Described is a system and method for receiving and distributing messages within a mobile device using multiple communication protocols. The invention provides a method for centrally controlling data flow throughout the communication system. The invention provides a means to receive a message over a communications medium, translate it to a first format for general use and further translate it to a second format for data storage. In one implementation, a data storage component communicates with an application, a form, a transport, and a data store. The application, the form, and the transport each communicate with the storage component by passing properties of a message to the storage component in a first format. The storage component translates the properties from the first format to a second format. The storage component then stores the translated properties in the data store in the second format.