So, when prophets speak, I want to listen.
Several months ago, President Russell M. Nelson, God's prophet on the earth today, said, "The Lord has impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He has revealed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."
From a church website: The official name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While the term "Mormon Church" has long been publicly applied to the Church as a nickname, it is not an authorized title, and the Church discourages its use. Thus, please avoid using the abbreviation "LDS" or the nickname "Mormon" as substitutes for the name of the Church, as in "Mormon Church," "LDS Church," or "Church of the Latter-day Saints." When referring to Church members, the terms "members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" or "Latter-day Saints" are preferred. We ask that the term "Mormons" not be used.
In an October 2018 General Conference talk, President Nelson expounded on the subject. Here are some of the things he said:
- “For much of the world, the Lord’s Church is presently disguised as the ‘Mormon Church.’ But we as members of the Lord’s Church know who stands at its head: Jesus Christ Himself. I realize with profound regret that we have unwittingly acquiesced in the Lord’s restored Church being called by other names, each of which expunges the sacred name of Jesus Christ!”
- To those who consider it unwise or unrealistic to restore proper usage of the name of the Church, President Nelson responded that “if this were a discussion about branding a man-made organization, those arguments might prevail. But in this crucial matter, we look to Him whose Church this is and acknowledge that the Lord’s ways are not, and never will be, man’s ways.”
So, in an effort to obey the Lord's counsel, given through His prophet, I am changing the blog. Again. If you're still interested in following, you can find our latest updates here: Normal Latter-day Saint Family.
It doesn't have the same ring as Normal Mormon Family did. But I'm trusting in this promise given by President Nelson: “If we will do our best to restore the correct name of the Lord’s Church, He whose Church this is will pour down His power and blessings upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints, the likes of which we have never seen."
I'm way behind. But I believe in documenting our lives. And I hope to slowly get caught up.
