it is the name Mormon. And so, when someone asks me about it and what it means, I quietly say—‘Mormon means more good."

adding to this President Hinckley also said:

"While I’m thankful for the privilege of being a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of the Church which bears His name, I am not ashamed of the nickname Mormon.”

and

"We may not be able to change the nickname, but we can make it shine with added luster."

source: LDS.org - Ensign Article - <i>Mormon</i> Should Mean “More Goodâ€

That is fine. I however am extremely suspicious of organizations who know better, but refuse to change to using the more neutral term Latter-day Saint(s) or LDS. When they refuse to change, it is IMO institutional bigotry.

With individuals, I don't even bother any more unless they are in a position of authority like college professors at the U and UVU. I am nice about it and make sure they understand a minority of Latter-day Saints see the usage of the word as marginalizing. They always make a change (except the ones in religious studies who see the term "mormonism" as a professional term and do not use it with any implication of pejorative intent).

Some people and professionals, however, know what "mormon" is and are happy to be pigs in the mire.

[Hemidakota]

I asked this because the missionaries are teaching my b/f , and he asked me why people calls us mormons, he thinks that sound as if we worshiped Mormon, I already explain him what I know, and to my understanding the First Presidency encourage us to call the Church "the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints",

it doesn't bother me to be called mormon, cause I know what it means. but It would be really helpful if you could tell me about a church article on the subject :)

thanks

I usually will correct people that we are not Mormons but Latter Day Saints.

[Moksha]

Please avoid the use of “Mormon Church,” “LDS Church” or “the Church of the Latter-day Saints.”

When a shortened reference is needed, the terms “the Church” or “the Church of Jesus Christ” are encouraged.

Can anyone spot the questions and problems usage of these two preferred terms could pose? These are the ones that come readily to mind:

1. When you say "The Church" outside of the confines of the Jell-O belt, the presumption is that you are speaking of the Catholic Church.

2. When using the term "The Church of Jesus Christ" without the specification that it is "of Latter-Day Saints", you will either leave people scratching their heads or you could potentially provoke animosity in other Christian groups who may feel they have been shunted by this name usage.

3. Newspaper Editors or Media Producers want their readers to understand who and what the story is about in readily understandable terms.

[the Ogre]

. . . outside of the confines of the Jell-O belt . . .

What a great way to accuse someone of being a Utah or Idaho Latter-day Saint: "You ol' jello-belt mormon you!"

LOL!!!!!!

[ztodd]

That is fine. I however am extremely suspicious of organizations who know better, but refuse to change to using the more neutral term Latter-day Saint(s) or LDS. When they refuse to change, it is IMO institutional bigotry.

With individuals, I don't even bother any more unless they are in a position of authority like college professors at the U and UVU. I am nice about it and make sure they understand a minority of Latter-day Saints see the usage of the word as marginalizing. They always make a change (except the ones in religious studies who see the term "mormonism" as a professional term and do not use it with any implication of pejorative intent).

Some people and professionals, however, know what "mormon" is and are happy to be pigs in the mire.

So you think people who use the nickname mormon to refer to us and refuse to change using it, are bigots? Is it because you believe the name mormon is associated with being a cult, or some other negative connotation?

I understand that it might be easier for people to think of a cult when they hear the word mormon, but I don't know if it's really the case that a large amount of people associate it that way- at least not around the area where I live. I figure we can just tell people what the word mormon actually means, and that it's just a nickname. I sometimes might ask them how they feel about the mormons, or about the name mormon, and whether they think it is a "cult name". I don't see why it would be automatically more of "cult name"; it certainly isn't a cult name to me.

But if people you associate with do think of it that way, or think it means something negative like that, then I guess I would maybe try to get them to use the term LDS instead, or the full name of the Church. It's either that or just try to educate them that the word mormon is nothing negative, and does not refer to a cult in the way that the word cult is generally thought of, but it refers to a good upstanding organization that seeks to do much good in the world.

[the Ogre]

It's either that or just try to educate them that the word mormon is nothing negative, and does not refer to a cult in the way that the word cult is generally thought of, but it refers to a good upstanding organization that seeks to do much good in the world.

It's very simple. To me (not all Latter-day Saints, just to me) the word "mormon" is the same as the "k-word" is for jews. That is how it was used all through my youth as I was growing up (I was an Army brat, most of my father's assignments were in the south: Ft. Bragg, Ft. Hood, Ft. Sill, Ft. Benning, and Ft. Campbell). We also had assignments in the north and in DC. Nothing changed. Mormon was a word of hate. I did not move to the jello-belt until I was almost sixteen. It was there that I first heard the word used neutrally or out of fun (man, Marsh H. is such a molly-mormon).

My parents and my siblings all feel the same way. My brother thinks the church could win quite a few law-suits. He thinks it is admirable that the church does nothing. I think it is chicken, but I am not in a position of authority so my opinion is meaningless.

The cult thing is meaningless. Those guys could care less what we called our church. They would still brand us cultists.

My interpretation of the word is personal. I do not think anyone else needs to worry about what I think. I will always chase after the press and other organizations for their use of it. I do not care if individuals use it. It is nice when they ignorantly self-identify so easily.

[dazed-and-confused]

if anyone asks me what church i go to, i always say the church of Jesus Christ of latterday saints, or simply LDS.....but i do not refer to myself as a mormon, and if asked about the mormon church, i correct the person asking........i dont get upset about it, it's just what i prefer.

[Seanette]

I see absolutely nothing wrong with people calling us Mormons. However, when asked what church I belong to, my response is always "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints." If i get a blank stare, I then say "The Mormons".

That's about what I do, and a lot of people I'm talking to where the subject comes up do give me the blank stare if I use the correct term.

I personally think we have better things to use our energy on as individuals than getting picky about words that are not intended to hurt or defame. The media, OTOH, at least claims to have greater responsibility to present accurate info.