What is the name of the Mormon Church?

Mormons or the Mormon Church began as a nickname and epithet against those who belonged to the church. This nickname comes from Mormon belief in a book of scripture called the Book of Mormon. The question often arises, are Mormons Latter Day Saints? Yes, they are. The true name of the church is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

According to Mormon history, the official name of the church was revealed to Joseph Smith on April 26, 1838. Over time, members of the church have found it to be practical to refer to themselves as Mormons, especially since this is the name that other people use to refer to their church. However, prophets of the church have encouraged members (and others) not to use the nickname “Mormon” because it takes the name of Jesus Christ out of their church. 

By taking out Jesus Christ’s name from the church, it becomes easier to question are Mormons Christians? The current prophet, Russell M. Nelson, reaffirmed the council to refer to the whole name of the LDS Church in a 2018 address. He said, “When it comes to nicknames of the Church, such as the ‘LDS Church,’ the ‘Mormon Church,’ or the ‘Church of the Latter-day Saints,’ the most important thing in those names is the absence of the Savior’s name…When we discard the Savior’s name, we are subtly disregarding all that Jesus Christ did for us—even His Atonement.”