LockedMember Calling History?

Is there a way to view what a Members Callings have been in the past?

If not, is there a way to add this as a feature somewhere in MLS? There are times when this would be advantageous to Bishoprics. If there was a way to print up a report or view this in the LDS Tools app, that would be a great benefit.

Thanks for your time.

There is limited ability in CDOL. But that's it.

I'm not asking about the CDOL. Or have I posted this question in the wrong section?

I'm not trying to see where/who members have called from the CDOL.

I'm trying to see what previous callings Members have had in the past. Right now you can look up a Members calling in MLS or in the LDS Tools app. I want to be able to see what their previous callings were.

I realize that the information for that probably isn't stored anywhere, so what I'm asking is, can it be from this time forward? Also, am I asking this question in the wrong area?

Thanks for your time.

kdarbys wrote:I'm not asking about the CDOL. Or have I posted this question in the wrong section?

The answer is - you can't. That feature is not in MLS or Tools. But in trying to address the need, we've pointed out there is limited ability in CDOL.

kdarbys wrote:I realize that the information for that probably isn't stored anywhere, so what I'm asking is, can it be from this time forward?

Not unless you store it yourself in your own application. I don't know of any way to store the history in MLS or Tools.

When the question has been raised in the past, some have suggested that the omission is deliberate. Leaders should rely on inspiration.

kdarbys wrote:I realize that the information for that probably isn't stored anywhere, so what I'm asking is, can it be from this time forward? Also, am I asking this question in the wrong area?

You are in the right place here at the Forum. If you feel strongly about this need, you may wish to send a message through MLS suggesting this be added as a new feature.

russellhltn wrote:

kdarbys wrote:I'm not asking about the CDOL. Or have I posted this question in the wrong section?

The answer is - you can't. That feature is not in MLS or Tools. But in trying to address the need, we've pointed out there is limited ability in CDOL.

And I would also add that if this feature is to be implemented, CDOL is the logical place where the data would be stored. CDOL already stores all the current callings; MLS lets you see and update the callings, but CDOL is the system of record for callings. And CDOL chooses to store the history of callings for certain callings.

So it seems clear to me that CDOL is the storage mechanism for such a feature. Even if you weren't specifically asking about CDOL (the website), you really were talking about CDOL (the storage/retrieval system). It then becomes a question of how much historical calling data the Church wants to store; there are questions about the storage space that would be consumed, and also the desirability of having such data, and the benefits vs. the cost of implementing storage and retrieval. Once the data is in CDOL, then it could be made accessible to LDS Tools, Clerk Resources, and/or MLS.

This.

Please consider keeping a record of all previous callings that a member has had on the LCR. I believe it would be helpful to see an individual's lifetime worth of callings, to see where they have served before, and maybe have that information help influence the decision of the Bishopric of what calling to give that individual. Inspiration is often received after much study and thought, and this information is pertinent to this type of decision.

If not a lifetime record of callings, at least a record of callings since that individual has moved into the ward, in order to avoid duplicating callings that a person has already served in the recent past, that a leader may potentially overlook otherwise.

I also think having this information would be interesting to an individual member, having that person be able to see the callings that they've ever had. It might inspire them to see in what capacities they have served the Lord, and may encourage them to continue to serve more valiantly in their current calling as they reflect on the past of what callings they have served in.

Just a suggestion... but one I think most members expect that this information is recorded somewhere anyway, and are often surprised to find out that their previous callings are not recorded in the long-term.

dbollard99 wrote:Please consider keeping a record of all previous callings that a member has had on the LCR.

The decision makers for things like this do not read the forums. The best place to make this kind of suggestion is by using the Feedback link in LCR.

However, we do know that CDOL does keep a history of some callings. The CDOL developer has indicated that it may come for all callings eventually but it all depends on priorities.

As a current ward clerk I would really like to see this infomation stored as well. Not just was the calling was but also the sustaining dates.
Example.
I just learned (probably cause I missed it or wasn't paying attention) that all the YW Advisor callings have been removed (Laurel Advisor, etc). So we now need to move those Sisters into the YW Class advisor rolls for the assigned age class (12-13 Class Advisor, etc). Without knowing the original calling date we are just using the current date.

We determined that the Sisters do not need to be re-sustained, since technically only the name of the calling changed.

hjorth1 wrote:We determined that the Sisters do not need to be re-sustained, since technically only the name of the calling changed.

If only the name changed, then I wouldn't expect the church to do an automatic release of those positions. They've renamed positions before without requiring them to be re-entered.

There may be some complications due to the movement to classes.

hjorth1 wrote:As a current ward clerk I would really like to see this infomation stored as well. Not just was the calling was but also the sustaining dates.
Example.
I just learned (probably cause I missed it or wasn't paying attention) that all the YW Advisor callings have been removed (Laurel Advisor, etc). So we now need to move those Sisters into the YW Class advisor rolls for the assigned age class (12-13 Class Advisor, etc). Without knowing the original calling date we are just using the current date.

We determined that the Sisters do not need to be re-sustained, since technically only the name of the calling changed.

The church sent out a notice of the pending change (I received it when I was ward clerk at the time) shortly after conference last fall. I don't remember the exact date, but it was the same one that mentioned combining all the YW into one group and eliminated the naming (Laurel, etc). You can find the letter in the official communications library. As soon as I saw the letter, I printed a copy of the YW organization for our ward so I would have that as a reference.

There was also a notice on the LCR landing page for a few weeks before the change was implemented.

The YW classes were all collapsed into a single class which thus removed everyone from their callings. Clerks were asked to recreate the classes and assign the callings. There was a message on the home page of LCR about this change (which was upcoming at the time) and it suggested clerks download a PDF list of the callings before the date so the info wasn't lost.

Guess I’m failing at this calling. Better keep trying

As a member I would LOVE to have a list of all the callings I have had. As I have gotten older I am struggling to remember them all. It would be nice to be reminded of what I did and more importantly WHEN I did it so having the dates would be helpful too. I know that some of my callings would be good for a resume and having exact dates instead of guessing would be great. I feel since it is MY personal information it should be available to ME on LDS Tools. I don't know that it is something leadership needs to know. If I have access to it I can give them the information if they need or ask for it.

Is there somewhere that I can make this comment that those who do this work will see it? I unfortunately am not in a leadership position. Thanks!

You can submit the request via the feedback link on the main page.

But my understanding is that outside of bishop and stake president callings, for a long time, a history was not kept. I think that changed in the last 10 years or so. But beyond that, the data doesn't exist.

nanney5 wrote:Is there somewhere that I can make this comment that those who do this work will see it?

You may always make suggestions through feedback in Member Tools, or at any feedback link on the Church website pages. But other than some key leadership positions, the Church does not keep this information. And since the Church does not have it, there is no way to send it back in Member Tools, even just to you.

I've been a stay-at-home mom for over a decade and am trying to update my resume before I re-enter the workforce. I'm trying to add things that will close that work history gap, and show that I've been having life experiences that hone relevant skills. Even if calling history information was only available to the individual, it would really help me right now. I am SO bad with dates. *sigh* I guess I should start a personal Excel spreadsheet for now.

You can keep the officers sustained sheet printed once each yr during the unit conf, that abt the only way I know of...

As a member, struggling currently, I am frustrated because I have not had a calling in… idk, I think at least 3 years. I would like to see my own personal calling history.

I would like to see my own personal calling history.

Unfortunately, the status remains the same as was previously shared in this thread. And the Church has not given any indication as to why this remains the case. So although we may conjecture that it's purposeful, that's really just our guesses.

That said, it's good that you view having a calling as a way to help you in your life. They provide service opportunities, as well as chances for personal growth. And most importantly, it connects us directly to the Lord's work of salvation, which God values equally whether one is a Stake President, Primary Teacher, or a Building Representative.

If you have not talked with your Bishop, I'd suggest asking to meet with him. The Lord often waits for a Bishop to receive information, and then inspires the Bishop on how to act on that information. Your meeting with him may well act as a catalyst for him to be inspired to give you a meaningful calling.

beeml wrote: Mon Oct 23, 2023 8:38 pm As a member, struggling currently, I am frustrated because I have not had a calling in… idk, I think at least 3 years. I would like to see my own personal calling history.

I'm sorry you're struggling. I loved this talk by Elder Bednar from October 2023 General Conference. Maybe it will provide some comfort:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/11bednar?lang=eng
I know that you have just as much a right to receive revelation, strength, and peace from the Savior as any other member of the Church. He will be with you. Wishing you well!

beeml wrote: Mon Oct 23, 2023 8:38 pm As a member, struggling currently, I am frustrated because I have not had a calling in… idk, I think at least 3 years. I would like to see my own personal calling history.

I've gone ahead and created a personal calling history based on my memory and personal records. If you undertook such a project, you could always ask ward or stake leaders if any callings lists were retained in annual histories they may still have on file.

After reading through all these comments I recognize that this subject has been thoroughly addressed.

However, I have need of this type of information in my application for a job. I have never needed to record or provide my dealings with youth in my job history, but now find myself in need of just such information to help me provide required accurate information to a prospective employer. This would be really helpful for me as I have no clear options to track this information down that would be extremely helpful to me in this instance.

All my best!

For clarity, is your prospective employer simply wanting a listing of job (aka church calling) history, with titles and dates? Or would they also want to contact somebody at your previous employment (aka Bishops) for verification?

I'm just wondering if a written history of your callings would be sufficient for your situation. Perhaps that's enough for your application, in which case a best-guess from your memory might work out. But if a prospective employer is concerned about previous dealings with youth in your job history, I wouldn't be surprised if they then also desire a way to contact somebody that was responsible for you in those dealings, to get insight into how you performed with the youth (and if there were any concerns about those interactions, etc).

And I'm definitely not a legal mind, but I wouldn't be surprised if there are issues the Church would consider, if somebody outside contacted them asking for details about a member's Church service. For instance, maybe Mission Presidents could be contacted by a prospective employer, but I'm not sure how much they would be able to share that would be different from what regular employer is able (or required) to share. Again, perhaps this is complicating things for your situation, just interested.

Is there a way to see the History of just My callings? I am working on my personal history and want/need help remembering what and where I served.

kadebutler wrote: Thu Nov 30, 2023 2:03 pm Is there a way to see the History of just My callings? I am working on my personal history and want/need help remembering what and where I served.

That has been addressed previously in this thread. The short answer is no, there is no record kept of general membership callings. There is limited record for certain leader callings such as bishops and stake presidents in CDOL, but the rest of us must rely on our own record keeping.