NO LONGER MORMON?

During the past few decades, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints has labored hard and invested millions of dollars in media campaigns to establish itself as a "Christian" church. Years ago its members and missionaries, when asked if they were Christian, would respond, "No! We are Mormon." However, in recent years, such a reply is no longer heard.

In March, the sect announced a further and more restricted designation for its church. "In a statement to news organizations and to their own members, church leaders urged using the church's 'revealed ... full name wherever possible' and avoiding such contractions as Mormon Church, 'Latter day Saints Church,' or 'LDS Church.' If a shortened version of the name must be used, they said, 'the Church of Jesus Christ' or simply 'the Church' is considered acceptable," an article in U.S. News & World Report disclosed.

As the Salt Lake City based church continues its effort to further shed the "Mormon" alias, remnants of the once used and desired title will remain such as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and its scripture, The Book of Mormon. According to U.S. News & World Report, church officials insist the emphasis on and restricted use of the church's full name is not intended to entirely erase the word Mormon.

At the same time as the Utah church's announcement, another of the Mormon sects put into application a new name. On April 7, 2000, members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints voted at its world conference to go by a new name: Community of Christ. One full year later, the new name for the RLDS church, which is headquartered in Independence, Mo., finally took effect on April 6, 2001.

-- MKG

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