Use of the term "Mormon" for "Mormon Fundamentalists"

[Jamie123]

From the official LDS website:

When writing about the Church, please follow these guidelines:

* In the first reference, the full name of the Church is preferred: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

* 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.

* When referring to Church members, the term “Latter-day Saints” is preferred, though “Mormons” is acceptable.

* "Mormon” is correctly used in proper names such as the Book of Mormon, Mormon Tabernacle Choir or Mormon Trail, or when used as an adjective in such expressions as “Mormon pioneers.”

* The term “Mormonism” is acceptable in describing the combination of doctrine, culture and lifestyle unique to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

* When referring to people or organizations that practice polygamy, the terms “Mormons,” “Mormon fundamentalist,” “Mormon dissidents,” etc. are incorrect. The Associated Press Stylebook notes: “The term Mormon is not properly applied to the other ... churches that resulted from the split after [Joseph] Smith’s death.”

I can understand why they say this - the terms Mormon and LDS are synonymous in many people's minds, and the LDS Church fears association with these polygamous groups.

But surely "Mormon" is a nickname. It was given to LDS members - initially pejoratively - by people outside the CHurch. Whilst I would object to someone using my identity and pretending to be me, I would have little cause to complain if someone else started using a nickname others had given me.

Also if the word Mormon is not allowed, what is the correct name for these people? Apostates? OK, but apostates from what? We're not allowed to call them Mormon apostates if the word "Mormon" is disallowed. Apostates from the "True Church"? But it's only the Mormons themselves who believe their church is "true", and not all journalists are Mormons. Polygamists? But there are other groups who practice polygamy who have no historical connection with the Latter Day Saint movement.

Any ideas?

[Wingnut]

The correct name would be whatever the name of their church may be. If you didn't want to use their full name, you might refer to them as "splinter groups."

[Guest Alana]

I'm just impressed with the use of the word "pejoratively."

[Jamie123]

The correct name would be whatever the name of their church may be.

Yep - but there are several such churches and you might want an umbrella term to refer all of them. Listing them all, giving each its correct name is going to be quite a mouthful.

If you didn't want to use their full name, you might refer to them as "splinter groups."

Aha...but "splinter groups" from what? The Marx Brothers' Fan Club?

[friuliveneto]

In our family, we call them "groupers" because they form their own groups on a pretty regular basis.

Alma

[Wingnut]

Splinter groups from the LDS Church. I assumed that the "from" would be a given.

[Dravin]

Polygamists? But there are other groups who practice polygamy who have no historical connection with the Latter Day Saint movement.

And? If they practice polygamy then the term polygamist is a fitting description regardless of what historical connections their beliefs may or may not have with the LDS Church. If you are complaining that it doesn't carry the connotation of, "Practitioners of polygamy who share scripture and some beliefs with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints " Then you may want to point that out in your hypothetical article. Now obviously as pointed out that doesn't cover those who don't practice polygamy, well Protestant doesn't cover those who aren't Protestants, in which case you'll have to find another term. In which case you may not find some handy dandy snappy term, language can be like that.

Wingnut seems to be on the right track. Personally I'd go with something like Churches who separated/split off/apostatized from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and then in subsequent uses refer to them as the Churches. So if you don't want to name names:

Several/All/Many Churches who broke off/dissented from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints blah blah blah. The Churches blah blah blah. Bummer Schmitt, spokesperson for the Churches said, "blah blah blah."

Edit: Have you considered asking the the CoJCoLDS PR department what they think on the matter?

Edited April 12, 2010 by Dravin

[Suzie]

In my opinion they should be called by the name of their Church, whatever that name may be. If we want the same respect from others, we should do the same. It is only fair.

[MisterT]

I think they should just call themselves "Momroms," and that would end all of the confusion and mis-identification immediately.

[Dravin]

I think they should just call themselves "Momroms," and that would end all of the confusion and mis-identification immediately.

How about Mormans?

[Just_A_Guy]

I kind of like the term "restorationist" as an umbrella term that catches Mormons, Strangites, RLDS, etc., as well as the polygamous offshoot sects. But "Restorationist polygamists" is kind of a mouthful, I guess . . .

[Dravin]

I kind of like the term "restorationist" as an umbrella term that catches Mormons, Strangites, RLDS, etc., as well as the polygamous offshoot sects. But "Restorationist polygamists" is kind of a mouthful, I guess . . .

Restamists. :)

[Snow]

It's hypocritical for mainstream Mormons to demand to be considered Christians because they follow Christ and then turn around and refuse the same to protocol for non-mainstream Mormons who follow the Book of Mormon.

Avoid hypocrisy. People have the right to self-identify... and anyone who disagrees with me is not Christian nor Mormon.

Edited April 13, 2010 by Snow

[Dravin]

Avoid hypocrisy. People have the right to self-identify... and anyone who disagrees with me is not Christian nor Mormon.

What about Rastafarian?

[Wingnut]

It's hypocritical for mainstream Mormons to demand to be considered Christians because they follow Christ and then turn around and refuse the same to protocol for non-mainstream Mormons who follow the Book of Mormon.

Avoid hypocrisy. People have the right to self-identify... and anyone who disagrees with me is not Christian nor Mormon.

Ah, but does anyone actually own a copyright on the word 'Christian'?

[Moksha]

FLDS was bothersome, but now that we are once again revitalizing the name "The Mormons" wouldn't it really frost our cake if they started calling themselves the FN-Mormons?

[the Ogre]

I grew up calling them pligs, also a perjorative term. I sometimes still do. Let's face it, they are Mormons. They fit nicely in the large over-culture of Mormonism just like members of the Community of Christ, Bickertonites, and Strangites. While they are Mormons, they are not Latter-day Saints. I do not mind calling them Mormon Fundamentalists even though the term is misleading.

Personally, I hate the term Mormon. It is as dirty a term as plig or other discriminatory terms. It needs to be dropped from common use. But, that is my personal opinion. There are a great many who love the term and self-identify with it. It is just a dirty smear to me, however. I am a Latter-day Saint and thus separate myself from any fundie-polygamist out there.

[friuliveneto]

How about Mormans?

Wouldn't "Morwomen" be more descriptive?

Alma

[MisterT]

Wouldn't "Morwomen" be more descriptive?

If there was a religion known as that, I'd surely join.

[Suzie]

Ah, but does anyone actually own a copyright on the word 'Christian'?

Ah so is it because of a copyright issue or because we dont want to be put in the same bag with those who presently practice polygamy?

[Snow]

Ah, but does anyone actually own a copyright on the word 'Christian'?

I think you mean "trademarked" but that is irrelevant, at least in the United States:

"In the United States, the LDS Church has applied for a trademark on "Mormon" as applied to religious services; however, the United States Patent and Trademark Office rejected the application, stating that the term "Mormon" was too generic, and is popularly understood as referring to a particular kind of church, similar to "Presbyterian" or "Methodist", rather than a service mark."

The Church has a number of trademarks, for example. "Family Home Evening." The Church once sought to trademark "Standing Up" but abandoned the attempt.

[Wingnut]

I assumed that the use of the term in the web address and website name "Mormon.org" implied a copyright, you you're correct in that I don't fully understand the difference. My comment was somewhat tongue-in-cheek, only demonstrating that the term "Christian" is much more widely used and applied than is the term "Mormon."

[bytebear]

The irony is that the Community of Christ (AKA RLDS) never wanted the term. They completely reject it. And since the FLDS are rooted in the "Mormon Church" can they really make claim to it. Protestants don't call themselves Catholics, do they?

[Snow]

I assumed that the use of the term in the web address and website name "Mormon.org" implied a copyright...

Were that true, we could assume that owner of the website guitar.com has a copyright on the word guitar.... but yes, I can tell you said it tongue-in-cheek.

[Moksha]

The Church has a number of trademarks, for example. "Family Home Evening."

Does the Church hold the trademark or does Intellectual Reserve, Inc. ?

:)