I have been a Mormon all my life and am an active member of my church. All my life people have asked me why we’re called “Mormons” and what the name means. Here’s the answer.
Mormon was an ancient prophet in the Americas who lived a few hundred years after Christ. Mormon compiled the writings of several other prophets into what we now know as “The Book of Mormon.” Because we believe in the teachings of Christ found in that book, some people have come to call us “Mormons.”
The term “Mormon” is not at all offensive to us (we even call ourselves Mormons), but the actual name of the church is “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.”
That’s really all there is to it.
Who Was Mormon?
We believe the Bible to be the word of God. We read the Bible, study it, love it, and reverence Jesus Christ whose life we learn about in the Bible. We also believe that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that it teaches us about Jesus Christ.
We believe that, in addition to God’s teachings to the people of Jerusalem, God also had his gospel and commandments taught to all the nations of the earth, and that God called prophets in the Americas just as he did in the Biblical world.
Many prophets in the Americas–Nephi, Ammon, Alma, Moroni, and others–wrote down their dealings with God. These prophets lived in the Americas between 2,000BC and 600AD. Mormon was one of the last prophets to record his revelations from God, and also compiled the works of the other ancient prophets into one book, which he named “The Book of Mormon.”
We revere Mormon in the same way that we revere and respect Moses, Peter, Abraham, John, Adam, and Paul. Each of them were prophets of God who testified of Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. Mormon, and other prophets whose writings are contained in the Book of Mormon, also wrote about Christ.
The pinnacle event in The Book of Mormon was when Jesus Christ, after his death on the cross and ascension to heaven, visited the people in the Americas. If you really want a flavor for what the Book of Mormon is about, read this short portion which is the account of Christ appearing to the people in the Americas.
How Did Mormons Come to Be Called “Mormons” Originally?
After Mormon compiled the records of the ancient prophets, he hid up the writings (approximately 400 AD). In the 1820s, God sent down the angel Mormon’s son, Moroni, to deliver the writings to Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith was tasked with revealing this book of scripture to the world.
Although Mormons believe very much in the Bible, the uniqueness of also believing in another book of scripture was not lost on others who came to know the church during this period. Thus, they began to call members of this church “Mormons” and “Mormonites” as early as the 1830s. I believe this term was originally a pejorative, but is not viewed as such now.
In fact, we use the term “Mormon” regularly to refer to ourselves. We have the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Mormon Pioneers, etc.
The earliest usage of the word “Mormon” I could find was in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1833.
“Mormon Church” Is Not Accurate
While members of the church certainly aren’t offended in any way by being called “Mormons” we prefer not to use the term “Mormon Church.” The reason is that we want to make it clear that Mormon does not own our church–Jesus Christ does.
Joseph Smith prayed to ask God what the name of the church should be, and God’s answer to him was that the name should be His (God’s) name. And thus, the name of the church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
We just want to make it absolutely clear that we worship Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father–and never the ancient prophet Mormon. He was just a great leader in God’s kingdom who helped to bring about the Book of Mormon. Even to the name “Book of Mormon” we have been careful to add the subtitle “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.”
In the Book of Mormon, the people anciently asked Jesus Christ what they should name the church. Jesus responded, “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 then 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 27:8).
Christ’s answer to those who asked him is exactly why we are careful to call the name of the church by its actual name: The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints. We want to be sure that anyone who comes to learn of the church knows that we are Christians and believe in Jesus Christ as the savior of the world.
In the latter-days, the Lord revealed the name of His church to Joseph Smith, saying “Thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” (D&C 115:4.)
Meaning of the Word “Mormon”
Joseph Smith added to our knowledge of the word “Mormon” by providing a meaning for the name by which the ancient prophet was known.
“Before I give a definition, however, to the word, let me say that the Bible in its widest sense, means good; for the Savior says according to the gospel of John, ‘I am the good shepherd;’ and it will not be beyond the common use of the terms, to say that good is among the most important use, and though known by various names in different languages, still its meaning is the same, and is ever in opposition to bad. We say from the Saxon good; the Dane, god; the Goth, goda; the German gut; the Dutch, goed; the Latin, bonus; the Greek, kalos; the Hebrew, tob; and the Egyptian, mon. Hence, with the addition of more, or the contraction, mor, we have the word MORMON; which means, literally, more good.” (Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons 4:194; 15 May 1843)
The above quote may or may not have been written by Joseph Smith. Some have attributed it to W.W. Phelps or others. However, President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “[Joseph Smith’s] statement intrigued me—Mormon means ‘more good.’ I knew, of course, that ‘more good’ was not a derivative of the word Mormon. I had studied both Latin and Greek, and I knew that English is derived in some measure from those two languages and that the words more good are not a cognate of the word Mormon. But his was a positive attitude based on an interesting perception. And, as we all know, our lives are guided in large measure by our perceptions. Ever since, when I have seen the word Mormon used in the media to describe us—in a newspaper or a magazine or book or whatever—there flashes into my mind his statement, which has become my motto: Mormon means “more good” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Mormon Should Mean ‘More Good’” C.R. October 1990).
How come Paul in his preaching and teaching in new testament doesn’t refer to Jesus visiting another people ?
I would think it would be because it was in ANOTHER land–not where Paul was.
If it helps, Jesus does mention it in John 10:16.
I suppose each gospel writer wrote what they wrote, and perhaps, some of their writings did not survive to make it into the Bible. But we have what we have, and some writers wrote about one thing Jesus said or did, and others wrote about other things. So it isn’t something to be upset about, and tracks with other things. For example, only John wrote about Jesus saying “I am He.” And those who came to arrest Jesus all fell down or backward. When they came to arrest Him after Gethsemane. Luckily, John did write that. The others did not record it, or their words were lost somehow. It was almost 2,000 years ago. So, we see, not everybody writes the same things or quotes things the same. We do our best, but we humans really are poor witnesses, overall. We all tell things differently.
I’m very happy to be a member of church Jesus Christ of latter day saints, right now I’m a missionary saveding my mission in DRC Congo,
I write a great story, how i be come a member of the church and what i go through, I’m looking for the help to published my story, i believe that a lot of people is going to like my story.
Angels and humans are two separate creations. If Moroni was a human why does the angel Moroni stand on the penuchle of all the “Mormon”temples?
We believe that all angels are Heavenly Father’s children like we are. Moroni was a human on earth and died, and now is one of the angels serving God.
How did Moroni already get resurrected before everyone else, and become an “angel” when it has not yet been revealed what we shall be? Where is this written?
In Matthew 22:29-30 Jesus said in the resurrection we neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven (Eternal beings “like” angels not actual angels) 2 Peter 1:19 until the day dawns and the morning star arises in our hearts. (Morning star means celestial, eternal bodies)
2 Corinthians 5:17 Those who are in Christ are becoming a new creation. Romans 8:19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. Romans 6:5 For if we have become united with Christ in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection (eternal)
Colossians 3:3-4 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. (Eternal a new creation)
Hi Mel.
I love your questions.
Have you ever heard about someone who died, their spirit coming back to speak with someone in their family, or like that?
We believe these are angels, too.
We believe that after Jesus Christ was resurrected, then the very righteous began to be resurrected. Remember how the graves were opened and many people saw and spoke with the formerly deceased?
Matthew 27:52-53 \\\”many bodies of saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.\\\”
We believe this was an example in scripture of what Moroni is now.
We believe Angels are messengers from God who serve God. We believe there are two types. Spirits who have not yet been resurrected, who are spirits without a body, and those who have lived and died, then been resurrected. Then they have a perfected, resurrected body.
If you don\\\’t think the people coming out of the tombs had their bodies resurrected, then why did they all bother to come from where their bodies had been laid? And hopefully what Jesus taught the sadducees about the resurrection of the dead answers the question about if we will be resurrected. I don\\\’t know if that is what you are asking.
But, as for using the words in Matthew ypu asked about, they are \\\”like the angels,\\\” let me explain. If someone says, \\\”your kids are like you.\\\”
What do they mean? Do they mean you are a different species? Or that you are similar, but not the same right now? Because your kids are smaller, and dependent on you for food and clothes, and have sticky fingers, and do cute things.
We believe, the spirits that don\\\’t have a resurrected body yet, haven\\\’t fully, like, grown up in God, yet. But they will. So, the spirits of the dead are like the angels, but aren\\\’t fully grown up yet, or simply aren\\\’t resurrected yet. But they are like them, and serve God, and can bring messages for God. And can sometimes get to come back and speak to their loved ones on earth in dreams or very rare and special experiences.
As for \\\”2 Corinthians 5:17 Those who are in Christ are becoming a new creation.\\\”
I am becoming a new creation in Christ, and I am willing to bet you are, too. When we really grow and are converted, the old us, kind of, passes away, like a wheat germ germinating, the seed dies, so the stalk of wheat can be born. Gospel writers used this metaphor. But I don\\\’t understand the question you have about this?
In \\\”Romans 8:19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.\\\”
Often in the septuagint, or Greek scriptures, the words for \\\”creation\\\” and \\\”creature\\\” are interrelated. Google sums it up this way:
\\\”In Ancient Greek, there are several words for \\\”creature,\\\” depending on the context and whether it refers to a living being or a creation. Two common terms are ζῷον (zóon), meaning \\\”living being,\\\” and κτίσμα (ktisma), meaning \\\”thing created\\\” or \\\”creation.\\\”
Elaboration:
ζῷον (zóon):
This word is derived from the verb ζάω (zaō), meaning \\\”to live\\\” or \\\”to be alive.\\\” It\\\’s often used to refer to animals or creatures, particularly in the context of the New Testament, like the four living creatures around the throne of God in Revelation.
κτίσμα (ktisma):
This term is related to the verb κτίζω (ktizo), meaning \\\”to create.\\\” It specifically refers to a created thing, like a creature or a being.
κτίσις (ktisis):
This is another term related to \\\”creation\\\” and can also be translated as \\\”creature.\\\” It\\\’s often used in a more general sense, referring to the act of creation or a created thing collectively.
This might answer what may be your question about this verse. I think you might mean, the creation is waiting for the children of God to be revealed. Does that mean we are all resurrected all at once? Or does it mean the creation is waiting to see who is on the right hand of God, who was baptised and accepted Christ as their Savior? I am not sure what exactly you meant by adding this verse to the list, since it doesn\\\’t reference angels much, except the children of God will be revealed.
\\\”Romans 6:5 For if we have become united with Christ in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection (eternal)\\\”
I agree there will be a resurrection, because of Jesus Christ. And it will be eternal. At least, it seems to be you are saying this? Because of Christ we will be resurrected? If so, then we totally agree.
\\\”Colossians 3:3-4 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. (Eternal a new creation)\\\”
Yes, we believe when we die, we are spirits without a body for the space of a time. We go to paradise, if baptised and if we have accepted Christ. Our life is hidden, the living rarely see the dead. But we aren\\\’t completely dead, our spirits go on. But this fact is hidden from those living in the mortal world. We believe then, because of the majesty and grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, and by the power of His atonement, we eventually get to be resurrected, and then we will have glory, and our body we are resurrected with will be perfect and wonderful and like Jesus, \\\”joint heirs with Christ\\\”, Romans 8:17, and this is a new creation. And this body is eternal, and is a new creation, out of the old, like the wheat germ dying to bring a wheat plant forth, which is very different from a seed.
Anyway, there it was fun chatting about scriptures with you. And I hope this answers your questions about what we believe.
Oh, and temples of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints don\\\’t always have the angel Moroni up top. Many don\\\’t. We respect what Moroni, the person, did to serve God. But we definitely do not worship him. He was just a man. A good man. But we worship God the Father, Jesus Christ His son, and the Holy Ghost. The temples are the house of God, like the ancient tabernacle, and then the temple of Solomon, and then the rebuilt temple. We believe that God has mercy and is good, and does not send people who had no chance to get baptised during their lifetime into hell; however, every accountable person requires baptism or they are damned. Therefore, by asking His people to build temples, God helps everyone have their chance to accept Christ and be saved, via baptism for the dead (1 Corinthians 15:29) which is done for our relatives in temples. So, all people have their chance to be saved, allowing God to be a merciful and fair God.
We also believe the not accountable, such as children and babies, who die without baptism, are alive in Christ, that His grace is sufficient for them. This idea was not held by Christianity before Joseph Smith taught us this revelation from God, restoring this precious idea, and with it comes a true understanding that God is actually good and actually merciful and actually fair to all His children… and merciful to all little babies and children, no matter what. He is truly not a respector of persons. Otherwise, he would be. (If one newborn went to hell while another newborn got baptised and didn\\\’t, then that is being a respector of persons. And, anyways, I don\\\’t believe for one moment that God sends a single newborn into hell. Thanks to Jesus Christ and what He gives us through prophets of old and through living prophets today, we now know God isn\\\’t a monster, instead, He is absolutely kind and loving, and He provides a fair way for each of His children.)
Because He loves us, we get to discuss these things, and see God\\\’s mercy to each of us. We do not have to agree on all the little things, but hopefully that God is good and Jesus loves all children and babies is an idea we both know in our hearts to be true, and unites us even further, as we both are disciples of Christ who love Him and His word. I like the time you took to ask, so I took the time to answer. Some of what you meant was not clear, hopefully my answers still cleared up your questions? Regardless, may God bless you, and thank you for asking.
Thank you for the definition. It is has hard to find one. I am glad that you wrote about it.