The Great Renaming: Why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Reclaiming Its Divine Identity

For two centuries, the term 'Mormon' has been a ubiquitous, often complex, identifier for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's a word that evokes both recognition and, at times, misunderstanding. But in a significant move, President Russell M. Nelson, the spiritual leader of the global faith, has strongly urged a shift away from this well-known moniker, prompting a deeper look into the word's contentious 200-year history and the Church's core identity.

The story of 'Mormon' is a fascinating tapestry woven with threads of both admiration and derision.

Its origins trace back to the Church's foundational scripture, the Book of Mormon, which chronicles the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and their relationship with Jesus Christ. When Joseph Smith published this book in 1830, critics quickly seized upon the name, using 'Mormonite' or 'Mormon' as a derogatory label for his followers, often associating them with polygamy and other social deviances of the time.

Yet, despite its initially pejorative use, the early members of the Church, with characteristic resilience, began to reclaim the term.

They transformed it from a slur into a badge of honor, embracing it as a shorthand for their distinct faith and community. 'Mormon' became synonymous with their unique beliefs, their westward migration, and their pioneering spirit. The famous 'I'm a Mormon' campaign even showcased the diversity and normalcy of its members, firmly cementing the term in popular culture.

However, beneath this accepted usage lay a long-standing theological discomfort within the Church leadership.

For generations, leaders have quietly emphasized that the full, divinely revealed name of the Church – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – explicitly highlights its central tenet: the divinity and centrality of Jesus Christ. The term 'Mormon,' while derived from a revered prophet in their scriptures, inadvertently placed emphasis elsewhere, potentially obscuring the Church's Christian foundation.

President Nelson's 2018 directive was not a sudden pivot, but rather the culmination of this enduring desire to clarify and purify the Church's identity.

He declared it a 'major correction' and a 'commandment from the Lord,' emphasizing that omitting 'Jesus Christ' from the Church's name was a 'victory for Satan.' His powerful statements signaled an unequivocal effort to ensure that the Church's identity unequivocally points to its Savior. This isn't about discarding the Book of Mormon – far from it, as it remains a cornerstone of their faith – but rather about restoring the proper emphasis to the name of Christ within the Church's title.

This push has profound implications.

It represents a call for members to realign their language and understanding with the divine mandate, a reassertion of the Church's fundamental Christian identity in a world that often struggles to place it within the broader Christian spectrum. As the Church moves forward, this re-emphasis on its full name serves not only as a theological clarification but also as a powerful testament to its commitment to its foundational beliefs and the name of its Savior, Jesus Christ.