How to Use the FamilySearch App: Beginner's Guide to Temple Names & Reservations

Send us Fan MailNew to family history? In this first hands-on Gathering Academy lesson, accredited genealogist Colette Hokanson walks you step by step through the FamilySearch app — how to download it, sign in, and start finding and reserving your family's temple ordinances in just 5–10 minutes a day. No experience needed.Colette's approach is simple: start with what you know, then build outward. She demonstrates how to manage your temple reservations, share names with the temple, use Ordinances Ready to receive names even if your tree is small, and — her favorite next step — check your "Completed" names to find missing spouses, children, and siblings so you can unite whole families. She also gives a first look at attaching a source, using a real Minnesota death record as an example.A recurring theme: this work grows your ability to hear the Spirit. As Colette testifies, learning to notice those quiet promptings to "look here" is often how the names are found — and those on the other side of the veil are anxious to be found.📌 Your action item this week: Download the FamilySearch app, then "touch it every day." Practice Ordinances Ready, then open those reserved names and look at their families for anyone missing. Don't worry about making mistakes — nothing you do can't be undone.💡 Tip from Colette: Share with the temple any names you can't complete in the next three months. It puts them in the "fast pass lane" so the work gets done quickly — and it helps "nourish the temple with names" for areas of the world that don't yet have enough names for their new temples.🎥 Listening on audio? Watch the video version on YouTube to follow along with the screen demonstrations. Find all lessons under the "Gathering Academy" playlist.Q: Which app do I download for family history?A: Search your App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android) for "FamilySearch Tree" and look for the FamilySearch Tree icon. Sign in with your FamilySearch or Church account username and password. If you don't have an account, you can create one right in the app — just add a phone number so you can recover your login later.Q: What is Ordinances Ready and do I need a big family tree to use it?A: Ordinances Ready gives you temple names to take even if your own tree is small — it can pull from your family, ward, stake, or the wider Church. Open the app, tap Ordinances Ready, and choose the ordinance you'd like to do.Q: What does a green temple icon mean in FamilySearch?A: Green means go — that person's temple ordinances are ready to be requested. Colette recommends doing a little research first (and checking that at least one source is attached) to confirm the person before you reserve.Q: Should I share names with the temple or keep them?A: Keep what you can realistically complete in the next three months and share the rest with the temple. Shared names are completed quickly rather than sitting reserved for up to two years, and they help supply names to temples and areas that need them.Q: How much time does family history really take?A: Very little. Colette compares it to piano practice — a regular 5–10 minutes most days does more than you'd expect. Pick a consistent time (your commute, before bed, Sunday afternoon) and build the habit.👉 Watch the full episode: [PASTE FULL EPISODE LINK]▶️ WATCH & LISTEN🎬 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thinningoftheveil🌐 Website: https://www.thinningoftheveil.com🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinning-of-the-veil/id1753511394🟢 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6jWCfMHkZXwnSwy2b98J4M🎵 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a0a45561-d4c2-46d3-af8d-a1e967a21a25📖 BOOKPatterns of Revelation — Spiritual Foundations for Hearing God's Voice: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW36MG9B📱 CONNECTInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinning.of.the.veilFacebook Group (Gathering of the Gatherers): https://www.facebook.com/groups/1429562078443774Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thinningoftheveil💛 SUPPORT THE SHOWVenmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/thinningoftheveilPayPal: https://paypal.me/thinningoftheveil✉️ Have you had a thinning of the veil experience? Email [email protected] — your testimony may be exactly what someone needs to hear.#GatheringAcademy #FamilySearch #FamilySearchApp #FamilyHistory #OrdinancesReady #TempleWork #Genealogy #LatterDaySaints #ThinningOfTheVeil #NourishTheTempleSupport the show