How do we prepare to enter temples?
There are no buildings quite like the Mormon temples. They bear little relation, even, to church buildings or meetinghouses. Rather, "they are houses of instruction. They are places of covenants and promises. At their altars we kneel before God our Creator and are given promise of his everlasting blessings."1 Where church buildings are public and any and all may enter, Mormon temples are intensely sacred. Inside them, eternal ordinances are performed and covenants are made with the Lord. In Mormon belief, what happens inside the temple is essential to salvation, to return to God and live with Him and their families for eternity. Only members of the Mormon Church who have a temple recommend are able to enter a temple after it’s been dedicated to the Lord. And after they have entered the temple, they are asked not to reveal certain sacred covenants.
A Mormon must be a member for at least a year before receiving their recommend. To gain a recommend, one first have an interview with their bishop, who is the leader of the local congregation, or ward. The bishop will ask them a number of questions, then, if he believes the member has answered honestly and is worthy, he will sign the recommend. For (usually younger) members who need a recommend only to perform baptism for the dead, this is all that’s needed. These recommends last a year.
For members who have received their endowments or wish to, they must also be interviewed by the stake leader (who is responsible for several congregations or wards). The questions are the same and the recommend is signed again at the end of the interview. Then, the member signs their own recommend (this is also true for the younger members) and is considered worthy to enter. This recommend is valid for two years.
What are the questions Mormons must answer to enter a Mormon temple? They are not complex or secret. Primarily, the member who would enter needs to believe in basic Mormon doctrine and follow the rules of the Church.
Members are asked if they:
- Believe in God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost
- Believe that Jesus is their Savior and Redeemer
- Believe that the gospel was restored by the Lord, through the prophet Joseph Smith.
- Support the prophet (currently Gordon B. Hinckley) and other leaders of the church
- Obey the law of chastity (no sex outside of marriage)
- Refrain from abusing family members
- Hold no affiliation or agreement with those who fight against the Mormon Church
- Attend church meetings
- Are honest with their fellowmen
- Pay a full tithing (which is ten percent of their income)
- Keep the Word of Wisdom (the Mormon code of health, which forbids the use of alcohol, among other substances)
- Pay child support (if applicable)
- Keep the covenants they made previously in the temple
- Wear the temple garment (Mormon underwear), if applicable (they’ve received their endowments)
Referring to Mormon temples, President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "[Members] are expected to come clean in thought, clean in body, and clean in dress to enter the temple of God. As they enter they are expected to leave the world behind them and concentrate on things divine." 2
(1) Gordon B. Hinckley, “Why These Temples?” Tambuli, June 1992, 3
(2) Gordon B. Hinckley, “Why These Temples?” Tambuli, June 1992, 3