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I have the answers to the temple recommend interview. Use these answers and you are guaranteed to pass. Just kidding. I was thinking I would like to share with each other how we generally approach the temple recommend interview, those of us that keep a recommend. The format I suggest and will follow is to give on the first line my short answer. Following that I will give my reader’s digest expansion.
1 Do you have faith in and a testimony of God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost?
I hope.I believe I am a Child of God as I believe I am real. I hope to have faith in Jesus (Christ). I hope to have faith in the Holy Spirit.
2 Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Christ and of His role as Savior and Redeemer?
Yes.What Jesus did drew all men (well, at least a good portion) to him, and brought (increased) oneness with the Father. His ministry redeemed many from darkness and sin. There is deep power and meaning in the principle of atonement.
3 Do you have a testimony of the restoration of the gospel in these the latter days?
Oh, yes!The revelation of the gospel is today! It is being restored at every moment in every corner of the globe. The ministry of Joseph Smith was a part of that.
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?
Yes.They are the constituted authorities of the church. And they are prophets, as are you, my interviewer.
5 Do you live the law of chastity?
Yes.No relating sexually outside marriage.
6 Is there anything in your conduct relating to members of your family that is not in harmony with the teachings of the Church?
Yes.I am sorry to say I exercise unrighteous dominion.
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?
Yes.From Sunday to Saturday. I’m a member of the LDS Church. I’m a registered Republican. I’m a citizen of the United States. I do business with a bank. I am in the world. I seek to agree quickly. I am not a polygamist nor an apostate.
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?
I am earnest and sincere in my discipleship, as you, my intervewer, know. My life is consecrated to Heaven.9 Are you honest in your dealings with your fellowmen?
No.I am ever seeking increased honesty.
10 Are you a full-tithe payer?
Yes.Tithing is the least I can forsake for the Father.
11 Do you keep the Word of Wisdom?
Yes. Better than ever.12 Do you have financial or other obligations to a former spouse or children? If yes, are you current in meeting those obligations?
Yes (to my children). Yes.It’s my privilege to forsake for my family.
13 If you have previously received your temple endowment:
Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple?
I doubt it. Anything in particular?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?
Yes.14 Have there been any sins or misdeeds in your life that should have been resolved with priesthood authorities but have not been?
No.15 Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord’s house and participate in temple ordinances?
Yes.Here are the questions again:
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?
3 Do you have a testimony of the restoration of the gospel in these the latter days?
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?
5 Do you live 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?
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?
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?
9 Are you honest in your dealings with your fellowmen?
10 Are you a full-tithe payer?
11 Do you keep the Word of Wisdom?
12 Do you have financial or other oblgations to a former spouse or 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?
14 Have there been any sins or misdeeds in your life that should have been resolved with priesthood authorities but have not been?
15 Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord’s house and participate in temple ordinances?
I think the best answers are those that come from the heart. Thanks for sharing your heart, Tom. HiJolly
Thanks, Tom, for this topic. Some of my answers are, “I am trying my hardest – and there is nothing that I feel is egregious or that needs confession,” – especially with the questions about honesty and dealings with my family.
I agree with HiJolly. Each individual needs to find a way to answer honestly and sincerely and from the heart – no matter what exact words s/he uses.
Great topic. The notion that anyone would need the answers is very funny on the one hand (because it’s so obvious what the “right” answer is) and on the other hand, it makes me think of a talk at GC a few years back about people who beat themselves up when they are actually worthy. IMO, the behaviour questions and the desire to attend (which implies hope in the belief questions) are sufficient. People wring their hands a lot in this church, excessively. If the answer to any of the questions is “I try” or “I strive” or “I hope,” surely that’s good. This is one of the big things I’m still trying to manage in my mind. I’m a little stage 3 about why these questions are REALLY necessary. I know I said it in another post a while ago but, why not just have one question: the last one. And, what’s the point of asking the last one, if you’re asking all the other ones???
In my mind, I see this one interview every two years as being such a defining part of the culture. Not the interview itself, but what the questions really mean. And the fact that you have to present yourself two different times to go through the process. When looked at objectively, it’s an unusually large part of the cultural paradigm in terms of actual influence. This is what we’re all judged by and this is what people judge others by. (even though we all know they’re not supposed to)
What would the church and the membership and the culture/community be like/feel like if there was just that one question?
Hope this isn’t a threadjack, if so, let’s move it. I’d love to hear peoples thoughts on this. Maybe there’s already been a thread asking my question.
Swimordie, wow, love your post. Now that I am looking at it in a new light now and here is what I see…
The order we have now follows the law of justice
Asking only that one question would be more under the law of mercy
Personally, I really love the Kirtland temple. It was open to all members (and non). No questions asked. Weddings were public affairs.
So, I would see the total law of mercy being an all-inclusive temple.
A good friend of mine had misgivings when the SP asked her if she was honest in all her dealings. She said, “No. I’m not. I work in Human Resources.”. She wasn’t making a joke, though. She really was worried about the fact that she sometimes had to obfuscate in her role at work or to be deliberately vague. He did sign her off, and he told her everyone has to strive to do their best in that respect while also fulfilling their duties in their workplace. I was just reading in the William Clayton journals, and this passage struck me as an early form of “leniency” in allowing members to enter the temple. The second to last paragraph is especially focused on the topic. As the Nauvoo temple was in the first weeks of operation there were no formal recommends, members were allowed to enter unless someone specifically objected. (December 14th 1845, Brigham Young giving instructions on temple ordinances
)…”He then introduced the subject of the brethren making objections to any person being permitted to receive the ordinances, and added that when objections were made he should feel bound to determine whether the person making the objections was a responsible person…To make a man a responsible man he must have the power and ability not only to save himself but to save others, but there are those who are not capable of saving themselves and will have to be saved if they are saved at all by those who are capable of doing it. An objection from such would have no weight on his mind.
When a man objects to another receiving the ordinances, he becomes responsible to answer to God for that mans salvation. And who knows but if he received the ordinances he would be saved, but if we refuse to give him the means he cannot be saved and we are responsible for it.
There is no law to prevent any man from obtaining all the blessings of the priesthood if he will walk according to the commandments, pay his tithes and seek after salvation, but he may deprive himself of them.”
(George D. Smith, “An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton”, p.214)
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