On Aug. 16, the Church released a statement from President Russell M. Nelson regarding the correct usage of the name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This is a subject that has come up repeatedly for several years in the age of shortening names and referring to nicknames. Here are six references to what Apostles, prophets and the scriptures have said about the name of the Church.

1) New logo re-emphasizes official name of Church

In 1995, the Church adjusted its logo so that the name of Jesus Christ would become more prominent. This graphic representation was to show the central position of the Savior in the Church’s theology, as well as to help clear up confusion as to whose Church it is.

“There are millions of people who never associate the official name of the Church with the name ‘Mormon,'” Bruce L. Olsen, then-managing director of public affairs for the Church, said. “Hopefully, we will correct misunderstanding and confusion with this new graphic representation that focuses on the name of Him whose Church it is.”

2) Church News viewpoint: Refer to the Church using the name of Christ

When the Resurrected Christ ministered to the Nephites, as recorded in 3 Nephi 27:3, His disciples were gathered together and asked Him, “Lord, we will that thou wouldst tell us the name whereby we shall call this church; for there are disputations among the people concerning this matter.”

That question brought forth a divine response and commandment, the import of which resounds in these latter days, the dispensation of the fullness of times.

“Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name?” Jesus asked. “For by this name shall ye be called at the last day;

“And whoso taketh upon him my name and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day” (3 Nephi 27:5-6).

3) ‘Thus shall my Church be called’

President Russell M. Nelson salutes conferencegoers following the Saturday morning session of the LDS Church’s 188th Annual General Conference in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 31, 2018.

Credit: Ravell Call, Deseret News, Deseret News

Then-Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles discussed the name of the Church in the Saturday morning session of the April 1990 general conference, noting that in the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord specifically said, “Thus shall my church be called. …”

“Surely every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord is precious,” he said. “So each word in this name must be important — divinely designated for a reason.”

He then spoke of the significance of the four key words or phrases in the Church’s name: Saints, Latter-day, Jesus Christ, and the Church.

4) Elder M. Russell Ballard: ‘The Importance of a Name’

President M. Russell Ballard, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speaks during the Saturday morning session of the 188th Annual General Conference of the LDS Church in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 31, 2018.

Credit: Ravell Call, Deseret News, Deseret News

“The Savior’s name is the only name under heaven by which man can be saved,” then-Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said during general conference in October 2011. “The Lord Jesus Christ knew how important it was to clearly name His Church in these latter days.”

Members should teach and uphold that the name of the Church “is known by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The name the Savior has given to His Church shows exactly who the people of the Church are and what they believe, he said. “We believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind. … We follow Jesus Christ.”

5) We, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

In the Sunday morning session of the April 1979 general conference, President Marion G. Romney, then second counselor in the First Presidency, explained the origin of the Church, the term “Mormon,” and the name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Members of the Church do not resent being referred to as Mormons, nor does the Church resent being referred to as the Mormon church. As we have said, however, it is not the correct name of the Church,” President Romney said.

“Not only did the Redeemer personally name his Church, ‘The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ … He also declared it to be ‘the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased’” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:30).

6) Feb. 23, 2001, First Presidency letter

President Gordon B. Hinckley was president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1995 to 2008.

Credit: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

On Feb. 23, 2001, the First Presidency sent a letter to the membership of the Church on how to refer to the name of the Church.

“As the Church grows across boundaries, cultures and languages, the use of the revealed name, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Doctrine and Covenants 115:4), is increasingly important in our responsibility to proclaim the name of the Savior throughout all the world,” the letter said.

The letter discouraged use of the terms “The Mormon Church,” “The Latter-day Saints Church” or “The LDS Church.”