What is TempleReady?

TempleReady is a computer program that helps you prepare family names for temple ordinances. Because someone else could have performed ordinances for some of your ancestors, the TempleReady program checks the Ordinance Index to see if any of the ordinances you are requesting have been completed.  After going through TempleReady and then doing the temple work, the individuals will become part of the International Genealogical Index on familysearch.org, the Church's official temple index.

You can also use TempleReady's Update My Records option to transfer ordinance information directly from the Ordinance Index into your PAF file.

Where can I use TempleReady?

TempleReady is currently located only in family history centers. To find a family history center near you, click here.

Guidelines

Before processing names through TempleReady, be aware of the following guidelines for submitting names for temple ordinances:

• For baptism and endowment, you must have the ancestor's name, sex, an event date, and an event place. (Examples of events include birth, christening, marriage, death and burial.)

• For sealing to parents, you must have the information required for baptism and endowment, plus the first or last name of the father.

• For sealing of husband and wife, you must have the name of the husband (but not necessarily the wife), marriage date, and marriage place.

• An individual must be deceased for more than one year (unless the individual was a worthy member of the church who died before age twenty-one or who, for reasons beyond the individual's control, was unable to go to a temple in mortality).

• For ancestors born within the last ninety-five years, if there is anyone more closely related to the deceased individual you should obtain the relative's permission for the ordinance work, even if the relative is not a member of the church.

• Do not submit for temple work names of individuals who lived before A.D. 1500 or who are members of royalty without first consulting with the Family History Department in Salt Lake City. Many such names have already been submitted.

• If you find that the Ordinance Index misspells your ancestor's name or lists incorrect ordinance dates or places, do not resubmit your ancestor's name for temple work. The ordinances are still valid.

• Do not submit names of celebrities or other people to whom you are not related. Everyone whose name you submit should be an ancestor or close relative.

Using TempleReady

To use TempleReady, you must have either a PAF file or a GEDCOM. You will need 2 other blank floppy disks. Label one of the disks Temple Submission and the other Temple Submission Backup. Include your name and the date on both disks.

It is important to think of the names in your file as individual people. President Gordon B. Hinckley taught this fundamental principle:

Rather than merely sending batches of names to the temple for processing, you should submit the names of individuals and families as if you were developing a personal relationship with them. To do this, you must keep your submission to a manageable size.

Using your PAF File to Prepare Names for the Temple

Once you are at a family history center:

• Restore or open your PAF file. Make sure your information is as accurate and complete as possible.

• Close PAF.

• Enter TempleReady.

• Click on Submit Family Names for Temple Ordinances. Read through the steps for TempleReady.

• Click Next - Select Names to Submit at the bottom of the screen.

• Click on your file and then click Open. If your file does not appear, use the Browse feature.

As you walk through the following TempleReady steps, be aware of the extensive help section on the right side. You will find different types of instructions (videos, typescript, and visual), policies and guidelines, and advice or frequently asked questions.

Step 1: Select Families and Individuals

This screen shows the people in your PAF file, listed as families or individuals. TempleReady has reviewed any ordinance information in your file and placed a picture of a temple under those ordinances that are needed for each person. If you only want to see those who need ordinances, click the box labeled Show only records ready to submit for ordinances.

1. Click the Submit? box next to each person/family you want to submit for ordinances. Notice that the temple icons will now be check-marked.

2. Refer to the Help section for step-by-step instructions, tips, videos, and advice.

3. When you are finished selecting the families, click Next - Check My Selected Records.

Step 2: Part 1 -- Check and Correct Records

TempleReady has reviewed your file looking for place misspellings, date discrepancies, and incomplete information. Individuals that are ready will say, "Ready to check for duplicates". Any problems will be listed in red.

1. Check each person for:

   • Ordinances Requested: The selected boxes show ordinances to be checked for duplicates.

   • : Either the ordinance is done or not needed, or you need to supply more information. Click the red text to change the information.

   • : Ready to go. If there are data warnings, you will want to click them and fix any abbreviations or other problems.

2. Correct the above information. It is important to submit accurate information to the Ordinance Index, therefore, you need to correct any red text problems.

3. Refer to the Help section for step-by-step instructions, tips, videos, and advice.

4. When you are finished correcting, click Next - Check for Duplicates.

Step 2: Part 2 -- Check for Duplicates

TempleReady checks to make sure the ordinances you are requesting have not already been performed by someone else. It is only checking temple work done up until January 2000*. If the ordinances have already been performed, the temple record (on the right) and the record from your database (on the left) should be similar.

1. Carefully compare the two records. Determine if both sets of information are for the same person. If they are, the ordinances you are requesting have already been performed.

2. Answer the question at the bottom of the screen.

   • If you feel the two records are for the same person, click Yes. The ordinances you are requesting for the person that have already been done will not be submitted. If you choose, your PAF data will be updated with the completed ordinance information, if you choose (after clicking Yes, you will be asked about updating your records). Keep in mind that the records do not have to match exactly, but they should match enough so that you are confident they are for the same person.

   • If you feel the two records are for different people, click No.

3. Continue this process for each individual until no more records appear.

4. You may be asked if you would like to update your records with completed ordinance dates and temple codes. If you say yes, then the new information will be entered into your PAF file. If you say no, your PAF file will not change.

5. Review the submission summary and click Okay.

*TempleReady compares against the Ordinance Index which is only updated as of January 2000. Before or after completing TempleReady, check the International Genealogical Index online to find the most updated ordinance information so that you can prevent duplication. See Lesson 3: FamilySearch.org for instructions on viewing this information.

Step 3: Enter Submitter Information

Some basic information about the person submitting records is useful in case he or she needs to be contacted.

1. Type the contact information for the submitter. If this was already in your PAF file, then it will be automatically inserted.

2. Answer the question. To help coordinate family history research, submitter information is sometimes included with genealogy databases. Indicate whether or not you would like your contact information published.

3. Refer to the Help section for step-by-step instructions, tips, and advice.

4. Click Next- Provide Proxies.

Step 4: Provide Proxies

You must indicate if you want to personally provide proxies for the names you are sending to the temple or let the temple do the work. (Proxies are people who perform ordinances in behalf of the dead.)

1. Answer the question.

2. Refer to the Help section for step-by-step instructions, tips, and advice.

3. Click Next- Review Submission Report.

Step 5: Review and Save Submission

This screen allows you to view and print a report that shows the names of individuals and families whose records you selected to take to the temple.

1. Review the report. Verify that information is accurate and that the correct ordinances need to be performed.

2. Print a copy of the report by clicking Print at the bottom of the screen. Once you go beyond this step, you cannot go back and print this report.

3. If there are no ordinances that need to be performed, click Done and then Exit. Otherwise, continue to the next step.

4. Click Next- Save Submission.

5. You will be asked to save the submission file.

6. You will also be asked if you want to save a backup copy or put the word "submitted" in each record submitted for temple ordinances. Check the "backup copy" box. It is important to make a backup copy in case your main TempleReady disk gets lost. Then decide if you would like the word "submitted" put in the ordinance fields of your PAF file.

7. Click Okay.

8. You will be prompted to insert a blank disk for the submission file. Remove your PAF file and replace it with your Temple Submission disk, then click Okay. This is the disk you will take to the temple.

9. Unless you want to change the file name, click Save.

10. You will then be prompted to insert a backup disk. Remove the Temple Submission disk and insert the Temple Submission backup disk, then click Okay.

Step 6: Take the Disk to the Temple

Now you are ready to submit your disk to the temple and perform the ordinances.

1. Read the screen.

2. Schedule a visit to the temple if needed.

3. If you are providing the proxies, you will take your Temple Submission disk to the Temple and receive the Family name cards. You can then take these cards to any temple to perform the ordinances.

4. If the temple is going to do the work, mail or take the disk to the temple, where they will arrange for the ordinances to be performed.

5. When you are finished, click Done.

DON'T FORGET to check the IGI online for the most updated temple work! This is very important since you don't want to waste time doing temple work that has already been performed. See Lesson 3: FamilySearch.org for instructions on viewing this information.

Using a GEDCOM File to Prepare Names for the Temple

To Export a GEDCOM from PAF to TempleReady:

Following the steps referred to in Lesson 5: GEDCOMs. When exporting, make sure format is set on "TempleReady for Windows".

As you create your GEDCOM file, remember the following:

• Only export enough names to be completed in 2-3 months.

• Submit families together.

• Make sure your GEDCOM is for TempleReady for Windows, not DOS.

• Both PAF and TempleReady will make a submission report for you to print. The report in TempleReady will be of more use to you because it will have the accurate ordinance dates on it.

• This process will work best if your GEDCOM is saved on a floppy.

After you have created your GEDCOM file, you will need to take it to a family history center. Once you are at a family history center, follow these instructions:

1. Open TempleReady and click on Submit Family Names for Temple Ordinances.

2. Insert your floppy disk with the GEDCOM file on it.

3. Click Next at the bottom of the screen.

4. You will be asked to locate your GEDCOM. Click on your file and then click Open.

5. Follow the instructions for Steps 1 through 6 above.

Updating PAF Records: When using a GEDCOM in TempleReady, your PAF information will not automatically be updated. When you are saving the submission file, you will be asked if you want to make a GEDCOM to update your records with. If you choose this option, you will then be able to update your PAF with the previously performed temple work by using the match/merge function in PAF.

Assignment

Your instructor may assign you the following assignment:

Assignment #16 -- Submitting to TempleReady

1. Go to a family history center and run your PAF file through TempleReady for Windows.

2. Turn in a copy of the submission report from TempleReady.