The Church recently updated Handbook 2 with new guidelines relating to the use of the Internet in church service. Here are the highlights of what has changed and what stayed the same. Changes are in blue below:
Internet
When carefully used, the Internet can help coordinate the work of the Church, strengthen faith, and minister to the needs of others. The Internet can also help people connect with one another and share Church content with friends and family. However, members should remember that electronic communication should not replace opportunities for in-person contact, where feasible.
Official Church Internet Resources
The Church provides a number of official websites, blogs, and social media profiles for general use. These sites and resources are clearly identified as official either by the use of the Church logo or in some equivalent manner. They also comply with legal requirements and the Church’s intellectual property and privacy policies.
Temples, missions, and visitors’ centers are not authorized to create websites.
Members’ Use of the Internet in Church Callings
- Members may not create websites, blogs, or social media profiles on behalf of the Church or to officially represent the Church and its views. However, they may create websites, blogs, or social media profiles to assist with their callings. When doing so, members must include a disclaimer such as “This is not an official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” and comply with the following guidelines:
- 1.Local priesthood leaders must first approve the creation of calling-related websites, blogs, or social media profiles.
- 2.The Church logo may not be used or imitated.
- 3.The name and contact information of the member who is responsible for the website, blog, or social media profile should be posted publicly.
- 4.Members should not state or imply that their online resource’s content, images, or other materials are sponsored or endorsed by the Church or officially represent the Church in any way.
- 5.Church-owned artwork, videos, music, and other materials should not be posted unless such use is clearly authorized by the “Rights and Use Information” page of an official Church website or by the Church’s Intellectual Property Office.
- 6.Photographs of other individuals or personal information should not be displayed without consent.
- 7.Social media properties must be properly maintained and actively moderated to ensure that any inappropriate content is promptly removed.
- 8.The website, blog, or social media profile should not be the name of a Church unit. For example, “First Ward News” or “Friends of the First Ward” is acceptable, while “First Ward” is not.
Please see internet.lds.org for additional examples and clarification.
For help with the calendar, directory, and other tools on LDS.org, please visit tools.lds.org.
Personal Internet Use
Members are encouraged to use the Internet to flood the earth with testimonies of the Savior and His restored gospel. They should view blogs, social networks, and other Internet technologies as tools that allow them to amplify their voice in promoting the messages of peace, hope, and joy that accompany faith in Christ.
Members are encouraged to share messages from official Church websites and social accounts, as well as their own words, images, and media. As members express their own thoughts and feelings, they should not give the impression that they represent or are sponsored by the Church.
As members use the Internet to hasten the work of the Lord, they should exemplify civility and focus on sharing praiseworthy messages that strengthen those with whom they come in contact.
Search “Internet Usage Helps for Members” on LDS.org to find additional guidelines.
