March 15, 2001

To: General Authorities; Area Authority Seventies; Stake, Mission, and District Presidents; Bishops and Branch Presidents

Dear Brethren:

DISCONTINUATION OF LOCAL CHURCH UNIT WEB SITES

As you know, the Church has developed several official Church Internet sites. These sites contain approved, correlated material that the Church has deemed appropriate for the Internet. New and updated material will continue to appear on these sites.

As the Church grows, it is very important that information presented to the world be accurate and dignified and that it represent a single, unified Church voice. In addition, it is imperative that the rights of third parties be protected and respected through strict compliance with applicable laws.

With this in mind, a policy for the creation, operation, and maintenance of local unit web sites is being developed and will be sent to priesthood leaders.

Until the policy is established, the First Presidency has requested that local Church units and organizations should not create or sponsor web sites. THEY HAVE ALSO DETERMINED THAT EXISTING SITES SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED.

If you have questions pertaining to these instructions, please call 1-801-240-3678. We request that local leaders give appropriate attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

The Presiding Bishopric
H. David Burton
Richard C. Edgley
Keith B. McMullin