Tech Forum

Handbook 2, 21.2.10 says:

21.2.10 Photographs, Video Recordings, and Broadcasts in Chapels
Taking photographs or making video recordings in chapels is not permitted. Meetings and other events that are held in the chapel may not be broadcast over the Internet or by any other means (see 18.3.1 for an exception [Stake Conference]).

A member of our ward asked if they're allowed to record the audio of a sacrament meeting. Not by setting up elaborate equipment but just via an iphone or similar device resting on their lap. It could be done discretely and no one would notice it. Even if it wasn't allowed, I'm not sure how we could prevent it other than asking people not to do it.

HB2 section 21.2.10 specifically talks about pictures and video and streaming but not necessarily about audio. Is this more about the "spirit" of the law rather than the "letter" of the law? That is, even though audio recording is not specifically forbidden, is it implied?

I looked through HB1 as well and couldn't find anything definitive.

The purpose of recording a sacrament meeting talk (not from a general authority - just from members of the ward) was for further edification and review later. I suppose that could be accomplished by taking notes but I know that if I'm concentrating on taking notes, I sometimes miss things from the talk itself and it makes it harder to feel the spirit. If I've take away the "burden" of taking notes, then I can really enjoy the talk but then listen to it later if I really wanted to get a quote.

That's been a subject of puzzlement for me. I know when I raised the question a long time ago, I was told it was prohibited. But then sound systems have been installed with a "record out" jack by the pulpit.

As you say, it would be hard to enforce.

Unless someone can come up with a better answer, it seems to fall within the local leadership's discretion. That said, I'm not sure as I'd be fond of having my talks recorded.

Around here, a funeral director will typically offer to make an audio recording of a funeral in a chapel. They will bring their own recording gear including a small microphone that they will attach to the podium microphone. If I go to a relative's funeral, I'll offer to make my own audio recording and I use the P.A. system's audio output. I can hide my recorder near the jack and do the whole thing without any disruption. I'm very thankful that nearly every chapel I visit has an audio output jack waiting for me. (Recently, a funeral director's recorder stopped early and the family really appreciated my "back up recording.")

I recently offered to record a sacrament meeting for our Bishop. He was disappointed that he would be out of town the same week that a young man would be speaking before leaving on his mission (the meeting formerly known as a “missionary farewell”). The Bishop and the speakers were aware of the recording although, again, I could be discreet enough that nobody else noticed.

I would agree that it's up to the local leadership and that all parties who are to be recorded should know about it in advance. (Different states and countries have different laws about recording phone conversations when someone doesn't know they're being recorded. The same laws may apply to other recordings). Anybody could make recordings using the same methods I used and, if they're discreet, nobody else would know. And, yes, almost every cell phone could be used without the owner having to leave their seat. But the bottom line appears to be that audio recordings are not strictly prohibited. There's probably no need to make a pre-emptive, local policy about it unless you perceive that there's going to be a problem. Since you already have a specific inquiry then I'd pass it on to the Bishop (unless you are the Bishop... so maybe discuss it in ward council meeting).

for those doing this, you might check under the sacrament table, or near the pulpit. If you're meetinghouse is old enough to have a clerk table in the chapel you can check there as well... usually an audio-out in those places.

I am unable to attend meetings due to chronic illnesses. After over 5 years of being unable to attend regularly, our new bishop told me about, and gave me, a small radio receiver last week but I was only able to listen to one sacrament meeting from a different ward that is closer to my house than my own meetinghouse. The 9v battery ran out after about an hour. I have heard that some wards have meetings transmitted via phone. How can I find out more about this so that I can at least listen to talks given in my ward and so that I don't feel so isolated?

tllupton - I think that might be a question for your "Stake Assistant Clerk--Technology Specialist". If you have an LDS account (I presume you do since you're logged in to the tech website) (and forgive me if this instruction is too basic and you already know how to do it), but login to your ward directory and from the dropdown in the upper left (where it says your ward/branch name), select "Stake Information".

When that comes up, select "Stake Leaders and Organizations". The "Stake Presidency" should be selected by default (otherwise click on it). Near the bottom of the list on the right is where my "Stake Assistant Clerk--Technology Specialist" is listed. Hopefully they have a phone number or email address listed. You can explain it to him and they might have to take it to the Stake Pres.

tllupton wrote:...our new bishop told me about, and gave me, a small radio receiver last week but I was only able to listen to one sacrament meeting from a different ward that is closer to my house than my own meetinghouse.

I know a widow in our ward who uses one of those. But that system is really designed for the hard-of-hearing to use inside the chapel and not to transmit long distances. Also, I believe she can use the same battery for several weeks before it needs to be replaced. You should try a new battery, at least, if you enjoyed what this receiver was doing for you.

If you are getting the wrong meeting (must be in Utah), you can try pushing the search button(i think). If the correct one is on a different channel, it should find it. And, unless you are really close to the church building, I doubt it will work.

mrrad wrote:Also, I believe she can use the same battery for several weeks before it needs to be replaced.

I believe on some models, plugging in the earphone turns the unit on. So you need to remember to unplug it when you're done.

russellhltn wrote:I'm not sure as I'd be fond of having my talks recorded.

Funerals are one thing. But if I sense that someone is recording a sacrament meeting, my talk changes.