Mormon Means ‘More Good’

The Crusade Against Mormon Monicker

The Mormon (LDS) church has been up in arms recently about what to call itself. Or more specifically what others are allowed to call it. Leaders are pushing to remove the Mormon moniker, and only use the full name of the church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or a presumptive “restored Church of Jesus Christ,” which oddly is also not the official name of the church. Russell M. Nelson has historically been at the forefront of this charge, as he spoke in the April 1990 general conference urging members to use the official name and steer clear of the nickname, he hinted that this was out of respect for God since it was God himself who named the church in a revelation (though he wilfully omits that the name did change a couple of times since and the revelation has been retroactively changed to reflect the current name).

"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.’” 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." - Elder Russell M. Nelson, General Conference, April 1990 | wasmormon.org — “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.’” 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.” – Elder Russell M. Nelson, General Conference, April 1990

Mormon Should Mean More Good

Gordon B. Hinckley, then president of the church, in the very next conference gave an address dismissing Nelson’s urge and stating that Mormon is fine and good. He stated Mormon should mean more good, citing Joseph Smith, but he didn’t seem to understand how.

I knew, of course, that “more good” was not a derivative of the word Mormon. I had studied both Latin and Greek, and I knew that English is derived in some measure from those two languages and that the words more good are not a cognate of the word Mormon... When I have seen the word Mormon used in the media to describe us there flashes into my mind his statement, which has become my motto: Mormon means “more good.” We may not be able to change the nickname, but we can make it shine with added luster... Mormon should mean “more good” - President Gordon B. Hinckley - Mormon should mean “more good” October 1990 | wasmormon.org — I knew, of course, that “more good” was not a derivative of the word Mormon. I had studied both Latin and Greek, and I knew that English is derived in some measure from those two languages and that the words more good are not a cognate of the word Mormon… When I have seen the word Mormon used in the media to describe us there flashes into my mind his statement, which has become my motto: Mormon means “more good.” We may not be able to change the nickname, but we can make it shine with added luster… Mormon should mean “more good” – President Gordon B. Hinckley – Mormon should mean “more good” October 1990

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.
They could do worse. More than fifty years ago, when I was a missionary in England, I said to one of my associates, “How can we get people, including our own members, to speak of the Church by its proper name?”
He replied, “You can’t. The word Mormon is too deeply ingrained and too easy to say.” He went on, “I’ve quit trying. While I’m thankful for the privilege of being a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of the Church which bears His name, I am not ashamed of the nickname Mormon.”
“Look,” he went on to say, “if there is any name that is totally honorable in its derivation, it is the name Mormon. And so, when someone asks me about it and what it means, I quietly say—‘Mormon means more good.’” (The Prophet Joseph Smith first said this in 1843; see Times and Seasons, 4:194; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 299–300.)
His statement intrigued me—Mormon means “more good.” I knew, of course, that “more good” was not a derivative of the word Mormon. I had studied both Latin and Greek, and I knew that English is derived in some measure from those two languages and that the words more good are not a cognate of the word Mormon. But his was a positive attitude based on an interesting perception. And, as we all know, our lives are guided in large measure by our perceptions. Ever since, when I have seen the word Mormon used in the media to describe us—in a newspaper or a magazine or book or whatever—there flashes into my mind his statement, which has become my motto: Mormon means “more good.”
We may not be able to change the nickname, but we can make it shine with added luster.
Gordon B. Hinckley, Mormon Should Mean “More Good” General Conference, October 1990
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1990/10/mormon-should-mean-more-good

This continued for a decade, President Thomas S. Monson followed along and fully embraced the nickname by funding global ad campaigns for the church, with the now famous “I’m a Mormon” tagline. The church urged members to proudly proclaim their Mormon monicker by sharing their testimonies online at the mormon.org website. Monson also proudly announced the church had produced a feature film entitled Meet the Mormons!

After Monson, Russell M. Nelson became president of the church and among his first declarations was the remergence and promotion of his position on the term Mormon as revelation from God – directly opposite the revelation from God to his prophet just a couple decades earlier. Nelson hopes the world doens’t see this revelation discrepancy. He hopes no one remembers that Joseph Smith claimed Mormon is not a pejorative nickname, but literally means More Good.

Mormon Literally Means More Good

Though Gordon B. Hinckley stated that “more good” was not a derivative of the word Mormon based on Latin or Greek, and that the words more good are not a cognate of the word Mormon, he was intrigued and stated that Mormon should mean more good. Joseph Smith had already refuted claims about the origins of the word “Mormon” among “learned” individuals who claimed the term comes from the Greek “mormo.” Smith asserts that this is incorrect, emphasizing that the Book of Mormon was not written in Greek or Latin, but in a unique script called “Reformed Egyptian.” He explains that since no other people understand this language, its interpretation relies solely on divine means.

Smith defines “Mormon” himself, arguing it literally means “more good.” He bases this interpretation on linguistic comparisons across various languages where “good” has similar roots and sounds, aligning it with “mon” as a word for “good” in Egyptian. Adding “more” to “mon” yields “Mormon,” meaning “more good.”

Correspondence.
To the EDITOR of the TIMES & SEASONS.
SIR:—Through the medium of your paper, I wish to correct an error among men that profess to be learned, liberal and wise; and I do it the more cheerfully, because I hope sober thinking and sound-reasoning people will sooner listen to the voice of truth, than be led astray by the vain pretentions of the self-wise. The error I speak of, is the definition of the word “MORMON.” It has been stated that this word was derived from the Greek word mormo. This is not the case. There was no Greek or Latin upon the plates from which I, through the grace of God, translated the Book of Mormon. Let the language of that book speak for itself. On the 523d page, of the fourth edition, it reads: “And now behold we have written this record according to our knowledge in the characters. which are called among us the Reformed Egyptian, being handed down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech; and if our plates had been sufficiently large, we should have written in Hebrew: but the Hebrew hath been altered by us, also; and if we could have written in Hebrew, behold ye would have had no imperfection in our record, but the Lord knoweth the things which we have written, and also, that none other people knoweth our language; therefore he hath prepared means for the interpretation thereof.”
Here then the subject is put to silence, for “none other people knoweth our language,” therefore the Lord, and not man, had to interpret, after the people were all dead. And, as Paul said, “the world by wisdom know not God,” so the world by speculation are destitute of revelation; and no God in his superior wisdom, has always given his saints, wherever he had any on the earth, the same spirit, and that spirit, as John says, is the true spirit of prophesy, which is the testimony of Jesus, I may safely say that the word Mormon stands independent of the learning and wisdom of this generation.— Before I give a definition, however, to the word, let me say that the Bible in its widest sense, means good; for the Savior says according to the gospel of John, “I am the good shepherd;” and it will not be beyond the common use of terms, to say that good is among the most important in use, and though known by various names in different languages, still its meaning is the same, and is ever in opposition to bad. We say from the Saxon, good; the Dane, god; the Goth, goda; the German, gut; the Dutch, goed; the Latin, bonus; the Greek, kalos; the Hebrew, tob; and the Egyptian, mon. Hence, with the addition of more, or the contraction, mor, we have the word MOR-MON; which means, literally, more good.
Yours,
JOSEPH SMITH.
Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons Vol 4. Number 13. Correspondence. May 15, 1843, City of Nauvoo, Illinois
https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/NCMP1820-1846/id/8517/rec/1

“I wish to correct an error among men that profess to be learned, liberal and wise; and I do it the more cheerfully, because I hope sober thinking and sound-reasoning people will sooner listen to the voice of truth, than be led astray by the vain pretentions of the self-wise. The error I speak of, is the definition of the word "MORMON." ... I may safely say that the word Mormon stands independent of the learning and wisdom of this generation... we have the word MOR-MON; which means, literally, more good.” - Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons Volume 4 Number 13. May 15, 1843 | wasmormon.org — “I wish to correct an error among men that profess to be learned, liberal and wise; and I do it the more cheerfully, because I hope sober thinking and sound-reasoning people will sooner listen to the voice of truth, than be led astray by the vain pretentions of the self-wise. The error I speak of, is the definition of the word “MORMON.” … I may safely say that the word Mormon stands independent of the learning and wisdom of this generation… we have the word MOR-MON; which means, literally, more good.” – Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons Volume 4 Number 13. May 15, 1843

Smith’s 1843 statement presents “Mormon” in a positive light, explaining that the term “literally means more good.” Smith’s confident embrace of the term reflects a sense of independence and pride and a willingness to reinterpret labels positively. By attributing “Mormon” to increased goodness, Smith sought to redefine it as an asset to the church’s identity and influence, perhaps seeing the label as a means of distinguishing the faith in a growing religious landscape.

Unkind Nickname – Pejorative Insult

In contrast, Nelson’s 2018 pronouncement marks the word as offensive and likens it to divisive labels. This shift reflects the institutional effort to promote the church’s official name and thus its connection to Jesus Christ. Nelson frames the word “Mormon” as derogatory and offensive, associating its continued use with a victory for Satan, thereby casting it in an almost adversarial role.

“Often unkind nicknames are added to—or even substituted for—given names. Labels are invented to foster feelings of segregation and competition. For example, athletic teams acquire names to intimidate others, such as Giants, Tigers, Warriors, and so on. Harmless you say? Well, perhaps not overly important. But that is only the beginning. More serious separation results when labels are utilized with the intent to demean, such as Jew, Gentile, black, Hispanic, or Mormon.” Russell M. Nelson, LDS Apostle, 1995 | BYU Devotional, “A More Excellent Hope” | wasmormon.org — “Often unkind nicknames are added to—or even substituted for—given names. Labels are invented to foster feelings of segregation and competition. For example, athletic teams acquire names to intimidate others, such as Giants, Tigers, Warriors, and so on. Harmless you say? Well, perhaps not overly important. But that is only the beginning. More serious separation results when labels are utilized with the intent to demean, such as Jew, Gentile, black, Hispanic, or Mormon.” Russell M. Nelson, LDS Apostle, 1995 | BYU Devotional, “A More Excellent Hope”

His approach underscores a desire for the LDS Church to assert its Christian identity clearly, a point also emphasized by LDS Apostle David Bednar, who describes “Mormon” as a pejorative term imposed by enemies of the faith. The reframing seeks to “take back” the church’s identity by distancing it from any nickname or label other than the full name.

“I think that President Russell M. Nelson will be known forever as a man of remarkable courage, to say, we will no longer use a nickname pejoratively attached to our church, by our enemies, anymore. We're inviting other people to call us what we are called, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” - David A. Bednar, LDS Apostle, Addresses the National Press Club, 2022 | wasmormon.org — “I think that President Russell M. Nelson will be known forever as a man of remarkable courage, to say, we will no longer use a nickname pejoratively attached to our church, by our enemies, anymore. We’re inviting other people to call us what we are called, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” – David A. Bednar, LDS Apostle, Addresses the National Press Club, 2022

The church leaders lose sight that the term Mormon isn’t really a term or a nickname, but the actual name of a prophet in the Book of Mormon. The prophet Mormon is responsible for compiling the records of the Nephites into the Gold Plates which Joseph Smith, as the story goes, translated with the power of God by looking into a seer stone buried in his hat. This Mormon term makes sense as a nickname since the church believes the Book of Mormon is scripture from God, and while it pairs with the Bible, the church believes the Book of Mormon to be superior due to the pristine translation and fullness of the gospel it contains. Curious then, that the church president, and professed prophet of today reimagines the term as a “major victory for Satan” rather than the name of another prophet or the earlier defined “more good.”

"If we allow nicknames to be used or adopt or even sponsor those nicknames ourselves, He is offended... To remove the Lord’s name from the Lord’s Church is a major victory for Satan." - President Russell M. Nelson 2018 | wasmormon.org — “If we allow nicknames to be used or adopt or even sponsor those nicknames ourselves, He is offended… To remove the Lord’s name from the Lord’s Church is a major victory for Satan.” – President Russell M. Nelson 2018

This evolution in messaging invites scrutiny regarding consistency. For a church claiming to be led by unchanging divine authority, the transformation in the word’s meaning—from a name, to a positive identifier to a stigmatized pejorative label—seems at odds with the principle of a stable, eternal truth. A God that is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The change shows a shift in narrative that is likely motivated by a desire for broader recognition of the church’s Christian alignment, as well as to reduce any historical or cultural associations tied to the term “Mormon” itself, such as the fundamental Mormons and the Mormon polygamists of today and even the officially sanctioned polygamy of the past.

The contrast between Joseph Smith’s 1843 statement that Mormon literally means “more good,” Hinckley’s statements in 1990 saying that Mormon should mean more good, and Russell M. Nelson’s 1990, 1995, and 2018 stance on the word “Mormon” as an offensive nickname reflects a stark shift in how the church approaches its identity. It spotlights the authority the church claims in a living prophet, where anything said today must be taken as truth even when, and especially if it contradicts things previous leaders have said. This makes obedience to current leaders paramount over everything. They are free to say anything, not regarding historical positions or doctrines.

How did you experience this change in the Mormon moniker? The term went from literally meaning “more good” as defined by Joseph Smith, and from a global church effort to proudly proclaim “I’m a Momon” in 2010-2017, to the term being labeled as a “major victory for Satan” by Russell Nelson in 2018. Did you contribute an “I’m a Mormon” profile on mormon.org? Did you sing the children’s song, I’m a Mormon! Yes I am!? Was this something you struggled with? Did you have to put it on your shelf?

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