A leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has called upon the media to start addressing the church by its correct name. 

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ spoke during this month's 2021 General Conference of the church on Sunday afternoon local time.

He emphasised the importance of using the full name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and acknowledged the desire of its members to be addressed as adherents accordingly. 

“We appreciate the many good and gracious people who have honoured our desire to be called by our correct name. I read an article recently that quoted a Catholic Cardinal referring to the Latter-day Saints,” said Elder Anderson.

“As I visited with the leader of a Christian church a month ago in the eastern United States he referred to the Church in its first reference with our entire name and followed it up more than once with the Church of Jesus Christ.”

He said adding words to the name of the Church is not ideal for the media but noted that fair-minded journalists will honour the request.

“We realise that adding six words to our name would not be ideal for the media but as President Nelson foretold responsible media will be sympathetic in responding to our request,” Elder Andersen said.

“Thank you for extending to us the same consideration given to cultural, athletic, and political or community organisations by using our preferred name.”

He said there will be people who want to detract or diminish the mission by continuing to use “Mormons” or “the Mormon Church” and he encouraged members to continue to use the correct name.

“There will be a few hoping to detract or diminish the seriousness of our mission and continue to call us Mormons or the Mormon Church. With courtesy, we again ask the fair-minded of the media to honour our desire to be called by our names of nearly 200 years,” Elder Andersen said.

Thousands of Church members have courageously proclaimed the name of the Church and noted “as we do our part others will follow.”

Elder Andersen cuted as an example a story of an exchange between a teacher and student from Tahiti to make his point about the importance of nomenclature..

A 10-year-old girl was asked by her teacher what she did on the weekend. She mentioned church. 

The teacher’s response was telling. She said: “Oh. So you are a Mormon?”

The girl replied in turn: “No. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

Tio which the  teacher responded: “Yes. You are a Mormon.”

The girl insisted: “I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

The teacher was amazed at the girl’s conviction and wondered why she was so insistent on using the long name of the Church. 

The teacher was eventually baptised and became a member of the Church. 

Elder Andersen expressed his gratitude to the 10-year-old girl and reminded Church members that “the name of the church is not negotiable.”