IS EVERY INTERACTION AT CHURCH A TEMPLE RECOMMEND INTERVIEW?

“Every interaction at church isn’t a temple recommend interview, our job isn’t to determine worthiness!”

My dear friend, a ward YW president, brought this up during ward council where the group was discussing how to create a place of belonging and safety for all to worship the Lord.

The bishop’s counselor suggested they put the phrase on t-shirts.

I think it’s safe to say, unless you happen to be the bishop, none of our interactions should be temple recommend interviews. Not in our heads, and definitely not out loud.

In nearly every single healing interaction we see in the Savior’s ministry, we see the truth of this.

The Pharisees, forever holding temple recommend interviews, slowed down the Savior’s work, as they peppered him with comments that started with “BUT… “

Is it just me, or do you sense an internal sigh in the Savior’s tone as you read how he patiently responds with questions that often turn the focus back on the one asking the question?

I think it is very telling that the first and most important commandment, is where OUR focus should be. Loving God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind. It is a complete personal plan for divine guidance as we learn to become like Him.

The second, is our responsibility to others. To love them as though they were us. He didn’t say love your neighbors like you want to be loved, HE said love them as yourself.

Not a hint of responsibility for making sure OTHERS are following the temple worthiness guidelines.

However, we have been deputized to do proxy work for the Lord. To love and create unity with our neighbors. SO much so that they ARE actually part of us.

When we do the Spirit of the Lord will flow like a current through all of us and we will each know that sweet feeling of love from and belonging to the family of Our Heavenly Parents.

We can do this now, no temple recommend interview needed. - Allison

5 WAYS TO HELP EVERYONE FEEL WELCOME & INCLUDED AT CHURCH

5 ways to help everyone feel welcome & included at church:

When you notice someone is new, go out of your way to warmly greet them, interact with them, and introduce them to other members.

If you notice someone is sitting alone, ask if you can sit with them (or invite them to sit with you).

Consider inviting a family or individual (who you don’t know well) to your home for dinner or FHE.

Wear a rainbow pin (or a rainbow bracelet, etc) to identify yourself as an ally to those who are LGBTQ (whether they are out or not)

If someone looks different than the norm in your ward (perhaps clothing that you don’t normally see in church, or a hairstyle or piercings/tattoos that are not customary in your area), refrain from pointing it out to them. It doesn’t matter. Criticism is not welcoming, even if you mean well.

What is ONE THING that would improve the church experience for LGBTQ members & families?

CLICK TO WATCH THE VIDEO

Recently, I asked Lift+Love Instagram Followers to tell us - what is ONE THING that would improve the church experience for Latter-day Saint LGBTQ members and their families? To see many of the responses, click the video above!