Use of Technology

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WWS36
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Posts: 57
Joined: Mon May 21, 2007 11:04 am
Location: N. Ogden, UT

Use of Technology

#1

Post by WWS36 »

I'm not sure what thread this goes to, or who to direct it to, but
I am appalled at the LACK of use of the MLS system for our Home/Visiting Teachers.
We are asked to go out with just a minimal list with a name & address & phone number.
We are never told if there are unbaptised children in the home, if there is a lapsed Recommend, if the members hold the age requisite Priesthood.
ALL this info is readily available on MLS.
Of course I'll sing my constant song, about getting the members to put their photos in LDS.ORG > Directory.
We are then told to go out and love them and we don't even know who they are.
I don't mean to be an old Grouch here, but there is so MUCH available.
I recommend that a class be given during Sunday School or a week night, wherein the Technology available is taught to all Ward leadership.
We have Leaders giving away ward buildings and they are not in compliance with clearly stated Stake/church policy.
Grump, Grump.
Maybe I am an Old Coot?
Anyhow Happy New Year.
WWS
mevans
Senior Member
Posts: 2049
Joined: Tue May 22, 2012 1:52 pm
Location: California, USA

Re: Use of Technology

#2

Post by mevans »

WWS36 wrote:I'm not sure what thread this goes to, or who to direct it to, but
I am appalled at the LACK of use of the MLS system for our Home/Visiting Teachers.
We are asked to go out with just a minimal list with a name & address & phone number.
We are never told if there are unbaptised children in the home, if there is a lapsed Recommend, if the members hold the age requisite Priesthood.
ALL this info is readily available on MLS.
Some of this information may be readily available in MLS, but isn't the type of information readily handed out. For example, a lapsed temple recommend may be a confidential issue. If the bishop wants you as a HT/VT to assist with that, then your Priesthood or Relief Society presidency will probably discuss it with you. Upbaptized members aren't going to be on the records unless the parent has done something to consent to this and the child is under 8 years old. With MLS there are some options to add other household members without creating a record. I'm not certain what all appears on the HT/VT printout these days. Several people I home teach have children who are not on the records. I need to get to know them as a home teacher and try to do my calling as best as I can. In fact, in one family, I asked if we could put the children on the records, but my offer wasn't accepted. But, I tried.
WWS36 wrote:Of course I'll sing my constant song, about getting the members to put their photos in LDS.ORG > Directory.
My experience is that very few members proactively add their photos to the directory. However, we have many families and individuals with photos on the online directory due to my efforts and the efforts of other ward leaders.
WWS36 wrote:We are then told to go out and love them and we don't even know who they are.
I don't mean to be an old Grouch here, but there is so MUCH available.
I recommend that a class be given during Sunday School or a week night, wherein the Technology available is taught to all Ward leadership.
This has occurred in various wards and areas. I believe the LDS Tech blog has featured some articles about this occurring i places where some people set up workshops for people to come and learn about church technology and how to use it. An EQ presidency member in my ward taught a 1st Sunday Elders Quorum meeting on using church technology. I've taught two teacher inservices that included a technology focus for teachers. As an assistant ward clerk, I periodically work with ward leaders to help them use church technology. Some are more ready for it than others.

Here are some LDS Tech Blog articles of interest:
Seeking Senior Technology Missionaries
Expanded use of technology for missionary work
Spanish Speaking Tech Missionaries Needed
Service Missionary Brenda Frandsen
Area Technology Specialists Needed
BYU LDS Tech Chapter Teaches Provo Ward

If you're familiar with technology, see where you can help. I don't know what your calling is, but if you're not involved with ward leadership and have technical skills, you might discuss your ward better using the church technology with a bishopric member and offer to help. Be prepared that your ward/branch/stake/district leadership may not be prepared to take you up on your offer. For example, my bishop called me and asked me to help the ward leadership with the church tools. Some of the ward leadership is more engaged with technology than others. I've offered to help my stake leaders with things, but they haven't been ready to engage and I understand some of the reasons why.

One of the things I have found with my calling is that I've gotten involved in the online forums, and this goes two ways: I learn things here to help me with my calling and I've been able to use things I've learned and my technology experience to help other church members all over the world who are trying to use the technology resources provided by the church. There are some absolutely fantastic people on these forums helping others. I don't know how they find the time to do it, but I appreciate that they do. That's encouraged me to try and help more where I can and with the limited time I have available.
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WWS36
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Posts: 57
Joined: Mon May 21, 2007 11:04 am
Location: N. Ogden, UT

Re: Use of Technology

#3

Post by WWS36 »

I really appreciate your quick reply, mevans. The stake seems slower to accept this new stuff. What do High Counselors do? They should be leading out and teaching this stuff. I guess we must march in the wilderness for 30 years before we cross over the river??? While we are here we build Gold
Calfs :-) WWS
jthorsen
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Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:55 pm

Re: Use of Technology

#4

Post by jthorsen »

Remember also there are those members that want their privacy, I don't like having my picture posted and limit who has access to my info on the LDS directory.
mevans
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Posts: 2049
Joined: Tue May 22, 2012 1:52 pm
Location: California, USA

Re: Use of Technology

#5

Post by mevans »

jthorsen wrote:Remember also there are those members that want their privacy, I don't like having my picture posted and limit who has access to my info on the LDS directory.
Yes, you are correct. I proactively try to get photos of members in the directory and most members are willing. Periodically I run into those who do not want it there, and that's totally fine.
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