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FILE – In this March 31, 2018, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs during the twice-annual conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Salt Lake City. The well-known Mormon Tabernacle Choir was renamed Friday, Oct. 5, 2018, to strip the word Mormon in a move showing the faith is new previously promoted by the church. The gospel singing group will be called "The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square," The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said in a statement. (AP Photo / Rick Bowmer, File)
LAS VEGAS – The World-Famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir was renamed Friday to the Mormon The Church of Jesus Christ of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints.
The singing group is now Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
Here's a look at what prompted the name change:
WHY WAS THE CHOIR RENAMED?
Church President Russell M. Nelson in August said he wants to stop using the word "Mormon" or the acronym "LDS" instead of religion's full name.
Nelson in a statement at the time said that the Lord has impressed upon my mind the importance of the name he has revealed for his church.
The presidents are considered prophets who lead the church through revelations from God.
The church's full name was given by Joseph Joseph Smith in 1838, according to the faith's beliefs.
HOW IS SIGNIFICANT IS THE CHANGE?
Very. Nelson is not the first leader to call the world, so many wondered after his visit to the church.
Patrick Mason, Professor of Religion and Mormon Studies at Claremont Graduate University in California. "It seems that this will be the first in a series of changes that the Church makes to comply with President Nelson's wishes."
WHAT'S BEHIND THE GOSPEL SINGING GROUP NEW NAME?
It's a nod to the choir for the last 150 years, the 19th century domed roof Salt Lake City. It has room for 3,000 people and is used for choir performances and community gatherings. It hosted the church's twice-annual conference until 2000.
HOW DO CHURCH MEMBERS FEEL ABOUT NELSON'S ANNOUNCEMENT?
Reaction has been mixed.
Mason said that while church members understand the importance of the full name, they are very comfortable with the universally used terms of Mormon and LDS.
"It's impractical to use the full name of the church all the time," he said.
"Mason said," it is difficult to get along, because it is difficult to get people to talk about it. "
Nelson acknowledged the challenge the church is facing in a "tradition of more than 100 years" during a trip to Canada following his August announcement. However, he said, the name of the faith is "not negotiable." He said church members need to use the proper name if they want outsiders to use it.
DOES NOT THE CHURCH COMMONLY USING THE WORD "MORMON"?
Yes. The Utah-based faith, which counts 16 million members worldwide, recently made a documentary about its followers titled "Meet the Mormons" and uses Mormon and LDS on official websites and materials that church officials. They are expected to be changed in coming months.
The church also ran a series of "I'm a Mormon" ads on TV and billboards starting in 2010, aiming to dispel stereotypes about Mormons by telling the stories of individual members.
The term Mormon comes from the church's signature scripture, the Book of Mormon, which followers believe is based on the record of an ancient prophet named Mormon.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Mason said he expects the church to announce this weekend, when Mormons will gather to hear spiritual guidance and church news during a two-yearly conference in Salt Lake City.
"Stay tuned," Mason said. "… The fact that this is coming before the day begins."
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