Temple Worthiness Interview (Part 1)
In this part 1 of 2 episodes, Bryan and Layne pull back the curtain on Mormonism’s temple recommend—walking through the 16 worthiness questions, why they emphasize loyalty and performance over Jesus’ finished work, and what the Bible says about true access to God.
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What Is a Temple Recommend in Mormonism?
In this episode, Bryan and Layne take listeners inside one of the most important—and least understood—practices in Mormonism: the temple recommend interview.
For members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), receiving a temple recommend is like getting a spiritual passport. Without it, you cannot enter Mormon temples, where sacred ordinances such as baptisms for the dead, eternal marriages, and endowments are performed. To get one, every member must answer the same 16 “worthiness questions” in interviews with both their local bishop and their stake president.
Layne, who held temple recommends for decades before leaving Mormonism, explains what these questions are, what they test, and how they compare with the Bible’s teaching about salvation, worthiness, and grace.
What Is a Temple Recommend?
A temple recommend is a physical card (now often digitized) that allows a Mormon to enter any LDS temple worldwide. It is valid for two years, after which the member must repeat the interview process to renew it.
For many Mormons, obtaining a recommend is the pinnacle of religious devotion. From childhood classes to teenage priesthood offices, LDS culture builds anticipation for the temple. Preparation includes six weeks of temple prep classes and then the recommend interview.
The interview itself consists of 16 standardized questions. These questions are designed to measure whether someone is “worthy” to enter the temple. But as Layne explains, they often test external performance more than internal faith.
What the Questions Really Test
The first few questions sound straightforward:
- Do you have faith in God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost?
- Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His role as Savior and Redeemer?
At face value, many Christians could answer “yes.” But the problem arises in the definitions. A biblical Christian would describe God as one eternal Being in three persons—the Father, Son, and Spirit. Yet Mormonism defines them as three separate gods. Similarly, Mormons often emphasize Jesus’ suffering in Gethsemane rather than His finished work on the cross.
The result? The questions aren’t just about belief in God or Christ—they’re about belief in the LDS version of God and Christ.
Other questions reveal more clearly the institutional loyalty expected:
- Do you have a testimony of the “restoration” of the gospel through Joseph Smith?
- Do you sustain the current prophet and apostles as seers and revelators?
- Do you support or promote any teachings contrary to those of the LDS Church?
One “wrong” answer can disqualify you from temple access. As Layne puts it, these questions measure whether you are following the system—not whether you truly trust in Jesus.
Sensitive and Personal Questions
Some questions also probe deeply into personal morality:
- Do you live the law of chastity (sexual purity)?
- Is your family life in harmony with church teachings?
- Do you keep the Sabbath day holy by attending church and avoiding prohibited activities?
For young people, this can mean sitting in closed-door interviews with male bishops who ask about pornography use or sexual struggles. Layne reflects as a father how troubling this practice is—especially for daughters as young as 12 who are required to answer these questions alone with an older man.
While purity matters, the Bible makes clear that true cleansing comes through Christ’s sacrifice, not through checking boxes in an interview.
The Bible’s View of Worthiness
The temple recommend questions highlight the contrast between Mormonism and the Bible. In Mormonism, worthiness is measured by performance, institutional loyalty, and adherence to man-made rules. In the Bible, worthiness is found only in Christ:
- “It is finished.” John 19:30 (NLT)
- “God saved you by his grace when you believed… Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)
- “People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT)
The gospel is not about earning access to God through interviews or rituals. It’s about receiving His finished work by faith.
Why It Matters
For LDS members, the pressure to qualify for a temple recommend can be overwhelming. Many live in fear of failing to measure up. Some bend the truth to get a “yes.” Others are tormented by conscience, wondering if they’re ever “good enough.”
The good news of the Bible is that no one is good enough—and that’s why Jesus came. His perfect righteousness, not ours, is what gives us access to God.
As Layne reflects, “These questions are laying out my righteousness. But the gospel points me to Christ’s righteousness.”
Key Takeaways
- A temple recommend is required for Mormon temple worship and is renewed every two years.
- Members must answer 16 questions about belief, morality, and loyalty to LDS leadership.
- Many questions sound biblical but carry LDS definitions that differ from historic Christianity.
- The system measures outward performance, but the Bible emphasizes inward faith in Christ.
- True worthiness before God is found in Jesus’ finished work, not in our answers to man-made tests.
