SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – There is a developing war of words over the word 'Mormon.' Recently, people belonging to several polygamist groups – Apostolic United Brethren, Davis County Cooperative Society, and The Work of Jesus Christ – as well as independents have adopted the term 'Fundamentalist Mormon.' They say that’s the title that best describes them and their beliefs.
But the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints objects. On the lds.org website, it states, “Polygamist groups in Utah, Arizona and Texas have nothing whatsoever to do with The Church…” And since 'Mormon' has typically been used to refer to its members, The LDS Church believes others have no right to the name. It amounts to 'identity theft.'
But the Fundamentalists say they, too, claim Joseph Smith and The Book of Mormon and they share many of the same beliefs as the people of The LDS Church. Anne Wilde of The Principle Voices Coalition writes, “We strenuously object to any efforts to deprive us and others of the freedom to name and describe ourselves by terms of our own choosing.” Wilde points out that the LDS Church has been fighting other denominations that claim Mormons are not Christians. Now, she claims the LDS Church is essentially doing the same thing to them – claiming they are not Fundamentalist Mormons.
So what’s behind this war over a word? The LDS Church has been especially sensitive since the raid of the Texas compound of the FLDS polygamist group. The similarity in names has led to confusion and prompted the LDS Church to launch an internet campaign with videos featuring average Texans who are also Mormon. The Church hopes the public will see and understand that members of the LDS Church are very different from the FLDS followers of Warren Jeffs.
The dispute over “Fundamentalist Mormon” seems to be an extension of that same effort. It is another attempt by The LDS Church to distance itself from splinter groups in general and polygamists especially.
