Question: Did Mormon Leaders use temple recommend interviews to "bully" members into supporting Proposition 8?

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Question: Did Mormon Leaders use temple recommend interviews to "bully" members into supporting Proposition 8?

Leaders conducting temple recommend interviews are instructed to not add to nor modify the prescribed questions

Bishops and Stake Presidents and their counselors who conduct temple recommend interviews are instructed to use specific questions to determine temple worthiness of church members and their ability to receive a temple recommend, a document used to gain access to the temple and which is required to participate in temple ordinances. Leaders conducting these interviews are instructed to not add to nor modify the prescribed questions. These questions are generally focused on acceptance of certain core beliefs regarding Jesus Christ and the restoration of the Gospel, including recognizing the priesthood authority of Church leadership, as well as questions regarding specific moral conduct. Responses are up to the member to provide, based on their own conscience. Leaders who unilaterally questioned a member regarding their support of Proposition 8 during the temple recommend interview may be acting contrary to those instructions if they do so without some specific knowledge that there is questionable conduct on the part of the member. However, one question in particular specifically asks about a member's affiliation with individuals or organizations whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose the teachings of the Church. Members who feel that their public position on Proposition 8 may qualify as support or affiliation with such groups and indicate such to the interviewing leader may be further questioned to better understand the individual's qualification for a temple recommend. The temple recommend interview itself was not endorsed as a platform by Church leadership through which local leaders were expected to encourage support for Proposition 8.


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