“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 24-25
There’s no doubt the Church busies themselves with the most mundane things in life. Taking time on a worldwide stage to announce they’ve modified temple interview questions is a good example of that! With deep pockets there’s ample opportunity to share truth, alas, they forego that blessing with each General Conference. Perhaps they’re ignoring what Jesus did in the temple…
‘And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves…’ Matthew 21:12
Instead of worrying about Jesus’ words, here’s what Nelson had to say via the Deseret News –
“The crowning jewel of the Restoration …is the holy temple,” President Nelson said. “Individual worthiness to enter the Lord’s house requires much individual spiritual preparation. But with the Lord’s help, nothing is impossible. In some respects, it is easier to build a temple than it is to build a people prepared for a temple. Individual worthiness requires a total conversion of mind and heart to be more like the Lord, to be an honest citizen, to be a better example and to be a holier person.”
And as the Bible says, it’s easier to get a camel through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to get into heaven…
Question:
Why isn’t Jesus who died for the world the crowning jewel? May the good Lord have mercy on these people.
Below is a side-by-side account of the new and old version of questions. It seems the list gets longer with each modification without really saying anything new. The biggest thing was the difference between the old #6, and the new #7 where it looks like they’ve toned down their rhetoric. As the adage goes – they’re busy rearranging furniture on the Titanic…
Because the Church has publicly posted their interview questions, it gives the ‘outsider’ a perfect opportunity to ask a Mormon you know what they think of the Church modifying the questions repeatedly. If these truly came from the Lord, why is He always needing to change what He commanded?
Be sure to present the questions you may have for them in a loving manner. The quickest way to stop communications with a Mormon is to ask them about these things in an accusatory tone, even if your questions/concerns are legit. You also might share what Paul said about those who follow the law…
‘For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.’ Galatians 3:10
Paul’s insight should give everyone pause! Remind the Mormon you know that on this side of the cross, we live in grace, not under the Law!
Lastly, if you’re LDS, why would you say yes to question #4? Jesus is the only one on earth who should have authority in your life – not the president/prophet. Christians submit themselves to the authority of Christ, not man.
With Love in Christ;
Michelle
Temple Recommend Interview Questions Modified
Interview Questions for Recommends to Enter a Temple– 2013
| 2013 | 2019 |
| 1. Do you believe in God, the Eternal Father, in his Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost; and do you have a firm testimony of the restored gospel? | 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 sustain the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the prophet, seer, and revelator; and do you recognize him as the only person on the earth authorized to exercise all priesthood keys? | 2 Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and of His role as your Savior and Redeemer? |
| 3.Do you sustain the other General Authorities and the local authorities of the Church? | 3 Do you have a testimony of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ? |
| 4. Do you live the law of chastity? | 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. Is there anything in your conduct relating to members of your family that is not in harmony with the teachings 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 affiliate with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or do you sympathize with the precepts of any such group or individual? | 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 earnestly strive to do your duty in the Church; to attend your sacrament, priesthood, and other meetings; and to obey the rules, laws, and commandments of the gospel? | 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. Are you honest in your dealings with your fellowmen? | 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. Are you a full-tithe payer? | 9 Do you strive to be honest in all that you do? |
| 10. Do you keep the Word of Wisdom? | 10 Are you a full-tithe payer? |
| 11. Have you ever been divorced or are you now separated from your spouse under order of a civil court? If yes,
(a) – Are you current in your support payments and other financial obligations for family members, as specified by court order or in other written, binding commitments? (b) Were there any circumstances of transgression in connection with your divorce or separation that have not been previously resolved with your bishop? |
11 Do you understand and obey the Word of Wisdom? |
| 12. If you have received your temple endowment –
(a) Do you keep all the covenants that you made in the temple? (b) Do you wear the authorized garments both day and night? |
12 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. Has there been any sin or misdeed in your life that should have been resolved with priesthood authorities but has not? | 13 Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple, including wearing the temple garment as instructed in the endowment? |
| 14. Do you consider yourself worthy in every way to enter the temple and participate in temple ordinances? | 14 Are there serious sins in your life that need to be resolved with priesthood authorities as part of your repentance? |
| In each interview, emphasize to the applicant the need to safeguard the recommend. It must never be loaned and should be reported immediately to the issuer if lost or stolen. (Copies may be safely stored in the temple lockers where you change from your street clothes to your temple garments.)
OLD Questions #11 & #12 (replaced by #11a & #11b):
|
15 Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord’s house and participate in temple ordinances? |
Didn’t people go to the (only) temple because they were unworthy?
“A body of men, holding themselves accountable to nobody, ought not to be trusted by anybody”–Thomas Paine, 1791
AMEN, AMEN, AMEN to all you just said!!! And they went there unworthily to learn more about the God who revealed Himself thru His word. They’d NEVER pretend they should change what God said!!!
[…] 2019 we looked at the closing remarks of Mr. Nelson’s talk above which focused on the announcement […]