Friday, August 24, 2018

450: 28 YEARS LATER.. FINALLY! GETTING IN HARMONY WITH THE LORD'S WILL

Almost 30 years ago a talk was given by Russel M Nelson in the 1990 April General Conference.  It was entitled "Thus Shall My Church Be Called" Below is the link as well as some excerpts from the talk. 




April 1990 Russell M. Nelson


"Today I would like to speak about a name. We are all pleased when our names are pronounced and spelled correctly. Sometimes a nickname is used instead of the real name. But a nickname may offend either the one named or the parents who gave the name.
The name of which I shall speak is not a personal name, yet the same principles apply. I refer to a name given by the Lord: “Thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” (D&C 115:4.)
Note carefully the language of the Lord. He did not say, “Thus shall my church be named.” He said, “Thus shall my church be called.” Years ago, its members were cautioned by the Brethren who wrote: “We feel that some may be misled by the too frequent use of the term ‘Mormon Church.’” (Member-Missionary Class—Instructor’s Guide, Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1982, p. 2.) Before any other name is considered to be a legitimate substitute, the thoughtful person might reverently consider the feelings of the Heavenly Parent who bestowed that name.
He issued this solemn warning: “Let all men beware how they take my name in their lips.” “Remember,” He added, “that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care.” (D&C 63:61, 64.) Therefore, just as we revere His holy name, we likewise revere the name that He decreed for His church.
As members of His church, we are privileged to participate in its divine destiny. May we so honor Him who declared, “Thus shall my church be called … The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” I pray in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."

--------------------------------

I find it interesting that six months later in the October 1990 General Conference, President Gordon B Hinckley spoke and admended the things that Russel M Nelson said about not using the term Mormon. Here is the link with excerpts from the talk below:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1990/10/mormon-should-mean-more-good?lang=eng


October 1990 The Prophet, President Gordon B Hinckley
"Many of our people are disturbed by the practice of the media, and of many others, to disregard totally the true name of the Church and to use the nickname “the Mormon Church.”
Six months ago in our conference Elder Russell M. Nelson delivered an excellent address on the correct name of the Church. He quoted the words of the Lord Himself:
“Thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” (D&C 115:4.)
I suppose that regardless of our efforts, we may never convert the world to general use of the full and correct name of the Church. Because of the shortness of the word Mormon and the ease with which it is spoken and written, they will continue to call us the Mormons, the Mormon church, and so forth.
I testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that when people speak of us by the name of this book, they will compliment us, if we will live worthy of the name, remembering that in a very real sense Mormonism must mean that greater good which the Lord Jesus Christ exemplified. I so pray in His holy name, even the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
_______________________________________

Fast forward almost 30 years later.
President Nelson states here:
"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. We have work before us to bring ourselves in harmony with His will."

According to President Nelson, the Church has been out of harmony with the Lord's will for a really long time since we have being using the term Mormon. 

Good thing the Lord impressed this upon President Nelson mind last week. 
“The president has spoken, the Lord has spoken to the president,” he said, “and this is going to be an extended, multi-year effort — but this will not be something that will be attempted and then pulled back from.”
Above is a direct quote by Elder Anderson printed in the Deseret News


So which is it? either Hinckley was right or now Nelson is right.

One could observe that Nelson has been preoccupied or obsessed with an idea of his dislike of the term Mormon for many years and finally gets to call the shots now.I don't think God changes.. but this is one more example of a current prophet contradicting a past prophet.

or on the otherhand.. the Lord was preparing President Nelson 28 years ago about not using the term Mormon and the Lord has waited patiently to be able to press this upon his prophets mind now to finally do something about... and be in harmony with His will.

--------------