"Worthy"? (Looking for some clarity)

[Guest]

Hello bc (Thanks for the reply (I appreciate it)

Setting a better example. Being kind. Doing hometeaching. Being a better friend/relative. etc.

With the exception of "hometeaching", maybe Ceeboo can help his Mormon friends to become worthy, no?

Peace,
Ceeboo

No "maybe" required - you're doing it already, for both Mormon & non.

Concerning the "who decides" part, others have already replied that the Bishop/Branch President and the Stake/District/Mission President make the judgement about worthiness. Just to expand a little on that idea, part of the calling of an LDS Bishop is to be a "common judge in Israel".

If you google the phrase you can find lots of in-depth information (authorised & unauthorised sources).

In this respect you should know that the LDS twist on "Judge not that ye be not judged" is "Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged: but judge righteous judgment.” (JST, Matt. 7:1–2).

[_LDSToronto]

Are all the Mormons who can enter the Temple considered "worthy"?
Must you already be "worthy" to help someone else become "worthy"?
How, exactly, does one human being go about helping another human being become "worthy"?
Can you become "worthy" on your own?
Who decides who is (or who is not) "worthy"?
Anything else I should know?

Ceebs,

To the LDS, if a person is "worthy", it means that person is "worthy to enter the temple". In a mechanical sense, it simple means that person has passed a quality check by answering a series of questions favourably in a temple recommend interview. This interview is conducted once every two years for every member. Each member is interviewed first by a member of the bishopric (or branch presidency) and then by a member of the stake presidency (or district/mission presidency). Both interviews are exactly the same.

These are the questions. I've provided the answers that would qualify a member as worthy:

1. Do you believe in God, the Eternal Father, in his Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost; and do you have a firm testimony of the restored gospel?
Correct answer: YES

2. Do you sustain the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the prophet, seer, and revelator; and do you recognize him as the only person on the earth authorized to exercise all priesthood keys?
Correct answer: YES

3. Do you sustain the other General Authorities and the local authorities of the Church?
Correct answer: YES

4. Do you live the law of chastity?
Correct answer: YES

5. Is there anything in your conduct relating to members of your family that is not in harmony with the teachings of the Church?
Correct answer: NO

6. Do you affiliate 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, or do you sympathize with the precepts of any such group or individual?
Correct answer: NO However, this is a really vague question... What does it mean to 'sympathize' with a group or individual? And what groups are we talking about?

7. Do you earnestly strive to do your duty in the Church; to attend your sacrament, priesthood, and other meetings; and to obey the rules, laws, and commandments of the gospel?
Correct answer: YES

8. Are you honest in your dealings with your fellowmen?
Correct answer: YES

9. Are you a full-tithe payer?
Correct answer: YES

10. Do you keep the Word of Wisdom?
Correct answer: YES This only covers coffee, tea, tobacco and drugs, and alcohol. Caffeinated beverages are fine.

11. Have you ever been divorced or are you now separated from your spouse under order of a civil court? If yes,

(a) - Are you current in your support payments and other financial obligations for family members, as specified by court order or in other written, binding commitments?
Correct answer: YES

(b) Were there any circumstances of transgression in connection with your divorce or separation that have not been previously resolved with your bishop?
Correct answer: NO

12. If you have received your temple endowment --

(a) Do you keep all the covenants that you made in the temple?
Correct answer: YES

(b) Do you wear the authorized garments both day and night?
Correct answer: YES

13. Has there been any sin or misdeed in your life that should have been resolved with priesthood authorities but has not?
Correct answer: NO

14. Do you consider yourself worthy in every way to enter the temple and participate in temple ordinances?
Correct answer: YES

An 'incorrect' answer will result in further questioning, and may result in you not receiving a temple recommend, at which point you are 'unworthy to enter the temple'.

You asked if you could help members become worthy again. I'd suggest that worthiness is a very personal decision. Many things can lead to unworthiness, some of which is desired by the member. For instance, I no longer believe that the prophet and apostles are indeed prophets and apostles as the church defines them to be. Does that make me unworthy to enter the temple? Absolutely. Do I require counseling and reform and repentance? Not at all.

Any way, I hope this helped you, Ceeboo.

H.

[_bcspace]

6. Do you affiliate 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, or do you sympathize with the precepts of any such group or individual?
Correct answer: NO However, this is a really vague question... What does it mean to 'sympathize' with a group or individual? And what groups are we talking about?

Undefined. But this gives us some leeway. What is generally known about the indivudal plays a role since we otherwise don't pry.

For example, if I knew someone in my jurisdiction who used a Harvey Milk (a known and self admited sexual predator and homosexual advocate) avatar on some obscure web forums, I would probably not pass them.

It also shows that actual belief in the doctrine is important.

[_jon]

The Affiliation question is really lame.
The meaning behind the question would be better served if it were along the lines of: Do you participate with groups or individuals in activities that are contrary to the stated beliefs of the LDS Church, or provide should groups or individuals with support or encouragement?

Also the Word of Wisdom question is weak because I don't believe the vast majority of temple going Mormons who are significantly overweight can possibly say that they live it.
Do Mormons really eat meat only in times of winter, cold or famine?

[_Yoda]

I believe that the question of association with groups is specifically referring to groups that seek to destroy the Church. That is how it has been explained to me.

[_Ceeboo]

Hi LDST,

(Sorry for the delay in responding. To be honest, I forgot I did this thread and thus, stopped checking in. LOL)

6. Do you affiliate 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, or do you sympathize with the precepts of any such group or individual?

Hmmmmmm?
#6 is making my cerebellum hurt?? (Perhaps an entire new thread is in order?)

Any way, I hope this helped you, Ceeboo.

H.

It was a big help!
Thanks for taking the time to share it with me/us.

Peace,
Ceeboo

[_ErikJohnson]

5. Is there anything in your conduct relating to members of your family that is not in harmony with the teachings of the Church?
Correct answer: NO

Hard to belive any married guy could, upon sober reflection, provide the "correct answer" here. The teaching is this: "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her..." (Ephesians 5).

Are there really LDS guys out there who suppose they are like Jesus and meet the standard? Or has the LDS Church merely lowered the bar in this case?

--Erik

[_Jason Bourne]

6. Do you affiliate 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, or do you sympathize with the precepts of any such group or individual?
Correct answer: NO However, this is a really vague question... What does it mean to 'sympathize' with a group or individual? And what groups are we talking about?

I believe this question has its roots specifically in relation to LDS apostate polygamous groups. It still applies to those. I would assume it would also apply to sympathizing and agreeing with Anti LDS ministries. I

It might even apply to hanging out here!

[_Nightlion]

These are the questions. I've provided the answers that would qualify a member as worthy:

1. Do you believe in God, the Eternal Father, in his Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost; and do you have a firm testimony of the restored gospel?
Correct answer: YES

2. Do you sustain the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the prophet, seer, and revelator; and do you recognize him as the only person on the earth authorized to exercise all priesthood keys?
Correct answer: YES

3. Do you sustain the other General Authorities and the local authorities of the Church?
Correct answer: YES

4. Do you live the law of chastity?
Correct answer: YES

5. Is there anything in your conduct relating to members of your family that is not in harmony with the teachings of the Church?
Correct answer: NO

6. Do you affiliate 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, or do you sympathize with the precepts of any such group or individual?
Correct answer: NO However, this is a really vague question... What does it mean to 'sympathize' with a group or individual? And what groups are we talking about?

7. Do you earnestly strive to do your duty in the Church; to attend your sacrament, priesthood, and other meetings; and to obey the rules, laws, and commandments of the gospel?
Correct answer: YES

8. Are you honest in your dealings with your fellowmen?
Correct answer: YES

9. Are you a full-tithe payer?
Correct answer: YES

10. Do you keep the Word of Wisdom?
Correct answer: YES This only covers coffee, tea, tobacco and drugs, and alcohol. Caffeinated beverages are fine.

11. Have you ever been divorced or are you now separated from your spouse under order of a civil court? If yes,

(a) - Are you current in your support payments and other financial obligations for family members, as specified by court order or in other written, binding commitments?
Correct answer: YES

(b) Were there any circumstances of transgression in connection with your divorce or separation that have not been previously resolved with your bishop?
Correct answer: NO

12. If you have received your temple endowment --

(a) Do you keep all the covenants that you made in the temple?
Correct answer: YES

(b) Do you wear the authorized garments both day and night?
Correct answer: YES

13. Has there been any sin or misdeed in your life that should have been resolved with priesthood authorities but has not?
Correct answer: NO

14. Do you consider yourself worthy in every way to enter the temple and participate in temple ordinances?
Correct answer: YES

Nothing defines the fall of the LDS Church quite like these questions. Pandering to the pride of the world they facilitate the 'unclean', for money and sustaining votes, access to that which is forbidden them by the strictest commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Doctrine and Covenants 97:15-17
15 And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it;
16 Yea, and my presence shall be there, for I will come into it, and all the pure in heart that shall come into it shall see God.
17 But if it be defiled I will not come into it, and my glory shall not be there; for I will not come into unholy temples.


Have you been truly born again and received the regeneration of the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost?

Correct answer: Yes

If the interviewer has the slightest doubt of it they may question further to prove such an one.
How long can the Church continue to sin against the gospel and trample under foot the Holy One of Israel in open defiance and apostasy? Until the cup of their iniquity is full? After they cast out the righteous and seek to destroy their lives every way possible. What is the sign that the Lord has prepared to signal the end of the days of the Gentiles?

Whose unworthy now?

D&C 112:24-26
24 Behold, vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation; and as a whirlwind it shall come upon all the face of the earth, saith the Lord.
25 And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord;
26 First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord.

[_moksha]

For example, if I knew someone in my jurisdiction who used a Harvey Milk (a known and self admited sexual predator and homosexual advocate) avatar on some obscure web forums, I would probably not pass them.

Had Harvey Milk not been assassinated by someone who decided not to pass him, perhaps the two of you could have sat down to discuss these issues during the Book of Mormon musical world tour.

Hope you do not have anything against Penguins with fig leaves.