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With eight words, 11 syllables and one hyphen, the full name of the Mormon Church is quite the mouthful: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Given its cumbersome name, it’s unsurprising that both members and nonmembers of the Utah-based faith have long used abbreviations, such as Mormon and LDS. Take, for example, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir or the LDS Business College. A 2014 documentary film meant to raise awareness of the church is titled, “Meet the Mormons.” A widely famous ad campaign popularized the slogan, “I’m a Mormon.” Even the church’s official websites use Mormon in their addresses.

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But Thursday, the church’s leader, President Russell M. Nelson, announced that he wants people to stop using “Mormon” and “LDS” – abbreviations that have been the subject of numerous debates throughout the religion’s history.

“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 posted to the church’s official public relations site. “We have work before us to bring ourselves in harmony with His will.” Added Nelson, who is believed by tradition to be a prophet: “In recent weeks, various Church leaders and departments have initiated the necessary steps to do so.”