Leading our stake to the temple with an increase in temple workers called

18 May 2013

Dear Bishops,

Some of you are old enough to remember the days when members in the Northwest had to travel to Oakland, Idaho Falls or even Salt Lake City to attend the temple. It was a commitment of several days.

Later the Seattle Temple was built and members gladly devoted nearly a full day each month to attend the temple.

It was upon the foundation of this level of temple commitment and sacrifice that the Church in this area has grown from one to 20+ stakes in just a few decades.

We are now blessed to have a temple less than an hour away, but our sacrifice, at times, is minimal.

Bishops, will you please help our members discover again the joy of sacrificing to enjoy the blessings of the temple?

This is why I am asking you to recommend many more in your ward to serve in the temple. I have known many members, who responded reluctantly to a telephone call asking them to meet with a member of the temple presidency. I confess I was one of them four years ago. But in all my years in the Church I have yet to hear any, who accepted a call to be a temple worker, ever exclaim, “I can’t wait to be released from my temple assignment!”

Temple service changes perspective and hearts. It changed mine.

As the one who holds the keys to temple work in this stake, I ask you again to recommend more members for temple service.

And I urge you to change your thinking as to appropriate candidates.

First, begin with those in leadership positions who can serve, specifically those who have responsibility for temple work in our stake (high councilors and those in the high priest group leadership). Having priesthood leaders serve in the temple will do more to lead our members to the temple than all the chapel meetings combined.

Second, consider others whose families would be blessed to have their husband and father serve at least monthly in the temple. Because both sacrifice and temple service will bring the Lord’s Spirit into a home in a very effective way, please do not view temple service as a time burden, but a viable tool to “rescue” endowed, temple- recommend holders…

…Who may have challenges in their marriage or with children;

…Who may lack commitment in their home teaching and other priesthood duties;

…Who may be struggling with putting the gospel first in their life.

Yes, some may decline the opportunity to serve in the temple, but at least let’s give them the opportunity to exercise their agency and no longer live beneath their privileges.

Third, age or occupation should not be obstacles for anyone to serve recognizing there are ways to serve weekly (ordinance worker), monthly (veil worker) or even as available (volunteer).  Please refer to the earlier letter addressed to the High Council and High Priest Group Leadership for details.

Finally, here are some of the key points for your consideration as outlined in Handbook 1, p. 24 about those eligible to serve:

• Males 30 years or older must be married;

• Men with children at home are eligible to serve;

• Mothers with children at home are not eligible, but when the children are gone these wonderful, giving mothers find great fulfillment in temple service;

• Review the Handbook if the person has ever undergone formal discipline;

• Candidates need to be in good health, emotionally stable and dependable;

• Members of stake presidency and bishoprics are not eligible to serve, but hopefully all of us are anticipating that opportunity when we are released.

NOTE: It is very important that you do NOT tell a candidate he or she is being considered or ask them if they want to serve in the temple. We need to afford members the privilege of meeting personally with a member of the temple presidency there to exercise their agency in deciding if or how they will serve.

Please note when submitting a recommendation for a male member, you can check both the “ordinance worker” and “veil worker” boxes so the candidate has the option of choosing, in consultation with a member of the temple presidency, which level of service will best fit their personal and family schedule.

As you can tell, this is important to me. You and I have been charged by a Prophet of God to lead our members to the temple. I have felt strongly that having more members serve in the temple will bring the blessings of the temple and family history into our stake in a much more powerful and complete way than any other approach.

Thank you for giving this your serious and immediate attention.

Leading Our Stake to the Temple through the Sacrifice of Temple Service

Below is a letter addressed to all High Councilors and members of High Priest Group Leaderships on March 31, 2013


Dear Brethren,

 
As the priesthood leaders in our stake, we are charged with the duty to help members make and keep sacred covenants through the saving ordinances of the temple (Handbook 2, 2.1.3). The Handbook also reminds us that, “leaders can best teach others how to be ‘true followers’ by their personal example” (3.1).
Because each of us has the specific responsibility to encourage and coordinate temple and family history work in the stake and ward, we encourage you to attend the temple as often as possible.

 
Furthermore, if you are ever invited to meet with a member of the temple presidency, we encourage you to accept that invitation and give serious consideration to whatever temple service opportunity, if any, may be proposed.

 
There are multiple ways to serve in the temple, including ordinance worker, veil worker and volunteer. The first two come with an obligation to serve a regular six-hour shift. Ordinance workers serve weekly, veil workers serve at least once per month, and volunteers and called-patrons serve regularly depending on the person’s availability.

 
For those of you who are currently serving in the temple as ordinance workers, veil workers or volunteers, we thank you for your continued service.

 
Brethren, we promise you that as we sacrifice to give faithful and consistent service in the temple, the “promises of the fathers” (D&C 2:2) will come into our heart in such a meaningful way that the members of our stake will follow us to the temple to claim the blessings of Heaven awaiting each of us.