In order to ensure that participants face minimal risks from psychological, social, and other factors, ethically sound research interviews must obtain informed consent, maintain participant confidentiality, and go through an internal review board process. Although the purposes of ecclesiastical interviews and research interviews are different, many of the ethical principles used by researchers could be applied to ecclesiastical interviews conducted by local LDS church leaders with some adaptation. Such precautions could help guarantee that our religious practices don’t have any unintended, negative side effects.
In church manuals, the three main types of LDS stake presidency or bishopric interviews are worthiness, youth, and temple recommend interviews. Here are some policy change recommendations that could be incorporated into these ecclesiastical interviews and are motivated by the ethical standards of human subject research:
1) State at the outset that you have the right to terminate the interview at any time and skip any questions you don’t want to respond to. Such a statement would not significantly lengthen the interview but would do much to dispel the notion that church members must divulge private information against their will simply because a priesthood leader requests it.
2) The priesthood leader shouldn’t force anyone to confess based on rumors, gossip, or hunches. Instead, confession should be voluntary. Let the offender confess when they are ready to do so of their own free will makes sense in most situations.
3) Forbid extra questions that go beyond the scripted interviews. A rule like that would prohibit inquiries about contentious social issues, masturbation, specifics regarding chastity law violations, etc.
4) Make the questions from the temple recommend interview public so that members can tell the difference between the inquiries they must respond to in order to be recommended and any impromptu inquiries. The list is conveniently available online, having been written down by members from memory in places like this Exponent post. Yet, the questions are not currently available at LDS. org. For those who prefer to follow along in writing, an oral copy of the interview could also be provided.
Similarly, let the young people read the questions from the youth interview along with their legal guardians. Only section 7 of volume 1 of the Church Handbook of Instruction currently provides information on the youth interview. 1. 7, which almost all members—including women and children—are prohibited from reading
6) Because the interview’s content is unclear, many worthiness interviews would fail the Internal Review Board procedure. Such interviews may be as straightforward as asking, “Do you consider yourself worthy to accept this calling?” or they may be intense interrogations lasting several hours, depending on the interviewer’s personality. Participants should be informed in advance of any meeting’s agenda and duration so they can decide voluntarily to attend based on informed consent.
7) Make interviews confidential. Inform the interviewer in advance if there will be any sharing of personal information. Currently, members may believe that priesthood interviews are private, but according to Church Handbook of Instruction Volume 1, page 5 exhorts stake presidents and bishops to communicate with the bishops of other wards when appropriate, such as “when members of different wards transgress together.” ”.
8) The interviewer, not the subjects of the interview, is under a duty of confidentiality. This is crucial when dealing with minors because adults asking kids to keep secrets is a form of grooming that abusers use. Reference B Advise minors and their guardians that anything said during the interview may be discussed later Guardians may even show up in person if the guardian or minor so chooses.
9) Provide contact information, such as a hotline or an ombudsman, for questions, concerns, and reporting of unethical behavior.
- Do you have faith in and a testimony of God, the Eternal Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost?
- Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and of His role as your Savior and Redeemer?
Melchizedek and Our True Priesthood // Interview with Chris Burns
Because I wasn’t obedient during my first year in the church, I’ve been working hard as a convert to feel worthy of receiving the Melchizedek priesthood. As a result, I’ve slowly advanced by learning everything I can about the priesthood. However, I specifically can’t seem to find any details about the ordination ceremony itself.
11 Priesthood Training Worthiness Issues at the Ucon Stake “Brother, I’m so sorry this problem is bothering you. I know that can be an especially difficult challenge. If you need assistance with an addiction or with the repentance process, our Bishop has very special keys that he can use. I am confident that he would be eager to assist you and would be very loving and understanding. “.
5 The Interview for Personal Priesthood Interviews at the Ucon Stake Potential Interview Topics: Personal Prayers Spiritual Development Testimony of Atonement Relationships with the Savior Marriage and Children Scripture Study Sabbath Day Observance other tasks that are only carried out by Elders, Quorum Presidents, High Priests, and group leaders
Start and end the meeting in prayer Seek the spirit for inspiration during the meeting Include topics as directed by the spirit Keep the meeting brief, but allow time Be non-judgmental, convey love and understanding Offer counsel as spiritually directed Keep notes for follow-up in future interviews
Potential Challenges for the Ucon Stake Priesthood Training ADMINISTER MINISTER Collect Home Teaching Results Record Home Teaching Results in the Computer Review Families Not Assigned List Make HT Assignments Dissolve and reform new companionships Attend Ward Council Attend PEC meetings Attend Stake training Arrange for weekly quorum instruction Perform financial needs assessments Identify up and coming youth Assist in moves and other physical labor Bless the sick Instr
Concerns about a family’s functionalness as a companionship A family’s spiritual growth A family’s progress on FHE, family prayers Need for bishop intervention Status of youth in the home are just a few of the potential topics for HT interviews, which are conducted by counselors and assistants.
6) Because the interview’s content is unclear, many worthiness interviews would fail the Internal Review Board procedure. Such interviews may be as straightforward as asking, “Do you consider yourself worthy to accept this calling?” or they may be intense interrogations lasting several hours, depending on the interviewer’s personality. Participants should be informed in advance of any meeting’s agenda and duration so they can decide voluntarily to attend based on informed consent.
4) Make the questions from the temple recommend interview public so that members can tell the difference between the inquiries they must respond to in order to be recommended and any impromptu inquiries. The list is conveniently available online, having been written down by members from memory in places like this Exponent post. Yet, the questions are not currently available at LDS. org. For those who prefer to follow along in writing, an oral copy of the interview could also be provided.
8) The obligation for confidentiality applies to the interviewer, not the people who are interviewed. This is particularly important in the case of minors, because adults asking children to keep secrets is a grooming behavior employed by abusers. Reference B Minors and their guardians should be informed that they may discuss anything that was said during the interview afterwards. Guardians may even attend in-person, if desired by the guardian or minor.
Similarly, let the young people read the questions from the youth interview along with their legal guardians. Only section 7 of volume 1 of the Church Handbook of Instruction currently provides information on the youth interview. 1. 7, which almost all members—including women and children—are prohibited from reading
9) Provide contact information for questions,concerns, and reporting of unethical behavior, such as an ombudsmen and/or hotline.
FAQ
How do you prepare for the Melchizedek Priesthood?
All young men can do the following four things to get ready to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood: Develop a testimony of the return of the priesthood Receive and magnify the preparatory priesthood. Study the scriptures, in particular the priesthood’s oath and covenant as well as the responsibilities of an elder.
What are the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood?
According to D&C 84:19, the Melchizedek Priesthood is in possession of the key to the divine knowledge mysteries. The Twelve Apostles possess special keys, according to D&C 107:35, 112:16, 32, and 124:128. Regarding the sealing powers, the gospel of Abraham, and the gathering of Israel, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received keys (D&C 110:11–16).
Who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood?
Beginning at age 18, faithful male Church members receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. The laying on of hands individually ordains each man. The majority of Latter-day Saint men are priesthood holders; those who have been so ordained are said to “hold” the priesthood.
What is the difference between the Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthood?
The Aaronic Priesthood has the power to carry out the sacrament and baptism as outward ordinances. (See D&C 20:46; 107:13–14, 20. Those who possess the Melchizedek Priesthood have the capacity and authority to guide the Church and oversee the proclamation of the gospel everywhere.
