An upgraded version of the Gospel Library mobile app is now available for iOS devices in Apple’s app store.
The new version is called Gospel Library 3 and it is a separate app from the previous Gospel Library 2.5 app. The 3.0 upgrade is for iOS 6-compatible devices. (If you have an older iOS device that can’t run iOS 6, you can keep using the Gospel Library version 2.5.)
Improvements and new features include the following:
- New interface. The app is more intuitive and easier to use. Swipe from the left on your device to open up the library area where you’ll see photo thumbnails of Church magazines, scriptures, general conferences, and more.
- Related content. Swipe from the right to open the related content area to see personal notes, footnotes, links, related audio and video recordings, and other scriptures and references related to what you are studying.
- Design. You’ll see improved typography, more images, embedded videos, and improved layout. Take a look at the Come, Follow Me youth curriculum, Preach My Gospel, and Daughters in My Kingdom to see nice redesigns. These digital books look and feel like their printed counterparts.
- New content. See new content, such as Personal Progress and written and audio versions of Jesus the Christ.
- Video content. You can stream video or download it to your device to watch it later offline. You’ll notice that the download speeds are much faster than before. The videos section has also been expanded for teaching and personal use.
- Notes and marking. The upgrade lets you highlight or underline in 10 colors, create notes, link related passages, and tag paragraphs or words. A new notebooks section lets you record your thoughts and impressions or review your tagged content.
- Automatic updates. You can subscribe to selected content. For example, go to the Ensign content area and you’ll see the currently available issues. You can tap any issue to quickly download that issue. You can also swipe from the top down, and see options to Download All, Remove All, or turn on Subscribe. If you subscribe, each future issue will download automatically into your library. This option is especially helpful for magazines and general conference.
- Sharing. You can email, text, tweet, or post your discoveries to Facebook.
Migrating to the new app
Install the new 3.0 app and sign in with your LDS Account. All your previous annotations will automatically be transferred into the new app. You can then delete the previous 2.5 app.
Background
First launched in 2009, the Gospel Library app now has more than 1.5 million active users.
The Gospel Library app is available for Android, Apple, Windows Phone, Windows 8, BlackBerry, Kindle Fire, and Other Phones. The current Android version already includes many of the features in this new iOS upgrade. The next upgrade for Android has not yet been scheduled.
I think you’ll love this upgraded app for Apple iOS. It has been rebuilt from the ground up using new mobile standards to be more graphical, consistent, and secure. It went thru 17 beta versions, so it’s had lots of testing and refining.
Watch this video about the Church’s newest version of the Gospel Library mobile app for Apple iOS 6 now available for free from the Apple app store.
Below is a quote from Elder Richard G. Scott’s latest conference talk “For Peace at Home.” A portion of it appears in the video.
“…many of us have a personal electronic device that fits into our pocket. We are seldom without its company; we may refer to it many times a day. Unfortunately, these devices can be a source of filth and wasted time. But, used with discipline, this technology can be a tool of protection from the worst of society.
“Who could have imagined not very many years ago that the full standard works and years of general conference messages would fit into your pocket? Just having them in your pocket will not protect you, but studying, pondering, and listening to them during quiet moments of each day will enhance communication through the Spirit.
“Be wise in how you embrace technology. Mark important scriptures on your device and refer back to them frequently. If you young people would review a verse of scripture as often as some of you send text messages, you could soon have hundreds of passages of scripture memorized. Those passages would prove to be a powerful source of inspiration and guidance by the Holy Ghost in times of need. (May 2013 Ensign, “For Peace at Home“)
My comment is, there is a problem with this app that was prevalent in version 2.5. I expressed my concern and received a reply that the problem would be corrected in upcoming version 3.0 however, I now have the new version and the same problem. The only difference is, when I had 2.5 I received replies to concerns I submitted. With version 3.0 I receive this automated reply: “Thank you for your message. We have received it and will get back to you as soon as possible. Please reply to this message if there’s anything else we can do for you.
The Gospel Library Team
I have yet to receive an actual response. I know “as soon as possible” is a wide range in a period of time but 3 weeks and no reply. Come on!
The problem I am experiencing is trying to highlight text. Sometimes the feature works and other times it only gives me the option to copy or share. This same problem occurred in version 2.5
Gary, I’ll pass this along to the Gospel Library app team.
I used to be able to change marking colors or underline colors. Now it won’t let me delete a marking. If I try to change the color, it only adds the new color over what is already there.
Please help.
I am also wondering about how to delete or change a marking. Any help would be much appreciated!
My wife and I love to listen the the scriptures when we are on the road. The problem is that the iPad mini will not let us download the entire audio, so we are stuck in areas of no coverage. My Android lets me download the entire audio, so we have to plug into my cell phone to hear the scriptures. Is there a way to do this with 3.0 on the iPad?
Ken, can you download the LDS Gospel Library app to your iPad mini? That lets you download the audio and text to the device so you can listen without a connection.
is there a way to copy my gospel library 2009 to my ipad?
Rod, on your iPad, just install the latest Gospel Library app, and it will automatically have all the highlights and notes you’ve taken before.
How can one delete underling and linking in GL3. I see a note above that was made July 3rd …is there an answer to this problem.
Eulala,
That problem should have been fixed with this latest release. Let me know if you still have the problem.
Larry
It seems as if the search option is not searching properly. Also is there a way to search a topic within a certain range of books instead if everything in our library.
In the gospel library app – I want to be able to copy and paste pieces of talks, etc to use in lesson prep but can’t get it to copy unless I take the whole document. Is this basic function really not there, or am I doing something wrong?
So frustrated. Still having the same problem listed above. Highlighting is not working properly! Can’t undo, new color layers on top of previous, highlight is not offered just link or share. Will this ever be fixed?
Shelley,
Some kinds of content are still not “selectable,” like some bulleted lists in manuals, but you should be able to highlight virtually all the normal paragraphs.
With the latest version of iOS Gospel Library, the team thought they fixed the problem with layers with a pop-up a window that lets you choose which highlighting you wan to edit.
It may be helpful for you to talk with someone from the team about your problem so they can either show you how to do it, or they can realize there are still problems. I’ve emailed you the phone number of someone who would be happy to talk with you about it.
Larry
My question about copying and pasting portions of text wasn’t answered. Can you help me Larry?
Sandi,
You should be able to highlight text (just words or paragraphs on a page). You can watch this video: http://broadcast.lds.org/ICS/techtalk/2013-09-06.html which has tips on using the library.
If that doesn’t answer your questions, I’ve emailed you the name and phone number of the product manager for the gospel library mobile app. You can call him and he can walk you through it.
Larry
Is there a way to highlight in Ensign articles? It will work for the scriptures but only gives me the options to email, message or copy. Please help!
Jennifer,
On my iPad, using the Gospel Library mobile app for Apple iOS, it does let me highlight and annotate Ensign articles just like the scriptures.
Can you give me more information? Are you using the iOS or Android mobile app?
Larry Richman
I have an iPhone 5 with ios7 and then there was a new update last Thursday, since then I haven’t been able to open anything up in my Gospel library 3. I have deleted it and then loaded it again with no improvement. My gospel library 2.5 seems to still work. Any suggestions?
Ann,
The update for the #LDS Gospel Library mobile app for Apple iOS is now available in the App Store that resolves the problem in working with the system update 7.0.3.
Here is the link: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/gospel-library-3/id598329798?mt=8
Larry
I have an iPhone 4S and have downloaded the Gospel Library 3 Version 3.3.2.
Now when I launch the Gospel Library app, it opens but then closes 3-4 seconds later. If I push a button in the app during that time, the app is unresponsive.
Everything worked fine before the 3.3.2 fix. I have been using the V3 app since it came out.
My iOS is 7.0.3 and is up to date (2:27PM PDT 2013.10.28.)
Any known problems with the 3.3.2 fix? Is there a way to roll-off the 3.3.2 fix?
If I delete the app and reload the app will I get the 3.3.2 fix? Also, will I have to download all the (for example) Ensigns, Books, etc?
Mr. Lynn Schmeichel
I wish it were possible to find a video by title using the search feature of app.
Robert,
The ability to search for a video title is coming in a future release. The capability has been developed and is now being tested.
Larry
I’m using gospel library 3 on my iphone. I can’t seem to download the Oct 2013 conference. Any suggestions? I don’t see it in the list to download as with other years. Thank you! I appreciate all your help!
-Zack
Zack,
It’s on my iPhone in the library list, under General Conference.
Larry
Larry,
Do you know why the Gospel Library for Windows Phone is no longer being updated? The app is still missing content from Octobers General Conference and the ratings of many users are dropping to one star because of the lack of content. I emailed the feedback link for Windows Phone apps several weeks ago and haven’t yet received a response. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Also, it would be great to see a Mormon Channel app for Windows phone. Though small, the windows phone user base is growing rapidly. Year over year it has had 175% growth.
Thanks for all you do,
Patrick
Can you play just a paragraph in one of the lessons. If so how?
Thanks
Don,
If you’re referring to the audio, you can use the audio controls to fast forward, or use the slider to get to the paragraph you want, then press Pause. Then during the lesson, press Play.
Larry
Does the Android version have the subscribe feature found in iOS version 3?
I am having issues downloading videos from the Youth Cirriculm to my iPad so that I can show them in my lessons. The icon for downloading appears in the video square, but when I tap it, nothing happens.
HELP! The wi-fi in our building is spotty at best and horrible most of the time, so streaming isn’t usually an option. Thank you.
Nancy,
Here is a post that explains how to show videos in the meetinghouse: http://LDS365.com/2013/01/11/showing-video-in-lds-meetinghouses-with-mobile-devices/
The best way on an iPad is to use the Gospel Library mobile app. It’s easy to download within the app, then it’s on your iPad and you can show it without using the Wi-Fi.
Larry
Larry,
I have tried that, but I’m having issues downloading the videos onto my iPad using the app. The symbol to download appears in the space where the video shows, but nothing happens when I tap the download symbol.
Thanks.
Nancy
Nancy,
I’ve passed your problem along to the mobile app team. Someone will contact you.
Larry
I have tried repeatedly to download the LDS gospel library to nook color with no success. It will go as far as installing but never completes the process. Any suggestions. It works on my nook hd and a previous nook color that I owned but will not function properly on this one
Where do I find videos I have downloaded in the app? I have version 3.0 and there is a video folder. Inside the video folder however there is not a folder for downloads and I don’t see the video I have downloaded. Where do they download to and how does it organize them? When I go back to the general conference talk within the app it shows video has been downloaded.
Thanks
Troy,
If you are looking at a video in the videos folder, you can click the download icon in the upper right of the video to download it. Once it downloads, it’s local on your device and when you click Play it will play from your device rather than stream from the LDS.org servers.
If you are in the general conference section, same think. Click to download the video, then it plays from the device rather than the LDS.org servers.
Does this answer your question?
Larry
Glade,
You should be able to use the current Gospel Library app on the Nook Color through the process called “sideloading,” but it has not been tested. See http://LDS365.com/2012/02/02/lds-mobile-apps-for-kindle-fire-nook/ for information on sideloading.
However, the new generation of the Gospel Library app will no longer support Nook Color. After looking at market numbers and such it was determined to drop support going forward due to cost constraints.
Larry
Where is the “go to”. It seems like if I am searching “Luke 1-26:38”, the first thing that would pop up would be . . . Luke 1-26:38, but instead it goes to all the references to the scripture. I’m pretty sure that a few versions back I could just type in a scripture and it would take me there.
Is it possible to set the Android Gospel Library app to automatically download the latest Ensign or other content in the same way as with Subscribe in version 3 for iOS? How is it done?
Thomas,
Not yet. However with the 3.0 Android release scheduled for January 2014, it will first get the ability to do that by long-pressing the collection.
Larry
Patrick,
I just realized I haven’t responded to this. Sorry for the delay in responding.
The Windows Phone version of the Gospel Library mobile app was behind in content but in mid Nov 2013, we pushed content to catch up through Oct 2013 Gen conf.
Let me know if any content appears missing to you.
Larry
Hi Larry. Thanks for all your help here on this website. It is greatly appreciated!
Troy’s question above about the location where downloaded videos go was partially answered for me, and I have a related follow up question. Is there a way to go quickly to a group of downloaded videos from various categories (ie: Bible Videos; Homefront; Book of Mormon, etc)?
I would like to maintain a large collection of videos on my new iPad Mini Retina Display, which has massive storage. I present videos all the time in stake training, and it would be great to just create a folder and store the videos there to see at a glance which videos have already been downloaded. I can see the value of a central location rather than searching through each category of videos and finding the video each time.
This may take some further programming, but I was wondering if there was a feature in 3.0 that I was missing. In Android, you can just download videos to a folder from the LDS.org website. There is no such file system in iOS.
Thanks in advance.
Marlon,
Thanks for the comments and suggestions. The Gospel Library team has the suggestion on its list of things to include in future releases.
Larry
Patrick,
I talked today with the product manager for the Gospel Library mobile app. He said that they have a small volunteer development team working on the app for the Windows Phone 7 & 8. They are getting the app stabilized, but haven’t yet gotten all the issues worked out with the publishing process. He is aware the content is behind and they will get the publishing process worked out soon.
Larry
I noticed that the app now takes up a gigabyte of storage on my ipad. Most of that is downloaded videos for various lessons. Is there a way to clear those from storage without going back through each page I downloaded them from?
Hi, in December Larry had responded to a question posed by Troy asking where downloaded videos go so they can be accessed later to which Larry explained they are accessed from the same location. I take that question further (and perhaps Troy meant this too). Is there not a folder where we can view only the downloaded videos? Unless you are very familiar with all titles of all videos and their locations, it isn’t easy to navigate through to reach the single video downloaded or if you have downloaded several from various areas. I haven’t found a single location that houses only downloaded videos, searching for them is incredibly tedious.
Justin, Alethea, Troy, and others:
I just checked with the development team, and they are aware of these issues and have on their roadmap to create a better way to display all downloaded media from one location for easier management.
It randomly deleted all of my highlights, and it made me very sad. Does anyone know what caused this and/or how to recover my highlights?
Maddy,
Here is some advice about syncing your annotations: http://LDS365.com/2013/10/25/downloading-your-study-notebooks-on-lds-gospel-library/
If they are synced to the LDS.org servers, they should still be saved. Log on to LDS.org and see if they are there.
Larry
Larry,
Thank you a lot for that webpage, it was very useful. Unfortunately, my highlights are still gone, but I got my accounts synced.