This article explains how to set up and use the Lara Simultaneous Interpreter for sacrament meetings as part of an approved pilot program. The pilot is intended to help members receive real-time interpretation on their personal devices while allowing the Church to continue evaluating and improving the technology, translation quality, and overall user experience.
Note: If your unit has not been invited to participate in the pilot, this article will not be applicable.
Important
The quality of the interpretation depends primarily on the quality of the audio provided to the system. Clear, consistent audio produces significantly better translation results. For the best experience, follow the audio recommendations provided in this article.
No installation is required. Everything runs in a supported web browser.
How to Use the Lara Simultaneous Interpreter
The system uses two roles:
Speaker (Host): The person who starts and manages the interpretation session.
Listener (Guest): The person who receives the interpreted audio and captions.
The Speaker shares a Listener link or QR code with participants so they can join the session.
No installation is required. The Speaker and Listener access Lara through a supported web browser.
Speaker (Host)
Preparation
Before the meeting:
A. Decide how you will share the Listener link (or QR code) and any feedback form with listeners.
B. Test the Speaker link and audio setup before the sacrament meeting.
C. If you are also using Zoom:
If possible, use two devices—one for Zoom and one for Lara Simultaneous Interpreter—for the best performance.
If only one device is available, access both Zoom and Lara through a web browser rather than using the desktop applications.
Meeting Steps
Connect to the meetinghouse “Liahona” Wi-Fi network
Open the Speaker link you received
Confirm the session shows “Ready to broadcast”
When the meeting begins, click Start Recording
Use the Start and Stop Recording as needed to control what is translated
When finished, click Close Session to end the broadcast
Important:
The Speaker does not select a language or configure interpretation settings. Simply click Start Recording and begin speaking.
Only one Speaker (Host) should manage a session at a time.
The top-right corner of the Speaker interface displays the current number of listeners connected to the session (This number includes the speaker).
If your unit has more than one spoken language during a meeting (for example, testimonies in different languages), see Multiple Spoken Languages later in this article.
Listener (Guest)
Steps
Connect to the meetinghouse “Liahona” Wi-Fi network
Scan the QR code or click on the Listener link provided for interpretation
The Listener page opens with the session name
Select your desired Target Language
Click Connect
Click the speaker icon to start listening to the real-time translation
(6a)If the listener does not have headphones, they may choose to only read the captions.
APPENDIX
Key Reminders and Expectations
Speaker (Host):
Clear, consistent audio is the most important factor affecting interpretation quality. Review the Audio Recommendations below before each meeting.
The Speaker must click Start Recording before listeners can receive interpretation.
Speaker and Listener links remain the same each week unless new links are requested. To request new links, contact your Church Headquarters pilot coordinator.
Do not share the Speaker link. Only the person managing the session should use it.
Only one Speaker (Host) should manage a session at a time.
If using Zoom and Lara Simultaneous Interpreter together, use separate devices when possible. If only one device is available, access both through a web browser.
Listener (Guest):
Use a personal device to receive interpretation.
When using a phone or tablet, headphones are strongly recommended to improve audio quality and help prevent feedback.
Listeners may join after the Speaker has started the session.
Each listener may select a different language.
A delay between the original speech and the interpreted audio is expected.
On-screen captions typically appear before the interpreted audio because audio processing requires additional time.
General:
Lara Simultaneous Interpreter is currently being used as part of an approved pilot. Interpretation quality, features, and the overall user experience will continue to improve throughout the pilot.
The quality of the interpretation depends primarily on the quality of the audio provided to the system.
Everything runs in a supported web browser. No application installation is required.
Audio Recommendations
The quality of the interpretation depends primarily on the quality of the audio provided to Lara Simultaneous Interpreter. Clear audio will produce more accurate and natural interpretation, while poor audio may result in reduced accuracy, missed words, or increased delay.
Speaker (Host)
For the best interpretation quality:
Whenever possible, connect the Speaker device directly to the chapel sound system.
Minimize background noise near the Speaker device.
Speak clearly, at a normal conversational pace, and avoid speaking excessively fast.
Pause briefly between speakers or when changing languages to help the system process the audio.
Use an external microphone if a direct chapel audio connection is not available.
Ensure the Speaker device has a reliable internet connection.
If using Zoom and Lara Simultaneous Interpreter at the same time, use separate devices when possible. If only one device is available, use a web browser for both applications.
To select the audio input, click the Settings button near the bottom of the Speaker page:
Recommended audio setup (best to least preferred)
1. Line-level audio from the chapel sound system (Best)
Connecting directly to the chapel sound system provides the clearest and most consistent audio and is the recommended setup whenever possible.
2. External Microphone
If a direct chapel audio connection is not available, use a dedicated external microphone (Like a bluetooth microphone) connected to the Speaker device. Position the microphone as close to the person speaking as practical while minimizing background noise.
3. Built-in device microphone (least preferred)
If no external audio equipment is available, use the device’s built-in microphone.
For best results:
Place the device as close as practical to the speaker.
Keep the microphone unobstructed.
Reduce nearby conversations and other background noise.
Position the device where it has a strong and stable internet connection.
If you need help connecting to the chapel audio system, contact your Facilities Manager.
Multiple Spoken Languages
If more than one language will be spoken during the meeting, you have two options:
Option 1: Autodetect Language Link
Requires a separate Speaker link
Uses a different Listener link than the primary session
Automatically detects the language being spoken
Note: Interpretation quality may be lower when using autodetect.
Contact your pilot coordinator if you would like to use this option
Option 2: Separate Links for Each Language
Request a separate Speaker link for each language
Each Speaker link has a corresponding Listener link
This option may provide more consistent interpretation quality
Support and Troubleshooting
Unable to connect to the “Liahona” Wi-Fi network
If someone cannot connect to the Liahona Wi-Fi network:
Verify that the correct password has been entered.
Confirm that the device is attempting to connect to Liahona rather than another wireless network.
Need additional assistance?
During the pilot:
Contact the Facilities Manager or submit a ticket using the Church’s Facilities Incident Reporting (FIR) mobile app if:
The issue is related to the meetinghouse internet or Wi-Fi network.
You need assistance connecting to the chapel audio system.
There is a problem with the chapel audio system.
Contact your Area or Church Headquarters pilot coordinator if:
The issue is related to the Lara by Translated website.
You have questions about the pilot.
You would like to request additional Speaker or Listener links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can more than one Speaker (Host) manage a session?
No. Only one Speaker (Host) should manage a session at a time. Multiple hosts can create conflicts and may negatively affect session performance.
What if someone who needs interpretation does not have a personal device?
If a personal device is not available, one option is to display the text captions on a TV, projector, or other large display.
Lara Live provides a subtitle link specifically designed for larger displays.
To use this feature, replace /listener/ with /subtitle/ in the Listener URL.
Example
Change:
https://sim.laralive.com/listener/...
To:
https://sim.laralive.com/subtitle/...
Another option is to connect a device to a TV or projector in another room of the meetinghouse. The device can join the Listener link to play the interpreted audio while also displaying the captions, allowing participants to both hear the interpretation and read the captions.
Why do the captions appear before the interpreted audio?
This is expected behavior.
Text captions can usually be displayed more quickly than interpreted audio because additional processing is required to generate natural-sounding speech. As a result, captions will often appear before the audio is heard.
What provides the best interpretation quality?
The quality of the interpretation depends primarily on the quality of the audio received by the system.
For the best results:
Use the chapel sound system whenever possible.
Minimize background noise.
Speak clearly at a normal conversational pace.
Use an external microphone if a chapel audio connection is not available.
Ensure a reliable internet connection.
When using phones or tablets, listeners should use headphones whenever possible.
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