Do not call us Mormons or LDS Church, leaders of faith ask

FILE PHOTO: Mormon Apostle Russell M. Nelson, next in line to lead the church, waits for the first session of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 187th semiannual general conference top start in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S., September 30, 2017. REUTERS/George Frey/File Photo

(Reuters) - Leaders of the Utah-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Thursday called on people to stop referring to the faith as Mormonism, although the church acknowledged one of its central texts would still be called the Book of Mormon.

An online guide accompanying a pronouncement from the church president also asked people to stop referring to followers of the religion as Mormons and not to use the name "LDS" as a shorthand way of describing the faith.