Each member of the Mormon Church must undergo an interview process to receive their temple recommendation. This happens when they’re preparing to go to the temple for the first time, need to have their temple-recommend renewed for two years, or are going to perform baptisms for the dead on a Youth Temple Trip.
According to Newsroom, the Church’s website explains the changes as follows:
“Temple recommend questions have been periodically clarified or adjusted to meet the needs and circumstances of God’s children. These current updates clarify, but do not change, worthiness requirements to enter a temple.”
These are the new questions, compared with the old temple recommend interview questions. The new questions are bold.
1.Do you have faith in and a testimony of God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost?
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 Christ and of His role as Savior and Redeemer?
2* Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His role as your Savior and Redeemer?
3.Do you have a testimony of the restoration of the gospel in these the latter days?
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 who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys?
Do you sustain 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 authorities of the Church?
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.Do you live the law of chastity?
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.Is there anything in your conduct relating to members of your family that is not in harmony with the teachings of the Church?
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, affiliate with, or agree 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?
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 covenants you have made, to attend your sacrament and other meetings, and to keep your life in harmony with the laws and commandments of the gospel?
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 honest in your dealings with your fellowmen?
9.Do you strive to be honest in all that you do?
10Are you a full-tithe payer?
10.Are you a full-tithe payer?
11.Do you keep the Word of Wisdom?
11.Do you understand and obey the Word of Wisdom?
12.Do you have financial or other obligations to a former spouse or children? If yes, are you current in meeting those obligations?
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.If you have previously received your temple endowment:
Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple?
Do you wear the garment both night and day as instructed in the endowment and in accordance with the covenant you made in the temple?
13.Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple, including wearing the temple garment as instructed in the endowment?
14.Have there been any sins or misdeeds in your life that should have been resolved with priesthood authorities but have not been?
14.Are there serious sins in your life that need to be resolved with priesthood authorities as part of your repentance?
15.Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord’s house and participate in temple ordinances?
15.Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord’s house and participate in temple ordinances?
I sat through many interviews for a temple recommend and they all felt like an interrogation. I was uncomfortable with a man asking me about the type of underwear I was wearing, my personal intimate life, and my home life.
I didn’t like being questioned about where I spent my money, and if I committed any “serious sin”. I’ve always wondered what constituted a serious sin. All sin is serious because all of it separates us from God.
When I was asked question number 7, I never knew what to say, we had a family member who was very critical of the Church and had no qualms about expressing his opinion.
You’ll notice that they are now using the name of Jesus in their questions whereas before they did not. This is part of the church’s push to be considered Christian.
Russell Nelson started this the moment he became president of the Church. He insisted they do away with the names Mormon and LDS and refer to themselves as members of the full name of the Church.
They think by sprinkling the name of Jesus here and there they’re part of the Body of Christ and convince Christians they worship the same Jesus as they do. His name isn’t something you can add to give your church more pizzazz.
His name means something, it has power. It’s not something to be played with.
I pray for Mormons to wake up and see how far their church is from Jesus Christ. I know it takes time to come out of this church and to replace the lies of Mormonism in your mind with God’s Word. I know the Lord will help them if they are willing.
In Christ,
Melissa Grimes
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