Gospel Living web app or desktop app and potential for non-member access

[dlayton]

For those of us who aren't nearly as computer literate as some of the rest of you, could you explain that process? I download apps all the time. I've never downloaded a Google Play app through Chromebook, don't know what that means or the process it would involve. If I go to the playstore, the only options I see is to download Google apps for and on eligible Google devices. Thanks in advance.

[sbradshaw]

For those of us who aren't nearly as computer literate as some of the rest of you, could you explain that process? I download apps all the time. I've never downloaded a Google Play app through Chromebook, don't know what that means or the process it would involve. If I go to the playstore, the only options I see is to download Google apps for and on eligible Google devices. Thanks in advance.

"Google Play" is Google's app store for Android. You can use Google Play to download other apps, including Gospel Library, Sacred Music, and Gospel Living.

Here are some instructions for enabling Google Play on a Chromebook and using it to install Android apps:
https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/7021273?hl=en

[dennisyool]

F. Y. I. - The Amazon Appstore is not available for download from the Microsoft Store on Windows 11 devices after March 6, 2024.

[DLBakerBlair]

I do have to say that if the Gospel Living Circles messaging is ONLY available on SMARTPHONES, that will absolutely leave many youth out

It's not healthy to tether yourself to a phone, regardless of your age.

The Amazon Appstore is not available for download from the Microsoft Store on Windows 11 devices after March 6, 2024.

With nothing but a Phone app to access church resources, members are at the whimsy of the consumer-sphere they have bought into. Additionally, many of these consumer entities are hostile to religion. Having a web app provides for greater neutrality and flexibility in accessing church resources.

Personally, As an adult I have worked the last 4 years to de-tangle myself from dependency on the smart phone. I find that the only means of accessing Circles on such an insecure and intrusive device to be a non-starter. The only way I can justify using it is on a Web interface where I can access it from my PC. This needs to happen otherwise my family is not gong to be able to leverage what looks like a valuable tool.

Phones are at best a distraction. Humanity built civilization without candy crush and other apps that send you notifications to remind you to spend time looking at their ads so you can buy more things.

Peace and God Bless.
~ The Baker Family.

[esmeet]

As my ward tries to push awareness and adoption of the Gospel Living app among adults and youth, I'm again dismayed to see that there is no web app or section of the Church's website that emulates the Gospel Living app features. I noticed that there is a Gospel Living app section (where you can view the Children and Youth content), but you can't engage in Circles, set Goals, record Thoughts, or schedule / view Activities. -- Even as smartphones and tablets are becoming increasingly ubiquitous, there is still a real need for a web app to allow more universal access for all members of a ward. Unfortunately, workarounds by installing emulators or using non-native app designs on Chromebooks and iOS platforms do little to address the core issue and continue to leave handfuls of youth and adults out of the "Circle" when it comes to using Gospel Living.

Given the Church's investment in linking the Gospel Library to the Church's main website (i.e., your notes and highlights sync across mobile devices and the Church website, meaning you can access all of your content on any device), I don't see why the same isn't already possible for Gospel Living. As evidenced by this thread, this is an issue that has needed a solution for four or five years (at least) by now. -- Does anyone in the Church's technology development team either (a) check in on these forums or (b) provide feedback and responses to legitimate suggestions and concerns like those mentioned in this thread?

The simple reality is that the Church's investments in the Gospel Living app are being wasted by not adding a web app for families and individuals who aren't tethered to a smartphone. If we want this tool to reach its full potential, a more universal access method (i.e., web app, functionality within the Church website) needs to be created.

[BrianEdwards]

Does anyone in the Church's technology development team either (a) check in on these forums or (b) provide feedback and responses to legitimate suggestions and concerns like those mentioned in this thread?

That's a good (and very often asked) question. Unfortunately, I believe most Forum members would agree that the answer is essentially "no" to both your questions. The Tech Forum primarily serves as a place for user-to-user discussion and self-help, and there is no connection between anything discussed here, and the Church's support system. Occasionally a Church employee will join a discussion, but from my experience those employees are not the "decision makers", so although they may have a bit of insider info, it's generally unlikely that a Forum discussion will result in action by the Church.

The method to get requests like yours into the Church's support system is through the Feedback functionality, which is available inside Church apps, as well as via links at the bottom of most Church webpages. And we are told that all Feedback is processed even when individual responses are not generated. A good idea when submitting Feedback is to include a link to a Forum post with all the discussion about the topic, so that whoever processes your request can have the helpful context.

[davesudweeks]

The method to get requests like yours into the Church's support system is through the Feedback functionality...

There is a second method: that is to ask your Stake President to bring it up in his Coordinating Council with his General Authority. If he feels the issue is important enough to bring it up there, it may get some traction from the top-down. Bringing it up there may get other Stakes to weigh in if it is a problem for them as well.

When using the feedback link, I recommend providing the "business case" in the feedback. What is the current system preventing or what will the change improve/fix if the feedback is implemented? A link to a Tech Forum post or thread can be provided in the feedback for the back story.