File:LCMS corporate seal.jpg

Meaning
The official seal of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod is a unique blend of symbols and words. In the center is:
 * a blue shield, representing the Christian's faith;
 * a prominent gold cross proclaiming that we preach Jesus Christ crucified and risen from the dead;
 * Latin words under the cross reading "Jesus Christus Dominus Est" (Jesus Christ is Lord);
 * three equilateral gold crosses]symbolizing the Holy Trinity;
 * three gold stars on the shield standing for the three Christian creeds: the Apostolic, the  Nicene, and the  Athanasian.
 * Beneath the shield is Luther's seal.
 * Three gold stars on each side of the shield stand for the six Lutheran Confessions that were published in one book, titled "Concordia," in 1580.
 * Grape vines fill the bottom white spaces, symbolizing Christ's words in John 15:5 - "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
 * Around the inner circle are the words on which Lutheranism is founded: Sola scriptura, Sola gratia, Sola fide (by Scripture alone, by grace alone, by faith alone).
 * The exterior circle contains the proper name of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod and the year it was founded, 1847.

Designer
The seal was designed by the Reverend A. R. Kretzmann of Chicago; and the drawing is by Walter Geweke, also of Chicago.

Licensing
Permission granted by the LCMS - Wednesday, October 25, 2006
 * ...We have reviewed this request and the site (Wikipedia) and have determined that it would be fine at this time to include the logo on the site. We appreciate very much your request to do and appreciate you taking the time to get this done. Please let me know if you have any questions about this or if we can be of assistance in any other way.
 * Blessings on your day,
 * Vicki Biggs
 * Manager, Public Affairs & Media Relations
 * The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod
 * 314 996-1236

--Dulcimerist (talk) 01:29, 24 December 2008 (UTC)