OGDEN -- The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is looking for better ways to identify itself and it's starting with a name change.
The church's new name is the Community of Christ.
"I think for a long time there has been a need to identify ourselves," said Ogden Pastor Harriet White. "It's really hard to say Reorganized LDS Church in a lot of countries because it doesn't translate."
Another reason for the change, said White, was the need to find a name that would express the people of the church.
The Ogden church currently has about 50 members. Worldwide, the church has around 250,000 members and is headquartered in Independence, Mo.
Although the church split from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it continues to use the same set of scriptures, the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, as part of its teachings.
The church reorganized because of different opinions as to who should have been called as the president and prophet of the church after founder Joseph Smith's death. The LDS Church appointed Brigham Young while members of the RLDS claimed Joseph Smith designated his eldest son Joseph Smith III to take his seat. The current president of the Community of Christ is Grant McMurray.
White said they don't spend much time thinking about the what separates them from the LDS Church.
"We have found over the years we send more time thinking about our similarities and don't spend a lot of times dwelling on our differences," White said.
LDS Church spokesman Dale Bills said the LDS Church realizes the concern of the reorganized church and wishes them the best of luck with the new name.
White said one of the main goals of the church is to promote peace, love, joy and hope.
A celebration of the new name was held Friday night at the Ogden church. Currently, a banner with the new name is hanging but will be replaced with a permanent sign.
Meetings at the church are held at 848 7th Street in Ogden at 10 a.m. Sunday.
You can leave a message for Jamie Lampros at 625-4224.