What's Wrong with the Name?

This week "The Church" released a revelation regarding the name by which they are called. No more should members refer to themselves as LDS or Mormons, but Latter-Day Saints or members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The press release stated that Mormon is ok as part of a title, i.e. Book of Mormon, or descriptor, but not as a term to describe the religion.

So why the big to-do over a name. Especially now? After all even Shakespeare has written about names. Yet if you ask someone who has changed their name, they can tell you that a name means everything. When I divorced my first husband I had the right to change my surname back to my maiden name. This hurt my ex and elated my dad. When I remarried I considered not taking my husband's name and this hurt him. He wanted to know why I would consider not sharing his family name. When I dropped my maiden name my dad was again hurt. I told my dad that "once a Facer always a Facer" even if my legal name didn't state that name.

When my son came out as transgender and changed his name I was caught between loving the name he gave himself and mourning the name I gave him at birth. As I thought about it I remembered that my son had also participated in a naming ceremony when we lived near a reservation. Through his love and respect for the tribe he was given an indigenous name. It is a name he still holds dear.

Then my youngest came forward as non-binary and chose a name that is non-gendered. Again I was troubled by them changing the name I chose for them, but I care more about their self esteem than about them changing their name.

In both these cases my children changed their names as a way to honor who they are becoming. It was to show the growth they are experiencing in their lives. Because of this I honor who they are. This isn't to say there haven't been times when I've misspoken and used the wrong name or pronoun. In fact, their names are also similar in some ways to the names I chose for them.

All of this name stuff led me to think about the fact that my faith community also went through a name change. They ceased to be the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and became Community of Christ. This name change was to show where they are going. It also helped to further disassociate them from the LDS Church. I wasn't a member during this time so I can't speak to what member thought. I do know that there was a divide and not everyone agreed with the change. But this change has moved them forward.

Why do I bring all of this up? Well the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints isn't going through some grand name change. In fact, they are doubling down on their name. They are saying they want their name choice respected. Yet they are unwilling to respect the name choice of those in the transgender community. They are saying they don't want to be called by their 'nicknames' anymore, but they themselves promoted the nickname of Mormon 4 years ago.

As a child, my nickname was Shanny Shoes. Some still call me this, but not many. For a long time this name was an embarrassment. Now it is a joy to be called by this name. It may not embrace who I am right now, but it embraces a part of who I was. It embraces part of my life journey. Nicknames are fun. They are terms of endearment. They aren't typically thought of as disrespectful.

So what's in a name? Names only have the power you give them. In the world of Doctor Who no one, save River Song, knows the name of the Doctor. In that universe the name Doctor has different means depending on how he/she has been seen by a certain society. Doctor typically denotes healer to many, but to others it denotes warrior.

As I have pondered (not ponderized because that word is ridiculous) this issue of name I've come to realize that this issue the LDS Church is having with their name has nothing to do with a new direction but doubling down. Here's the thing, until this press release when someone googled 'Mormon' or 'LDS' the website for Protect LDS Children came up as one of the first hits. Since the press release it can take up to a couple of pages before you find the website. Also buried now is Mormon Stories. Two websites that have gotten a lot of attention. Two websites that show the LDS Church in a less than glowing picture. Proof that the church is not perfect, and is actually seriously flawed.

I don't buy, not even for a moment, that this has anything to do with a revelation. This is more of the frantic ramblings of a group of frustrated old men. They see something they want but can't name. they can't get their hands on it. So they are resorting to misdirection. They are like the spoiled child who suddenly isn't getting attention. This is nothing more than a childish temper tantrum. As for me, they will always be called the Mormons or LDS Church.