Mormon church leaders no longer want to be called 'Mormon,' call for use of 'Latter-day Saints' instead

Mormons don’t want to be called Mormons anymore.

Leaders of the Utah-based church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called on people to no longer refer to their faith as Mormonism, despite the fact that one of the church’s central texts will still retain the name, “The Book of Mormon.”

An updated style guide posted online Thursday also asked that people to no longer use the name “LDS” as a shorthand way to describe the religion. Instead, it recommends using phrases like “the Church” or the “Church of Jesus Christ” in place of just the initials.

While they do hope to phase out the term “Mormonism” almost completely, they will allow for use of the word “Mormon” in proper names — as is the case with “The Book of Mormon” — or “when used as an adjective in such historical expressions as ‘Mormon Trail.’”

“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,” church President Russel Nelson said in a statement.

Nelson, 93, ascended to his role as church head when his predecessor died in January. The faith’s presidents are viewed as prophets who guide the religious community with revelations and messages from God.

“We have work before us to bring ourselves in harmony with His will,” he continued. “In recent weeks, various Church leaders and departments have initiated the necessary steps to do so.”

The move generated buzz on social media in Utah, with people pointing out the release had been disseminated from a Twitter account with “Mormon” in the handle and posted on website mormonnewsroom.org.