Chances are pretty good you have social outlets on the web to connect with friends and family. Maybe you use the Internet to communicate with members or do missionary work. You may not realize that what you post, share, or display on the web in any form says a lot about you, and a lot more about the Church you represent, so a periodic assessment of your web presence is timely and appropriate.

7 Tips for LDS Members Using Social Media in Church Callings - YouTube cleverly displays what you need to know. Collectively the seven tips serve as a checklist for anyone using the Internet to spread the gospel message.

Here are the tips distilled into a short list:

1)      Always get Priesthood approval before you create any website, blog, or social media outlet related to your calling.

2)      Pick a platform that is appropriate for your stake or auxiliary.

3)      Do not use or imitate the official Church logo in any way.

4)      Your site or blog profile should not be the official name of your church unit. Add “News” or “Friends” to the name and add disclaimer informing visitors that your site is “Not an official page of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

5)      Always respect intellectual property and copyright laws. Only post what you have permission to share.

6)      Make sure you have proper consent before sharing anyone’s personal photos or stories.

7)      Actively monitor content on your page.

These ideas are not complicated or difficult to implement – you may be doing them already. Forms for permissions, examples of appropriate uses, and the rationale behind the guidelines are available at LDS.org by searching for “Internet usage helps for members” or by following the link below:

http://internet.lds.org