In a letter sent to church leaders on April 12, 2024, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced a change to temple recommend interview questions. The questions changed focus on the temple garment. The full letter reads:
The Garment of the Holy Priesthood
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
The garment of the holy priesthood is a sacred symbol of Jesus Christ and is a reminder of our covenant relationship with Him and Heavenly Father. As endowed members keep the covenants they have made, including the sacred privilege to wear the garment, they will have greater access to the Savior’s mercy, protection, strength, and power.
The temple recommend questions (13 and 14) and the statement on wearing the temple garment have been updated to help leaders and members better understand the importance of wearing the temple garment as instructed in the initiatory ordinances.
The updated interview questions can be found at Leader and Clerk Resources (lcr.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). The enclosed document, titled “Updated Temple Recommend Questions,” should be inserted into existing temple recommend books replacing page 3. Existing temple recommend books should be used until depleted. Beginning April 17, 2024, updated temple recommend books will be sent to units that order replacements.
Sincerely yours,
Russell M. Nelson
Dallin H. Oaks
Henry B. Eyring
The First Presidency
The original questions are below, with the changes in bold.
Question 13
Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple, including wearing the temple garment as instructed in the endowment? Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple?
Question 14
Do you honor your sacred privilege to wear the garment as instructed in the initiatory ordinances?
The original “Wearing the Temple Garment” statement in the Church Handbook read:
“The temple garment is a reminder of covenants made in the temple and, when worn properly throughout life, will serve as a protection against temptation and evil. The garment should be worn beneath the outer clothing. It should not be removed for activities that can reasonably be done while wearing the garment, and it should not be modified to accommodate different styles of clothing. Endowed members should seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to answer personal questions about wearing the garment.
It is a sacred privilege to wear the garment and doing so is an outward expression of an inner commitment to follow the Savior Jesus Christ.”
It now reads:
“The garment of the holy priesthood reminds us of the veil in the temple, and that veil is symbolic of Jesus Christ. When you put on your garment, you put on a sacred symbol of Jesus Christ. Wearing it is an outward expression of your inner commitment to follow Him. The garment is also a reminder of your temple covenants. You should wear the garment day and night throughout your life. When it must be removed for activities that cannot reasonably be done while wearing the garment, seek to restore it as soon as possible. As you keep your covenants, including the sacred privilege to wear the garment as instructed in the initiatory ordinances, you will have greater access to the Savior’s mercy, protection, strength, and power.”
