Using the new church logo

I have copied the following from the article "The Church’s New Symbol Emphasizes the Centrality of the Savior".

This new symbol will be used on Church materials as directed by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Detailed usage guidelines are being developed, including possible uses of the new symbol around the world.

“The symbol will now be used as a visual identifier for official literature, news, and events of the Church,” the prophet continued. “It will remind all that this is the Savior’s Church and that all we do, as members of His Church, centers on Jesus Christ and His gospel.”

My question is. . . does this mean that only church headquarters are allowed to use the new symbol? Can a ward relief society have the symbol on their weekly newsletter?

I believe that the new symbol will be controlled in a manner very similar to the former Church logo. Except in very rare instances, Church headquarters did not allow local units to use the logo. I expect that it will be the same for the symbol.

The Intellectual Property Office would be able to provide more specific and official information. Their phone number is available if you click on the Terms of Use link at the bottom of most Church website pages, including this one.

See General Handbook 38.8.11. It's copied from Handbook 2 which was last updated a month before the new logo.

The Church’s official logotype (see the front cover of this handbook) is to be used only for items approved by the Correlation Department at Church headquarters.

Local units may use the written name of the Church (not the logotype) when all of the following conditions are met:

- The activity or function with which the name is associated is officially sponsored by the unit (for example, a sacrament meeting program).
- The name of the local unit is used as a prelude to the name of the Church (for example, Canyon View Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
- The typeface does not imitate or resemble the official Church logotype.

As far as I know, it's never been allowed for local units to use the logo. That part is not new.

sdwallentine wrote:My question is. . . does this mean that only church headquarters are allowed to use the new symbol?

Yes.

sdwallentine wrote:Can a ward relief society have the symbol on their weekly newsletter?

No. russellhltn posted the General Handbook information. Here is the link. The new symbol is subject to the same restrictions as the logotype.

Things are even restricted internally. We received an email saying that we should only migrate to the new symbol when approved by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve and should not start updating web sites without that approval.

scgallafent wrote:We received an email saying that we should only migrate to the new symbol when approved by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve and should not start updating web sites without that approval.

Frankly, I'm surprised that this webpage gets the banner. I know it's coming from the main website, but still...

russellhltn wrote:

scgallafent wrote:We received an email saying that we should only migrate to the new symbol when approved by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve and should not start updating web sites without that approval.

Frankly, I'm surprised that this webpage gets the banner. I know it's coming from the main website, but still...

I don't see the new logo in the banner anywhere on the Tech website. Instead I see just the name of the Church.

russellhltn wrote:Frankly, I'm surprised that this webpage gets the banner. I know it's coming from the main website, but still...

Do you mean the old logo in the Church header at the top of the page? I think everything at ChurchofJesusChrist.org gets it.

jdlessley wrote:I don't see the new logo in the banner anywhere on the Tech website. Instead I see just the name of the Church.

I was referring to the old "logotype".

lajackson wrote:

russellhltn wrote:Frankly, I'm surprised that this webpage gets the banner. I know it's coming from the main website, but still...

Do you mean the old logo in the Church header at the top of the page? I think everything at ChurchofJesusChrist.org gets it.

Yes. But the logo was meant to show official information. I understand why we have it, but it seems like a flaw.

russellhltn wrote:Yes. But the logo was meant to show official information. I understand why we have it, but it seems like a flaw.

We are official. That is why we moderate. [grin]

Is it allowed to use a photo of the Christus Statue as part of a logo to the stake with it's name? Like this:

amaromg wrote: Wed Mar 26, 2025 10:45 am Is it allowed to use a photo of the Christus Statue as part of a logo to the stake with it's name? Like this:

I don't know what the logo looks like in that language. Also, It's possible that the Christus Statue is covered by copyright.

At the very bottom of this page is a "Terms of Use" link. On that page is a link to request "Permission to Use Copyrights and Trademarks". That would be the place to ask.

amaromg wrote: Wed Mar 26, 2025 10:45 am Is it allowed to use a photo of the Christus Statue as part of a logo to the stake with it's name? Like this:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nl6QYKqOoI7eFFAzfV9PBhi26_vJhF1m/view?usp=drive_link

The Christus statue itself is not copyrighted or owned by the Church (the original is in a Lutheran church in Denmark, and was sculpted in 1833 – long enough that any copyrights would have expired by now).

However, the stylized artwork of the Christus statue that the Church uses in its logo is copyrighted and a registered trademark. Close imitations of the stylized artwork are likely protected under the same trademark.

In your case, you aren't using the logo, nor are you imitating the logo – it's a photo of the Christus statue from a different angle, without an arch or wordmark. You may need permission from the person who took the photo, but you shouldn't need permission from the Church – unless the Church is also the owner of the photo (in which case, the "Terms of Use" link mentioned by russellhltn should be helpful).

Can I use the church logo for my studies just to indicate that our church is my client. Only for studies.

salvoroneil@yahoo.com wrote: Wed Jul 30, 2025 7:31 pm Can I use the church logo for my studies just to indicate that our church is my client. Only for studies.

As I read General Handbook, 38.8.8, it is not allowed. For a definitive answer you can contact the Intellectual Property Office. General Handbook, 38.8.8 has their mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, and email address.