If you are like me, I have a recommend but haven’t even known about these new questions that I will be asked at the next interview. I thought you would enjoy knowing and reflecting on these new changes.
Church Updates Temple Recommend Interview Questions
While standards to enter a temple stay the same, these modifications better prepare Latter-day Saints for worship in temple.
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.
“Nobody has had as much association with temples in my lifetime as President Nelson,” Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said while traveling with the prophet in Brazil in September. “He has a deep, deep understanding and is willing to do whatever the Lord is guiding him to do. And he is getting that guidance from the Lord.”
President Nelson’s actions in 21 months as leader of the Church back that up. Since becoming Church president in January 2018, President Nelson has announced 35 new temples, has authorized the immediate temple marriage (what the Church formally calls a “sealing”) of couples first married civilly, has implemented changes to temple instruction sessions and has modified the ordinance witness policy to enable all members of the Church (including youth and women) more ways to participate in temple worship.
This adjustment to the temple recommend questions highlights some of the things that matter most as Latter-day Saints carefully prepare to enter a temple. Temples differ from the Church’s chapels, where all are welcome to attend Sunday services and other weekday activities. It is in temples that faithful Latter-day Saints participate in sacred rites such as marriages that unite families forever and proxy baptisms in behalf of deceased ancestors who did not have that opportunity. The Church’s 166 dedicated temples scattered throughout the world are considered the most sacred spaces on earth. It is in these sacred structures—each with the words “house of the Lord” etched onto its exterior—that Christ’s teachings are reaffirmed as members strive to follow His example. Temple worship is therefore a sacred privilege.
The temple recommend permits Latter-day Saint to enter one of the faith’s temples. An adult member of the Church receives two interviews to receive a temple recommend—once by a member of their local bishopric, then by a member of their stake presidency (a regional leader). This recommend is valid for two years. A limited-use recommend for those 11 years of age and older is obtained through an interview with a local bishop. This allows Latter-day Saints, mostly young men and young women, to participate in temple baptisms. This recommend is valid for one year.
“The crowning jewel of the Restoration [the process of fully establishing the Church of Jesus Christ on earth] 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.”
Temple Recommend Questions
The interview questions are made public so members of all ages can better understand the requirements for temple worship and prepare to enter the temple.
The interview questions for temple recommends are below. Verbiage in 11 questions has been modified. Questions 12 and 13 are omitted when youth are interviewed for a limited-use recommend.
As reported in the Church Newsroom, “This adjustment to the temple recommend questions highlights some of the things that matter most as Latter-day Saints carefully prepare to enter a temple.” Quoted Source
The New questions below are quoted from the Church article above. The Old questions I found and I am using them side by side so you can see the difference. The text in blue are my comments about the changes.
Question 1
Old
Do you have faith in and a testimony of God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost?
New
Do you have faith in and a testimony of God, the Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost?
No changes here. I believe this first question is powerful. Faith in and a Testimony of, are action items for us.
Question 2
Old
Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Christ and of His role as Savior and Redeemer?
New
Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and of His role as your Savior and Redeemer?
I love the addition here of the full name of Jesus Christ. This question also helps me think of Him as my personal Savior as just adding the possessive pronoun ‘your.’ This goes along with President Nelson asking us to use the full name of the Church.
Question 3
Old
Do you have a testimony of the restoration of the gospel in these the latter days?
New
Do you have a testimony of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
This Restoration did happen in the Latter-days so that is maybe why that was changed. Adding the gospel of Jesus Christ once again emphasizes the importance of His wonderful name.
Question 4
Old
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?
New
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?
The reason why possesses was dropped, may be because all 15, Prophet and Apostles hold keys.
The second question stays the same.
The third question makes one word different from “authorities” to “leaders.” Maybe to differentiate between the General Authorities and our Local leaders.
Question 5
Old
Do you live the law of chastity?
New
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?
This question has significant changes which to me make it ever more important of a question. It asks a deeper question about striving for moral cleanliness in our thoughts and our behaviors. Morality to me sometimes begins in our mind and heart before we ever act out something that is immoral. Also the word “live” changed to “obey” which is a more important question.
Question 6
Old
Is there anything in your conduct relating to members of your family that is not in harmony with the teachings of the Church?
New
Do you follow the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ in your private and public behavior with members of your family and others?
I really like the emphasis of in private and in public. It reaches deeper into our hearts. This new question includes members of our own family and others as well.
Question 7
Old
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?
New
Do you support or promote any teachings, practices, or doctrine contrary to those of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
The question is much more clear than the old one. To say promote instead of affiliate or agree, seems to me a much stronger focus. Promotion of ideas can be done so quickly now with all the new technology.
Question 8
Old
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?
New
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?
I know the Brethren have focused a lot on keeping the Sabbath day holy. I also have felt a renewed emphasis on Sacrament meeting being the most important meeting as we partake of the emblems and remember Him. We also have an extra hour to worship on the Sabbath with our family at home.
Question 9
Old
Are you honest in your dealings with your fellowmen?
New
Do you strive to be honest in all that you do?
I think striving is the key. We are not all perfect but are we trying every day to be honest? Are we striving in ALL that we do? I like it.
Question 10
Old
Are you a full-tithe payer?
New
Are you a full-tithe payer?
This question is the same. We must answer this question in all honesty of what we believe is a full tithe.
Question 11
Old
Do your keep the Word of Wisdom?
New
Do you understand and obey the Word of Wisdom?
Many people in the Church may not know what the Word of Wisdom is, or what specifically it means. This is a good opportunity for our leaders to spend time talking about this. The phrase to “understand and obey” is very significant. Some people ask about decaffeinated coffee and soft drinks. Now our leaders can help us understand the intent of the commandment, not just the particulars.
Question 12
Old
Do you have financial or other obligations to a former spouse or children? If yes, are you current in meeting those obligations?
New
Do you have any financial or other obligations to a former spouse or to children?
If yes, are you current in meeting those obligations?
The word “any’ is the only change. This way it could include many various forms of obligations owing
Question 13
Old
If you have previously received your temple endowment: 1) Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple? 2) 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?
New
Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple, including wearing the temple garment as instructed in the endowment?
It essentially asks the same thing as the other question. There is a huge emphasis however on “as instructed in the endowment”, which makes us think more about that part of the temple. It’s not just night and day, it’s a deep inner belief of why we do it.
Question 14
Old
Have there been any sins or misdeeds in your life that should have been resolved with priesthood authorities but have not been?
New
Are there serious sins in your life that need to be resolved with priesthood authorities as part of your repentance?
This changes from “any sins” to “serious sins”. It also asks to resolve any current issues right away.
Question 15
Old
Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord’s house and participate in temple ordinances?
New
Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord’s house and participate in temple ordinances?
This last question is exactly the same. I do remember however when we used to be asked, “Do you consider yourself worthy in every way to enter the Lord’s house and participate in temple ordinances?” Sometimes I would question myfself again, but I also knew I was not perfect. I was “striving” to live worthily.
Continuation of quote below:
“Church leaders will begin using these questions immediately. A letter from the First Presidency with further instruction was sent to Church leaders worldwide on Monday.
President Nelson reminded Latter-day Saints Sunday that the coming open houses for temples currently announced or under construction in their area will be an important opportunity to educate their local communities about the what and the why of worship in temples.
“Many friends not of our faith will participate in tours of those temples and will learn something about temple blessings. And some of those visitors will be moved upon to know more,” he said. “Some will sincerely ask how they might qualify for the blessings of the temple. As members of the Church, we will need to be prepared to answer their questions. We can explain that the blessings of the temple are available to any and all people who will prepare themselves.”
As he concluded his remarks about preparing oneself for temple worship, President 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.”
Additional Resources
An Invitation from the Prophet
“The crowning jewel of the Restoration [the process of fully establishing the Church of Jesus Christ on earth] 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… 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.”
Throughout his ministry, President Nelson has invited us to become more committed to the Lord, to become a holier people—to draw nearer to Jesus Christ.
In this conference he said: “Many friends not of our faith will participate in tours of those temples and will learn something about temple blessings. And some of those visitors will be moved upon to know more,” he said. “Some will sincerely ask how they might qualify for the blessings of the temple. As members of the Church, we will need to be prepared to answer their questions. We can explain that the blessings of the temple are available to any and all people who will prepare themselves.”
As he concluded his remarks about preparing oneself for temple worship, President 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.” Quoted Source
