Each scenario walks through one situation from start to finish: what the system texts the ministers, what it texts you, and what you or an admin need to relay by hand. Every message below uses the system's actual wording, filled in with made-up details.
For how to use the website itself (availability, the Visits and Messages pages, your dashboard), see the Leader Guide.
| Name | Who they are |
|---|---|
| Tom Harris | you, the companionship's leader |
| David Martinez and Kevin Lindgren | the ministering companionship |
| Nguyen, Parker, Romero | the families they minister to |
| John Admin | an admin |
The visit location is whatever you type when you enter your availability. The examples use "the church."
/join page. Anyone who hasn't signed up gets the same message through the Messages page, where someone copies it and texts it by hand (Scenario 9).Hi Kevin, it's John Admin, a ministering secretary of the Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward Elders Quorum. Recently, we announced our plan to set up quarterly ministering visits by text. We would greatly appreciate it if you would sign up. You can do so here: https://ministering.beaconpointe2nd.org/join?code=K7P4QX -- it takes less than a minute. If the link won't open, go to https://ministering.beaconpointe2nd.org/join and enter your mobile number: +18015550142 and code K7P4QX. Questions, just reply to this text.
Sent by you, it says "it's Tom Harris, a leader of the Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward Elders Quorum" instead. Each sender can change their own wording and role on the Members page. The mobile number is shown as it's stored on the roster. In the typed-out fallback ("go to … /join") the real text shows the site address without its leading "https" part, so it is easy to type.
The typed-out fallback matters. iPhones often won't let someone tap a link from a number they've never replied to.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: You're subscribed to quarterly visit texts. Msg frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to cancel.
Variations
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: To subscribe, go to https://ministering.beaconpointe2nd.org/join and enter your code and mobile number. Reply HELP for help.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Quarterly visit help. Contact your leader or [the ward's support contact]. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: You're unsubscribed and will receive no further messages. Reply START to resubscribe.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: You're resubscribed. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to cancel.
This applies to you as well. If you text
STOP,STOPALL,UNSUBSCRIBE,CANCEL,ENDorQUITto the system, on its own as the whole text, you are unsubscribed and stop getting your leader texts. Signing in to the website is not affected.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Hi David and Kevin! Quarterly visit with Tom - pick 1/2/3: 1) Oct 13 7:00 PM 2) Oct 15 6:30 PM 3) Oct 18 4:00 PM. Reply STOP to opt out.
The words "Quarterly visit" are sometimes reworded, for example "Time for our quarterly visit with Tom." A reworded proposal still has to fit in a single text, so this happens more often in a make-up, which greets one minister. The names, times and numbering never change. If no leader is assigned, or the companionship is Flexible, the "with Tom" part is left out:
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Hi David and Kevin! Quarterly visit - pick 1/2/3: 1) Oct 13 7:00 PM 2) Oct 15 6:30 PM 3) Oct 18 4:00 PM. Reply STOP to opt out.
David replies "2 – we can both make it." Because the reply clearly includes Kevin, both are booked, and both receive:
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Great! I've confirmed your visit for Thursday, October 15th at 6:30 PM with Tom at the church. Families: Nguyen, Parker, and Romero. Reply STOP to opt out.
The reminders and the follow-up name both ministers. See Scenario 10.
Variation: Kevin hadn't replied when David booked for both. Kevin is booked on David's word, so you get this as soon as the visit is booked. It's sent only if Kevin is signed up and hasn't texted anything in this scheduling conversation. The visit stands; it's a prompt to check that Kevin knows.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Kevin Lindgren hasn't responded to scheduling yet. The visit is set with the rest; please follow up directly. Families: Nguyen, Parker, and Romero. Reply STOP to opt out.
Both get the proposal (as in Scenario 2).
David replies "2." A plain "2" speaks only for David, so only David is booked. Only David receives the confirmation:
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Great! I've confirmed your visit for Thursday, October 15th at 6:30 PM with Tom at the church. Families: Nguyen, Parker, and Romero. Reply STOP to opt out.
Right after, Kevin gets an invitation of their own (at 8:00 AM if it's overnight). Option 1 is joining David's visit. The other options are openings held just for Kevin. This text is never reworded.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Hi Kevin! David is meeting with Tom on Thursday, October 15th at 6:30 PM. Reply 1 to join them, or pick another time: 2) Tue Oct 13 7:00 PM, 3) Sun Oct 18 4:00 PM. Reply STOP to opt out.
Until Kevin answers, the reminders name only David:
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: David - reminder, your quarterly visit with Tom is tomorrow at 6:30 PM at the church. Families: Nguyen, Parker, and Romero. Reply STOP to opt out.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Reminder - your visit with Martinez is tomorrow at 6:30 PM at the church. Families: Nguyen, Parker, and Romero. Reply STOP to opt out. (to you)
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Hi Kevin, David's visit with Tom is tomorrow at 6:30 PM. Reply 1 to join them. Reply STOP to opt out.
What happens next depends on Kevin:
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Great! I've confirmed your visit for Sunday, October 18th at 4:00 PM with Tom at the church. Families: Nguyen, Parker, and Romero. Reply STOP to opt out.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Hi Kevin! Make-up visit with Tom - pick 1/2/3: 1) Oct 20 7:00 PM 2) Oct 22 6:30 PM 3) Oct 25 4:00 PM. Reply STOP to opt out.
This continues like Scenario 4, just for Kevin. When you have no openings left, Kevin is told the times are gone and you get:
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Couldn't set a visit time with Kevin Lindgren; our held times have lapsed. Please reach out directly. Families: Nguyen, Parker, and Romero. Reply STOP to opt out. - 3e. Kevin isn't signed up for texts. The invitation appears on the Messages page for hand relay (Scenario 9): Hey Kevin, this is John Admin. Tom Harris would like to meet with you for a quick quarterly visit. These times are available: 1) Join David on Oct 15 6:30 PM 2) Oct 13 7:00 PM 3) Oct 18 4:00 PM. Reply with the number that works for you. Thanks! To get these by text automatically, sign up at https://ministering.beaconpointe2nd.org/join?code=K7P4QX.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Hi David and Kevin! Quarterly visit with Tom - pick 1/2/3: 1) Oct 20 7:00 PM 2) Oct 22 6:30 PM 3) Oct 25 4:00 PM. Reply STOP to opt out.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: The times we offered are no longer available. Your leader will reach out to set a new one. Reply STOP to opt out.
You get:
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Couldn't set a visit time with David Martinez and Kevin Lindgren; our held times have lapsed. Please reach out directly. Families: Nguyen, Parker, and Romero. Reply STOP to opt out.
The fix is to add availability, or to contact them directly. Adding availability lets the system offer fresh times again.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: David said: "Sorry, just saw this. Is th..." but those holds had lapsed. Please set a time directly. Reply STOP to opt out.
A reply asking for a different time is handled like Scenario 5 instead.
David replies: "Can we do Saturday the 24th around 2? Weeknights are tough for us."
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: David said: "Can we do Saturday the 24th around 2? Weeknights are toug..." New times sent; please follow up. Reply STOP to opt out.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Thanks for letting me know! I couldn't find other open times right now - your leader will reach out. Reply STOP to opt out.
You get David's words with a note that no new times went out. The quote is up to 30 characters:
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: David said: "Can we do Saturday the 24th..." No other open times; please add availability or reach out. Reply STOP to opt out. - If scheduling had already closed (for example, Kevin booked a time while David's reply was being read), the system doesn't answer David's reply or offer new times, and the conversation is not paused. If Kevin's booking didn't include David, David gets an invitation to join it (see Scenario 3). You get David's words with a note that no new times went out. The quote is up to 30 characters: Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: David said: "Can we do Saturday the 24th..." No new times sent: scheduling had closed. Please reach out. Reply STOP to opt out.
David replies with something the system can't match to an option. Both ministers receive:
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: I didn't quite catch that. Could you reply with the number of the option that works best? Reply STOP to opt out.
After three replies it can't understand, the conversation pauses with no further reply and appears on the Escalations page for an admin to handle.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Thanks! That time has already passed. Could you reply with the number of another option? Reply STOP to opt out.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Thanks! That time is no longer being held. Could you reply with the number of another option? Reply STOP to opt out. - Nothing offered can be booked anymore. Both ministers receive one of these, with the same distinction: Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Thanks! That time has already passed, so it isn't booked. Your leader will reach out to set a new one. Reply STOP to opt out.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Thanks! That time is no longer being held, so it isn't booked. Your leader will reach out to set a new one. Reply STOP to opt out.
You get one of these (the quote is up to 30 characters):
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: David said: "2 works for us!" but the held times have passed. Please set a time directly. Reply STOP to opt out.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: David said: "Option 3 please" but those holds had lapsed. Please set a time directly. Reply STOP to opt out.
When a minister misses the companionship's visit, an admin or leader can use Schedule make-up on that minister's line on the Visits page. The offer is addressed only to them:
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Hi Kevin! Make-up visit with Tom - pick 1/2: 1) Oct 13 7:00 PM 2) Oct 18 4:00 PM. Reply STOP to opt out.
Replies work the same way as a regular proposal (Scenarios 5–7), except that every answer goes only to Kevin. The confirmation goes only to Kevin.
Kevin hasn't signed up. Scheduling still goes ahead. The system just can't text Kevin.
When scheduling starts, you get:
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Kevin Lindgren hasn't opted into visit texts, so they aren't in scheduling. Please reach out directly. Families: Nguyen, Parker, and Romero. Reply STOP to opt out.
The Messages page shows the proposal ready to copy. You or an admin text it from your own phone, then mark it relayed. These hand-sent messages have no "Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward:" at the start and no STOP line. If Kevin can still sign up (not signed up yet and never opted out), the signup link is added. Someone who replied STOP never gets the link.
Sent by an admin:
Hey Kevin, this is John Admin. Tom Harris would like to meet with you for a quick quarterly visit. These times are available: 1) Oct 13 7:00 PM 2) Oct 15 6:30 PM 3) Oct 18 4:00 PM. Reply with the number that works for you. Thanks! To get these by text automatically, sign up at https://ministering.beaconpointe2nd.org/join?code=K7P4QX.
Sent by you. It's written in your voice:
Hey Kevin, this is Tom Harris. I would like to meet with you for a quick quarterly visit. These times are available: 1) Oct 13 7:00 PM 2) Oct 15 6:30 PM 3) Oct 18 4:00 PM. Reply with the number that works for you. Thanks!
The relay names you by your full name unless an admin has set a form of address for you (for example "Brother Harris"). When the companionship is Flexible or has no assigned leader, it says "One of our leaders would like to meet with you" instead.
When Kevin answers you, enter the reply on the Messages page. It's handled exactly as if Kevin had texted the system.
The confirmation shows up for relay too. When an admin or leader books a visit from the Calls page for only some of the companionship, a note in front tells you who it's for. Leave the note out when you send it.
(This visit is with David Martinez only.) Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Great! I've confirmed your visit for Thursday, October 15th at 6:30 PM with Tom at the church. Families: Nguyen, Parker, and Romero. Reply STOP to opt out.
If the offered times run out (Scenario 4), this is relayed instead. This one says "again," since it follows an earlier relayed offer.
Sent by an admin:
Hey Kevin, this is John Admin again. The times we offered are no longer available. Tom Harris will reach out to set a new one. Thanks! To get future visit times by text automatically, sign up at https://ministering.beaconpointe2nd.org/join?code=K7P4QX.
Sent by you:
Hey Kevin, this is Tom Harris again. The times we offered are no longer available. I will reach out to set a new one. Thanks!
The day before. These go to the ministers booked on the visit and to you. Reminders name every booked minister, including any who aren't signed up.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: David and Kevin - reminder, your quarterly visit with Tom is tomorrow at 6:30 PM at the church. Families: Nguyen, Parker, and Romero. Reply STOP to opt out.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Reminder - your visit with Martinez and Lindgren is tomorrow at 6:30 PM at the church. Families: Nguyen, Parker, and Romero. Reply STOP to opt out. (to you)
An hour before. Again to the ministers and to you:
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: David and Kevin - reminder, your quarterly visit with Tom is at 6:30 PM today at the church. Families: Nguyen, Parker, and Romero. Reply STOP to opt out.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Reminder - your visit with Martinez and Lindgren is at 6:30 PM today at the church. Families: Nguyen, Parker, and Romero. Reply STOP to opt out. (to you)
When the day-before reminder for an evening visit would fall in quiet hours, it goes out at 8:00 AM that day and says "today."
30 minutes after the visit's start time, you're asked how it went. Your answer records whether the visit happened, so please reply. The system doesn't text back when you answer.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Hi Tom, did your visit on Thursday at 6:30 PM with Martinez and Lindgren happen? Reply yes, no, or rescheduled. Families: Nguyen, Parker, and Romero. Reply STOP to opt out.
24 hours later, if you didn't answer. It has to fit in one text, so it may leave out the greeting and the families.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: did your visit on Thursday at 6:30 PM with Martinez and Lindgren happen? Reply yes, no, or rescheduled. Reply STOP to opt out.
If you reply to your reminder (any text from about a day before the visit until 30 minutes after it starts). Your reply never changes or cancels the visit, because the ministers are already planning around it. Your words are passed to your admin. To change a visit, contact your admin.
| You reply something like… | You get |
|---|---|
| "I can't make it" | Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Thanks for letting us know. The visit is not cancelled - please contact your admin to change it. Reply STOP to opt out. |
| "Can we move it?" | Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Thanks for letting us know. The visit time is unchanged - please contact your admin to change it. Reply STOP to opt out. |
| "See you there" | Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Thanks for confirming. The visit is still on as scheduled. Reply STOP to opt out. |
| anything else | Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Thanks - we've noted this for your admin. The visit is unchanged. Reply STOP to opt out. |
If your text reads like a request to stop getting texts, no reply is sent and your admin sees it. To actually unsubscribe, text one of the words in Scenario 1.
This applies to a text in the two days after the scheduling conversation closed.
David asks to move it. David receives the first message below, and you receive the second:
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Thanks for letting us know. Your leader will reach out about moving the visit. Reply STOP to opt out.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: David texted to move the visit on Thursday at 6:30 PM. Please reach out to reschedule. Reply STOP to opt out.
David says it already happened. David receives the first message below, and you receive the second:
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Thanks for letting us know. Your leader will follow up about the visit. Reply STOP to opt out.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: David says the visit already happened. Please follow up. Reply STOP to opt out.
The ministers on that visit are told:
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Your visit on Thu Oct 15 at 6:30 PM was cancelled due to a schedule change. We'll reach out to reschedule soon. Reply STOP to opt out.
You are told:
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: We've notified the companionship that your availability for Thu Oct 15 has changed. Reply STOP to opt out.
If only some of the companionship was on that visit, it says "the ministers on that visit" instead of "the companionship."
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Couldn't find an open time this quarter to reschedule Kevin Lindgren's cancelled make-up visit. Please reach out directly. Families: Nguyen, Parker, and Romero. Reply STOP to opt out.
Any scheduling still open is closed, and the ministers get the message below. Nothing is texted to you.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: The quarter has ended, so we're closing this scheduling attempt. We'll reach out again for the new quarter. Reply STOP to opt out.
When a leader notice naming ministers would run too long, it first drops the family list, then names the first minister and counts the rest ("David Martinez... and 2 others").
When an administrator's roster import retires a whole companionship (every one of its ministers has left the roster), any confirmed visit you had booked with them for a later date is cancelled, and you are told once for each such visit. The ministers are not texted, and you get no reminder or follow-up for it.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Your visit with Martinez and Lindgren on Thu Oct 15 at 6:30 PM is cancelled: that companionship is no longer on the roster, so there is nothing to follow up. Families: Nguyen, Parker, and Romero. Reply STOP to opt out.
Some leaders are also in a companionship of their own. SMS has no threads, so when two conversations are waiting on you at once, the system can't tell which one your text answers. It doesn't guess. Your text is held for an admin, applied to neither conversation, and nothing about either visit changes.
Before a visit you lead. Your text arrives during that visit's reminder period (from about a day before until 30 minutes after it starts) while your own companionship's scheduling is still open. You get the usual neutral reply:
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Thanks - we've noted this for your admin. The visit is unchanged. Reply STOP to opt out.
If your text was about your own companionship's times, ask your admin to pass it on, since your companionship may settle on a time before you could resend it.
After a visit you lead. You've been asked how a visit went, and your own companionship is being scheduled or booked a time in the last two days. The first held reply for that visit gets this text. Later held replies for the same visit get nothing more.
Beacon Pointe 2nd Ward: Thanks. Your message was passed to your admin, who will confirm how the visit on Thu Oct 15 went. If it was about your own visit, please send it again after that. Reply STOP to opt out.
Once the visit's outcome is recorded, your texts reach your companionship's scheduling as usual.
In both cases, a text that reads like a request to stop getting texts gets no reply.