Issue 24.09
During the past two years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been introducing a new process for organizing ancestral information and preparing ancestral names for the temple, which includes the http://new.familysearch.org Web Site. After making some changes to the system to support the large number of expected new users, they have begun introducing the new process in Utah and Idaho.
According to the New FamilySearch (NFS) Utah and Idaho Release website, Family History Consultants and Priesthood leaders for the Church who are in the St. George Utah Temple District are in the advance preparation stage of the rollout of NFS. This means that the consultants have been sent instructions to begin viewing the online training modules listed on the prepare tab. These consultants/Priesthood leaders may also begin using the new.familysearch.org website. If a Family History Consultant or Priesthood Leader did not receive the instructions, it is because they were not properly registered with FamilySearch. They would need to visit https://consultant.familysearch.org/ to complete the registration process.
The reason that the Family History Consultants are first to receive access is because they are truly the keys to a successful family history program in a ward and stake. Diligent and timely preparation will help consultants to have the confidence and expertise needed to support members with their family history efforts. Because the NFS program completely changes the process, it is essential that everyone be retrained. NFS replaces the current process of submitting names to the temple through TempleReady.
As individuals with family history callings complete all of the preparation steps for the new FamilySearch Web site as outlined, they will report their successful completion to the appropriate leader. As things progress, and the consultants in each ward and branch in a stake are ready to support the members using the NFS Web site, the NFS program will be released to groupings of stakes as determined appropriate by the Family History Department.
I will keep you posted as to when the general LDS population will receive access to NFS. Following this preparation period for the leadership and family history consultants, it should begin being released to stakes in the St. George Temple District. If you live in Arizona or Nevada, you should already have access to the NFS program.
Shanna Sullivan Jones is a professional genealogist now accepting new clients. For additional information, Shanna can be reached at (435) 628-4900 or shannasjones@msn.com.