Editor’s note: For current information about using the Church calendar, see “How to Use the Church Calendar.”
Earlier this week, we told you about the upgraded LDS.org that is now available at new.lds.org. Part of that upgrade includes replacements and upgrades for stake and ward websites, including a new calendar and directory.  Below is additional information about these new functions, excerpted from a new page of questions and answers about transitioning to these new tools on new.lds.org.
When should stakes and wards begin using the new tools?
- Encourage members to use the new directory right away.
- Continue to use the existing stake and ward calendars (at stakes.lds.org or ward.lds.org) for 2010 and 2011 calendaring. Begin using the new calendar for 2012 events.
- Leaders who want to help test the new calendar during 2010 and 2011 should do so with private calendars (for example, interviews and presidency meetings).
Why don’t I see events from the old calendar on the new calendar?
- Events are not currently synchronized between the old and new calendars.
- Features such as the ability to import events will be available in 2011 to support a smoother transition to the new calendar.
How is the new calendar different from the existing one?
- The new calendar supports multiple calendar feeds (like Google) from various ward and stake organizations (for example, a Relief Society calendar feed, a Ward Activities calendar feed, and a Primary calendar feed).
- Each member can control the type of events he or she sees by subscribing to or unsubscribing from the various calendars.
- Learn more about the calendar here.
How can I start testing the new calendar?
- Anyone can create a new calendar of events. Sign into the new calendar app, click Options > Create Calendar.
- A ward or stake leader will need to approve your new calendar before you can begin adding events to it.
- Leaders should only approve private calendars until they are ready to switch to the new calendar for public 2012 events.
- Learn more about transitioning to the calendar.
Will my data be retained when the calendar and directory move from new.lds.org to LDS.org?
- Yes, all calendar and directory data (events, photos, phone numbers, and so on) will be retained when these applications move to LDS.org.
When will the new stake and ward websites be available in additional languages?
- Initial versions of the calendar and directory will be available in some additional languages in early 2011. New languages will continue to be added throughout 2011. Time zones and other localization features will be added to the calendar in mid-to-late 2011.
I’m a ward Website administrator. How do I approve items? Do I still have that calling?
- Ward and stake website administrators will continue to help administer these new tools. They, along with other ward and stake leaders, will automatically have administrative rights in the new calendar and directory by virtue of their MLS calling.
- Learn more about Rights and Roles.
When attempting to upload a photo, get an error:
Error #2046
My Stake Clerk recently told us in a meeting that the Church is going to move the finance functions of MLS to this new lds.org, and all finance tasks will be available on the web including dealing with tithing, budgets, fast offering payments, etc.. Is that true? I have seen no mention of this in all the communications I’ve read about the new site.
Will 3rd party applications like the iPhone “My LDS Ward” directory app still work after the upgrade?
Larry: “Events are not currently synchronized between the old and new calendars.”
Me: “What you talkin’ ’bout, Willis?”
After getting a system working to a point that testing is successful, the next milestone is conversion of legacy data. As an end user, this is the only reason that will keep me from using the new calendar until the import is available in 2011.
Matt, the ability to import events into the new calendar won’t be available until sometime in 2011. That’s why the Church is recommending that stakes and wards continue using the old calendars (at stakes.lds.org or ward.lds.org) for 2010 and 2011 calendaring. Everything should be in place to the new calendars for 2012 events.
Okay, thanks. I realize you’re the messenger and not responsible for the development. I just think that conversion should have been done up front so everyone can upgrade now. 🙂
Matt: The ability to import events from the old calendar into a feed on the new calendar is now in development.
Jake: Yes – there is a team working to move all MLS functionality online – including financial functions (eventually). For now, clerks, secretaries, bishoprics, and stake presidencies can go to new.lds.org/leader & view many MLS reports. Read only for now.
Bro. Jones: From what I know of the 3rd party apps for mobile ward tools, they will not automatically work with our new directory and calendar. The church has released LDS Tools – which is a mobile app that shows ward/stake directory info & will soon have calendar info (from the old or new calendar … user picks which one) and other features unique to ward/stake leaders.
Bro Phelps: The photo upload should work now – have you tried it recently?
Chad Fullmer: Will visiting teaching supervisors have the capability of accessing the MLS online in the near future to record visiting teaching statistics and print reports?
Is there any movement towards being able to create customized email lists so that we could, for instance email invitees for Stake Welfare Committee Meeting or all Bishops but not their councillors and clerks?
Lynn: Yes – hopefully in Q2 2011.
Eric: Yes
Just wondering when Events in LDS Tools (or LDS Mobile) will be able to sync with the new.lds.org/church-calendar? Will LDS Tools be able to view reports such as Action and Interview lists and Temple Recommend lists? Thanks!
Josh: Teams will be working in early 2011 to sync LDS Tools with the new church calendar (events first, custom groups later).
We plan to build mobile tools for leaders (such as the action & interview list, etc) later next year or early 2012. Whether or not this is added to the LDS Tools app or not I don’t know.
I’m having trouble one-way-syncing the NEW lds.org calendar to my google calendar. It’s seems to be a recent problem with a number of users.
http://goo.gl/n5t8A — google forum
http://goo.gl/1JD8o — tech.lds.org forum
Any advice? SLC was not helpful today, generically blamed it on the browser and or firewall issues. Both not true. Tried all major browsers on PC & Mac platforms @ 3 different network locations. Hopefully I’ll get another person next time I call.
Anyone have the same problems? OR a fix!?