Quick Question for Mormons

[Janna]

If you're Mormon, do you consider non-Mormons to be "Gentiles"? Is that what non-Mormons are called in the Mormon church?

I'm reading a book written in 1912 and that's what the Mormon's apparently called the non-Mormons. Just wondered if it was still that way today?

Thanks!

[dangermom]

Hee! No, not any more. We still use it as a joke, but that's it. We call non-Mormons non-members, as in "not a member of this particular church." Or usually we call them by their names, actually. ;)

Mormons do consider themselves to be part of the House of Israel, but they don't use the term Gentile any more.

Of course, if your book wasn't written by a Mormon and it's from 1912 and about Mormons, it's probably chock-full of howlers.

[Melinda in VT]

There's a joke told in/about Utah: "Utah is the only place where a Jew is a Gentile."

I don't really hear the term used much these days, but I did know what you meant.

[dangermom]

That's another joke; a Mormon would of course never actually call a Jew a Gentile. Unless he was particularly clueless, I guess.

[Janna]

LOL, well that is very interesting! I think it's funny all the jokes there are about it! I never knew!

I do find it very interesting though, that Mormon's consider themselves part of the House of Israel. Is there a quick and painless explanation for that, or will that cause problems on a public forum? If you feel like you can share the reason why, I would be very interested and happy to know. Thanks!

[Melinda in VT]

Essentially Mormons believe that when you are baptized into the Mormon church, you are adopted into the House of Israel. I always took it to mean that I was now part of God's people and had a responsibility to spread God's word.

[Janna]

Ah, gotcha! Thank you very much!

[JudoMom]

Or usually we call them by their names, actually. ;)

LOL! And we appreciate that :D.

[dangermom]

Essentially Mormons believe that when you are baptized into the Mormon church, you are adopted into the House of Israel. I always took it to mean that I was now part of God's people and had a responsibility to spread God's word.Yup, that about covers it. :)

[Jennifer in MI]

Sorry - but am I the only one who first read this as "Quick Question for Morons?" LOL No offense meant to anyone!!! (I learned a bit too!!)