Section 2: Understanding God’s Children

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As we seek to understand the many needs and interests of people throughout the world, the Spirit can help us develop effective messages and experiences. This section outlines several ways to understand God’s children by seeing them from various perspectives.We communicate with people more effectively when we understand who they are, what their life experiences are, and what they know about the gospel.

Section 2: Understanding God’s Children Collection

Our communications point to this core experience: we help all of God’s children feel His love by following Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ seated by a well in Samaria. A Samaritan woman is standing by the well as she listens to Christ teach her about the "living water" which He could offer her.

Christ and the Samaritan Woman

2.1 Sharing the Core Experience

Although Jesus already knows what is in a person’s heart, He demonstrated the importance of asking questions and listening. In our communications, we can seek information to learn about people’s hearts and minds, which helps us to be more compassionate.

Family Life

2.2 Asking Questions and Listening

Each of God’s children has a different life experience, including their views and personal perspectives on religion and spirituality. One person’s experience is not more valuable than another’s.

Two Cambodian Muslim women are holding there babies.

Cambodia- Family

2.3 Relating Truth to Each of God’s Children

Although God’s children are individuals who live in different places, have unique life circumstances, and exhibit different perspectives about spirituality and religion, research shows that people generally hold these universal values.

Paraguay. Someone in a car greeting a group of sister missionaries.

Paraguay.  Someone in a car greeting a group of sister missionaries.

Paraguay

2.4 Using Universal Values

As Jesus Christ taught His gospel, He shared truths in relatable ways. The Savior knew people’s hearts, and He communicated in a manner that helped them feel loved by Him and by our Heavenly Father. We want to communicate more like the Savior and help people feel God’s love. The Foundational Messages, Universal Values, and Communication Attributes help us do this.

Church Communication guide vanity URL guide.churchofjesuschrist.org 

Communication Guide

Jesus sitting at the well with a Samaritan woman. John 4:13-14. A wellspring is a continually flowing well. We can only realize it's saving benefits if we come and drink deeply of its waters. The living water that Jesus spoke of is available to all if we will but drink

At the Well

2.5 Developing Messages That Help People Feel God’s Love

As we seek to understand the many needs and interests of people throughout the world, the Spirit can help us develop effective messages and experiences (<a href="https://guide.churchofjesuschrist.org/section-2-understanding-gods-children?lang=eng">see section 2</a>). These audiences summaries provide a starting point for us to better understand God’s children.

Series of images of families spending time together in Congo

Family life

Audience Summaries

When Church employees and volunteers need to contact a stake president or bishop, they direct the communication to the leader’s executive secretary unless the matter is very urgent or confidential (see <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/38-church-policies-and-guidelines#title_number289" target="_blank">General Handbook, 38.8.9</a>).

A grandfather carries his granddaughter around.

Madagascar: Family Life

Communication from Church Employees and Volunteers to Stake Presidents and Bishops

Like Jesus Christ, we seek to share gospel messages with all of God’s children in ways that are accessible to them. We want our communications to use language and images that recognize people’s differences in thoughtful and loving ways. This information will help you create content that is accessible and inclusive.

South Africa.  Family home evening.  Two men in a family room, one is blind.

South Africa: Family Life

Accessibility

As technology use increases, the gospel of Jesus Christ continues to be shared in new and abundant ways. In addition to ease of distribution, digital communications offer inherent capabilities to measure their use and effectiveness. Planning to capture this digital communication data can be an important part of project success. Consider how this data can help measure, influence, and improve your project’s objectives.

A woman is sitting in a cubicle. Near her is a laptop and monitor. She is working in an office.

HRD Employee Library: Woman Working at Desk

Measuring Communications for Effectiveness

Understanding God’s Children

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints communicates with all of God’s children. Each person is unique and may find, appreciate, and accept gospel truths in different ways.

A family takes a walk together on a sunny Saturday afternoon. They pause under some trees as the sun sets behind them. The family consists of a father, mother, three boys, and a girl.

Argentina: Family Life

Church Communication Guide

1.0 Who We Are

1.1 Our Responsibility to Share Light and Truth

1.2 The Core Experience

1.3 Foundational Messages

1.4 Communication Attributes

1: Who We Are

2.0 Understanding God’s Children

2.4 Using Values Held by All People

2: Understanding God’s Children

3.0 Our Voice

3.1 Creating a Recognizable Voice

3.2 Ensuring Doctrinal Purity

3.3 Planning Communications

3.4 Using the Name of the Church

3.5 Writing Style Resources

3: Our Voice 

4.0 Visual Design

4.1 Visual Design Principles

4.2 Visual Design Elements

4.3 Intentional Design

4.4 Samples

4.5 Obtaining Files

Additional Visual Guidelines (PDF)

4: Visual Design

https://guide.churchofjesuschrist.org/church-communication-guide?lang=eng

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