PATH 2.

0 SOFTWARE
USER GUIDE
Version 1.0 9 March 2019

PATH software is a data base containing records

of student progress and performance. It is a basic
tool for Pathway missionaries. You will find data in
PATH that helps you shepherd students by moni-
toring their progress and detecting their needs. It is
essential that you feel comfortable using the PATH
data base. This guide is a reference to PATH soft-
ware operation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 How To Use This Guide
1 What is PATH Software?
2 Shepherding Using PATH Data I
3 What You Will Learn
4 Setting Up Your Display
6 Step-by-step Instruction
30 Shepherding Using PATH Data II
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
This is a hands-on reference manual and a step-
by-step guide to using PATH database software.
It is an interactive tool for learning PATH oper-
ations. The guide will give you instruction and
step-by-step directions, at the same time giving you
a chance to use this information immediately by
operating the actual PATH software.
As you gain experience, you will find that you
can perform PATH tasks without help from the
guide. However, you should always keep the guide
handy, in case you need to refresh your knowledge.
WHAT IS PATH SOFTWARE?
PATH is a database containing up-to-date infor-
mation on the performance and progress of your
Pathway students. Many items of information will
be useful as you work with your group. You will be
able to obtain:
Names of students enrolled in your group
Current grades
Time spent in instruction
Student profiles
Notice: PATH data is confidential. It is to be used
only to determine student progress and needs and
may not be shared with others. Printed information
from PATH must be disposed of by shredding.
Page 1
 SHEPHERDING USING WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
PATH DATA I
Using this guide you will learn to perform the
As a Pathway missionary you are a shepherd to following tasks:
your students. You do not give instruction on class Task 1.0 Log-in to PATH (pp. 6-7)
topics, but you walk alongside students as they Task 2.0 Find your group (pp. 8-17)
study class topics, watching their progress and no- Task 3.0 Obtain missionary data (pp. 16-17)
ticing when they encounter difficulties of different Task 4.0 Obtain student data (pp. 18-19)
kinds. Task 5.0 Print a student list. (pp. 18-19)
For example, a student may begin to miss turn- Task 6.0 Inspect student profiles. (pp. 20-29)
ing in assignments, may begin to develop a nega-
tive attitude in response to failure, or may run into
practical problems with equipment or software. As
a shepherd, you will be able to detect when prob-
lems are sufficiently severe that a student needs
a little help that you can give without weakening
their self-reliance.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson reminds us that church
leaders in the Book of Mormon watched over their
people and nourished them (Mosiah 23:18). He
contines, saying, “we can follow their examples
and remember that ministering is to be ‘led by the
Spirit,...flexible,...and customized to the needs of
each member’.” (“Shepherding Souls”, CR, October
2018).
Pathway missionaries watch over their students,
noticing times when a little extra attention can be
helpful. Data from the PATH software can help you
detect those moments.
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 SETTING UP YOUR DISPLAY
You can use PATH software at the same time as
you use this guide. Here is how:
1. Adjust the size of this document window so
that it covers the upper three-quarters of your
computer display (See the opposite page, top).
2. Open your browser and type the following
page address:
PATH URL: https://path.ldschurch.org
3. Adjust the size of the browser window so
that it covers the lower three-quarters of your Step 1 result: Guide document covers the upper 3/4 of your
computer’s display (See the opposite page, bot- computer’s display.
tom).
When it is time to execute a step in PATH,
simply click in the PATH display window. It
then be ready to accept your PATH commands.
To return to the guide for more instructions,
click in the guide window.
By moving back and forth between two
overlapping windows in this manner, you will
be able to read the directions in the guide and
then practice the directions immediately using
the PATH software.
4. Now turn to Page 6 and enter your username
and password.
Step 3 result: The PATH web page covers the lower 3/4 of your
computer’s display.

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TASK 1.0 - Log-in to PATH.
Action: 1. Type your LDS Username and Password.
2. Press Enter.
Result: PATH landing page appears (see next page).

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 You are now logged into the PATH database. From here you can access many PATH functions. Some control
options may not respond to your actions because they are reserved for use by system administrators.
There are multiple ways you can move from this point to your group’s information pages. We will show you the
simplest method.

Action: 1. Select “Places” from the tabs list.

Result: See next page

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 This drop-down menu offers you two choices. Only one will work for you. The other is administrative.

Action: 1. Select “My Sites” from the menu list.

Result: See next page.

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 PATH automatically detects the area you are assigned to and offers it for your selection.

Action: 1. Select the appropriate area name.

Result: Automatic screen change. See next page.

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 Your location is listed.

Action: Select the location where your gathering takes place.

Result: See next page.

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 You see a list of groups that currently gather at this location. If you select a group name, you will see your
group’s data. If you select your name under “Missionary”, you will see your own profile data.

Action: Select the name of the group whose data you want to see.
Result: See next page.

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 This is your group’s data page. It supplies many kinds of information that you can use to support students.

Note:
You may obtain
a printed copy
of the informa-
tion displayed
by selecting
this icon.

You may send

email to stu-
1 2 3 4 5 6 dents using this
icon.

This page gives you a wealth of information you can use in shepherding your students:
1 Names of students in your group.
2 Courses currently enrolled for each student.
3 Current grades (to date).
4 Last login date.
5 Time spent studying online so far.
6 Registration status for next term.

Page 18 Page 19
 Additional information on students can be obtained by drilling down one additional level.

Action: Select the name of any student.

Result: See next page.

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 A student profile provides contact information.

Action: Select the “Records” tab.

Result: See next page.

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 A student record provides information on completions and current registration status.

Action: Select the “Profile” tab.

Result: See next page.

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 A student record provides information on completions and current registration status.

Action: Select the “Finance” tab.

Result: See next page.

Page 26 Page 27
 A student financial record provides tuition payment status.

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 SHEPHERDING USING PATH DATA II
These basic PATH demonstrations cover the mechanical aspects of a database tool. Your focus should not be
on the mechanics of using the tool, however, but on the use of the data to see the needs of students who are be-
ginning to falter so that you can minister to those needs. By doing so you begin to share the burden of the Lord
to care for and minister to His children:

Sister Elaine Dalton taught, “Did you know

that Heavenly Father knows you personally—
by name? The scriptures teach us that this is
true (1).
Elder Neal A. Maxwell said: “I testify to
you that God has known you individually
… for a long, long time (see D&C 93:23). He
has loved you for a long, long time. He not
only knows the names of all the stars (see Ps.
147:4; Isa. 40:26); He knows your names and
all your heartaches and your joys!” (2, empha-
sis added).

We can use greater knowledge provided

by data, combined with the nudgings of the
Spirit to share this burden.

(1) “He Knows You By Name”, CR, April,

2005.
(2) “Remember How Merciful the Lord Hath
Been,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2004, 46).

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