The Name of the Church - Changes Being Made

[EmmaLee]

In an email I just got from the Church -

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

The name of the Church was given by the Lord Himself when He instructed: "For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" (Doctrine and Covenants 115:4). To be true to that charge, we are changing the names of many of the Church's global communication channels as follows:

• LDS.org will become ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
• The missionary-focused website Mormon.org will be changed to ComeUntoChrist.org.
• Church social media accounts will emphasize the name of the Savior's Church.

Over time, many Church communication channels in English will become part of ChurchofJesusChrist.org. In coming months, Church websites and social media accounts in other languages will be adjusted following a similar pattern. More detail can be found below or at Newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

This is a complex effort in numerous global languages and much work remains. We encourage all to be patient and courteous as we work together to use and share the proper name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout the world.

Jesus Christ is at the center of His Church and we will be blessed as we strive to make Him the center of our lives.

Sincerely yours,

The First Presidency
Of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints


What's Changing?

Church Websites

In the coming months, the ChurchofJesusChrist.org domain name will replace what were the following:

• LDS.org (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
• MormonNewsroom.org (Newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
• Mormon.org will take more time to merge with ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Until that time, it will change to ComeUntoChrist.org.

Church Social Media Accounts

Several Church social media accounts will consolidate and give greater emphasis to the name of the Savior's church.

• The Church's official Facebook page will continue to be called "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." The official page on Instagram will now be "Church of Jesus Christ." The handles for both pages will be @ChurchofJesusChrist.
• A new Facebook group has been established to build community and better inform individuals about Church news and updates. This group is called "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—Inspiration and News."
• The Church's Twitter account display name will continue to be called "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" with the username of @ChurchNewsroom and will be the primary source on social media for news from the Church.

Church Mobile Apps

Many of the Church's mobile apps will be renamed to align with recent direction from Church leaders regarding the naming of Church products.

Any additional changes will be posted at Newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org

This email has been provided to you by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because you agreed to receive email communications from the Church to

[LucianAMD]

Forasmuch as this people draw near unto me with their domain names, and with their name change do honor me, but have removed their hearts far from me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precepts of men.

[EmmaLee]

Forasmuch as this people draw near unto me with their domain names, and with their name change do honor me, but have removed their hearts far from me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precepts of men.

Haha, indeed.

[Lexew1899]

I agree with the effort in theory, but nonmembers still aren't going to have any idea what you are talking about when you say you're a member of "the church", or "church of Jesus Christ", without having to add the "Mormon" clarifier, unless you live in a high CoJC membership area already.
Kind of a waste of time and money on semantics. Maybe in 50 years or so, if the church actually continues this diligently after President Nelson's death, calling yourself a member of the "church of Jesus Christ" will make more sense. I expect the name Mormon will be used by just about every media company also, despite the church's updating the style guide or whatever. I would expect people will just replace LDS, with CoJC in quick form.

[Alaris]

I hope they keep LDS.org and just leave a redirect in place. Or do I sin in my wish?

[Robin Hood]

It wasn't so long ago they were encouraging us to declare "I'm a Mormon" and spent $millions on a movie inviting people to meet us.

It doesn't bother me greatly, but as far as I'm concerned I'm a Mormon.

[Elizabeth]

I have NEVER refered to myself as a "Mormon" nor used "Mormon" to refer to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My only reference to Mormon has been when referring to The Book of Mormon. It is about time this correction has been made.

[The Airbender]

Why not cojcolds.org?

[Michelle]

I agree with the effort in theory, but nonmembers still aren't going to have any idea what you are talking about when you say you're a member of "the church", or "church of Jesus Christ", without having to add the "Mormon" clarifier, unless you live in a high CoJC membership area already.
Kind of a waste of time and money on semantics. Maybe in 50 years or so, if the church actually continues this diligently after President Nelson's death, calling yourself a member of the "church of Jesus Christ" will make more sense. I expect the name Mormon will be used by just about every media company also, despite the church's updating the style guide or whatever. I would expect people will just replace LDS, with CoJC in quick form.

I have the feeling there is coming something that will make these changes necessary.

I believe that many people are going to join the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for temporal and spiritual safety and these name changes will help people find the truth.

Not an intellectual decision, a spiritual one.

[Zathura]

It's all the same to me. No matter the name I refer to when I bring up the church and the Book of Mormon with others, the result I wish for is the same

Alma 36:24
....that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost

[kittycat51]

AMEN! Interesting. We all knew that something like this was in the works in light of President Nelson's direction to use the proper name of the Church. I read this just this morning from the world wide fireside to the YSA's in 2016 by President Nelson (then President of the Quorum of 12)

Prophets see ahead. They see the harrowing dangers the adversary has placed or will yet place
in our path. Prophets also foresee the grand possibilities and privileges awaiting those who
listen with the intent to obey. I know this is true! I have experienced it for myself over and over
again.

The Lord has promised us that He will never allow the prophet to lead us astray. President
Harold B. Lee declared: “You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may
contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of
your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord Himself, with
patience and faith, the promise is that ‘the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the
Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake
for your good, and his name’s glory’ (D&C 21:6).

You may not always understand every declaration of a living prophet. But when you know a
prophet is a prophet, you can approach the Lord in humility and faith and ask for your own
witness about whatever His prophet has proclaimed.

It will certainly take some getting use to but I support it as I do the Prophet.

[creator]

Domain name change pending:

freedomforumformembersofthechurchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints.com



/s

[gkearney]

Well this is likely going to be a boon for these folks: http://thechurchofjesuschrist.org

[Lizzy60]

Well this is likely going to be a boon for these folks: http://thechurchofjesuschrist.org

Also, it's quite common among non-denominational pastors to refer to "the church of Jesus Christ" as a group of people who believe in Christ, but not in reference to any specific denomination.

[nightlight]

I like it

[nightlight]

"Super Cool"

https://youtu.be/ScKpj2DbHkQ

[Theophan]

If the missionaries stop by and say “Hi, we’re from the Church of Jesus Christ,” I’ll respond - “You’re Catholics? Cool. Me too! Which parish do you go to?”

[Lizzy60]

Well this is likely going to be a boon for these folks: http://thechurchofjesuschrist.org

^^^^^^^This Church of Jesus Christ believes in the restored gospel, the Book of Mormon, and has a First Presidency and Twelve Apostles (all men). They are also hoping to build Zion. The only difference in the domain name between them and us is the word "the".

Interesting note -- the word "The" is part of the official name of the CoJCoLDS.

[Thinker]

Why not cojcolds.org?

Because the word of wisdom is still considered including refraining from COJ (cup of joe). However it’s ok if it’s COLD.
https://www.livescience.com/55130-how-h ... -risk.html

[brianj]

I agree with the effort in theory, but nonmembers still aren't going to have any idea what you are talking about when you say you're a member of "the church", or "church of Jesus Christ", without having to add the "Mormon" clarifier, unless you live in a high CoJC membership area already.
Kind of a waste of time and money on semantics. Maybe in 50 years or so, if the church actually continues this diligently after President Nelson's death, calling yourself a member of the "church of Jesus Christ" will make more sense. I expect the name Mormon will be used by just about every media company also, despite the church's updating the style guide or whatever. I would expect people will just replace LDS, with CoJC in quick form.

Even for this church member it can be confusing. In a conversation with a coworker last week he mentioned someone working for "the church" and I had to clarify if he meant the CJC-LDS or Catholic church.

[EmmaLee]

I hope they keep LDS.org and just leave a redirect in place. Or do I sin in my wish?

Haha, no sin, Alaris (at least in my mind! ). It will be interesting to see how this all plays out in the end, for sure.

[LukeAir2008]

If the missionaries stop by and say “Hi, we’re from the Church of Jesus Christ,” I’ll respond - “You’re Catholics? Cool. Me too! Which parish do you go to?”

Has the Roman Catholic Church had a name change too?

[EmmaLee]

I agree with the effort in theory, but nonmembers still aren't going to have any idea what you are talking about when you say you're a member of "the church", or "church of Jesus Christ", without having to add the "Mormon" clarifier, unless you live in a high CoJC membership area already.
Kind of a waste of time and money on semantics. Maybe in 50 years or so, if the church actually continues this diligently after President Nelson's death, calling yourself a member of the "church of Jesus Christ" will make more sense. I expect the name Mormon will be used by just about every media company also, despite the church's updating the style guide or whatever. I would expect people will just replace LDS, with CoJC in quick form.

Even for this church member it can be confusing. In a conversation with a coworker last week he mentioned someone working for "the church" and I had to clarify if he meant the CJC-LDS or Catholic church.

I agree with all of this, and have a very recent example to share. Keep in mind I live in the Midwestern U.S., very far from the MorCor. Late yesterday afternoon, I tried what the Church is wanting. A realtor was showing me a house in another town, and we were talking about the area we were in, etc. and she asked if we attend a church. I told her yes, the "Church of Jesus Christ" (left the "of Latter-day Saints" off on purpose). She asked which one, as there are several Christian churches around with that and very similar names; then she proceeded to try to pin it down by location of the building. Long story short - she had zero idea what church I was talking about - and even when I added the "of Latter-day Saints" part to the name, she still did not know what church I was referring to. So I finally put her out of our misery and said, "We're Mormons". Light bulb went off, and she was all smiles and proceeded to tell me where the local "Mormon" congregation meets, and how she and her husband once had "Mormon" neighbors who were really nice and helpful, etc. So yes, IMO, this will take many, many years before non-members for sure, equate the "Church of Jesus Christ" with "Mormons".

[gkearney]

As I see it there are a few problem here. First this kind of a change would take generations of concerted effort to achieve. An example from our RLDS brothers and sisters is instructive here.

Way back in the 1870's Joseph Smith III decided it would be wise to have that faith drop the word Mormon when referring to itself, or it members. Many RLDS Church members had bristled at being called Mormons anyway and Smith had the buy in of the general leadership of the Church as well. They kept up the effort for the next 100 years until finally the last bastion of its use fell when the AP Stylebook changed its entry on the matter in 1976.

Now one should not dismiss the AP Stylebook here. It is the go to stylebook not only for journalists but also for many other forms of written communications where questions of usage arise. So getting it changed there was no small matter. However it took a couple of generations to active this. It took the combined efforts of the church leadership and membership to achieve this and we are talking here about a group of people who took real offence at being called Mormons.

I am yet to be convinced that this issue burns as brightly in the minds of most of the other leadership outside of President Neilson and has been pointed out this is not the first time we have traveled down this path only to go back to embracing the word Mormon again a few years later. Not to be morbid about it but President Neilson is 94 years old and while in good health the prospects of him living more than 10 years are, to put it mildly, dim. Unless the rest of the leadership as as committed to this name changing thing as he is, and I have no idea if that is the case or not, this whole matter could quickly recede without him banging the drum of it all the time.

Are we as a faith both at the leadership level and at the general membership level willing to stick with this for a couple of generations particularly given the fact that unlike the RLDS we have no particular objections to the term Mormon, let alone Latter-day Saint? If not then any prospects of getting the general population as reflected in the AP Stylebook for example, or even our own membership to accept this usage will be in vain.

[Michelle]

Domain name change pending:

freedomforumformembersofthechurchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints.com



/s

"flatter-day-saints" you say? Hmmm. . . that might be a problem.