REID - There are a goodly number of spanish branches of the LDS church in the U.S.; and mexican members who, notwithstanding..are illegal aliens in the U.S. Many of these obtain temple recommends, oftentimes help from the Bishop's storehouse and Fast Offering funds, etc. What is the LDS church official position on their illegality, meeting the qualifying standard to receive a temple recommend, etc.?

JOEL - As far as I know temple recommends are issued on the basis of personal worthiness and not nationality. I believe it is mostly a "don't ask, don't tell" policy that LDS Bishops follow in regards to giving help or issuing temple recommends for those who might be illegal aliens. The temple recommend interview does not ask about nationality. If the member answers all the questions correctly he is given a recommend. The truthfulness of his answers and his assessment of how his illegal status affects his own personal worthiness is something that is between him and God.
Here's a news article that contains some statements from Church authorities about this:
Churches choose to stay out of questions of status

Return to top

Return to Questions

HOME