Inside Out with Jim Bennett and Ian Wilks

Greg Prince and the Temple - Part III

Aug 29, 2026
Greg Prince, historian known for work on LDS history and temple practice, joins to unpack two thorny temple recommend questions. Short segments explore changes to the chastity wording and the challenges of yes/no worthiness checks. They then shift to the Word of Wisdom, its cultural drift, and calls for evidence-based, survey-informed policy.
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ANECDOTE

Creative Workarounds To Chastity Rules

  • Ian Wilks gives examples of creative and evasive behaviors members used to get around chastity rules, including mission-era lying and short marriages for sex at BYU.
  • He cites a BYU faculty claim that nearly all freshmen had sex before arrival yet all had ecclesiastical endorsements, illustrating performative compliance.
ADVICE

Refer Sensitive Disclosures Instead Of Improvising

  • Bishops and counselors should avoid ad-hoc interviews and refer sensitive or potentially criminal disclosures to appropriate authorities instead of improvising during recommend interviews.
  • Ian stresses training and discernment are needed because interviews can uncover abuse, illegal activity, or complex sexual questions beyond a quick yes/no.
ANECDOTE

Church Leadership Debated Explicit Sexual Details

  • Jim and Greg recall historical episodes where church leaders debated fine sexual details, including a Spencer Kimball statement about oral sex and a Quorum discussion on anal sex.
  • They argue that intense preoccupation with specific sexual acts has caused institutional harm and distracted leaders from broader spiritual priorities.
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