Church’s Online Presence Continues to Grow

Information on serving in the Church and new MP3 audio files of Church materials have been added to the Church’s Web site at www.lds.org. Also available is a new Church-affiliated Web site that offers information on Temple Square.

Serving in the Church Made Easier with New Site

The Church has launched Serving in the Church, www.lds.org\pa\welcome, designed to strengthen individuals and families by helping priesthood and auxiliary leaders fulfill their callings. The site, currently available in English, was launched on 9 June 2004.

Members newly called to positions in all organizations of the Church can turn to the Web site to better understand their new responsibilities and the purposes behind them. The Web site has introductions to and descriptions of the Melchizedek Priesthood, Aaronic Priesthood/Young Men, Young Women, Relief Society, Primary, and Sunday School organizations of the Church. It also has a Military Relations link for those who are currently or will be serving in the military and those who preside over them.

Other links found on the site include addresses by Church leaders recently given at auxiliary open houses in Salt Lake City, links to the history of each organization, and messages from auxiliary presidents.

Serving in the Church joins other recently launched sections of www.lds.org, including the Church Music site and the Home and Family site.

Church Site Now Includes Audio Files

Thanks to the new Church Publications in Compressed Audio Format site, members can now listen to the Church magazines during lunch, scriptures and recent general conference addresses on the bus, or the soundtrack to a Church movie almost anywhere and anytime.

New downloadable MP3 files, found at www.lds.org/mp3/newarchive, include the scriptures, general conference addresses, study materials, Church magazines, Relief Society and priesthood manuals, and soundtracks to Church movies and special events. New content will be added frequently. Users can download the MP3 files and listen to the recordings on their personal computer, transfer the files to a portable MP3 player, or record them onto a CD. Users can register on the site to receive e-mail notifications when new content has been added.

Members have listened to the audio files while commuting, doing housework, traveling, and exercising. Many users have commented that listening to the scriptures helps them to better comprehend and retain what they study as they read along. Others are using the files to study English, to supplement their family scripture reading for young children who have a hard time reading, and for family home evenings.

Visit Temple Square Online with New Site

For those who want to visit Temple Square or just learn more about it, a new Web site has been launched that provides details about the many buildings, events, services, and attractions found on or around the 10 acres (4 ha) surrounding the Salt Lake Temple.

The easy-to-navigate site, located at www.visittemplesquare.com, was officially launched in June by Temple Square Hospitality, an entity owned by the Church.

A small description about each location on a map is provided when clicked on. The locations shown include the temple, the Tabernacle, the Assembly Hall, Joseph Smith Memorial Building, the Church Office Building, and Brigham Young Historical Park.

Pull-down menus provide information on events, services, dining, and attractions. Also included are links to sites that provide tourist information for surrounding areas.

Serving in the Church is part of the Church’s ever-expanding Web site at www.lds.org.