A Conversation with Jane

Jane,
What a refreshing uplift your email was for me this morning, since using "Mormon" to describe ourselves often leads folks to the mistaken belief that we are not Christians.
Gordon B. Hinckley previously got my rapt attention on this issue when he repeatedly asked members to make more of an effort to not use "Mormon" as a descriptor and to tell inquirers that the name of our Church is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints".
To that end, "Another Testament of Jesus Christ" previously was added to the cover of the Book of Mormon.
In short form, I prefer to refer to ourselves as "Latter-day Saints" or "LDS", which usually prompts those not of our faith to inquire further.
Latter-day Saints aren't followers of a Church led by Mormon, but instead are disciples of Jesus Christ, and it really helps to emphasis that when others ask us about our faith.
When folks ask me "Are Mormons Christian?", I always reply "Absolutely!" and point out that the name of our Church is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints".
When they ask if that is the same as being a Mormon, I tell them that "Mormonite" and "Mormon" are derisive nicknames given to us in Joseph Smith's days, and I prefer to remind folks that Jesus Christ is the founder and finisher of our faith.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jane
Subject: Using the Term "Mormon"
Posted: 23 Apr 2010 05:34 AM PDT
When you write on a blog, on a Web site, or in an e-mail about the Church, do you wonder when it's appropriate to use the term "Mormon" vs. "LDS" vs. "Latter-day Saints" vs. "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"?
The full name of the Church is not always readily identified by those not of our faith.
Furthermore, the term "Mormon" is so widely known and used, so why not use it?
After all, people looking for information on the Church often search for the term "Mormon".
A recent blog post on the Church's Newsroom blog clarifies the proper use of the term Mormon (http://newsroom.lds.org/blog/2010/04/using-the-term-mormon.html).