Handbook 1: Stake Presidents and Bishops:

I used to be able to access Handbook 1 online but now I am unable to. Whenever I click on the link for Handbook 1 it directs me to Handbook 2. Nothing has changed with my calling (Stake Assistant Clerk) any ideas?

CSnelson wrote:I used to be able to access Handbook 1 online but now I am unable to. Whenever I click on the link for Handbook 1 it directs me to Handbook 2. Nothing has changed with my calling (Stake Assistant Clerk) any ideas?

It's not unusual that you would not be able to access Handbook 1 online -- what's inexplicable is that you were ever able to have access as an assistant stake clerk. The stake clerk himself has access, but assistants do not. I can't explain how you were able to have access in the past, but what you describe now is exactly the behavior I see (and have always seen) as an assistant stake clerk.

Is it possible to download a PDF version of handbook 1. i am a Windows tablet user, and find it very helpful to have a ready reference, that can be annotated.

i actually have a scanned version converted to OCR, but the filesize is bigger compared to the official PDF version of Book 2.

i understand that the Church did not made this possible in the website, but it has been very helpful to me. as a member of the Church, it could be a lifetime service, and a better access to handbooks is very helpful.

reysonpua wrote:Is it possible to download a PDF version of handbook 1. i am a Windows tablet user, and find it very helpful to have a ready reference, that can be annotated.

i actually have a scanned version converted to OCR, but the filesize is bigger compared to the official PDF version of Book 2.

i understand that the Church did not made this possible in the website, but it has been very helpful to me. as a member of the Church, it could be a lifetime service, and a better access to handbooks is very helpful.

Although a PDF version of Handbook 1 could certainly be useful, I have to think that the Church made their decision not to publish such a PDF for good reasons. Therefore I think we should be wary of trying to do something on our own that the Church specifically chose not to do. Access to your PDF version is not controlled by official Church authentication systems according to your current calling; I don't think it's within our choice to take information that the Church has protected and put it in a less secure place.

thanks for the reply.

so are you saying i should discontinue or delete my handbook 1 file? its password protected, and very handy when searching for keywords.

reysonpua wrote:so are you saying i should discontinue or delete my handbook 1 file? its password protected, and very handy when searching for keywords.

I was just offering my opinions and some thoughts. You can make your own decisions, perhaps in consultation with your priesthood leaders.

CSnelson wrote:I used to be able to access Handbook 1 online but now I am unable to. Whenever I click on the link for Handbook 1 it directs me to Handbook 2. Nothing has changed with my calling (Stake Assistant Clerk) any ideas?]

As has been noted before, this is by design, and mimics the issue of the printed copies of Handbook 1. Although Assistant Stake Clerks (and Ward / branch Assistant clerks) are allowed to read Handbook 1 when needed, we are not physically issued them, and "share" a copy with the Stake or Ward clerk. While one could make the argument that if I am allowed to read the physical copy of Handbook 1 as needed, why not have it online as well? By granting "across the board access" to assistant clerks, one might assume ALL assistant clerks need Handbook 1 access, which is NOT true. In my experience, many assistant clerks (stake and ward) have duties that would never require access to Handbook 1.

aebrown wrote:I was just offering my opinions and some thoughts. You can make your own decisions, perhaps in consultation with your priesthood leaders.

Thank you. I don't mean to be rude with my statement. i appreciate your comment.

i can actually just use the online copy but by preference, i find it more efficient using the same format in paging and layout as with the printed version. i use the same preference in all our Church publications, including the manuals, scripture, magazines, etc., which are all available in PDF downloads. I think I have a very unique preference as nobody has probably has opted as mine. I want to electronically make my annotations using stylus and handwriting to have the same feel and experience as with the printed version, and this would facilitate quicker retrieval of information when actually using the printed copy, either it be a scriptures, manuals, handbooks, magazines, etc. because photographic mapping of its location is already stored somewhere in the brain.

sorry for sharing this thought. i just feel excited and find it very useful with all the Church publications. i really am grateful for what the Church is doing in technology.

Never having served in a Stake position, I am just curious:

What information does an "Assistant Stake Clerk" need to access in handbook 1? Why isn't the "shared copy" good enough?

kisaac wrote:As has been noted before, this is by design, and mimics the issue of the printed copies of Handbook 1. Although Assistant Stake Clerks (and Ward / branch Assistant clerks) are allowed to read Handbook 1 when needed, we are not physically issued them, and "share" a copy with the Stake or Ward clerk.

IIRC, who can read Handbook 1 is open to interpretation. I think it said something like "clerks" but the question is is it plural because there's multiple units or plural because it's clerk and assistants? In either case, the assistant clerks were not specifically called out - either to include or exclude.

I think it's clear that CHQ is taking the narrower interpretation.

TinMan wrote:Never having served in a Stake position, I am just curious:

What information does an "Assistant Stake Clerk" need to access in handbook 1? Why isn't the "shared copy" good enough?

As stake financial clerk, I am often wishing I had access to the Finance chapter online, as well as the financial policies related to welfare issues. And as an assistant stake clerk tasked with supporting MLS, I often get questions from wards about various issues related to membership records.

I guess my question is what is "often." Do you need to access it every day? Weekly? Monthly? As a new bishop, I read it "often." 2 years later, it is "occasionally."

It is of course available on line to me. But I access the on line copy "rarely." I guess I am just trying to see why an assistant stake clerk would need more access than I have: that is, a pdf copy they can make hand written notes on.

TinMan wrote:I guess I am just trying to see why an assistant stake clerk would need more access than I have: that is, a pdf copy they can make hand written notes on.

I think you're confusing two different people in this thread. Unless I'm missing something, the person who wanted a PDF copy hasn't said what their calling is.

The person who started the thread is a STS. But as such, has no access on-line.

I can certainly understand that when someone needs access, they need it fairly soon. Trying to track down a treecopy would be time consuming.

from the opening post:

I used to be able to access Handbook 1 online but now I am unable to. Whenever I click on the link for Handbook 1 it directs me to Handbook 2. Nothing has changed with my calling (Stake Assistant Clerk) any ideas?


???

Yeah, sorry. I think I am confused.

I'll just sit back and read...

TinMan wrote:from the opening post:

I used to be able to access Handbook 1 online but now I am unable to. Whenever I click on the link for Handbook 1 it directs me to Handbook 2. Nothing has changed with my calling (Stake Assistant Clerk) any ideas?


???

Yeah, sorry. I think I am confused.

Which was posted by CSnelson. It was his first and last post in this thread.

It was reysonpua who talked about a PDF. If he indicated his calling, I didn't see it.

RussellHltn wrote:It was reysonpua who talked about a PDF. If he indicated his calling, I didn't see it.

In post #8 he said, "i can actually just use the online copy . . .", so I would guess he is in a presidency or bishopric, or the clerk, and has access.

Sometimes it seems a local pdf copy would be convenient, but the Church has only provided the option of hard copy or online for the present.

CSnelson wrote:I used to be able to access Handbook 1 online but now I am unable to. Whenever I click on the link for Handbook 1 it directs me to Handbook 2. Nothing has changed with my calling (Stake Assistant Clerk) any ideas?

CSnelson is not dreaming. There actually was a brief moment in time when he had access to both.

I'm very uncomfortable with the idea of self-publishing a pdf version of Handbook 1. If I self-published my own version of any other copyrighted work I found online I think I would understand I was on shaky ground. Just because the church doesn't put a monetary value on Handbook 1 doesn't mean the same copyright control wouldn't apply. We know the church has always wanted to maintain tight control of the distribution of this book, whether we agree with the strictness of policy or not. If the church wanted anyone to have a pdf copy then it would be available (like the other church publications in pdf form which are provided for anyone to keep on their tablet). We know the church can publish pdf books so if they didn't do it then we should respect their reasoning.

Sometimes I'll watch a popular movie trailer online, embedded in a web page. Some web sites make it easy to download those things to my own computer. Some make it extremely difficult, unless you have the skills/tools to subvert that control. But when you don't see a download button you get the point. And I see this situation the same way. If the church doesn't make it easy to have your own pdf file then that means something.

My calling is stake executive secretary but I cannot access handbook 1. I always get directed to Handbook 2.
Can you help?

paulv wrote:My calling is stake executive secretary but I cannot access handbook 1. I always get directed to Handbook 2.
Can you help?

We do not have access to the systems to make any changes.

Check with your stake clerk and make sure your calling is correctly entered as a standard position and that it's in the CDOL. Odds are that either your calling is not correctly recorded, or it somehow failed to get transmitted.

I am a Branch President. Is there an easy way to access handbook 1 online currently I go through leadership resources on lds.org which is a bit clumsy is there an app I can download to put it into my Gospel Library

jcquade wrote:I am a Branch President. Is there an easy way to access handbook 1 online currently I go through leadership resources on lds.org which is a bit clumsy is there an app I can download to put it into my Gospel Library

If you have an iOS device (iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch) then Handbook 1 is available in Gospel Library (make sure you're signed into the app with your LDS Account). If you have Android, Handbook 1 isn't currently available in the app but will be in the next major update (Gospel Library 4.0). There is a "preview" version of Gospel Library 4.0 available that you can sign up for (not yet feature-complete, but it has Handbook 1).

If you don't mind having to connect to the internet to get Handbook 1, you can bookmark/pin a shortcut to the LDS.org Handbook to your home screen. The process may be different depending on your type of device and your web browser. It would be faster than navigating your way through LDS.org.

paulv wrote:My calling is stake executive secretary but I cannot access handbook 1. I always get directed to Handbook 2. Can you help?

I'm not sure if executive secretaries are supposed to have access. They're not listed in the distribution list for physical copies at the beginning of Handbook 1.

The iOS version of the Gospel Library app has HB 1 located under the Leadership selection. HB1 is only seen by those with the appropriate calling. You must be signed in to the app. Initially, when selected the HB can take a little while to download.

Can handbook 1 be accessed on the Samsung Galaxy s7 phone? Thinking of getting that phone for Christmas for my family member that is a Bishop, but wondering if the handbook 1 is accessible on it as he can't seem to access it on his kindle which is also an android device.

jpitcher wrote:Can handbook 1 be accessed on the Samsung Galaxy s7 phone?

Not yet. The device has to run on iOS. I have been hearing for a while that Handbook 1 will be accessible on Android "soon", but in reality I have no idea when and I am not holding my breath.

jpitcher wrote:Can handbook 1 be accessed on the Samsung Galaxy s7 phone?

Via a web browser, I'm sure it can. Via LDS Tools Gospel Library, not yet.

russellhltn wrote:

jpitcher wrote:Can handbook 1 be accessed on the Samsung Galaxy s7 phone?

Via a web browser, I'm sure it can. Via LDS Tools, not yet.

*Gospel Library

jpitcher wrote:Can handbook 1 be accessed on the Samsung Galaxy s7 phone? Thinking of getting that phone for Christmas for my family member that is a Bishop, but wondering if the handbook 1 is accessible on it as he can't seem to access it on his kindle which is also an android device.

If all goes well, Handbook 1 will be available in the newest version of Gospel Library for Android starting on Monday [for members whose calling allows them access].

sbradshaw wrote:

russellhltn wrote:

jpitcher wrote:Can handbook 1 be accessed on the Samsung Galaxy s7 phone?

Via a web browser, I'm sure it can. Via LDS Tools, not yet.

*Gospel Library

You'd think I'd get that straight by now.

Authorized leaders can access the online Handbook 1 by logging into "LDS.org" then on the main page of "Leader and Clerk Resources" on the left under communications in the access to the handbook. It will probably never be in Gospel Library as there is no way to restrict it's use to the approved leaders.

McLaughlinES wrote: It will probably never be in Gospel Library as there is no way to restrict it's use to the approved leaders.

It is available in the Gospel Library IOS version, for leaders with the appropriate callings.

Handbook 1 is only available online in Leader and clerk resources (LCR) under communications on the left side. Only authorized leaders will be able to access this. It will not be in Gospel Library due to the access controls.

Please check my post https://tech.lds.org/forum/viewtopic.ph ... 20#p162760
I can assure you that it is available in the Gospel Library IOS version.

Biggles wrote:Please check my post https://tech.lds.org/forum/viewtopic.ph ... 20#p162760
I can assure you that it is available in the Gospel Library IOS version.

And now with Gospel Library for Android 4.0, if you are signed in with your LDS Account and have a calling that provides access rights.

sbradshaw wrote:

jpitcher wrote:Can handbook 1 be accessed on the Samsung Galaxy s7 phone? Thinking of getting that phone for Christmas for my family member that is a Bishop, but wondering if the handbook 1 is accessible on it as he can't seem to access it on his kindle which is also an android device.

If all goes well, Handbook 1 will be available in the newest version of Gospel Library for Android starting on Monday [for members whose calling allows them access].

The updated Gospel Library for Android has been released. Handbook 1 is available for those holding callings that give them access to it. (The iOS version already had this.)

russellhltn wrote:(The iOS version already had this.)

And the Android version just got it.

lajackson wrote:

russellhltn wrote:(The iOS version already had this.)

And the Android version just got it.

I'm a ward clerk and have book 1 on LCR but only book 2 shows up in the leadership section on my android devices in Gospel Library. Any ideas.

McLaughlinES wrote:I'm a ward clerk and have book 1 on LCR but only book 2 shows up in the leadership section on my android devices in Gospel Library. Any ideas.

It took our ward clerk three days to get it. So keep using GL and be patient. It will appear as a menu item just ahead of Handbook 2. I guess I got that one earlier in the download process. GL came in the night, and Handbook 1 was there the third time I opened GL the next day.

And therein may be the key. Our ward clerk had not used GL at all since it downloaded, and it was not there on the first try. I think there were two syncs before he saw it.

I thought I had everything downloaded two days ago, but just this evening when I opened GL, the download started again and there are several hundred more items still coming.

I think I should pitch a tent under my WiFi antenna, spend the night, and see if a Liahona appears in the morning.

Is this available in the Gospel Library?

butch051972 wrote:Is this available in the Gospel Library?

Yes. If your calling allows access and you've logged in with your LDS Account. However, there may be a delay before it appears.

as second councilor of bishopric can i read handbook 1

jariolj wrote:as second councilor of bishopric can i read handbook 1

Yes. You should have been given a hard copy and you should have access on lds.org and in Gospel Library (assuming your calling is recorded corrected and you are using an LDS Account that is connected to your membership number).

jariolj wrote:as second councilor of bishopric can i read handbook 1

In addition to what eblood66 said, you sould be able to read it on-line in the Help Center once you login with your LDS Account tied to your MRN.

As a Ward Executive Secretary I use Handbook 1 all the time assisting my Bishop, who needs assistance in this area. But I can no longer access Handbook 1, so I can no longer assist my Bishop in this area. It will be significantly more difficult for him. Why this access is now denied is odd. Was there an announcement regarding it that we all missed?

mel1944 wrote:Why this access is now denied is odd.

How are you accessing it? Gospel Library frequently goes though spells where Handbook 1 disappears in a update and then re-appears after it's had a chance to talk to Headquarters.

Study.LDS.org supports role-based content now, as of a few weeks ago. If you're not able to access Handbook 1 in the Gospel Library app, you could try Study.LDS.org > Leaders.

sbradshaw wrote:Study.LDS.org supports role-based content now, as of a few weeks ago. If you're not able to access Handbook 1 in the Gospel Library app, you could try Study.LDS.org > Leaders.

My go-to is clerksupport.lds.org. It accesses the Help Center. The Handbooks are available there.