New Date for HT/VT on LCR

Just found a message on MLS stating that in order to avoid conflicts with tithing settlement and other year end functions, HT/VT on LCR will not be available until the first quarter of 2015..... Crying, but I understand....

For reference, here's the message that was sent out sometime this past week:

In a previous message sent in August 2014, it was noted that the ability to update and edit callings and manage home and visiting teaching assignments would be added to LCR in late Fall 2014. However, in order to avoid conflicts with tithing settlement and other year-end processes, the release of this functionality in LCR has been moved to the first quarter of 2015.

Does this include updating visit reports as well as assignments?

acrobin wrote:Does this include updating visit reports as well as assignments?

I'd imagine that it includes all functions currently in MLS. I've seen messages that suggest that HT/VT will be removed from MLS in the next year. However, there's no indication that it will be opened up for companionships to self-report. So the information will still have to be gathered the way it is now.

russellhltn wrote:However, there's no indication that it will be opened up for companionships to self-report. So the information will still have to be gathered the way it is now.

In fact a church developer indicated that there will not be an option to self-report. So leaders will gather information directly and input it just as they do with MLS.

russellhltn wrote:I've seen messages that suggest that HT/VT will be removed from MLS in the next year.

Home teaching data will not be synchronized between LCR and MLS. When a unit moves to LCR for managing home teaching, MLS switches to a read-only mode (to allow access to historical data, if needed) and all updates must be done in LCR after the change.

Will the ward/stake decide when the change will take place or will it be rolled out on a fixed schedule?

siredge wrote:Will the ward/stake decide when the change will take place or will it be rolled out on a fixed schedule?

All of the discussions I have been involved in have approached this from the premise that the ward or stake will make the decision on when to change. I expect we'll revisit that and finalize our plans as the changes head into beta.

Let me know if you need beta testers.

Will there be a built-in approval function for changes for the Bishop?

Even if HTers can't self report, can they at least view their assignment in real time?

When changes are made to a HT assignment will the distribution process continue to be print/hand-out or will there be any new distribution features?

Will access to LCR HT functionality be all or nothing? ie..Can HT district supervisors be given rights over specific Companionships in their district but not other districts?

At this point I wouldn't assume that there is any more functionality then simply moving the existing functions on-line. Since Quorum members and district supervisors have no access to LCR, I don't see as they would have any ability. So for now, plan on print and handout.

calebemiller wrote:Even if HTers can't self report, can they at least view their assignment in real time?

Based on the sneak-peek I see in the Android LDS Tools Beta, yes.

mfmohlma wrote:

calebemiller wrote:Even if HTers can't self report, can they at least view their assignment in real time?

Based on the sneak-peek I see in the Android LDS Tools Beta, yes.

Where did you see this on the Android beta? I am using the iOS beta and can't find anything pertaining to HT/VT.....

calebemiller wrote:Will there be a built-in approval function for changes for the Bishop?

Even if HTers can't self report, can they at least view their assignment in real time?

When changes are made to a HT assignment will the distribution process continue to be print/hand-out or will there be any new distribution features?

Will access to LCR HT functionality be all or nothing? ie..Can HT district supervisors be given rights over specific Companionships in their district but not other districts?

No on all of the above.

Our instructions have been very specific: move the existing MLS functionality to LCR and resist the urge to add new features or expand functionality at this time. In some cases, there have been changes that were needed to make things work efficiently in a web application, but all of the above would be "new" features.

I don't know what the plans are for future addition of new features -- that lies outside of my area of responsibility.

zaneclark wrote: Where did you see this on the Android beta? I am using the iOS beta and can't find anything pertaining to HT/VT.....

It showed up in my "lists". The beta has been pulled, though, due to some sync issues.

mfmohlma wrote:

zaneclark wrote: Where did you see this on the Android beta? I am using the iOS beta and can't find anything pertaining to HT/VT.....

It showed up in my "lists". The beta has been pulled, though, due to some sync issues.

I think that is because you are a ward clerk. I don't think it will show up for everyone.

scgallafent wrote:

russellhltn wrote:I've seen messages that suggest that HT/VT will be removed from MLS in the next year.

Home teaching data will not be synchronized between LCR and MLS. When a unit moves to LCR for managing home teaching, MLS switches to a read-only mode (to allow access to historical data, if needed) and all updates must be done in LCR after the change.

What happens when a leader doesn't have access to a computer or doesn't know how to use a computer or in the case of my ward, our HP's are in custom callings instead of standard ones. People from Hawaii all the way to Salt Lake have tried, but failed, to fix our issue. The fact still remains though, that people use custom callings all the time and a leader may not have access because of that.

Of course, none of that matters if we can enter in data for other leaders if we have to. I say so, because right now, I help the HP enter in their HT data in MLS, but if we aren't able to do so for others, then it might create more problems than benefits. I'm almost certain we're going online for this, as RS and EQ are pretty tech savvy, it's just the HP and Bishopric that need help from time to time.

jonesrk wrote:

mfmohlma wrote:

zaneclark wrote: Where did you see this on the Android beta? I am using the iOS beta and can't find anything pertaining to HT/VT.....

It showed up in my "lists". The beta has been pulled, though, due to some sync issues.

I think that is because you are a ward clerk. I don't think it will show up for everyone.

Maybe, but it was only _my_ home teaching families. It is a beta after all.

jokamura wrote:What happens when a leader doesn't have access to a computer

They can access LCR using the computer in the clerk's office. They will just be using LCR instead of MLS.

jokamura wrote:doesn't know how to use a computer

If they don't know how to use a computer, does it make a difference whether MLS or LCR is being used? The only issue this creates is the one you brought up later in your message where someone enters the data in MLS for them. I would think this could be resolved (even in a high priest group) by calling a secretary with the necessary skills.

jokamura wrote:our HP's are in custom callings instead of standard ones. People from Hawaii all the way to Salt Lake have tried, but failed, to fix our issue. The fact still remains though, that people use custom callings all the time and a leader may not have access because of that.

Custom callings will not have access. I haven't heard anything about an issue with units that have members assigned to custom callings and can't get them moved into a standard position.

scgallafent wrote:

jokamura wrote:What happens when a leader doesn't have access to a computer

They can access LCR using the computer in the clerk's office. They will just be using LCR instead of MLS.

We'll make it work, no worries. But for the sake of explanation, I'll mention that our Stake/Ward recently restricted access to MLS to the quorum/auxiliary secretaries only (in addition to the standard bishopric people of course) This was because MLS kept getting screwed up somehow.

scgallafent wrote:

jokamura wrote:doesn't know how to use a computer

If they don't know how to use a computer, does it make a difference whether MLS or LCR is being used? The only issue this creates is the one you brought up later in your message where someone enters the data in MLS for them. I would think this could be resolved (even in a high priest group) by calling a secretary with the necessary skills.

We're going to be having a bunch of organizational changes, so hopefully this is the case.

scgallafent wrote:

jokamura wrote:our HP's are in custom callings instead of standard ones. People from Hawaii all the way to Salt Lake have tried, but failed, to fix our issue. The fact still remains though, that people use custom callings all the time and a leader may not have access because of that.

Custom callings will not have access. I haven't heard anything about an issue with units that have members assigned to custom callings and can't get them moved into a standard position.

[/quote]

Please see this thread here: http://tech.lds.org/forum/viewtopic.php ... 659baabf4e

I'll also double check that the Ward Clerk actually called.

scgallafent wrote:

calebemiller wrote:Will there be a built-in approval function for changes for the Bishop?

Even if HTers can't self report, can they at least view their assignment in real time?

When changes are made to a HT assignment will the distribution process continue to be print/hand-out or will there be any new distribution features?

Will access to LCR HT functionality be all or nothing? ie..Can HT district supervisors be given rights over specific Companionships in their district but not other districts?

No on all of the above.

Our instructions have been very specific: move the existing MLS functionality to LCR and resist the urge to add new features or expand functionality at this time. In some cases, there have been changes that were needed to make things work efficiently in a web application, but all of the above would be "new" features.

I don't know what the plans are for future addition of new features -- that lies outside of my area of responsibility.

Maybe we'll see some of those features down the road. Honestly, I'm completely giddy to be able to manage HTing through LCR. Thanks!

scgallafent wrote:I expect we'll revisit that and finalize our plans as the changes head into beta.

Another beta volunteer here.

When will we be able to assign and track HT in LCR? thanks

shipleyw wrote:When will we be able to assign and track HT in LCR? thanks

Some time in the next couple of months. No exact date has been announced.

As Elder's quorum secretary, I for one look forward to this change. It will make it much easier for me to do update home teaching without having to go to the ward building. It also sounds like we will need to update the ward clerks to know that once this change takes place that MLS, from what it sounds like, will become read only.

harddrive wrote:As Elder's quorum secretary, I for one look forward to this change. It will make it much easier for me to do update home teaching without having to go to the ward building. It also sounds like we will need to update the ward clerks to know that once this change takes place that MLS, from what it sounds like, will become read only.

MLS will let you know that it is read only.

Will this be closer to an end of March release or an any day now release? Thanks.

calebemiller wrote:Will this be closer to an end of March release or an any day now release?

I speak totally from my own experience and with no authority or information at all, because I really have no clue when it will happen.

Once you have been here at the Forum for a while, you will see that we are very rarely given dates when things will happen. That we have even been told the HT/VT on LCR update will take place this quarter is quite rare. And that already includes one delay from the originally announced date.

I would not get my hopes up even at the end of March. By then, it will either be there, or we will receive another note that it will happen at a later date, or we will have heard nothing at all and it will not be there.

Any way you look at it, it will happen when it happens. If it happens before the end of March, be pleasantly surprised and throw a party, or a training session if you wish.

And by the way, as I have read the comments here at the Forum, even after this function becomes available at LCR, the stake will need to decide when to make the jump, because everyone in the stake has to do it at the same time.

We still have a couple of units in our stake that do not have reliable Internet access at their buildings, so that will become a matter of local discussion here, because once you make the jump to the net, you no longer have MLS as a backup to input HT/VT information.

We will make sure all of the leaders and clerks who need it have good Internet access at home before we make the switch.

lajackson wrote:And by the way, as I have read the comments here at the Forum, even after this function becomes available at LCR, the stake will need to decide when to make the jump, because everyone in the stake has to do it at the same time.

This post indicates the transition is a per unit decision.

jdlessley wrote:

lajackson wrote:And by the way, as I have read the comments here at the Forum, even after this function becomes available at LCR, the stake will need to decide when to make the jump, because everyone in the stake has to do it at the same time.

This post indicates the transition is a per unit decision.

Two posts later and it's unclear if the decision is by the ward or the stake.

russellhltn wrote:

jdlessley wrote:

lajackson wrote:And by the way, as I have read the comments here at the Forum, even after this function becomes available at LCR, the stake will need to decide when to make the jump, because everyone in the stake has to do it at the same time.

This post indicates the transition is a per unit decision.

Two posts later and it's unclear if the decision is by the ward or the stake.

I see what you mean. It may be that individual units may make the switch, but I can see where all may not have to. It probably depends on the source of the stake report. If MLS does not care whether ward/branch information comes from MLS or LCR, I can see where units might make individual decisions.

If there is more involved in the change, i.e., the stake needs to have all of its units providing reporting information in the same way, I can see where the stake may need to make the decision.

I suppose when LCR becomes capable they will explain the new process to us and tell us what we need to do. That's when I will start holding my breath. [smile]

Just thinking out loud here - if MLS isn't updated with HT/VT, then I doubt if the stake can get it's quarterly reports via MLS - they'd have to do them on-line even if only one unit switched. So perhaps it will be a case where the stake decides if the wards can do it and then the individual wards can make their decision.

But my impression is that those details hadn't been worked out yet. So we'll have to wait and see what the instructions are.

But bottom line, it appears that when it becomes available that some local decisions will have to be made before any quorum or auxiliary will be able to switch. Some old saying about counting chickens seems to apply here.

It's been a week or so since anyone posted pining for release info, so I figured it was an opportune time to throw my hat in the ring. Just a very frustrated RS president here, trying to decide if it's worth it to kill myself creating another digital copy of our route revisions this go-round in Google Sheets or if I want to just fight the good fight with MLS printouts for another cycle and wait for the LCR release. Decisions, decisions...

cathryn8 wrote:It's been a week or so since anyone posted pining for release info, so I figured it was an opportune time to throw my hat in the ring.

Those who somehow thought that the new HT/VT capabilities on LCR would be released in January were totally jumping to conclusions based on zero evidence. The only official communication we've received is that it would be in "first quarter 2015" (which doesn't end until 31 March 2015, which is over two months from now).

Other posts from Church employees give hints that this new release involves many moving parts, with interaction between MLS, LCR, CDOL, and multiple backend services. Some of that is underway, but I would think that the full process will still take a while. And because it is complex, I'm not surprised that there is no specific announced release date.

So you'll just have to be patient for the new release. If I were in your position, I would move forward with the tools you have right now. Nothing you do in MLS will be lost -- all the information will migrate to the new system.

aebrown wrote:The only official communication we've received is that it would be in "first quarter 2015" (which doesn't end until 31 March 2015, which is over two months from now).

And it's already been delayed once.

I hope their will be a companion app that will allow home & visiting teacher reporting on every mobile ecosystem (Windows, Android and Apple) so that a home & visiting teachers can first report during or after visit, then allow stewardship interview to take place based on that report the app could have a simple list to check:

1. Visit made
2. Message shared
3. Needs identified
a) Ordinance required
b) Resource assistance needed
c) Service project required
d) Help with family history/Temple work needed
e) Need to see Bishop or leader
4. Then this information automatically sent to the leader, their counsellors, Bishop and executive secretary ready for PEC or Ward Council via LCR based on sensitivity of needs and home and visiting teachers contacted for a follow up interview with leaders as required
5. Make sure the LDS Tools apps works the same way on Windows, Android and Apple devices to be fair for all mobile device users!
6. When home and visiting teaching is done in this way it would make the program so much more useful and accountable - not to mention more successful as organisation is simplified and reduced!

pahollow wrote:I hope their will be a companion app that will allow home & visiting teacher reporting on every mobile ecosystem (Windows, Android and Apple) so that a home & visiting teachers can first report during or after visit

Fact: We've already been told by a church employee that the upcoming HT/VT release will not include the ability to self report.

Speculation: There is a long history concerning online HT/VT support. Back about 8 years the church was just starting to consider involving volunteer help for developing user-facing applications. The first such project was going to be online HT/VT. Some of us still hanging around the forums were involved. We came up with lots of ideas along the same lines as you've suggested. As we tried to define these requirements things got bogged down with trying to get approval. Eventually the whole effort was shut down. There was never any specific explanation why (which is where the speculation comes in here). But based on where things got bogged down, there is significant reservations at high levels to the idea of reporting HT/VT via electronic means. My guess is that there are concerns with allowing very personal information to be put into a church database. Even just the fact that someone needs to talk to the bishop is very sensitive. The privacy issues are significant and there could be legal implications in many jurisdictions. And any hack of the church servers could cause major problems for the church PR-wise. Just having that information there could make the church servers a hacking target. There may also be concern about removing personal contact between leaders and teachers. The spirit is often stronger when two concerned people are talking directly. Or I could be completely wrong and there were other concerns. Or perhaps even the general authorities involved don't know the reason and are acting on inspiration alone. We don't know. But all indications are that the upcoming release is pretty much just the current MLS functionality moved to LCR without adding any major new features.

All speculation aside, you can be sure that ideas very like yours have been considered at very high levels. That much was clear back then. So if this type of reporting is never implemented, we can assume there were good reasons and the decision was made under the direction of the spirit. If something is done but it takes longer than we would like, I think we can also assume that it's because this is such an important program in the church and our leaders want to be very sure that the important spiritual and privacy aspects are not compromised in an effort to improve efficiency.

Looks like someone is trying to engage members reporting HT/VT outside of the LCR. Look at the app Wardplan: https://www.wardplan.com/

Is this app against Church policies?

michaelwforbes wrote:Looks like someone is trying to engage members reporting HT/VT outside of the LCR. Look at the app Wardplan: https://www.wardplan.com/

Is this app against Church policies?

You already asked this question in this post. Let's keep the discussion of Wardplan over in the existing topic.

Just found a discussion on the clerks forum on some changes in the latest MLS update... A tech employee said this was in preparation for the transition to LCR... Hope this means it is eminent!

And this is posted on the LCR Home page today!

"This site will be down for maintenance on Thursday, Feb 19 from 9-11pm (MST)."

Don't hold your breath. I'll believe it when I see it.

I'm not holding it!

Don't get me wrong, I'm a technology nut, I'm a technology Evangelist, I use technology as much as anyone I know, I encourage it in my children and anyone I can. I am on my second round as an STS.

I've been married for nearly 20 years now, been in 6 wards and 4 stakes and 2 states, and during that time I've been visited by a home teacher about 20 times that's 20 out of 240. What we're obviously missing is a detailed database to keep track of visits, message shared, visit to bishop required, or any of those other things that somebody wanted.

- I hope I never see a day when a HT or VT, in my living room, is filling out a form as the other one is giving a lesson.

It's bad enough watching Bishopric members texting all through sacrament meetings, and showing each other their phones and generally making church seem like I'm just at work for another day of the week.

I think sometimes we can get a little anxious over these things. What we know is LCR is first, and mobile comes later.

If the Church has teams of web developers, and nowhere near that on the mobile side.

johnshaw wrote:What we know is LCR is first, and mobile comes later.

If the Church has teams of web developers, and nowhere near that on the mobile side.

The API has to be in place before mobile apps can appear. I suspect the API and web are developed at the same time.

Looks like it has been pushed back to "the first half of 2015."

https://www.lds.org/help/support/mls-re ... /?lang=eng

calebemiller wrote:Looks like it has been pushed back to "the first half of 2015."

https://www.lds.org/help/support/mls-re ... /?lang=eng

Is that the link you intended to post? If so, I'm not making the connection.

russellhltn wrote:Is that the link you intended to post? If so, I'm not making the connection.

Yes, about 1/2 way down the page it reads the following:

"Membership Related:
This release will prepare MLS for the upcoming Leader and Clerk Resources (LCR) 3.0 release in the first half of 2015. It will introduce some new organizations and sub-organizations for grouping callings and will also allow bishoprics including clerks and executive secretaries as well as Melchizedek Priesthood and auxiliaries presidencies to update calling and organization (class, group, quorum, and home and visiting teaching) data using LCR. Once units are able to update this information in LCR, it will become read-only in MLS."

We received a document in MLS this week that stated as such as well as well as a warning to make sure you have internet connectivity at the chapel. I am reading it to say that the previously mentioned "choice" of when to switch to managing HT/VT on LCR is not going to happen. It will be when the feature is released. From a programming perspective, I can see how this would be easier.

mfmohlma wrote:From a programming perspective, I can see how this would be easier.

Yeah, no need for a switch or a bunch of support. Everyone, when CHQ says.

The recent discussions have leaned toward the "everyone go now" approach, although it will more likely be groups (stakes, areas, etc.) moving together when scheduled from the CHQ side. That saves having to build the infrastructure to manage the switching process. I don't anticipate many people will say "no, please don't move us yet."

All we need is the Internet infrastructure mentioned in the message and we are good to go. I suppose our local service provider also got the message and is in the process of building the necessary central office, cabling, wiring, etc. to make it happen. [grin (or smirk)]

In reality, we still look forward to the change, even if the leaders will get to do it at home and not at the meetinghouse.

scgallafent wrote:I don't anticipate many people will say "no, please don't move us yet."

Well, I live in a "top 50" city, but I've still got one building on 3Mbps DSL and another on 4G. There's fiber and cable in the area - just not right at where the building is. It's probably worse in the boonies.

I think this is the first time that a update had turned of a significant feature in MLS. So this is where things really hit.

russellhltn wrote:I think this is the first time that a update had turned off a significant feature in MLS. So this is where things really hit.

It really came down to do we release it now or do we take the time and effort here to sync the data rather than continuing to add to what is available.

jonesrk wrote:

russellhltn wrote:I think this is the first time that a update had turned off a significant feature in MLS. So this is where things really hit.

It really came down to do we release it now or do we take the time and effort here to sync the data rather than continuing to add to what is available.

Oh, I understand the decision. I'm just pointing out that this presses the issue. Units still on dial-up will really be in a bind. Hopefully that's all been taken care of by now. But it may take some involvement at a higher level to get the last of them taken care of.

russellhltn wrote:Units still on dial-up will really be in a bind.

Or that work will just be done at home.

jonesrk wrote:

russellhltn wrote:Units still on dial-up will really be in a bind.

Or that work will just be done at home.

Some work will be done at home. Not fun.

russellhltn wrote:

jonesrk wrote:

russellhltn wrote:Units still on dial-up will really be in a bind.

Or that work will just be done at home.

Some work will be done at home. Not fun.

I don't consider it particularly fun to sit in a clerk's office working.

sbradshaw wrote:I don't consider it particularly fun to sit in a clerk's office working.

My point is that in this situation, some clerk work can only be done at church (MLS) and some has to be done at home (Internet). Maybe you're better organized than I am, but I think I'd constantly be finding that I need to something that has to be done at the other location.

Can those in rural areas take advantage of some of the satellite internet services? I haven't personally used them, but knew someone a few years ago using such a system. I think dish was able to provide pretty good download speeds. Upload was slower. Maybe this would be a better option for rural areas? (I guess you have to get the FM group to pay for it...not sure on the costs).

I don't know how the church apps are developed, but I think the updates are just a call to a background web service. It's very little data to update most items, so the slower upload speeds might not detract too much.

I'd say it's worth looking at alternatives and discussing them with the FM group.

I'm sure there are some non-US units in outlying areas that will be facing some similar problems and might have fewer choices. I used to work for some multi-national corporations and I knew ~4 years ago it was difficult for us to get good network connections to some of our offices in reasonable-sized cities around the world, but the situation was improving rapidly.

We have a rural branch in our stake. Satellite was considered, though ultimately rejected in favor of cellular. Neither are ideal, but they work reasonably well for limited use.

Just read the latest message from SL on this.... About the same as reported in this forum, with the date for the implementation now given as "before the end of the second quarter." No mention of stakes being able to opt in or out, so it appears that if you have the right internet connection, you are in.

My stake (Provo Utah YSA 9th) is in the "Beta Test 1" group and supposedly we'll get access to the Leader and Clerk Resources 3.0 beta on April 22nd. There's supposed to be an email going out this next week to all the beta 1 testers. I'll report back if it has any more information. I don't know how long the beta will run, but I suppose it depends on if there are any major bugs reported.

See Leader and Clerk Resources 3.0 release notes for an update.

This is exciting news. Two questions perhaps those involved in the beta can confirm:

1) Will individuals be able to view their own home/visiting teaching routes?

2) Our ward has a visiting teaching coordinator manage visiting teaching - will this be possible, or does this have to be done by the presidency now?

If neither of these are possible, I'd like to offer them as suggestions for the future

hpaulsen wrote:This is exciting news. Two questions perhaps those involved in the beta can confirm:

1) Will individuals be able to view their own home/visiting teaching routes?

I don't have access to the beta but since most members do not have access to LCR this is almost surely not available in the upcoming release. If it is ever done then I would guess it would be shown in the Directory.

However, there are some complications that would have to be addressed before that happens (if it does). I think that the preferred way to make an assignment change (at least in many quorums) is for a member of the presidency to meet with the teacher (if only briefly) and extend the assignment and possibly let them know of any special issues they need to be aware of for those families. The means the system would likely have to support hiding assignments until they have been communicated in person. This might also mean that two assignments have to be stored at once, the old that is still showing and the new one that hasn't been communicated yet.

So if it happens, I wouldn't expect it until they make an other iteration of changes in HT/VT. Given the time it has taken to get to this point, I wouldn't expect it any time soon.

hpaulsen wrote:1) Will individuals be able to view their own home/visiting teaching routes?

See this post: "Our instructions have been very specific: move the existing MLS functionality to LCR and resist the urge to add new features or expand functionality at this time."

hpaulsen wrote:1) Will individuals be able to view their own home/visiting teaching routes?

Not at this time.

hpaulsen wrote:2) Our ward has a visiting teaching coordinator manage visiting teaching - will this be possible, or does this have to be done by the presidency now?

Yes. Ward visiting teaching coordinators have access to manage visiting teaching. Ward visiting teaching district supervisors also have limited access to view companionship and assignment information and record contacts made by sisters assigned to their districts.

russellhltn wrote:See this post: "Our instructions have been very specific: move the existing MLS functionality to LCR and resist the urge to add new features or expand functionality at this time."

Sorry, I guess I've been programming too much... Since the ability to view home teaching companionships and assignments is currently in MLS, I had assumed that this was more of a permissions issue. With MLS, custom positions can be created and granted access at the local level to meet local needs. This hasn't been the case with the lds.org tools (making them rather less flexible and perhaps less useful), so I was seeking clarification of rights access rather than functionality, since obviously the basic functionality of viewing home teaching companionships and assignments would have to be included.

scgallafent wrote:Yes. Ward visiting teaching coordinators have access to manage visiting teaching. Ward visiting teaching district supervisors also have limited access to view companionship and assignment information and record contacts made by sisters assigned to their districts.

I wasn't expecting visiting teaching district supervisors to also have access - very nice! Can I assume the same is true for home teaching supervisors? Also, just to make sure, should the Elders' Quorum wish to call someone to be a "Home Teaching Coordinator", which I do not believe is a standard calling as it is in the Relief Society, there is no way to grant them the ability to perform this calling with lds.org, right?

hpaulsen wrote:Sorry, I guess I've been programming too much... Since the ability to view home teaching companionships and assignments is currently in MLS, I had assumed that this was more of a permissions issue. With MLS, custom positions can be created and granted access at the local level to meet local needs. This hasn't been the case with the lds.org tools (making them rather less flexible and perhaps less useful), so I was seeking clarification of rights access rather than functionality, since obviously the basic functionality of viewing home teaching companionships and assignments would have to be included.

The ability to view just one assignment is different than being able to view all assignments. So I would assume this would require additional functionality in order to provide finer grained rights.

hpaulsen wrote:Also, just to make sure, should the Elders' Quorum wish to call someone to be a "Home Teaching Coordinator", which I do not believe is a standard calling as it is in the Relief Society, there is no way to grant them the ability to perform this calling with lds.org, right?

That is correct.

I do believe that there is a calling entitled Home Teaching District Supervisor which I thought was a standard calling. Would this calling have access?

Home Teaching does not this calling as standard, only VT

That is strange. LCR does not show the Home Teaching District Supervisor as a custom calling.

Interesting, that's pretty new, you're right it is a standard calling. Pretty sure it'll have the access needed

I think it would be safe to say that if the calling has "home teaching" or "visit teaching" in the name AND it's a standard calling, it will have some kind of access.

Is there a way to self-enroll in the LCR 3.0 beta? I'm in contact with a stake clerk in Utah who was able to get enrolled via a contact in his ward or nearby. My stake really wants to participate, and I'd like to know if beta participation requires a golden ticket (special invite) or if we can simply sign ourselves up, somewhere.

We want to "climb aboard," before the April 23 beta train leaves the station!

NOTE: Although this page (https://www.lds.org/help/support/about- ... s?lang=eng) supposedly points to a set of instructions for enrolling in the LCR beta test group (https://www.lds.org/help/support/applic ... p?lang=eng), the referenced page is sadly NULL.

fletch74 wrote:Is there a way to self-enroll in the LCR 3.0 beta? I'm in contact with a stake clerk in Utah who was able to get enrolled via a contact in his ward or nearby.

Technically, his stake is in the alpha. If he was added via a contact in his ward, that contact is a Church employee who works on the development team. Those are the only stakes on LCR 3.0 at this time.

There is not a way to self-enroll in the LCR 3.0 beta.

scgallafent wrote: Yes. Ward visiting teaching coordinators have access to manage visiting teaching. Ward visiting teaching district supervisors also have limited access to view companionship and assignment information and record contacts made by sisters assigned to their districts.

This is great. I was already a bit worried because the release notes don't say it:

Home and visiting teaching management. Using the Organizations menu, high priests group leadership, elders quorum presidencies, and Relief Society presidencies can now manage home and visiting teaching information for their respective organization.

If VT coordinator doesn't get access to the LCR, her calling becomes almost unnecessary.

When the release notes were written, we were still waiting for final direction on how access for visiting teaching coordinators and district supervisors should be implemented. That has been completed and is in the first beta.

We are now beta testers for the LCR 3.0 Beta, and it's exciting to see all the new features! One little hiccup so far: Our High Priest secretary is an Elder. We are not able to assign him as the High Priest secretary in MLS or LCR, because apparently he needs to be a High Priest to hold that position. We created a custom position, but it has no LCR "rights", so he cannot administer the home teaching capabilities in LCR. The High Priest's Group Leader is discussing with the Bishop the idea of making him a High Priest, but in the meantime he has no LCR High Priest access. Any suggestions?

scubadox wrote:We are now beta testers for the LCR 3.0 Beta, and it's exciting to see all the new features! One little hiccup so far: Our High Priest secretary is an Elder. We are not able to assign him as the High Priest secretary in MLS or LCR, because apparently he needs to be a High Priest to hold that position. We created a custom position, but it has no LCR "rights", so he cannot administer the home teaching capabilities in LCR. The High Priest's Group Leader is discussing with the Bishop the idea of making him a High Priest, but in the meantime he has no LCR High Priest access. Any suggestions?

Has he been moved in as a member of the High Priests Group organization?

I want to make sure I am not missing something. In going over the 3.0 release notes, it does state:

"Home and visiting teaching management. Using the Organizations menu, high priests group leadership, elders quorum presidencies, and Relief Society presidencies can now manage home and visiting teaching information for their respective organization. Stake home and visiting teaching reports are also available."

Since I can not find any HT/VT links in the Organizations menu I am assuming this only available in the beta regardless of the release notes? Just to be clear, I am the Ward Clerk so I would think the reports would be available to me.

Thank you

Correct; home and visiting teaching management and reports is only available in Leader and Clerk Resources 3.0. If you're not on the beta, your version is 2.8. You can check the version by scrolling to the very bottom of the Leader and Clerk Resources home page.

scubadox wrote:One little hiccup so far: Our High Priest secretary is an Elder. We are not able to assign him as the High Priest secretary in MLS or LCR, because apparently he needs to be a High Priest to hold that position.

That's what Handbook 2: 7.3.3 says. I don't think there's any workaround for that.

What is unclear is if he can serve as an assistant secretary. It appears an assistant need only be a prospective elder. The next question is if an assistant secretary would have the desired rights.

scubadox wrote:Our High Priest secretary is an Elder. We are not able to assign him as the High Priest secretary in MLS or LCR, because apparently he needs to be a High Priest to hold that position. We created a custom position, but it has no LCR "rights", so he cannot administer the home teaching capabilities in LCR. The High Priest's Group Leader is discussing with the Bishop the idea of making him a High Priest, but in the meantime he has no LCR High Priest access. Any suggestions?

I would start with Handbook 2, 7.3.3. According to the handbook, he should be a high priest if he as serving is the secretary in the high priests group. You could make him an assistant secretary (an assistant secretary can be a prospective elder), but there is an issue right now with that. MLS will accept the calling, but it is not updated when it gets to CDOL. We have submitted a request to have this reviewed, but I don't think there has been a change yet. See this thread for more details.

Short answer: There isn't anything you can do right now except have him ordained a high priest.

CWatsonJr wrote:"Home and visiting teaching management. Using the Organizations menu, high priests group leadership, elders quorum presidencies, and Relief Society presidencies can now manage home and visiting teaching information for their respective organization. Stake home and visiting teaching reports are also available."

Since I can not find any HT/VT links in the Organizations menu ...

Correct. If you are not on the beta, you will not see the features listed in the release notes.

sbradshaw wrote:Correct; home and visiting teaching management and reports is only available in Leader and Clerk Resources 3.0. If you're not on the beta, your version is 2.8. You can check the version by scrolling to the very bottom of the Leader and Clerk Resources home page.

Thank you very much. The new changes to LCR are so awesome - I am excited to see what is in store for the future. It has made things so much easier for me!!

bounder1996 wrote:[list][/list]

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