Difference between revisions of "Temple Recommend"

Latest revision as of 18:16, 15 December 2024

The Temple Recommend is a certificate issued to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints allowing a member to enter the temple. In order to obtain a recommend, the candidate must indicate worthiness and preparedness to enter the temple by answering specific questions pertaining to his or her faithfulness. The candidate must interview with authorized Church leaders, which include both a member of his or her bishopric (or branch president) as well as a member of his or her stake presidency (or mission presidency). A temple recommend is issued for a period of two years, at which time it can be renewed.

The temple recommend is a small white slip of paper that bears the signatures of the member to whom it is issued, the member of the bishopric, and the member of the stake presidency. Members are not allowed to make copies of the recommend; if the recommend is lost or stolen, the member should ask their bishop (or branch president) to issue a new one. The temple recommend is not transferable.

Some temple districts are using mobile recommends that members are able to keep on their phones. The member goes through the same interviewing process to obtain this type of recommend.

The interview for a temple recommend is guided by questions composed by the First Presidency of the Church. The questions are standard and universal. The first and overriding question is, "Do you have faith in and a testimony of God, the Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost?"

The other interview questions were clarified and adjusted in 2019, as is done periodically, but do not change the need for worthiness required to enter a temple. Also in 2019, the questions were made public "so members of all ages can better understand the requirements for temple worship and prepare to enter the temple."[1] President Russell M. Nelson told Latter-day Saints that “preparatory work brings innumerable blessings in this life and inconceivable blessings for the life to come, including the perpetuation of your family unit throughout all eternity.”[2]

1. Do you have faith in and a testimony of God, the Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost?

2. Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and of His role as your Savior and Redeemer?

3. Do you have a testimony of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

4. Do you sustain the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the prophet, seer, and revelator and as the only person on the earth authorized to exercise all priesthood keys?

Do you sustain the members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators?

Do you sustain the other General Authorities and local leaders of the Church?

5. The Lord has said that all things are to be “done in cleanliness” before Him (Doctrine and Covenants 42:41).

Do you strive for moral cleanliness in your thoughts and behavior?

Do you obey the law of chastity?

6. Do you follow the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ in your private and public behavior with members of your family and others?

7. Do you support or promote any teachings, practices, or doctrine contrary to those of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

8. Do you strive to keep the Sabbath day holy, both at home and at church; attend your meetings; prepare for and worthily partake of the sacrament; and live your life in harmony with the laws and commandments of the gospel?

9. Do you strive to be honest in all that you do?

10. Are you a full-tithe payer?

For new members seeking a recommend to perform proxy baptisms and confirmations: Are you willing to obey the commandment to pay tithing?

11. Do you understand and obey the Word of Wisdom?

12. (This question is omitted when interviewing a child or youth.) Do you have any financial or other obligations to a former spouse or to children?

If yes, are you current in meeting those obligations?

13. (This question is omitted when interviewing a member who is not endowed.) Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple?

14. (This question is omitted when interviewing a member who is not endowed.) Do you honor your sacred privilege to wear the garment as instructed in the initiatory ordinances? (Read the “Wearing the Temple Garment” statement, included below, to each member.)

15. Are there serious sins in your life that need to be resolved with priesthood authorities as part of your repentance?

16. Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord’s house and participate in temple ordinances?

The First Presidency has provided the following guidance on wearing the garment:

“The garment of the holy priesthood reminds us of the veil in the temple, and that veil is symbolic of Jesus Christ. When you put on your garment, you put on a sacred symbol of Jesus Christ. Wearing it is an outward expression of your inner commitment to follow Him. The garment is also a reminder of your temple covenants. You should wear the garment day and night throughout your life. When it must be removed for activities that cannot reasonably be done while wearing the garment, seek to restore it as soon as possible. As you keep your covenants, including the sacred privilege to wear the garment as instructed in the initiatory ordinances, you will have greater access to the Savior’s mercy, protection, strength, and power.”

(The questions are available on the Church website in the General Handbook.)