Is Current Temple Rec. Prerequisite to Get Celestial Glory?

[freedomfightercaptain of 1,000]

Whoops, go to the next one.

[freedomfightercaptain of 1,000]

For those new members to the forum, I resurrect this thread. What are your thoughts?

I still contend that as long as a person strives to live up to the covenants made, only one session is all is required...and that is the person's first acceptance of his/her own endowment. No one that I know of ever said that it takes several sessions thereafter to complete the sealing.

I still contend that a current recommend is not a prerequisite for entrance into the Celestial Kingdom.

[Gadcaptain of 1,000]

D&C 76:51 They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given—

CK requirements:
1)Baptism
2)Testimony of Jesus

2Nephi 32:5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.

6 Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the
things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.

CK Req

1)Enter in by the way (Faith, Repentance, Baptism, follow HG)
2)Something Jesus says after He manifests Himself to you.

What does He say?

Testimony of Jesus = What he says when He manifests Himself to you = This is Jesus testifying that you are saved... It is Him telling you the more sure word of prophecy.

“THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS” meant according to Joseph Smith. “First Chapter second Epistle of Peter. The first four verses are the preface to the whole subject. There are three grand Keys to unlock the whole subject. First what is the knowledge of God, Second what is it to make our calling and election sure. Third and last is how to make our calling and election sure. Ans, it is to obtain a promise from God for myself that I shall have Eternal life. that is the more sure word of prophecy. Peter was writing to those of like precious faith with them the Apostles First TO BE SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE THAT IS THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS.” (Words of Joseph Smith, p. 209)

Nothing in there about a current temple recommend.

[freedomfightercaptain of 1,000]

D&C 76:51 They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given—

CK requirements:
1)Baptism
2)Testimony of Jesus

2Nephi 32:5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.

6 Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the
things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.

CK Req

1)Enter in by the way (Faith, Repentance, Baptism, follow HG)
2)Something Jesus says after He manifests Himself to you.

What does He say?

Testimony of Jesus = What he says when He manifests Himself to you = This is Jesus testifying that you are saved... It is Him telling you the more sure word of prophecy.

“THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS” meant according to Joseph Smith. “First Chapter second Epistle of Peter. The first four verses are the preface to the whole subject. There are three grand Keys to unlock the whole subject. First what is the knowledge of God, Second what is it to make our calling and election sure. Third and last is how to make our calling and election sure. Ans, it is to obtain a promise from God for myself that I shall have Eternal life. that is the more sure word of prophecy. Peter was writing to those of like precious faith with them the Apostles First TO BE SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE THAT IS THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS.” (Words of Joseph Smith, p. 209)

Nothing in there about a current temple recommend.

So you agree with me?

I am reminded of a story I heard many, many years ago.

I don't think I'll do it any justice after such a long time but here goes. A man had a dream/or vision about how he saw a multitude of men trying to get inside the temple ...even to the point of waving their recommends in the air as tjhey stood outside the temple doors. But they could not enter. The reason...because they were treating their wives horribly. In essence they were not living up to their covenants of marriage. They were not treating their wives with respect, honor and love. But because they held a recommend, they assumed that that was sufficient enough to get in. Wrong!

So, it matters not whether a person has a recommend, it matters on how we conduct ourselves with or without one. And i think if a person tries to be kind and considerate, loving, good and so on...then they should be able to go to the Celestial kingdom having attended the temple from the start and living up to it.

[keeprunningcaptain of 100]

Man looks on the outward appearance (how many times do you go to the temple) but God looks inward on the heart.

[freedomfightercaptain of 1,000]

Man looks on the outward appearance (how many times do you go to the temple) but God looks inward on the heart.

Absotively and posilutely. Good points.

[sbsioncaptain of 1,000]

no

[gruden2.0captain of 100]

I seem to recall Alvin Smith never set foot in a temple in mortality, yet his younger brother saw him in the celestial kingdom in a vision.

People seem awful worried about a small slip of paper, as if having it guarantees them of something, yet it guarantees nothing. What are we taught in the temple? What we are taught are promises of things that may be and a pattern, but how few actually go through the pattern and actualize what is promised? If you think you're going to the celestial kingdom simply by the fact you have your endowment and a slip of paper in your wallet, you are mistaken. There we are shown what to do in order to get the guarantee, not actually get the guarantee itself.

Getting welcomed through the veil is supposed to happen in this life. It represents a transition in mortality - the quickening. When you die, you're on the other side of the veil by default, and the test is over, whether you've successfully completed it or not.

The Book of Mormon teaches us that when we're resurrected we inherit the type of body that we put down in the grave. If our body received no promise of celestial glory, then we have no promise that our resurrected body will be capable of standing in God's presence thereafter. Therefore, we need to bring it into God's presence while in the flesh in order to be sure we can tarry there afterward.

If we don't, I guess we can hope we're judged like Alvin, but do we want to simply hope, or be sure?

[davedancaptain of 1,000]

When you are worthy through Christ to enter the temple you are worthy through Christ to enter in Gods presence and the Celestial Kingdom. If you lived in a poor country with no accessible temple, you may only go once in your life. The imoortant thing in this case is to always remein worthy to go to the temple even if you can never go again. Here is the scriptural basis for the Temple Recommend Questions:

1 Cor 5:11-13 "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person."

No fornication - sexual sin will disqualify.
No coveting - must love God more than mammon. Paying tithing demonstrates your love for God over money.
No idolatry - no false gods. You must have a testimony of Jesus Christ and the restored gospel
Not a railer - not guilty of abusing spouse or children.
Not a drunkard - keeps word of wisdom
No extortion - "are you honest in your dealings with your fellow men"?

[freedomfightercaptain of 1,000]

When you are worthy through Christ to enter the temple you are worthy through Christ to enter in Gods presence and the Celestial Kingdom. If you lived in a poor country with no accessible temple, you may only go once in your life. The imoortant thing in this case is to always remein worthy to go to the temple even if you can never go again. Here is the scriptural basis for the Temple Recommend Questions:

1 Cor 5:11-13 "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person."

No fornication - sexual sin will disqualify.
No coveting - must love God more than mammon. Paying tithing demonstrates your love for God over money.
No idolatry - no false gods. You must have a testimony of Jesus Christ and the restored gospel
Not a railer - not guilty of abusing spouse or children.
Not a drunkard - keeps word of wisdom
No extortion - "are you honest in your dealings with your fellow men"?

Great things to consider and cling to, davedan. Have you ever encountered or known of anyone being looked upon with scorn by somebody, a recommend holder, when they learn that you or they may not have a recommend? That gesture alone makes me shutter to think that that person doing the scorning thinks they are beyond improvement in their attitude.
And sometimes just because one doesn't have a recommend, those around him think that he has done something horrible. I saw that a lot when living in Utah.

[coachmarcMy own worst enemy]

I only skimmed over the answers. To the OP: The ONLY requirement is baptism, which is the gate. One must be born of water and of the Spirit. Keep your baptismal covenants, endure to the end and you will obtain salvation in the celestial kingdom.

[davedancaptain of 1,000]

We should never unrighteously judge anyone. It's the members job to fellowship and love one another. Leave the judgement part to the Bishop.

[freedomfightercaptain of 1,000]

We should never unrighteously judge anyone. It's the members job to fellowship and love one another. Leave the judgement part to the Bishop.

You are so correct. I only wish this held true in reality.

[coachmarcMy own worst enemy]

We should never unrighteously judge anyone. It's the members job to fellowship and love one another. Leave the judgement part to the Bishop.

You are so correct. I only wish this held true in reality.

The thing about charity, which I have barely begun to truly understand, is that while it is something to be cultivated, it is also something you are endowed with, and infused with, when you are born of the Spirit. And when your heart begins to swell with this unconditional love that suffers and is longsuffering, not only do you tend not to judge others, or hate them, but their judgments and hatred of you become water off a duck's back. You begin to see the hurt and the pain and the cynicism in others and you begin to see the potential to heal their broken hearts.

[awakecaptain of 100]

I do not believe one needs a temple recommend to get to the Celestial Kingdom, nor is it proof of anyone's righteousness or that they are enduring to the end. Most members and leaders I know who possess a recommend are not living righteously and are deceived to support and do great evils, even though they are very nice people who do alot of good. They are blind to the evil they do and have not Charity.

Charity and 'not being deceived to do or support evil' (D&C 45 & 76) is the prerequisite for the Celestial Kingdom. So it doesn't matter who has a recommend or how many times they go to the temple, for if they haven't charity and are deceived to support evil, especially politically as well as spiritually, as it seems everyone is today in the Church, except a few, then it will not be well with us.

Joseph Smith says that those with Charity can't be deceived because they have the Holy Spirit as their guide to tell them the truth of all things. So that is the key. But those who possess such Charity and the Holy Spirit are very rare.

And everyone must eventually repent in the Spirit world and accept the Gospel and the ordinances done for them, but that still won't get them to the Celestial Kingdom unless they lived righteous lives 'while they were on earth', and would have lived the Gospel valiantly if they had known about it. Evil people sitting in Spirit Prison can't be saved to the Celestial Kingdom once they repent no matter how much temple work one may do for them, they will go to the Kingdom they merited by their works on earth.

[sbsioncaptain of 1,000]

I seem to recall Alvin Smith never set foot in a temple in mortality, yet his younger brother saw him in the celestial kingdom in a vision.
If we don't, I guess we can hope we're judged like Alvin, but do we want to simply hope, or be sure?

exactly, a temple recommend has NOTHING to do with enterning the Celestial kingdom, see DC 137:9

[freedomfightercaptain of 1,000]

I seem to recall Alvin Smith never set foot in a temple in mortality, yet his younger brother saw him in the celestial kingdom in a vision.
If we don't, I guess we can hope we're judged like Alvin, but do we want to simply hope, or be sure?

exactly, a temple recommend has NOTHING to do with enterning the Celestial kingdom, see DC 137:9

D&C 137:9 states we will be judged by our works, according to the desires of our hearts.

Here is a list of references as a followup:

TOPICAL GUIDE
Good Works
See also God, Will of; Good; Grace; Justice; Righteous; Works
2 Chr. 15: 7..........................................................Be ye strong . . . for your work shall be rewarded.
Ps. 28: 4, (Rev. 2: 23).............................................Give them according to their deeds.
Ps. 62: 12, (Prov. 24: 12, 29; Rom. 2: 5-11)....................renderest to every man according to his work.
Eccl. 12: 14..........................................................God shall bring every work into judgment.
Jer. 17: 10, (Jer. 32: 19)..........................................to give every man according to his ways.
Micah 6: 8...........................................................do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly.
Matt. 5: 6............................................................they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness.
Matt. 5: 16...........................................................that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father.
Matt. 7: 12...........................................................whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.
Matt. 7: 16...........................................................Ye shall know them by their fruits.
Matt. 13: 23.........................................................received seed into the good ground . . . beareth fruit.
Matt. 16: 27, (1 Cor. 3: 8; Alma 9: 27-28; D&C 138: 59)......shall reward every man according to his works.
Matt. 25: 40.........................................................as ye have done it unto one of the least of these . . . ye have done it unto me.
John 3: 21............................................................he that doeth truth cometh to the light.
John 8: 39............................................................If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
John 9: 4..............................................................I must work the works of him that sent me.
Acts 10: 35...........................................................he that . . . worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Rom. 2: 13...........................................................doers of the law shall be justified.
2 Cor. 5: 10..........................................................receive . . . according to that he hath done.
Gal. 6: 4..............................................................let every man prove his own work.
Gal. 6: 7..............................................................whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Eph. 2: 10............................................................created in Christ Jesus unto good works.
Eph. 5: 9..............................................................fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness.
2 Tim. 3: 17..........................................................perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Titus 3: 8.............................................................be careful to maintain good works.
Heb. 13: 21...........................................................Make you perfect in every good work to do his will.
James 1: 22..........................................................be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.
James 1: 27..........................................................Pure religion . . . is this, To visit the fatherless.
James 2: 22..........................................................by works was faith made perfect.
James 2: 26..........................................................faith without works is dead.
James 4: 17..........................................................him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not.
1 Pet. 1: 17,(Rev. 20: 12-13; 1 Ne. 15: 32; Mosiah 3: 24; Alma 33: 22; D&C 19: 3; D&C 76: 111; D&C 137: 9) Father . . . judgeth according to every man’s work.
1 Pet. 2: 12..........................................................your good works . . . glorify God.
2 Pet. 1: 5...........................................................add to your faith virtue.
1 Jn. 3: 18............................................................let us not love in word . . . but in deed.
1 Jn. 3: 22............................................................we receive of him, because we keep his commandments.
Rev. 22: 14...........................................................blessed are they that do his commandments.
Jacob 2: 19...........................................................riches . . . seek them for the intent to do good.
Mosiah 2: 1...........................................................when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.
Mosiah 5: 15, (Mosiah 7: 24).......................................always abounding in good works.
Alma 5: 41............................................................if a man bringeth forth good works.
Alma 13: 3............................................................called . . . on account of their exceeding faith and good works.
Alma 26: 22..........................................................bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually.
Alma 34: 28..........................................................if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain.
Alma 34: 32..........................................................this life is the day for men to perform their labors.
Morm. 9: 29..........................................................see that ye do all things in worthiness.
D&C 6: 13.............................................................If thou wilt do good . . . thou shalt be saved.
D&C 6: 33.............................................................Fear not to do good.
D&C 18: 38............................................................by . . . their works you shall know them.
D&C 58: 27............................................................do many things of their own free will.
D&C 64: 33............................................................be not weary in well-doing.
D&C 76: 17............................................................They who have done good in the resurrection of the just.
D&C 81: 4.............................................................do the greatest good.
D&C 105: 24..........................................................neither boast of faith nor of mighty works.
D&C 112: 34..........................................................to recompense every man according as his work.
D&C 121: 25..........................................................time appointed for every man, according as his works.
A of F 13..............................................................We believe in . . . doing good.
See also Job 34: 11; Isa. 1: 17; John 14: 15; Philip. 2: 12; 2 Ne. 25: 23; Mosiah 4: 26; Moro. 9: 6; D&C 98: 11.

[sbsioncaptain of 1,000]

hey., that was great