I am not a Mormon

Before I begin, let me just say that I know it has been ages since I wrote a blog entry. I have wanted to, from time to time, and kept putting it off. But now, I wanted to write a post and knew that I could no longer put off the inevitable.

I'll update you quickly on my life. Since I last wrote, I met the love of my life, graduated from BYU in Spanish and Nonprofit Management, was hired as International Office Manager for Interweave Solutions (an international nonprofit) and then married my Jimmy. We have been married for two months, and while it's nothing close to perfect, we love each other very much.

My life is good, to say the least.
But there is one thing that I do want to talk about in the post, and that is the fact that I am not a Mormon.

I am not a Mormon. 
I don't want to be called a Mormon, though I am not offended if you choose to do so.
I am not a Mormon, no, but I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Lots of you are probably thinking, well that's stupid. It's just a nickname. Who cares?
And I guess my answer is, I do. I care.

I don't think that I've had many people call me a "Mormon" to insult me, though that has happened on occasion. But what I do think is that for my whole entire life, not very many people (including my friends of a Christian faith) knew that I was (or thought of me as) a Christian myself. That I believe in Christ. That I read the Bible and believe it to be the word of God. And, I'll admit, I could have clarified things much better to the world. But my identity always has been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was baptized and confirmed into the Church, served a mission for the Church, all under Christ's name and commission.

Now, I called myself a Mormon for a long time. It was easy. I didn't think much of it. It was a common nickname, even used by the church itself. The nickname came because, in the Church of Jesus Christ, we believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God, in addition to the Bible. It was written by ancient prophets of the Americas and translated by Joseph Smith. It testifies of God and of repentance and faith in His name. I know that Book to be the Word of God. But, concerning taking the nickname "Mormon" upon ourselves, our living prophet has recently asked us to refrain from settling with the nickname and instead reiterate the true name of the Church, even the name of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I believe in living prophets. I believe that in the time of the Bible, they lived and testified and prophesied of Christ. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel), Joseph, Isaiah, Peter, Paul. They lived their lives for the Savior. And as imperfect, holy men, they spoke as mouthpieces for the word of God.

Amos 3:7 "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."

I believe that there are still prophets who lead and guide us as God's people today. I believe our current prophet (not just for the Church, but God's mouthpiece to the world) to be President Russel M. Nelson.

Our prophet asked us to refrain from accepting the nickname "Mormon" or settling with it because he was commanded by the Lord to do so. I believe that Jesus Christ stands at the head of the Church that bears his name. And I don't want people to forget that.



I am not a Mormon.
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ.
I made a covenant at my baptism to take His name upon me.
I love Him.

In the Book of Mormon, Christ says to his prophet Alma, "Yea, blessed is this people who are willing to bear my name; for in my name shall they be called; and they are mine." (Mosiah 26:18)

President Russel M Nelson said of the issue, "It is not a name change. It is not rebranding. It is not cosmetic. It is not a whim. And it is not inconsequential. Instead, it is a correction. It is a command of the Lord."

Again in the Book of Mormon, when Jesus Christ appeared in the Americas, he counseled the people there, saying "Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name.... and how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses' name then it be Moses' church; or if it be called in the name of a man than it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel." (3 Nephi 27:7-8).

I don't want people to call me "Mormon" anymore, because I do not belong to the Church of Mormon. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So if you are going to call me something, or refer to me as something, I would be more than happy to be called a Christian.

I want to make it clear both to God and my fellow family and friends who I am and to what Church I belong to. If you have a different faith, please know that I do not think any less of you. If you have no faith, I don't think less of you either. But I know my faith, and I know what I believe, and I want to make that clear.

It's not easy. I am not sure and set in every single council and belief that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has. But I am a believer in what I have been taught and I seek the counsel of God and church leaders when something comes up that I do not quite understand, or that I don't agree with. I am not a blind follower. I have been giving an open door to leave. I have doubted at times. But I will not leave. Because I have seen too many miracles, felt the Spirit testify to my heart, and I know the Book of Mormon to be true. Those things keep me grounded.

Every week at Church, I am taught of Christ. I am counseled to seek a personal relationship with Christ, which I have chosen to do. He knows I am not perfect. But I love Him, and I take His name upon me.

So, in conclusion, I am not a Mormon. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And yes, it's a mouthful, but it's accurate.

I am proud to take upon me Christ's name.