First Presidency Letter, Mar 2003

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Office of the First Presidency
47 East South Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150-1000

March 11, 2003

To: General Authorities, Area Authority Seventies; Stake, Mission, District, and Temple Presidents; Bishops and Branch Presidents; and all Church Members
(To be read in sacrament meeting)

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Encouraging Temple Worthiness and Temple Participation

   We are grateful for the increased availability of temples worldwide and invite adult members to have a current temple recommend and visit the temple more often. Where time and circumstances permit, members are encouraged to replace some leisure activities with temple service.
   Millions of our ancestors have lived upon the earth without receiving the benefit of temple ordinances. We particularly encourage newer members and youth of the Church who are 12 years of age and older to live worthily to assist in the great work by serving as proxies for baptisms and confirmations.
   We request that local priesthood leader encourage temple-worthy members to consider ways in which more frequent daytime temple attendance could occur. Home and visiting teachers may wish to arrange transportation for those who need it, particularly during the daytime.
   All of the ordinances which take place in the House of the Lord become expression of our belief in that fundamental and basic doctrine of the immortality of the human soul. As we redouble our efforts and our faithfulness in going to the temple, the Lord will bless us.

    Sincerely your brethren,

   (signed)Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, James E. Faust
   The First Presidency