Adding Home / Visiting Teaching on Lds.org

My Stake President was wondering if this coming? He would like me to train the Presidents once this ready, if it's going to happen.


thanks,
ChrisPadillaAZ@gmail.com

It's not coming any time soon. I would not make any plans based on it's expected appearance.

Right now, HT and VT information is only stored in the ward's MLS computer. Getting this available on the Net would require a great deal of reprogramming to get both MLS and Leader and Clerk Resources on LDS.org in sync. It will come, but will likely be later than sooner.

I think this is one of the most desireable of the MLS functions to have migrated to the online resources (lds.org) as many of our Melchizedek priesthood quorum and Relief Society leaders do not have a building key or a clerks office key for access to the ward computer to do their entries in MLS.

Can I add a point? If the developers are reading. Instead of thinking that the LDS portal and MLS needing to sync on HT & VT, make it a separate function for EQ, HPGL and RS to access on the LDS portal. For a long time the EQ and HPGL were not inputting their data into MLS at all. They had their own system and reported the numbers to me. If they could just have a function on the portal then less people will be wanting access time on the Ward PC. I think a lot would rather to be able to do this independent of the MLS system. Make it like Duty to God and Young Women in Excellence. Tagged to your calling.
Just my two cents.

What is LDS Portal?

I suspect ecotim is referring to LDS.org. In my ward, we load all our HT and VT data on MLS so ecotim's suggestion may not work as well for everyone. That said, I personally would be just as happy to load HT information on LDS.org as on MLS (I am the HPGL in my Ward).

If the church can live without "Linking" MLS and LDS.org for Home and Visiting Teaching data, many of us would be just as happy to use LDS.org from home rather than schedule time at the church to upload our HT and VT data. I just mention this as a possibility to simplify the development.

I think it is great that people are trying to find solutions to get HT/VT online. However, the online implementation of HT/VT application(s)/program(s) is out of the hands of the developers. The direction for HT/VT online is guided by the Brethren.

As a workaround, I export the HT reports to PDF, then open them into Acrobat Reader on my iPad and PC, which allow me to draw on, or type on, the screen. That fulfills most of what people want when they talk about entering home teaching online. I can edit on the screen, save it, and then either email it to others in the chain, print it, or take the report, now full of checkboxes/etc. to the clerk's office to be punched in quickly.

PS The same model works for scriptures--rather than using the text-only scriptures app, just download the PDF. Then your formatting is correct, your page numbers are correct, your fonts are correct, and if you want to underline anything, it'll save into the PDF and be there on your other devices.

Holler if you have any questions on how this works, here or at colinjensen.com.

I understand that there are technical reasons for the delay. I also understand (and support) the need to make sure that all information is secure, i.e. this type of functionality may take some time.

I am, however, frustrated by the complete lack of information that comes our way. There is nothing top secret about HT/VT. I don't undestand why they can't throw us a bone here. Coupled with the inability to now use ward tools, it is frustrating for those of us who have little access to the computer in the clerk's office.

tylertwright wrote:Coupled with the inability to now use ward tools, it is frustrating for those of us who have little access to the computer in the clerk's office.

Little access? What do you mean by this, our clerks computer sits idle most of the week.

tylertwright wrote:I don't undestand why they can't throw us a bone here.

The church developers work on many projects for all areas of the church. The priorities are set by the Priesthood Department - not the general membership. How soon they get to this depends on how long higher priority projects will take, and if any other high priority projects appear in the meantime. In other words, a projected time-line would be pure speculation - with people getting upset when the time line is not met.

Carry on with the assumption that it will never happen and be pleasantly surprised when it is.

tylertwright wrote:I am, however, frustrated by the complete lack of information that comes our way.

Totally here ya here!

There is nothing top secret about HT/VT. I don't undestand why they can't throw us a bone here. Coupled with the inability to now use ward tools, it is frustrating for those of us who have little access to the computer in the clerk's office.

This is where you might be a bit off-base. Typically, when people want HT/VT, they want something more than putting in the number. They also want to put in their 'report' on the family. Think of it... Sally's husband beats here and she needs help.... Bro. So and so is dresses badly and will never be a good EQP until he dresses better and matches his tie with his socks.. whatever the comment.

Once an institution that is subject to laws of a government, and multiple governments across the world starts to record what would be considered private data about individuals, they are open to great liability... things we don't always think about.

I believe John is correct in that when HT/VT is deployed on the web, it is unlikely to contain any functionality beyond what MLS currently has. There will be no ability for notes or comments. That's based on prior comments and private conversations I've had with church employees.