Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: Don't Call Us Mormons

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Tabernacle Choir" isn't a name that exactly rolls off the tongue, but the Mormon Tabernacle Choir might have to adopt it. Russell T. Nelson, the church's president, announced Thursday that it is launching a major campaign to have the full name of the church used instead of abbreviations like "Mormon" or "LDS Church," the Deseret News reports. "The Lord has impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He has revealed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," Nelson said in a statement released on Mormon Newsroom, which will presumably be changing its name in the near future.

"We have work before us to bring ourselves in harmony with His will. In recent weeks, various Church leaders and departments have initiated the necessary steps to do so," said Nelson. The guidelines state that the full name was "given by revelation from God to Joseph Smith in 1838" and says when "referring to Church members, the terms 'members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' or 'Latter-day Saints' are preferred. We ask that the term 'Mormons' not be used." Blogger Steve Evans tells the Salt Lake Tribune that while he respects Nelson's view of the name as sacred, he thinks the campaign will probably just confuse outsiders. "I do think it makes us look a little persnickety," he says. (More Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stories.)