The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has filed a lawsuit against podcaster John Dehlin to prevent him from using the term "Mormon" in his podcast, "Mormon Stories." The lawsuit, filed in April, claims that Dehlin's branding creates confusion and capitalizes on the church's trademark, according to the church's statement.
Key Details
In 2019, the church announced a rebranding initiative, stating that it would no longer use the term "Mormon" to describe itself or its members. Church leaders argued that the name change was divinely mandated and aimed at correcting historical misrepresentations. Former church president Russell M. Nelson emphasized the importance of the new name, stating that continuing to use "Mormon" would be a "major victory for Satan."
The lawsuit is part of a broader effort by the church to control the narrative surrounding its identity and branding. The church has previously taken action against other entities using the term "Mormon," including changes to its choir's name and the discontinuation of its "I'm a Mormon" advertising campaign. Dehlin, who was excommunicated from the church, has expressed his intention to continue using the name despite the legal challenges.
Background
This legal battle highlights ongoing tensions between the church and former members, as well as the challenges of rebranding an established identity. Critics of the church's rebranding efforts argue that it seeks to erase a significant part of its history and the identities of its members.
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Sources: theguardian.com, euronews.com.
Limited direct market relevance; the development matters more for the church's branding strategy than for traded assets. Watch for further developments in the case as it progresses through the legal system.