Elder Russell M. Nelson counseled parents to avoid using labels that polarize or lead to the development of prejudices in their children’s hearts:
“When the Nephites were truly righteous, their previous patterns of polarization vanished. ‘There was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people. …
“Unfortunately, the sequel to that story is not a happy one. This pleasant circumstance persisted until ‘a small part of the people … had revolted … and taken upon them the name of Lamanites’ [4 Nephi 1:20], reviving old prejudices and teaching their children again to hate, ‘even as the Lamanites were taught to hate the children of Nephi from the beginning’ [4 Nephi 1:39]. And so the polarizing process began all over again.
“I hope that we may learn this important lesson and delete segregating names from our personal vocabularies. The Apostle Paul taught that ‘there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus’ [Galatians 3:28; see also Colossians 3:11].
“Our Savior invites us ‘to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; … all are alike unto God’ [2 Ne. 26:33]” (“A More Excellent Hope,” Ensign, Feb. 1997, 63).