The following is the article “Becoming Familiar with the Resources Under Tools on LDS.org” in the November issue of the Meetinghouse Technology Newsletter:

The resources under the Tools menu on LDS.org provide a wealth of new applications to help members and leaders in wards and stakes.

Many of the tools from the LDS.org tools menu are standard for all members, such as the directory and calendar. But when you sign in with your LDS Account, additional options appear, such as Leader Resources and Clerk Resources, that are specific to your calling. The following screen shot shows the resources available to a stake president.

Below is a brief introduction to some of the available resources in the Tools menu. Some of them require an LDS Account login. If you don’t have an LDS Account yet, go to ldsaccount.lds.org and register for one.

Calendar
All stake and ward members can coordinate and communicate Church meetings and activities through the Ward and Stake Calendar (lds.org/church-calendar). Anyone with an LDS Account login can create calendars as needed (for example, for each organization in your ward or stake), but an administrator has to approve the calendars before events can be added. You can also add any member as an editor to manage calendar events.

Version 2.0 of the calendar was released late October. [See the LDS Media Talk article "Upgrades to Calendar on LDS.org."] This new version includes a redesigned administrative interface and many new features and fixes to make the calendar more intuitive. Several of these changes are discussed in more detail in this newsletter (see “LDS.org Calendar Version 2.0 Release”). You can also click Help in the calendar to access videos and explanations of many of the new features, or you can find training information on LDSTech.org. Several calendar training webinars for administrator and calendar editors will be held in mid-November; more details on the webinars are provided on mhtech.lds.org.

Directory
With an LDS Account, you can view photos, callings, and e-mail addresses, and other contact information for members and leaders in your ward and stake through the directory (lds.org/directory). You can upload photos of yourself or your family and update your phone number, e-mail address, and other personal information. You can also decide whether or not to allow other ward and stake members to view your personal information. Administrators, as authorized, can make changes for individual and families. You can also print the directory, including the pictures if you choose (click Print), and you can export the directory into a spreadsheet (click Export Households).

On mobile devices, you can view the directory through the LDS Tools app on Apple and Android platforms. [To learn more about the directory, see the LDS Media Talk article "Online Ward Directory with Photos."]

LDS Maps
The LDS Maps (lds.org/maps) feature helps you find Church facilities, such as meetinghouses, employment resource centers, and LDS Family Services centers. You can get driving directions, worship times, and hours of operation for each facility in your area. LDS Maps can also be useful in organizing emergency preparedness plans and response efforts.

When you sign in with your LDS Account, you can see your own ward and stake boundaries and where your ward and stake members live, view leadership contact information, and view other kinds of Church facilities and buildings worldwide. You can also hide your location information if desired. [To learn more, see the LDS Media Talk article "LDS Maps Now in 16 Languages."]

My Study Notebook
My Study Notebook (lds.org/study-tools) is a tool to enhance your personal, gospel study on LDS.org. This tool is especially useful if you’re doing research for a talk or lesson and are browsing resources on LDS.org. My Study Notebook allows you to gather all of this information into one place and organize, sort, print, or download it.

As you’re reading content on LDS.org, such as scriptures, lessons, magazine articles, and conference addresses, look for a black toolbar at the bottom of the browser window. The toolbar will prompt you to sign in (if you haven’t already). Once signed in, you can highlight passages, add notes, and create bookmarks, and all of this information is automatically saved to your study notebook. [To learn more, see the LDS Media Talk article "My Study Notebook."]

Leader and Clerk Resources
Stake presidents, bishops, clerks, and secretaries can sign in to Leader Resources or Clerk Resources to view training, tools, and information specific to their calling. The resources include links to the ward calling list, reports from Member and Leader Services (MLS), focus lists, notifications, and other useful tools for working with members. Because these resources are consolidated into one secure, online location, leaders can spend less time managing administrative details and more time ministering to members.

To access Leader Resources and Clerk Resources, leaders must be assigned the appropriate “standard” calling in MLS.

New this month in Clerk Resources is the ability for membership clerks to edit member information online (beyond just phone numbers and addresses). Clerks can also create, edit, and submit quarterly reports. Mission presidents with ecclesiastical responsibilities can access member reports and membership records of members living in units assigned to their mission.

More MLS features will continure to migrate online throughout 2012.

To ask questions, help others, and share how you’re using these tools in your ward or stake, please participate in the LDSTech forum.