26.3

General Guidelines for Issuing Temple Recommends

Authorized priesthood leaders conduct worthiness interviews before a member can receive a temple recommend. Instructions are in the temple recommend book. Priesthood leaders should issue a recommend only if the member answers the temple recommend questions appropriately.

Temple recommend interviews allow members to demonstrate that they have a testimony and are striving to obey God’s commandments and follow His prophets. Priesthood leaders also affirm, through the interview, that the member is worthy.

Temple recommend interviews should not be rushed. They should be private. However, the person being interviewed may invite another adult to be present. A youth may invite a parent or another adult to be present during an interview for a limited-use recommend.

Priesthood leaders should not add any requirements to those that are outlined in the temple recommend book. Nor should they remove any requirements. However, when issuing limited-use recommends to youth, leaders adapt the questions to the age and circumstances of the youth.

Sometimes members have questions during a temple recommend interview. The priesthood leader may explain basic gospel principles. He may also help members understand the temple recommend questions if needed. However, he should not present his personal beliefs, preferences, or interpretations as Church doctrine or policy.