DiscussMormonism.com

Maybe this is a silly question, but I've always wondered why, if for any particular reason at all, do the general authorities use their middle initials? You always hear Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, Henry B. Eyring, Boyd K. Packer, Dallin H. Oaks, etc. Never do you hear Gordon Hinckley, Boyd Packer, etc.

The only reason I thought that this may be so is because there have been so many members and leaders in the church from the same families and with a tradition of naming children after previous leaders. For instance, I had a lot of trouble one day when going to a presentation at BYU. I couldn't remember if it was being held in the Joseph Smith Building, the Joseph F. Smith Building, or the Joseph Fielding Smith Building.

Any thoughts?

It's not really a silly question. One New Zealander had a theory: http://lostintransit.org/archives/000136.html

It started with Jesus being called by his full name and middle initial of H.

Using an initial elevates your standing in the world of names. Your name puts on a white shirt and tie. Only the commoners and riff-raff use two names. Those who wield executive religious power are expected to have a first or middle initial. It is nearly impossible to be put up on a pedestal nowadays without such an initial.

moksha wrote:Using an initial elevates your standing in the world of names. Your name puts on a white shirt and tie. Only the commoners and riff-raff use two names. Those who wield executive religious power are expected to have a first or middle initial. It is nearly impossible to be put up on a pedestal nowadays without such an initial.

LOL!

Good night. (laughing-to-bed thanks to Mok)

moksha wrote:Using an initial elevates your standing in the world of names. Your name puts on a white shirt and tie. Only the commoners and riff-raff use two names. Those who wield executive religious power are expected to have a first or middle initial. It is nearly impossible to be put up on a pedestal nowadays without such an initial.

Like Joseph Smith?

Boaz & Lidia wrote:

moksha wrote:Using an initial elevates your standing in the world of names. Your name puts on a white shirt and tie. Only the commoners and riff-raff use two names. Those who wield executive religious power are expected to have a first or middle initial. It is nearly impossible to be put up on a pedestal nowadays without such an initial.

Like Joseph Smith?

Like
Brigham Young
John Taylor
Wilford Woodruff
Lorenzo Snow

Joseph Smith and Brigham Young was too young to become presidents now.

Boaz & Lidia wrote:It started with Jesus being called by his full name and middle initial of H.

LOL

ludwigm wrote:

Boaz & Lidia wrote:

moksha wrote:Using an initial elevates your standing in the world of names. Your name puts on a white shirt and tie. Only the commoners and riff-raff use two names. Those who wield executive religious power are expected to have a first or middle initial. It is nearly impossible to be put up on a pedestal nowadays without such an initial.

Like Joseph Smith?

Like
Brigham Young
John Taylor
Wilford Woodruff
Lorenzo Snow

Joseph Smith and Brigham Young was too young to become presidents now.

Now you are engaging in pastism. Historical data is of no consequence when you are on a roll.





--------------
If you want to test your LDS knowledge visit Ironhold's Quiz:

http://ironhold.deviantart.com/art/LDS-faith-quiz-1-76549771

It started with "Joseph F. Smith", so he wouldn't be confused with the other Joseph Smith. Heber Grant decided to continue the tradition, and the rest is history.

It's fun to refer to them by their common names ("Tom Monson" or "Bruce McConkie") in Church, because it makes it sound like you know them personally, and no one will doubt what you say.