Name Issue Settled

What is the appropriate response to the term "Mormon"?

Ray Farmer
Jealous of and Zealous for the Book of Mormon

Today! Yes, this very day! I am going to settle this issue once and for all.

Look, Jesus named His Church "the Church of Christ".

In one chapter we see the members were called the church of Christ:

3 Nephi 26:21 And they who were baptized in the name of Jesus were called the church of Christ.

Note that in the very next chapter Jesus discusses the Name of His church:

3 Nephi 27:7. Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake.

The very next chapter we see what He meant because they still call His church the church of Christ. This verse explains that what they called His church before the discussion about the name of the church was correct! The church of Christ.

3 Nephi 28:23 And it came to pass that thus they did go forth among all the people of Nephi, and did preach the gospel of Christ unto all people upon the face of the land; and they were converted unto the Lord, and were united unto the church of Christ...

Obviously, like today on Quora, there were knuckleheads making a big deal out of what they were calling the church even though what they were calling it was correct. We deal with that type every few days on Quora.

3 Nephi 27:3-4. And they said unto him: Lord, we will that thou wouldst tell us the name whereby we shall call this church; for there are disputations among the people concerning this matter. And the Lord said unto them: Verily, verily, I say unto you, why is it that the people should murmur and dispute because of this thing?

Why is it that the people should murmur and dispute because of this thing? Knuckleheads. That's why.

So, the church was called the church of Christ. Now hold on to your butts....

Nephites

4 Nephi 1:36 And it came to pass that in this year there arose a people who were called the Nephites, and they were true believers in Christ.....

4 Nephi 1:37 Therefore the true believers in Christ, and the true worshipers of Christ, ....were called Nephites, and Jacobites, and Josephites, and Zoramites.

Get it? You can be "the true believers in Christ, and the true worshipers of Christ" and be called....Nephites! Nobody screeched that they were not Nephites but were members of the church of Christ and anyone who called them "Nephites" were bigots. Nobody took up the unseemly attitude of faux offense to make some sort of ridiculous point.

Everyone knew Nephites, and Jacobites, and Josephites, and Zoramites were Christians.

"Hey look over there! The Jacobites are having a church barbecue in the park! They are Christians, you know".
"Yeah, I know. You think I am stupid or something. Everyone knows they are Christians."

How did everyone know they were Christians?

4 Nephi

1. ...as many as did come unto them, and did truly repent of their sins, were baptized in the name of Jesus; and they did also receive the Holy Ghost.
2. ....the people were all converted unto the Lord....and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another.
3. And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift.
4. ....there still continued to be peace in the land.
5. And there were great and marvelous works wrought by the disciples of Jesus, insomuch that they did heal the sick, and raise the dead, and cause the lame to walk, and the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear; and all manner of miracles did they work among the children of men; and in nothing did they work miracles save it were in the name of Jesus.

It is not the name by which they go. Jesus said,

Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples (the name of your church? Nope), if ye have love one to another.

If one is a loving follower of Jesus, it will be known despite any odd names or slang or deprecating designation attached by enemies. It doesn't take some church leader with a pet peeve insisting that the world follow some corporate style guide that includes Jesus' name.

A Point to Ponder

One should ponder how it is possible that after 200 years of being called Nephites the others would still have no idea that they were Christian! That would be a reflection on the Nephites rather than on non-members among whom they have been living.

Curious Possibilities

"Hey look over there! The Methodists are having a church barbecue in the park! They are Christians, you know".
"Yeah, I know. You think I am stupid or something. Everyone knows they are Christians."
——-
"Hey look over there! The Baptists are having a church barbecue in the park! They are Christians, you know".
"Yeah, I know. You think I am stupid or something. Everyone knows they are Christians."
——-
"Hey look over there! The Mormons are having a church barbecue in the park! They are Christians, you know".
"Really???? I had no idea!"

Makes ya think….