{"id":11446,"date":"2022-04-28T12:40:24","date_gmt":"2022-04-28T18:40:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicsquaremag.org\/?p=11446"},"modified":"2023-08-09T19:30:17","modified_gmt":"2023-08-10T01:30:17","slug":"a-more-undistracted-path-to-christ","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicsquaremag.org\/faith\/a-more-undistracted-path-to-christ\/","title":{"rendered":"A More Undistracted Path To Christ"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the past, new members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have always been asked to be patient with some adaptation to the culture of the Church\u2014starting with new nomenclature. There was that familiar conundrum of being invited to the \u201cstake center\u201d for a social activity and expecting to be served a gourmet meal, or to a \u201cward\u201d activity and wondering if that would include a visit to a hospital. (A \u201cward\u201d is another name for a congregation; a \u201c<\/span>stake center<\/span><\/a>\u201d is a large, central church building housing more than one congregation.)\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, any organization of significance has a culture\u2014which dictionaries remind us is <\/span>the characteristic features of everyday existence<\/span><\/a> shared by a group, including their diversions or way of life, as well as their set of values, conventions, or social practices. As observers note, over the last 75 years the culture of the restored church has shifted as our religion became less Utah and western-US-centered, and more and more global\u2014with more than half of all Latter-day Saints now residing outside the United States.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Further cultural shift prompted by the name adjustment. <\/b>It is increasingly apparent that the <\/span>removal of the nicknames<\/span><\/a> \u201cMormonism\u201d and \u201cMormon\u201d from the lexicon of Latter-day Saints and observers of the faith (a significant correction <\/span>first announced<\/span><\/a> in the fall of 2018)\u2014has given that cultural shift a further acceleration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the the first intimations of this same cultural change was evident way back in the 1960\u2019s <\/span>with the Church\u2019s correlation effort<\/span><\/a>. The teaching content and procedures of what were then referred to as church \u201cauxiliary organizations\u201d\u2014the women\u2019s Relief Society, as well as youth and child programs\u2014had become somewhat unwieldy. So these began to be simplified and brought into more direct alignment or \u201ccorrelation\u201d with the Church\u2019s singular mission to encourage members as well as the entire world to \u201c<\/span>come unto Christ<\/span><\/a>\u201d and experience the benefits of active membership in the body of Christ we call His Church.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This effort continued with the drafting of a single church-wide teaching program for full-time missionaries, <\/span>a consolidated Sunday three-hour meeting schedule<\/span><\/a> announced in 1980, and on to the more recent <\/span>2-hour schedule and \u201chome centered, church supported\u201d<\/span><\/a> emphasis of recent years\u2014these latter efforts further streamlining Christian worship to focus at an individual and family level, with less reliance upon church programs (for brevity here I\u2019m fast-forwarding past a lot of other related changes).<\/span><\/p>\n

In many ways, <\/span>the removal of the \u201cm\u201d words<\/span><\/a> crowned a long-developing cultural shift in the Church, while sparking a fresh perception of that culture by general society.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Becoming the culture of Christ. <\/b>In October 2020, two years after the name adjustments were announced, Elder William K. Jackson of the Seventy gave an insightful talk entitled: \u201c<\/span>The Culture of Christ<\/span><\/a>,\u201d where he reminded us: \u201cThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is hardly a Western society or an American cultural phenomenon. It is an international church, as it was always meant to be.\u201d He also spoke of people from <\/span>all<\/span><\/i> backgrounds who are embracing this culture of Christ in their own nations.

The removal of the \u201cm\u201d words crowned a long-developing cultural shift in the Church.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/div><\/span>We know that this same emphasis was central in the ancient churches of Christ, where members were encouraged<\/a> to \u201crely \u2026 alone upon the merits of Christ\u201d and were called by the name of \u201cChristians<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

This divine culture summoned their camaraderie, support, love, unity, and devotion to one another.<\/span> I was quite moved reading some of those scriptural accounts recently that describe a Church totally “Christian”<\/span>\u2014<\/span>identified that way by others, and totally focused on the Master. This was the defining feature of their culture and entire lives. <\/span>For instance, during the <\/span>ministry of Captain Moroni<\/span><\/a> \u201call the true believers of Christ, who belonged to the church of God\u201d were called by those who did not belong to the church \u201cChristians\u201d\u2014a name they \u201c<\/span>took upon them gladly<\/span><\/a>.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Do we feel the same?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Church, had underscored this same focus some eighteen months prior to Elder Jackson. In <\/span>announcing the Church\u2019s new web domains<\/span><\/a> of ChurchofJesusChrist.org and ComeUntoChrist.org, President Nelson reminded us that \u201c<\/span>Jesus Christ is at the center of His Church<\/span><\/i>.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Along with the name correction, some events and activities in the Church that were associated with our religion but which may not have been direct expressions of our inherent \u201cculture of Christ\u201d were set aside\u2014for instance, <\/span>several outdoor and indoor pageants<\/span><\/a>. Some (myself included) initially lamented the loss of such perennial favorites as the Hill Cumorah Pageant and the Manti Miracle Pageant, the Scouting program, and some other regional activities and cultural events.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet when we consider what makes the modern Church of Jesus Christ uniquely identifiable, one helpful perspective is to look at the Church through the eyes of an adult convert\u2014and review the process by which they typically come to recognize the true gospel of Christ and then integrate themselves into His faith.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeing through the lens of converts.<\/b> Regardless of where a person lives in the world, their direct interest in the Church usually begins with their admiration for and friendship with a member of the Church and\/or the full-time missionaries. They then seek to explore the religion behind the personality\u2014the source of this other person\u2019s happiness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They begin attending church\u2014usually <\/span>sacrament meeting<\/span><\/a> (the main meeting, which is focused on Christ). They also <\/span>meet with full-time missionaries<\/span><\/a> to learn about the teachings of the Church, and in the process they come to realize that the missionaries are representatives of Christ. Through reading the <\/span>Book of Mormon<\/span><\/a>, the <\/span>Bible<\/span><\/a>, and as a result of <\/span>personal prayer<\/span><\/a>, they obtain a private conviction that Jesus is the <\/span>Christ<\/span><\/a>, and that the restored gospel of the Son of God is true.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They rejoice in their newfound opportunity, desire to follow Christ, and are <\/span>baptized<\/span><\/a>. They make covenants or promises with God in doing so\u2014to follow Christ, try to live by <\/span>Christian principles<\/span><\/a>, and love others. They typically experience outpourings of the <\/span>Holy Ghost<\/span><\/a> that communicate to them truths from Heaven.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Have you noticed thus far in the review that not one thing that in a usual sense would be described as \u201ccultural\u201d has yet come into the life of this new convert, only a significant Christian conviction, a desire to be a member of Christ\u2019s Church, and a change of personal routines and habits?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After baptism new members continue to attend Church each week and partake of the <\/span>sacrament<\/span><\/a> (a symbolic Christian practice)\u2014to renew their promises made at baptism and receive spiritual strengthening and healing for their daily lives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As they continue to develop, both men and women then prepare to make further Christian covenants in <\/span>temples<\/span><\/a> of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints\u2014enabling them to always be together with their loved ones both in this life and the next.

The new convert ideally feels surrounded by and fixed upon Christ\u2014as a clear, singular and unifying focus.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/div><\/span>In all these activities, the new convert ideally feels surrounded by and fixed upon Christ\u2014as a clear, singular and unifying focus.<\/p>\n

The simplicity of Christian discipleship.<\/b> While on this earth, Jesus Himself continually demonstrated the simplicity of the discipleship He invited of His followers, beginning with the first words spoken in His ministry of which we are aware: \u201c<\/span>Repent and believe<\/span><\/a>.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Perhaps the additional, optional programs and activities that were curtailed in the Church today sometimes tended to upstage or muddle the focus of this simple but profound path of spirituality that leads a person to eternal life\u2014what Nephi described in the Book of Mormon as a \u201c<\/span>straight and narrow path<\/span><\/a>.\u201d On this path we are encouraged to \u201c<\/span>press forward with a steadfastness in Christ<\/span><\/a>\u201d and rely upon \u201cHim who is mighty to save.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From this frame of reference, the only culture discernable is the culture of Christ.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By comparison, there was in the past a potential overwhelm for new converts with MIA, extra primary days, separate testimony meetings (many years ago), Scouts, genealogy get-togethers (the list went on and on). New members jumped into a fast-moving treadmill that didn\u2019t always seem to comport with the straightforward, simple path to Christ that unfolded in their introduction to the faith. And much of this got wrapped up and around what was defined as being a \u201cMormon.\u201d So much of this has now been pared down to essentials, and the wrapper (the \u201cm\u201d word) has been removed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Foundational questions prompted by removing nicknames.<\/b> Some have still wondered, in considering the modern-day Church\u2019s name correction, <\/span>how the Church or its culture<\/span><\/a> could be distinctly referenced on a practical basis in any other way than by the now-outworn nicknames \u201cMormon\u201d and \u201cMormonism.\u201d Yet many sensed from the beginning that <\/span>this August 2018 correction<\/span><\/a> (to always reference the full name of the Church of Jesus Christ) was meant to stimulate far more than mere sidebar conversations on the merits of naming conventions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this age of restoration, the God of Heaven once again profoundly demonstrates He is so far wiser\u2014and infinitely brighter\u2014than us all. I\u2019ve come to believe that with this one simple step, this clear name correction, He challenges each of us\u2014both those in the faith and those who may have stepped away\u2014to lay aside any remaining cultural filters and recognize that <\/span>this name correction is central to the ongoing mission of His Church<\/span><\/i>, as <\/span>President Russell M. Ballard and others have indicated<\/span><\/a>. Consistently, <\/span>modern-day apostles have promised<\/span><\/a> that our individual insistence on using the Lord\u2019s name both in referencing His Church and also when we identify ourselves as members will have a strengthening and regenerative effect upon each one of us.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In my own case, this name clarification has presented me with plain, foundational questions for reconsideration in my life, such as: What <\/span>is<\/span><\/i> my view of the <\/span>Lord Jesus Christ<\/span><\/a>? Am I in truth His disciple? Do I have a conviction that the church I attend each Sunday is truly His Church and kingdom upon the earth\u2014and that Jesus is leading it today? Consequently, am I in everyday life\u2014public, professional, and private\u2014willing to call myself, <\/span>unashamedly<\/span><\/a>, by the name of Christ?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Through their omission of the name of Christ, did these previous nicknames (the \u201cm\u201d words) tempt us at times to become semi-disciples, comfortably operating under the radar? If so, then we are now instantly in the open. As citizens within the culture of Christ, we are thereby impelled to take a stand and answer\u2014without equivocation\u2014the central question: Are we \u201c<\/span>in Christ<\/span><\/a>\u201d or are we someplace else? Is this reflected throughout\u2014”<\/span>in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity<\/span><\/a>\u201d\u2014and in our unabashed allegiance to Jesus and His restored Church?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Innocent attention to less important things.<\/b> Or alternatively, would we suffer ourselves to abide merely as the product of a religious heritage and background, and called by an adopted nickname\u2014one we did not choose (at least initially) and that is not <\/span>Christ\u2019s<\/span><\/i> own<\/span><\/i> name\u2014and <\/span>one that never was the authorized name of His Church<\/span><\/a>?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you see how easily our perception may have been obscured a bit by innocent attention to smaller things that over time seemed to become attached to our faith but were not truly essential? One sister good-naturedly quipped that she remembers the time when she felt that to be a \u201cgood Latter-day Saint\u201d and \u201cgo to heaven\u201d she needed to both enjoy and participate in quilting and grinding wheat (outgrowths of the Church\u2019s <\/span>self-reliance<\/span><\/a> program). Or how about members who may have felt \u201coutside of the inside of things\u201d simply because they had never seen the popular Latter-day Saint play \u201c<\/span>Saturday\u2019s Warrior<\/span><\/a>\u201d?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By contrast, with such clear focus upon Christ, our capacity for spiritually and socially rich friendships in today\u2019s Church is stronger than ever (far from the \u201cbare bones\u201d culture some have recently insisted may be emerging). By many measures, members of this church have more abundant opportunities than ever\u2014and the future is bright!

We see that the culture of Christ binds us together in ways that no other banner ever could.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>A profound shift in orientation as members.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0Many have experienced significant spiritual growth and personal enrichment from the effects of the church name correction upon their thought process. Lifetime member Chalane Peterson of Fort Worth, Texas, a 27-year old wife and mother of two children, called it \u201ca huge mental shift. When I said the word \u2018Mormon\u2019 I didn\u2019t automatically think of Christ. I thought \u2018I go to church. I don\u2019t swear. I dress differently.\u2019 [With this change], it\u2019s not about what church I am representing or impressing others with, it\u2019s about me and my relationship to Christ. It\u2019s \u2018I\u2019m proud of this; I\u2019m standing up and defending Him. I\u2019m not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Flemming Hald of Mapleton Utah, longtime Danish convert and former Bishop, relates: \u201cWhen I say \u2018The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints\u2019 to friends and family \u2026 there\u2019s power in those words. It has helped me to be more aware of which church this is. \u2026 It\u2019s amazing how powerful a name change can be.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Candi Mumford, Latter-day Saint from Saratoga Springs, Utah, experienced this public shift in identity first hand when she was introduced to another mother from Texas. When this other woman related that she is a faithful Christian, Candi told of her membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Immediately her new friend said: \u201cOh, we\u2019re both Christians\u201d\u2014creating an immediate bond. Candi said that she likes how \u201cinstead of being set apart, we have a shared common culture with other Christians.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Her daughter Jodie, age 16, shared more about the effect the name correction is having among other youth she knows: \u201cWhen we would say \u2018Mormon\u2019 in the past, others could think whatever they want about what we believe. But when Christ\u2019s name is spoken first, it puts our beliefs into focus. It reminds me that I am a part of Christ\u2019s Church and that I\u2019m a daughter of Christ.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Underpinnings of a rich Church culture.<\/b> This kind of power to deeply affect others for good and even bring souls to Christ, through a culture based upon the name of Christ, was illustrated recently in the true story of a child and her schoolteacher in Tahiti, related by <\/span>Elder Neil Anderson in fall of 2011<\/span><\/a>:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ten-year-old Iriura Jean resolved to follow the counsel of President Nelson (to use the full, authentic name of the Church in describing her religion). In her school class they discussed their weekend \u2026 and Iriura talked about \u2026 church. Her teacher, Vaite Pifao, said, \u201cOh, so you are a Mormon?\u201d Iriura stated boldly, \u201cNo, \u2026 I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Her teacher replied, \u201cYes, \u2026 you are a Mormon.\u201d Iriura insisted, \u201cNo teacher, I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!\u201d Ms. Pifao was amazed at Iriura\u2019s conviction and wondered why she was so insistent on using [the] long name of her church. [She decided to learn more about the Church.] [Later, as Sister] Vaite Pifao was baptized [she expressed gratitude] that Iriura heeded the counsel of President Nelson.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Thus we see that the culture of Christ binds us together in ways that no other banner ever could. Truly our culture is, as <\/span>President Dallin H. Oaks expressed<\/span><\/a>: \u201ca distinctive way of life\u201d that \u201chelp(s) us keep the commandments of God.\u201d And in <\/span>Elder Jeffrey R. Holland\u2019s words<\/span><\/a> spoken in the most recent general convening of the Church, we as a people \u201chold aloft the mission and message of the Savior of the world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In the sweetness of that work we find happiness and enduring friendships along the way, along with everything else needed in the abundant life. With richness like that, who needs all the extras? With Nephi, may we celebrate and <\/span>delight in the \u201cplainness\u201d<\/span><\/a> and the simplicity of the path ahead and the community ready to walk with us as we move along it.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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