URL: http://maps.lds.org

Description: Maps.lds.org provides a simplified user interface for locating LDS places of worship anywhere in the world.

The Web application leverages spatial data management technologies from Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) and rich base map support from Google and Microsoft.

Unlike the previous Meetinghouse Locator, the new maps.lds.org provides a more visual, dynamic user experience. You can switch from road to satellite or aerial views, zoom in or out, and drag the map around.

In places where accurate street information does not exist, meetinghouse chapels can be located by placing a marker on the map to select the location rather than typing an address. With each new selection, information on the page changes without reloading.

When you search for a location, results are provided in two categories: “Closest Meetinghouses,” which shows the three meetinghouse locations physically nearest to your location. And “Assigned Congregations,” which displays a list of available congregations a person may attend for the selected location. The available congregations include language-specific worship services (such as Spanish, Portuguese, or Tongan), young single adult (YSA), student, and others.

Local leader contact information is also provided to assist those who may have additional questions about attending a worship service or about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .

Technologies Used: ESRI, Oracle, Google, Microsoft, Web Services, .NET, Java, Ajax

Status: Released Aug ‘08.

Community Involvement: Testing. You’re invited to explore the new maps.lds.org and post your feedback using the site’s feedback link provided on maps.lds.org. You can post comments or questions; note bugs, quirks, and other problems; or suggest enhancements you would like to see in upcoming versions of the product.

Thanks to everyone who viewed and participated in the inaugural Online Tech Talk Thursday night (August 28th)! We are very pleased with the success of this event and grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the community.

For future viewing, this event will be posted here within the next two weeks. Add the LDS Tech feed to your RSS reader to be alerted when the content has been posted. We welcome your feedback and comments in the forum and by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

WHO: Joel Dehlin, Chief Information Officer for the Church
WHAT: Presents Inaugural Global Tech Talk
WHEN: TODAY - August 28th at 7:00 p.m. mountain daylight time (MDT)
WHERE: On a streamed broadcast; with question submission options via webinar or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Technical Notes

• Please arrive early to ensure your system is properly set up for optimal viewing and participation.

• The broadcast will be streamed in a .wmv format. Please confirm that your computer is capable of viewing that format prior to clicking on the stream link.

• If you are on a Linux-based system, please watch the streamed video and submit your questions via This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , as the webinar tool does not support Linux at this time.

• To log in to the webinar, use the personal link that was sent to the e-mail used for registration. You must register to participate in the webinar. If you have not registered yet, you may do so at any time until the live webinar concludes.

• To ask a question during the event, use the webinar’s question and answer tool. Expand the minimized “Question and Answer” window in the tool’s control panel. In the text box that appears, you may submit your questions.

• If you have questions about using the webinar tool, use the Attendee Quick Reference Guide or FAQ documentation.

You are invited to participate in the inaugural streamed broadcast and interactive tech talk hosted by the ICS Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on August 28th at 7:00 p.m. mountain daylight time (MDT).

During the stream, you have the opportunity to interact in a webinar. 
In order to participate while watching the online tech talk, you must also register.

Here are a few aspects of the tech talk you can look forward to:

Ask a Question
    
Have a question about Church technology you’ve been wanting to ask? Now is the time. At the first global tech talk, Joel Dehlin, Chief Information Officer for the Church, will speak in more detail about the purpose of tech talks and the vision for them. He will answer your questions on technology at the Church in real time. You may also submit your questions and comments before the event by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or posting in the forum.

The 2008 LDS Tech Awards

The nomination period for the LDS Tech Awards is over. To find out who won, join us in this exciting first online tech talk. The winner will be announced and honored at that time. This information will also be posted on the site shortly after the event. Thank you for all of the great nominations!

Shape and Discuss the Future of Online Tech Talks

We are open to everything from branding and marketing concepts (including names and logos), to format and frequency options, to future discussion topics and ideas. Please visit the forum to provide input and feedback.

*Note: the stream will be in windows media format. You may need to install a plugin to view the event. 

You are invited to participate in the first-ever streamed broadcast and interactive tech talk hosted by the ICS Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on August 28th at 7:00 p.m. mountain daylight time (MDT).

Previously, tech talks were held regionally in various locations across the United States to communicate Church technology projects and needs. We are ready to expand those tech talks to reach a global audience simultaneously.

In addition to providing real-time interaction, this event will be archived at LDS Tech for additional viewings. We hope that this becomes the first of many global tech talks.

As this concept is still a work in progress, you have the opportunity to help the Church mold the best possible experience. We are open to everything from branding and marketing concepts (including names and logos), to format and frequency options, to future discussion topics and ideas.

At the first global tech talk, to be held on August 28th at 7:00 p.m. mountain daylight time (MDT), Joel Dehlin, Chief Information Officer for the Church, will speak in more detail about the purpose of tech talks and the vision for them. He will also answer in real time your questions on technology at the Church.

Visit this page again in the week prior to the first tech talk for information on how to register for this event.

Visit the forum to discuss this event or submit your questions early.

“Clearly one of the central skills in design is the ability to rapidly become fascinated by problems previously unheard of.” Bryan Lawson

In his book How Designers Think, Bryan Lawson puts many of the problems and experiences involved with design to words in one of the best fashions I’ve read. While the book is written from a mostly architectural design perspective, Lawson’s conclusions are relevant to all disciplines of design. Both architects and interaction designers deal with many constraints that require deep analysis to design. Both strive to deliver solutions.

Lawson describes design as a “negotiation between problem and solution through the activities of analysis, synthesis and evaluation.” As a team of interaction designers at the Church, we strive to provide solutions and experiences to the user that are conducive to the building the kingdom of God. This book conceptualizes many of the problems we face, approaches in providing solutions, and the process of design.
Here are a few excerpted highlights from the book and insights from a design perspective here at the Church.

Design problems cannot be comprehensively stated

It is never possible to be sure when all aspects of the [design] problem have emerged. . . . In fact both objectives and priorities are quite likely to change during the design process as the solution implications begin to emerge.

In our organization we are faced with many constraints due to the breadth of the Church, importance of the work, and other factors. Design problems we face range from cross-browser compatibility to the need to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to extremely remote corners of the earth. As a designer, there is an inherent challenge in providing a solution that solves the problem without creating more problems.

There are no optimal design solutions

Design almost invariably involves compromise. . . . There are no established methods for deciding just how good or bad solutions are, and still the best test of most design is to wait and see how well it works in practice. Design solutions can never be perfect and are often more easily criticized than created, and designers must accept that they will almost invariably appear wrong in some ways to some people.

In his talk “Channeling Your Creativity,” Elder Hales teaches how the Lord let the brother of Jared solve the problem of supplying light with his own creative solution. His options were limited, as ours so often are, when he was told that he couldn’t use windows of fire. Elder Hales states, “I’m sure there could have been other acceptable solutions to the same need for light. . . . But the brother of Jared decided to use rocks, and the Lord accepted his solution.”

Like the brother of Jared, we realize that the Lord is not as concerned with the specific solution we create as He is that the solution furthers His work.

The process involves finding as well as solving problems

It is clear from our analysis of the nature of design problems that the designer must inevitably expend considerable energy in identifying the problems. It is central to modern thinking about design that problems and solutions are seen as emerging together, rather than one following logically upon the other. . . . Both problem and solution become clearer as the process goes on.

Part of our role as interaction designers is analysis and requirement gathering to ensure that what we are building matches the needs before we begin creating a solution. Often we find that the problem initially described is only the beginning of a series of problems or completely different than the real problem. As we realize the problem(s) we are truly addressing, we are better capable of formulating options to solve it. Experience has proven that time spent early in a project making sure that we are building a product that meets the user’s needs not only saves time and money but ensures success upon delivery.

Design is a prescriptive activity

[D]esign is essentially prescriptive whereas science is predominantly descriptive. Designers do not aim to deal with questions of what is, how and why, but, rather, with what might be, could be and should be. While scientists may help us to understand the present and predict the future, designers may be seen to prescribe and to create the future, and thus their process deserves not just ethical but also moral scrutiny.

“Creativity, therefore, is not simply innovation but organization. . . . Gospel gladness can give us a precious perspective about all these things and can spur us on to share that beauty which our Father in Heaven helps us to create” (Neal A. Maxwell, “The Message: Start Making Chips”).

As we strive to lead and design by the Spirit we can be inspired with what we could create and how users can benefit.

This book’s unique viewpoint offers poignant conclusions and many insightful moments and would make a great addition to any designer’s bookshelf.

Michelle Barber is an interaction designer for the Church.