The Gospel Library app has new notifications settings that allow its users to see new content releases, prayer and study reminders, live event information, and daily inspirational messages, ChurchofJesusChrist.org reported.
“These notifications updates were designed to help members develop daily gospel study habits and receive spiritual nourishment throughout their day,” said Elder Randall K. Bennett, a General Authority Seventy who advises on the app’s development. “Our prophet has promised those who make time for the Lord and study His gospel daily will receive an increase of His Spirit.”
3 types of notifications
Gospel Library app users can receive notifications in three categories that can be toggled on or off:
- Daily Inspiration
- Reminders
- Updates
1. Daily Inspiration
President Russell M. Nelson said, “Daily immersion in the word of God is crucial for spiritual survival, especially in these days of increasing upheaval” (“Hear Him,” April 2020 general conference). Daily Inspiration notifications can make gospel study more convenient and accessible.
When “Verse of the Day” or “Quote of the Day” notifications are toggled on, a daily notification will appear on your device at a time you choose. Tapping on the notification will take you directly to the scripture or quote within the Gospel Library app.
2. Reminders
The “Reminders” section allows app users to personalize their gospel study patterns. App users can turn on a “Daily Prayer and Study” reminder, which can help create a habit of personal immersion in the word of God. These reminders can be set to a time that works best with the user’s personal schedule.
The second option in “Reminders” allows the user to create a customized study plan. The app will walk users through options where they can choose which content to study, set a study schedule and set a recurring reminder. Study plans are highly adaptable to each user’s needs.
The “Live Events” option is toggled on by default. This will alert the app user of live events from the Church, such as general conference and devotionals with Church leaders.
3. Updates
The “Updates” section gives Gospel Library app users timely information and inspiration from the Church. The “Featured Messages” notifications highlight key messages from prophets and other inspirational content. These regular notifications are sent about once a week. The features also appear as banners at the top of the home screen. Swipe left on those banners to see all featured messages.
Tapping the “New Content” section allows users to select or deselect receiving notifications about when a new magazine issue is available online as well as other new content.
The “What’s New” notification will alert users when new updates or improvements are available in the Gospel Library app.
Accessing notifications settings
After initially installing or updating the Gospel Library app, a banner will appear on the home screen asking users if they want to receive daily inspiration. Tapping on the “Options” button within that notification will open “Settings” and allow them to choose which notifications to toggle on.
There are several ways to access notifications settings at any time. First, tap on the three dots in the top right corner of the Gospel Library app home screen. This opens a drop-down menu where users can select “Settings.”
Scroll down to select the “Notifications” setting. This will open all notifications options that can be toggled on or off depending on your preferences.
“Verse of the Day” and “Quote of the Day” notifications settings can also be accessed by scrolling down on the home screen and tapping the three dots in the top right corner of each feature.
Users can also choose to receive notifications when new issues of the Church magazines — the “Liahona,” “For the Strength of Youth,” “Friend” and “YA Weekly” — are released.
To set these notifications, select the “Magazines” collection within Gospel Library. Press and hold on any magazine to see a drop-down menu, then select “Notifications.”
This will take users to a menu with all magazines automatically toggled off. They can then toggle magazines and other content on or off according to personal preferences. Church magazines release new issues monthly, with some content, such as “YA Weekly” articles, updating weekly.
Why notifications matter
Customizable notifications enable the creation of a gospel plan that fits each user’s schedule and needs.
“I love getting inspirational quotes and scriptures on my phone every day,” said Gospel Library user Emma Hirschi. “The notifications help me to think of the Savior and strengthen my faith in Him.”
Nate Gines, user experience app designer, said these updates can help a person who is seeking to strengthen their relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ through gospel study. “We hope you find notifications helpful in developing personal daily gospel study habits,” he said.
What’s next
According to Gines, a more personalized home screen is in development. It will allow users to see sacrament meeting hymns for their ward and general conference messages to be discussed in their Sunday meetings.
New study features will be available in early 2023, with video tutorials demonstrating how to use the new features.
“We continually welcome members’ feedback to hear how we can best improve the app’s features to meet users’ study patterns,” Gines said. Users can submit feedback through the “Help” section in the Gospel Library app by tapping the three dots in the upper right corner of the app, selecting “Help” and tapping “Send Feedback.”
