Does this mean that the Christian church at-large can turn around and sue The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, alleging that this church is likewise "attempting to portray" themselves -- and their controversial doctrines -- "as a part of mainstream Christianity?"
Well, FReepers, weigh in to the discussion. If not, why not?
I mean hasn't the Salt Lake City based Mormon church adopted for its corporate identity The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and is that not yet another attempt of this sect to convey a false impression of affiliation with the broader Christian church???
Problem is: Which Christian denomination would sue? Class action or individual suits. Then too, all denominations are just a bit different so which one would be the dominant one? Good idea though. Blessings, Janey
What I noticed in the coverage of this among the major Canadian newspapers is that each article tries to claim that the official church "renounced polygamy" in the 1890s.
But it didn't fully. Mormonism still says a widower can marry consecutive wives and be an eternal polygamist.
And the other major Canadian newspapers -- like the Vancouver Sun -- claim that Mormonism "rejected polygamy" in 1890...when in fact, the Mormon church did NOT pull apart polygamous families. Some polygamous unions remained intact -- and sanctioned by the Mormon Church -- into the early 1960s. [The Lds church sanctioned ADDITIONAL plural unions -- hundreds of them -- from 1890 to 1910...In fact, the mainstream Mormon church did not have a monogamist "prophet" leading the Church until the mid-1940s!]
Even more interesting is the origin of the LDS moniker.
Joseph's church was originally incorporated in 1830 as the Church of Christ. In 1834, the name was changed to The Church of the Latter Day Saints, a title put forth by Sidney Rigdon. In 1838, following the schism caused by disastrous Kirtland Safety Society adventure, threatened by legal action for misappropriating their name by the Saints remaining in Ohio, the name was again changed as per Rigdon's suggestion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Following Joseph's death in a blotched jailbreak and the ensuing Succession Crisis, James Strang and many of Joseph's early members split off and organized their own church in Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan. They took the name with them and were the first to properly register it. A brief legal battle followed and as a compromise, the Utah Mormons changed the name yet again by inserting the hyphen.
SLC lds “church” is a cooperation.
These “off shoots” are actually closer to Joseph Smith’s teachings that the corporation is.
Can't say they weren't warned!!!
*The following is a letter from Elder Lance B. Wickman, General Counsel of the Church to publishers of major newspapers, TV stations and magazines. It was sent out on Tuesday, June 24, 2008.
Recent events have focused the media spotlight on a polygamous sect near San Angelo, Texas, calling itself the “Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.” As you probably know, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has absolutely no affiliation with this polygamous sect. Decades ago, the founders of that sect rejected the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, were excommunicated, and then started their own religion. To the best of our knowledge, no one at the Texas compound has ever been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Unfortunately, however, some of the media coverage of the recent events in Texas has caused members of the public to confuse the doctrines and members of that group and our church. We have received numerous inquiries from confused members of the public who, by listening to less than careful media reports, have come to a grave misunderstanding about our respective doctrines and faith. Based on these media reports many have erroneously concluded that there is some affiliation between the two – or even worse, that they are one and the same.
Over the years, in a careful effort to distinguish itself, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has gone to significant lengths to protect its rights in the name of the church and related matters. Specifically, we have obtained registrations for the name “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” “Mormon,” “Book of Mormon” and related trade and service marks from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and corresponding agencies in a significant number of foreign countries.
We are confident that you are committed to avoiding misleading statements that cause unwarranted confusion and that may disparage or infringe the intellectual property rights discussed above. Accordingly, we respectfully request the following:
Stated simply, we would like to be known and recognized for whom we are and what we believe, and not be inaccurately associated with beliefs and practices that we condemn in the strongest terms. We would be grateful if you could circulate or copy this letter to your editorial staff and to your legal counsel.
We thank you for your consideration of these important matters.
Sincerely,
Lance B. Wickman
General Counsel
The upstart LDS bunch that has glommed onto Christianity and makes the claim that ONLY it is the TRUE church; is bit.... oops, complaining that someone ELSE is hanging onto THEIR apron strings??
How Ironic is THAT!!
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