Below you will find Prince’s research excerpts titled, “Temples, 1973.” You can view other years here.
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TEMPLES, 1973.
1973: 26 Jan.: Changes in temple recommends.
“As you know, all temple recommends now expire on April 30th each year. This causes members to seek renewals at or near the same time, which results in heavy loads for the bishops and others involved in issuing and approving recommends, even to the extent of not providing enough time for thorough interviews. In order to correct this condition, it is felt advisable to adopt a new plan under which recommends may be issued all during the year.
Worthy members may secure a temple recommend at any time; however, effective immediately, those previously endowed should be encouraged to apply for renewal recommends during the quarter in which their birthday occurs. If desired, husbands and wives could apply at the same time during the quarter in which either one of them has a birthday.
The following shows the expiration dates for recommends issued in the various months.
Recommends Issued In: Will Expire the Next Year On:
Dec., Jan. and Feb. February 28
Mar., Apr. and May May 31
Jun., Jul. and Aug. August 31
Sep., Oct. and Nov. November 30
During the change over, the expiration date on current recommends will extend where necessary from April 30th to the end of the quarter in which birthdays occur. All members should be encouraged to apply for renewals on or before their birthday.
(Note: All temples will be advised to honor the present outstanding recommends up to November 30, 1973, so as to accommodate those having birthdays late in the year.)
Revised recommend books will soon be available; however, the old books should be used up. The bishops and/or branch presidents or the validating temple should simply cross out the old expiration date of April 30 printed on the present recommend forms. When signing new recommends, the stake or mission president should pick up and destroy the old one.
All temples will be furnished four expiration date stamps, one for each quarter. When recommends are validated at the temple, the official at the recommend desk will stamp the expiration date in the usual place in accordance with the policy set forth above. A different colored stamp pad, uniform in all temples, will be used for each expiration date.
With these changes it is our hope that bishops and others who issue or countersign recommends will interview every applicant in depth so as to make sure that only those who are worthy are recommended to enter the temples.” (First Presidency Circular Letter, 26 Jan., 1973; xerox)
Feb.: Endowments for young, unmarried members.
“Church leaders should not urge young, unmarried members to obtain their endowments unless they are to be married in the temple or are called to serve as missionaries. Members should be authorized to obtain their endowments only when worthiness, age, and maturity justify it.” (“The Priesthood Bulletin,” 9(1):7, Feb., 1973)
Apr.: One-year rule for endowment recommend.
“On March 12, 1973, the First Presidency approved the following change to the second paragraph under Item E, page 92, General Handbook of Instructions:
No person shall be issued a recommend for endowment work until he has been a member of the Church for one year. Only the First Presidency may authorize an exception to this rule.”
(“The Priesthood Bulletin,” 9(2):3, Apr., 1973)
Apr.: Only MP to perform baptisms for dead.
“Only members who bear the Melchizedek Priesthood are to officiate in performing baptisms in the temple.” (“The Priesthood Bulletin,” 9(2):4, Apr., 1973)
Jun.: Unendowed children entering temple for sealing.
“Authorization is hereby given for worthy, unendowed, single children, regardless of age, to enter the temple for the sole purpose of being sealed to their living parents. However, such children shall not be permitted to witness the sealing of their parents to each other but shall be permitted to enter the sealing room for the sole purpose of being sealed to their parents and then shall be excused immediately. Married, unendowed children, regardless of age, shall not be permitted to enter the temple for this purpose.
This item amends Paragraph R, page 96, of the General Handbook of Instructions, 1968.” (“The Priesthood Bulletin,” 9(3):2-3, Jun., 1973)
Jun.: Don’t talk or write about temple ordinances.
“Church members are cautioned and warned against loose talk and writing about ordinances performed in the sacred temples of the Lord. Anything concerning temple ordinances that requires more detailed explanation is to be discussed in the temples with appropriate Church authorities.” (“The Priesthood Bulletin,” 9(3):6, Jun., 1973)
Dec.: Wearing of temple garments by unendowed persons.
“In several instances reported recently, members have commenced to wear temple garments before being endowed. To help prevent this unauthorized practice, the First Presidency has issued the following instruction:
Those who go to the temple for the first time should purchase beforehand part of the temple clothing referred to as the temple garment, of a nonceremonial pattern, bearing the ‘approved pattern’ label so that it can be worn upon leaving the temple. This garment should not be worn until after a member has completed the endowment in the temple.”
(“The Priesthood Bulletin,” 9(6):1, Dec., 1973)
Dec.: Where marriage ceremonies should be performed.
“The most sacred place for a marriage ceremony is in the temple of the Lord, and all members should be encouraged to prepare themselves worthily to receive the blessings of a temple marriage.
Where temple marriage is not possible, the couple should be encouraged to have the civil wedding ceremony performed in the home of one or the other of those being married. (See General Handbook of Instructions, 1968, pages 99 and 100). Next to the temple, the home is the most sacred place to hold this ceremony. Requests to have marriage ceremonies performed in the chapel should be discouraged. Receptions following a temple or civil marriage may be held in ward cultural halls.” (“The Priesthood Bulletin,” 9(6):4, Dec., 1973)
Peter, James and John endowed on Mount of Transfiguration.
“It appears that Peter, James, and John received their own endowments while on the mountain. (Doctrines of Salvation, Vol 2:165) Peter says that while there, they ‘received from God the Father honour and glory,’ seemingly bearing out this conclusion. It also appears that it was while on the mount that they received the more sure word of prophecy, it then being revealed to them that they were sealed up unto eternal life. (2 Peter 1:16-19; D&C 131:5)” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Vol 1:400; First Edition; Elder Bruce R. McConkie; 1973.)