On Mormon Identifiers

While use of the term “Mormon” has been emphasized and deemphasized over the years as a matter of Church policy, it is the author’s opinion that some “Mormon Identifiers” can be helpful in recognizing that members—and former members—of the Church do not all fit a standard mold, despite cultural pressures to do just that. Generalizations applied to any group or community—even those ostensibly intended as “compliments”—have the potential to cause actual harm, and not just to individuals.

This article is being written to expand on the subject of a specific paragraph found in the disclaimer page for this website:

In LDS-adjacent communities—and among former Church members in particular—there exists a spectrum of descriptors is used to identify those associated with the Church and varying degrees of that association…

The following list is not intended to be definitive or even comprehensive; it simply reflects the author’s understanding of them and their general application.

◆ “True Blue/Believing Mormon” (“TBM”)

Typically used as a pejorative term—one may infer that so-called “TBMs” are perceived to embrace their beliefs without question. They are often presumed to lack—or choose not to utilize—any intellectual or critical thinking skills when it comes to doctrinal or cultural minutia related to their faith or any challenge to it. When presented with “difficult” questions related to Church history, its founders, the actions and/or statements sourced directly or attributed to Church leaders, the effects of annulled Church policies, etc., they may only be addressed superficially, downplayed, deflected with vagaries—“That’ll all be figured out during the millennium”—or simply ignored. Like other devout followers of any religion, their commitment to their faith can be described—at best—as sincere and, perhaps, saccharin. At worst, their devotion can come across as prideful, arrogant, self-righteous, and cult-like.

◆ “Nuanced Mormon”

A descriptor that has been attributed to this author, the “Nuanced Mormon” does not view the world or their faith in binary terms, or monochromatically—nor do they limit themselves to shades of gray. They acknowledge and embrace the existence of nuance in all things—including individual perceptions and degrees of understanding. When it comes to the “difficult” questions referenced above, they may not dismiss them out-of hand, nor consider any answers that are anecdotal, lacking context or based only on speculation; regardless, the “Nuanced Mormon” is not afraid to acknowledge that they simply don’t know the answer to a question. Such challenges do not typically result in a crisis of faith because they recognize and accept that the complexity of human nature and the chaos and confusion of the world are defining characteristics of everyone’s mortal experience.

◆ “Progressive/Liberal Mormon”

A phrase obviously used to describe Church members who embrace and publicly express political views that are often perceived as “unorthodox.” A perception that only exists because “conservatism” is assumed to be the default political position for Mormons (full stop). As the author has previously written:

Often counted among the informal coalition referred to as the “religious right”...politically conservative members of the Church… tend to stand out among Mormons that happen to find themselves in the public eye… This has led to the assumption—by many Mormons and non-Mormons alike—that “the Church” is as politically “Conservative” as so-called “evangelical” Christians… …when it comes to party politics and candidates for public office, the Church maintains a clearly defined policy of political neutrality. However, it does encourage its membership... “…to engage in the political process in an informed and civil manner, respecting the fact that members of the Church… may have differences of opinion in partisan political matters.”(emphasis added)

◆ “Jack-Mormon/Ex-Mormon,” et al.

Use of the term “Jack-Mormon” has declined considerably with each generation, being supplanted by terms like “Post-Mormon” and “ex-Mormon.” As the terms are understood by the author, the difference between being a “Post-Mormon” and an “Ex-Mormon” is typically related to the circumstances under which the individual parted ways with the Church. A “Post-Mormon” could be someone who has changed their religious preference or simply moved on from organized religion entirely. Other descriptors include “Graduated-” or “Former-Mormon.” Their attitudes toward the Church are generally benign, ranging anywhere on a spectrum from fondness to indifference. Whereas someone who identifies as an “Ex-Mormon” is more likely to have left the Church under difficult circumstances—either having voluntarily resigned their membership or having their membership formally withdrawn (formerly referred to as “excommunication”. Such experiences often result in a generally negative opinion of and painful feelings toward the institution.

• “Mormon(s)”

The author principally uses the word “Mormon(s)” in reference to and as an identifier for adherents—that is to say, those who identify with and devote themselves—to “Mormon culture.” This devotion is viewed within the culture as “living the Gospel” and may even be proselytized—albeit unintentionally—at the expense of actual Gospel principles. This is because they are generally unaware of any distinction between “Mormon culture” and Christ's Gospel—as they understand it. “Mormon culture” is not only distinct from the Gospel of Jesus Christ but, at times, can be antithetical to it.

As described above, the terms “Mormon” and “True Believing Mormon” are easily interchangeable. However, while the author’s use of the former could be interpreted to be just as pejorative as “TBM,” they will continue to use the “Mormon” descriptor primarily to identify a culture and not the religion most closely associated with it. To further quote the disclaimer for this website:

While this author does their best to follow the counsel of Church leaders and… the official style guide when referencing the complete and correct name of the Church… and appropriate descriptors of its membership, within the context of the articles presented on this website, a consequential distinction is made between “Members of the Church…” and “Mormons.”

To express this concept as a phrase of negation—albeit one that is admittedly oversimplified:

Mormons identify themselves as members of the LDS Church,

but not all members of the LDS Church are identifiable as Mormons.

The views and opinions expressed in this treatise are those of the author, Joseph L. Puente, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other individual or organization that may be named herein and is not intended to disregard, invalidate, or malign any community, ethnic group, religion, association, organization, company, or individual.