Gospel Living Retirement Notification

[russellhltn]

But the level of effort put toward that may depend on feedback they receive.

More importantly, how many used it. I'm sure they know that by looking at their systems.

[shmoffit]

Most wards in our area (outside of Utah) used it for ward communications. The other content no one used. Tbh, the only thing worth anything was the communication portion. Y ward has been using it for the 5 years since I've been the bishop. Never had to send an email....bc no one ever reads the emails. It wasn't perfect but better than other 3rd party apps for comms and I don't even need to manage it.

They should just integrate it into the member tools app. Just like they should make the stupid calendar edible from the app instead of only online.

[mkpolansky]

Agree, agree, agree!

[elisej2000]

Our ward JUST decided to start using Circles for communications within each of the organizations and was thrilled by the opportunity to communicate via a platform with automatically updating rosters, parental visibility to youth-related communications, and support for posting events. It is used extensively by other units in our stake as well. We will share feedback with the Church via the app and hope they preserve this functionailty somehow.

[jasoneightball]

Circles has been notoriously unreliable. Trying to help members navigate using the app while I as the clerk don’t get half of the messages sent or get them sometimes weeks after they are sent, has been frustrating. Having children, we’ve often not received messages and missed out on crucial information.
I hope we either receive clearance to go back to using text messaging or we’re provided with a reliable communication system.

[betaylor]

Thank you for your input. I will continue to put effort and feedback into showing others what a powerful and useful tool Thoughts is.

[ldsrussp]

Here is what I got from the Church. It appears for now Circles is NOT going away:


Thank you for reaching out. Currently the changes that are planned are only in relation to Goals and Activities sections of the app. To support the changes in the youth program we will continue to support Circles, Thoughts, and provide new content to Discover. There is currently no timeline in place for the retirement of the remaining features.

If you have any more questions and or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out by replying to this email.

Thanks,

The Gospel Living Response Team

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

[welkermr]

I love the temple section of the gospel living app. I hope there is a place that you can still access the videos and recommend questions.

[tiffkeller]

Thank you for posting the church response to your question, ldsrussp.
I had emailed the same question and not had a response yet.

Our ward just made the hard choice to abandon other platforms and use circles exclusively because other platforms of communication were too open to negative and misinformation that was not good for our members.


We need a safe place for communicating. Texting small groups or ministering families individually helps but does not reach the entire quorum, class or groups like circles and does not automatically update as callings or membership changes.

Thanks for sharing!

[ambldsorg]

We need a safe place for communicating. Texting small groups or ministering families individually helps but does not reach the entire quorum, class or groups like circles and does not automatically update as callings or membership changes.

Unfortunately, Circles also falls short of the "entire quorum" rule for communication as it excludes those who don't use "smart" phones.