Mormon Leader: Nicknames For Faith Are 'Victory For Satan'

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The president of the Mormon church wants members, the media and others to use the faith's full name, saying nicknames are "a major victory for Satan."

Addressing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' twice-yearly conference Sunday in Salt Lake City, Russell M. Nelson says the church's name "is not negotiable."

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The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Nelson rejects what he calls "worldly arguments," including the benefits of internet "search engine optimization" with the word "Mormon."

If people use Mormon to describe the church or its members, Nelson urged adherents to "be courteous and patient" in their efforts to correct them.

It comes after the church announced Friday that the famed Mormon Tabernacle Choir will be called the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.

It's the first big change since Nelson announced guidelines in August requesting that people stop using previously accepted shorthand names.

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press.