4.2.1 Symbol

During his [April 2020] general conference message Saturday evening, President Russell M. Nelson introduced a new Church symbol that signals “the central place of Jesus Christ” in His Church.

Aptly, the symbol includes the name of the Church—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—contained within a cornerstone. As taught since biblical days, Jesus Christ is the “chief corner stone” of His Church (Ephesians 2:20).

“At the center of the symbol is a representation of Thorvaldsen’s marble statue, the Christus,” said President Nelson. “It portrays the resurrected, living Lord reaching out to embrace all who will come unto Him.

“The symbol will now be used as a visual identifier for official literature, news, and events of the Church. 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.”

“The symbol will now be used as a visual identifier for official literature, news, and events of the Church. 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.” — Russell M. Nelson, “Opening the Heavens for Help,” general conference, Apr. 2020

Excerpt from Newsroom Article

Jason Swenson, “Why President Nelson Announced a New Church Symbol during General Conference,” Church News, April 4, 2020.

The symbol of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints represents the Savior, His Church, and His work on the earth. The symbol serves to quickly identify the Church as well as its products and services.

The symbol replaces the Church logotype as the official visual identifier. All new Church
communications should use the symbol or wordmark following approved guidelines. Previous applications of the Church logotype will be replaced over time.

The Church symbol emphasizes the name of Jesus Christ and His central role in all the Church does. The name of the Church is contained within a rectangular cornerstone shape. This shape refers to Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone. The center of the symbol is a likeness of Thorvaldsen’s marble statue, Christus. Jesus stands not as a statue on a pedestal but as the living Christ on the cornerstone bearing His revealed name for His restored Church. Jesus stands under an arch as a reminder of His emergence from the tomb on the third day after His death.

Together, the cornerstone, wordmark, and Christus arch form the official Church symbol. Follow the guidelines in sections 4.2.1.1–4.2.1.11 for proper usage of the symbol.

To effectively and appropriately identify the Church, the symbol must be clear and legible. Symbol size, application, and reproduction method will affect the quality of how the symbol is represented.

To address all types of uses, the symbol is available in two configurations, featuring the Christus arch in two levels of detail. Each configuration (high- and low-fidelity) has approved size and application guidelines to maintain the integrity of the symbol’s illustration. These configurations are available in standard and knockout versions (see 4.1.2.6). The following pages include guidelines for print and digital uses.

Symbol Usage

As the official visual identifier of the Church, the symbol is to be used only on items approved for publication by the Visual Identity Office (VIO). The VIO acts under the authority of the Intellectual Property Division of the Church’s Correlation Department. Materials using the symbol may include handbooks, manuals, forms, video packaging and discs, websites, and so forth. Any exception for publishing material without the Church symbol must be approved by the VIO.

In general, the Church symbol is not used on materials produced by local units or in any personal, commercial, or promotional way. Using the Church symbol without approval from the VIO may lead to misrepresentation of the Church and may cause legal problems.

For additional information about proper use of the Church symbol and name, please refer to General Handbook, 38.8.8.

Copyright Usage

All official Church products should include both the Church symbol (or wordmark, in certain instances; see 4.2.6) and an approved copyright notice. Contact the VIO for approved copyright notice formats.

Name Usage

The written name of the Church is not a substitute for the Church symbol. Please refer to 4.2.9 to see appropriate applications of the Church name, including visual guidelines.

General Guidelines

When using the symbol, keep these principles in mind:

• Visual Presentation: Maintain the integrity of the symbol, including its typeface, illustration, visual weight, and arrangement. (See 4.2.1.1.)
• Ease of Identification: Help people identify the Church by using the symbol at a proper size and with sufficient contrast. (See 4.2.1.1–4.2.1.11.)
• Consistency: Protect the worldwide legal recognition of the Church name and symbol.

Obtaining Symbol Files (see 4.5)

Only use symbol files that are approved by the VIO. Do not attempt to recreate any part of the symbol on your own.

Symbol files may be updated from time to time. Access files for each use from the appropriate asset management system to ensure you have the most recent version. Link each symbol file to its source destination so that automatic updates can be applied. Do not save the Church symbol as an independent file that may be used at will.

Symbol files in a variety of formats may be downloaded from the assigned asset management system (see 4.5). When downloading the file(s), if a challenge form appears, provide the purpose for using the symbol.

If you have trouble accessing these files, please contact the VIO.

Language Variations

The symbol has been translated into over 110 languages; additional language variations continue to be added. Each version has been designed to maintain the same visual weight.

When designing a product that will be adapted for multiple languages, use all symbol versions at the same percentage of the original size. See 4.2.1.3 for more samples.

A language name and code are assigned for each version of the Church symbol, which will help in finding the correct files from the assigned asset management system (see 4.2.1.3).

The symbol has been created for over 110 languages. Additional language variations will be provided as files are created.

The entire set of approved symbols in languages may be accessed using Church asset management systems (see 4.5).

When using the symbol in a print environment, please use the low-fidelity configuration and maintain the following guidelines:

• Use a vector graphic (EPS) of the symbol whenever possible.
• In small-print applications, the illustration become dark and unclear.
• The symbol should be used as a dignified signature representing the Lord’s Church. In most cases, it is a supporting element on the page.
• Do not use the symbol if the wordmark within is not legible. Instead, use a larger wordmark only.

Because of the variety of distribution channels, please work with the VIO to ensure you are using the correct symbol fidelity in your project.

4.4 Samples Applications

• Manual
• Invitation
• Posters
• Official notices/memos

When using the symbol in a digital environment, please maintain the following guidelines:

• Use a vector graphic (EPS) of the symbol whenever possible.
• The high-fidelity symbol should be avoided in small digital applications in order to avoid the illustration’s becoming dark and unclear.
• Be aware of how the file size affects site performance. Optimize the file to make the size as small as possible without affecting visual quality. The low-fidelity symbol will give the best digital performance.
• The symbol is a supporting element and should be used as a dignified signature representing the Lord’s Church.
• Do not use the symbol if the wordmark within is not legible. Instead, use a larger wordmark only.

Because of the variety of distribution channels, please work with the VIO to ensure you are using the correct symbol fidelity in your project.

The wordmark is easily legible in many print applications but may be too small to read in some digital applications (see 4.2.1.5).

High-Fidelity Symbol

Sample applications include the official closing slate and social media posts.

Low-Fidelity Symbol

Sample applications include website footers and emails.

Simplified Symbol

Sample applications include the following:

• Social media pages
• Gospel Library app
• Favicon

In the knockout version, the Christus figure has a white background, while the arch stroke, Christus details, and wordmark are produced in black.

Knockout versions of the symbol are available in both configurations. Like the positive and reverse image symbols, the knockout symbol allows a background color to appear within the arch surrounding the white Christus figure.

When using the knockout symbol version, maintain sufficient contrast between the background and the symbol. The opacity of the knockout symbol version may be reduced to 80 percent (equal to Gray 40) to soften the stroke color; however, this will also reduce the opacity of the Christus figure.

The Christus figure should maintain a white appearance.

Certain applications of the symbol use a simplified depiction of Christ and do not use the cornerstone or wordmark because of size restrictions. These exceptions have been approved by the VIO. Do not use the simplified symbol for any application beyond those listed at the right.

Simplified symbol digital applications include the following:

• Social media pages
• Gospel Library app
• Favicon

The Church symbol must always be surrounded by a minimum amount of clear space. This maintains the symbol’s visual integrity. It should never be crowded by other elements, such as text, titles, other symbols, illustrations, or photographs.

The symbol should have a minimum amount of clear space (x) on all sides. The measurement of “x” is half the height of the cornerstone. Please note the “x” measurement does not vary from language to language. Any exceptions must be approved by the VIO.

The Church symbol may be reproduced in black or an approved color from the color palette (see 4.2.5). Choose colors that give sufficient contrast (often color 25 and higher) to the symbol and its background. Use discretion when selecting colors to fit the audience and communication purpose. Keep in mind the sacred nature of the Savior and the name of His Church.

Never use more than one color or value because this disrupts the readability and integrity of the symbol.

Backgrounds

The symbol may be placed over a subtle pattern. However, the pattern should not continue within the symbol. Keep in mind the sacred nature of the Savior and the name of His Church.

Minimum Contrast

Always maintain at least a 50 percent value difference in color or luminance between the symbol and its background.

When reversing the symbol from a color background, use only the file designed for this purpose. When reversed, the symbol (which includes the wordmark) is always white.

Backgrounds

Never use more than one color or value as a background because it can disrupt the readability and integrity of the symbol. If background patterns, textures, or images that appear within the symbol are too visually busy, then allow only the primary background color to fill the symbol (see 4.2.1.9). Keep in mind the sacred nature of the Savior and the name of His Church.

Minimum Contrast

Always reverse the symbol from a background color, pattern, or image with sufficient contrast. There must be at least a 50 percent value difference in color or luminance between the symbol and its background.

Shapes

When the symbol is used in an enclosed space, the surrounding area must be large enough to be perceived as a general layout area, not a recognizable shape or design.

Legibility

Do not interfere with the recognition or readability of the symbol or wordmark.

Do not intersect the symbol or wordmark with graphics, patterns, or backgrounds with contrasting colors. Do not use the symbol or wordmark in a repeating pattern. Keep in mind the sacred nature of the Savior and the name of His Church.