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Prince’s Research Excerpts: Temples & Mormonism – 1981

Below you will find Prince’s research excerpts titled, “Temples, 1981.” You can view other years here.

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TEMPLES, 1981.

1981:    Oct.:  Appropriate attire to enter temples.

“The conduct, clothing, and grooming of temple patrons should show their reverence for the temple and its ordinances.  Members should dress to enter the temple the same as they should dress to attend sacrament meeting.  However, brethren should wear clean white shirts and ties when they enter the temple to witness a marriage.  A suit jacket is encouraged but is optional in hot climates.”  (“Bulletin,” No. 16, Oct., 1981)

14 Nov.:  Any temple room may be used for 2nd anointings.

“It [2nd anointing] is always given under the direction of the President of the church who usually alerts Sonne to ‘prepare a room’ for the ordinance (in Oakland) by letter.  It may be given in any temple room if it is so dedicated and set apart.”  (David Buerger interview with Richard B. Sonne, Oakland Temple President, 14 Nov., 1981.  Bergera notes)

2 Dec.:  Recommends following divorce, separation, etc.

“The Council of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve recently approved the following changes in the procedure governing the issuance of temple recommends, where divorce, separation or annulment are involved, which supersede the procedure set forth in Supplement #3 to the General Handbook of Instructions, page 7:

An individual who has been a party to a divorce, legal separation, or an annulment may be granted permission to go to the temple by the stake president without clearance by the First Presidency.  Such persons desiring to obtain temple recommends should be carefully interviewed by both the bishop or branch president and stake president to determine their worthiness.  The events leading to the breakdown of the marriage should be carefully reviewed in connection with the issuing of the first recommend after the divorce, legal separation or annulment.  Thereafter, temple recommends may be issued according to the usual procedure.  Where serious transgressions were committed, appropriate disciplinary action should have been taken.  Temple recommends issued after serious transgressions must not be granted routinely.  Divorce clearances for members living in missions may be granted by mission presidents according to the same procedures.

If a worthy man who has had a wife sealed to him remarries after the wife’s death or final decree of divorce, his new wife may be sealed to him, provided she is not already sealed to another man.  It is not necessary to cancel the sealing of the former wife to him or to receive her permission if she is living.

If a person sealed to a spouse commits adultery that causes a divorce or contributes to the breakup of a home, that person cannot be sealed to the one with whom the adultery was committed.  The First Presidency must authorize any exceptions.”  

(First Presidency Circular Letter, 2 Dec., 1981)

Dec.:  Temple garment for military personnel.

“The First Presidency has approved a crew-neck top for the two piece temple garment for men serving in the military forces.  This top meets military requirements to wear crew-neck T-shirts.  The new top is 100 percent cotton.  It is available through the Beehive Clothing distribution center only and may be purcahsed in person or by mail order as a special order item at Beehive Clothing. . . . At present, these tops will be sold only to members serving in the military forces, including active duty, reserve, and National Guard components, due to limited quantities available.  Proof of military status will be required at the time of purchase. . . . As soon as production permits, the top will be available in all Beehive Clothing distribution centers for all members.”  (“Bulletin,” No. 18, Dec., 1981)