2021
The Name of the Church Is Not Negotiable
November 2021


“The Name of the Church Is Not Negotiable,” For the Strength of Youth, Nov. 2021.

Sunday Afternoon Session

The Name of the Church Is Not Negotiable

Excerpts

Image
light shining into cave

In a press conference on August 16, 2018, President Russell M. Nelson said: “The Lord has impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He has revealed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” [“The Name of the Church,” Aug. 16, 2018, newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org]. …

A good question surfaced: Why now, when for many decades we had embraced the nickname “Mormon”? “The Mormon Tabernacle Choir,” the video spots “I’m a Mormon,” the Primary song “I Am a Mormon Boy”?

The doctrine of Christ is unchanging and everlasting. Yet specific and important steps of the Savior’s work are revealed at their appropriate time. …

Thank you for your noble efforts to advance the true name of the Church. …

The Lord has magnified our efforts in revising names that have long been attached to the Church. …

There are thousands and thousands of Latter-day Saints who have courageously proclaimed the name of the Church. As we do our part, others will follow. …

“The name of the Church is not negotiable.” Let us go forward in faith. When we willingly follow the counsel of the Lord as revealed through His living prophet, especially if it runs counter to our initial thinking, requiring humility and sacrifice, the Lord blesses us with additional spiritual power and sends His angels to support us and stand by us. We receive the Lord’s affirmation and His approval.