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I would like to propose a set of threads to explore what it means to honestly answer the temple recommend questions. I think many very deep thinking and personally honest people struggle with the TR interview process, and deny themselves the blessings of the temple when in fact they are worthy. On the other hand, there are those who propose ‘reframing’ the questions and answer them in a way that might not be authentic. What do you think of an investigation of how each one of us might honestly answer the questions, bearing in mind that the answer is typically ‘yes’ or ‘no’ without elaboration? My intent is not to dispute or debate the questions or a person’s answers, but rather, to identify the way that we answer the questions at our various stages of faith.
Each question will be a survey with only a “Yes” or “No” answer, just like in the interview. When you comment, please provide your rationale for answering the question the way you did. Please do not disparage other people’s point of view.
I will post the first question after this post, with the topic “TR Question Survey – Question #1”
Wow. Interesting. I am just now seriously grappling with this issue. To renew or not to renew. My motivations are pretty straighforward. The only reason I am considering renewing is out of consideration for my family. The primary reason I am considering not doing so is out of a desire to maximize my personal integrity, whatever that might mean. I have more to say about this, but will save it for now. I wonder how such a thread can do any better treating this topic than the essay linked on the stayLDS home page, but I’m interested and will withhold my skepticism for now.
I think it would be an interesting discussion, and one that would really clarify what each of us thinks for those times we have to go through the TR process. doug wrote:I wonder how such a thread can do any better treating this topic than the essay linked on the stayLDS home page, but I’m interested and will withhold my skepticism for now.
certainly the essay is useful, but it is one view, and others may be helpful as well.I would be interested in whether people feel that belief, or behavior is what really matters in a TR recommend interview…that might come through in relation to some of the questions. I’d love to participate in these threads. I’ve always thought we are too hard on ourselves or tend to see the questions in only the most fundamentalist fashion. there is a technical problem – survey questions can only be 100 characters, and most questions are longer… and my answer to q1 could never post here…. working on shortening.
I love the idea. As wayfarer said, the essay is one approach, but I would love to explore how differing people here view each of the questions – and especially to see how those who have a temple recommend view the questions. I also like the idea. I’ve expressed my thoughts on the TR interview process a few different times here. For the most part I think the questions are general enough that almost anyone who is genuinely striving to grow closer to God (however it feels right for you to define God) to answer affirmatively. To me it’s not a Mormon admission ticket as much as it is a genuinely divine path reflection. If the questions are a little different than what we would hear in a face to face with God – then we should imagine the actual divine wording. To me it is as simple as that. I also take a personal confirmation of the spirit at the end of the interview as a sign that I answered the right way. wayfarer wrote:there is a technical problem – survey questions can only be 100 characters, and most questions are longer…
and my answer to q1 could never post here…. working on shortening.
Just ask a yes or no in the survey…and post the question in the OP.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
I’m sure the DA and Spock will weigh in….they wont be able to resist such a topic. Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
I would really love to go back to the temple again and could probably come up with a way to answer the questions honestly, but in general I just believe the cultural restrictions are wrong and have no intention of being an orthodox Mormon again. The temple is the gateway to eternal life and I just don’t believe moderate consumption of coffee or alcohol has any relevance to anything Jesus said in the bible about salvation. These things are metrics of your obedience to church leaders, and that has little to do with trusting in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. I could play the game. I did it for 20+ years. I just refuse to. Even after nearly seven years of thoroughly exploring evangelical Protestantism, the Book of Mormon is the single best expression of my personal faith. If I can’t be “saved” based on those things, what is wrong with this picture?
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