Ah, but what is in an oath? When do they swear? Age 12? Confirmation? At 18, embarking upon some missionary venture? At age 60? Do they really believe what they once swore? Or is it all just part of custom and heritage. Many Protestants scoff at some of the more fundamentalist practices within Christianity, or at the belief of Roman Catholics that the bread and wine really do become the actual body and blood of Christ. But, of course, Catholics swear by it.
The swearing is a regular occurrence, there is constant checking in order to keep that temple recommendation. This recommendation literally is held over their heads, without it there is much they cannot do or acquire in the afterlife.
The bishop and stake president each give you an interview where they ask a series of questions. If they feel you are worthy they will sign a "temple recommend", a credit card sized card that gives you permission to enter the temple for one year, at which point the card expires. After the recommend expires you must return to the bishop and stake president for another set of interviews to get the recommend renewed.
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 Christ and of His role as Savior and Redeemer?
Do you have a testimony of the restoration of the gospel in these the latter days?
Do you sustain the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator and as the only person on the earth who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys? Do you sustain members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators? Do you sustain the other General Authorities and local authorities of the Church?
Do you live the law of chastity?
Is there anything in your conduct relating to members of your family that is not in harmony with the teachings of the Church?
Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
Do you strive to keep the covenants you have made, to attend your sacrament and other meetings, and to keep your life in harmony with the laws and commandments of the gospel?
Are you honest in your dealings with your fellowmen?
Are you a full-tithe payer?
Do your keep the Word of Wisdom?
Do you have financial or other obligations to a former spouse or children? If yes, are you current in meeting those obligations?
If you have previously received your temple endowment: Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple? Do you wear the garment both night and day as instructed in the endowment and in accordance with the covenant you made in the temple?
Have there been any sins or misdeeds in your life that should have been resolved with priesthood authorities but have not been?
Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord's house and participate in temple ordinances?
Before you ask here are the lds Articles of Faith:
The Articles of Faith
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Joseph Smith
You are a long term Mitt Romney supporter here and you never knew that he was a Bishop and even a Stake President? You never learned anything about Mormonism while pushing him here?
All this feigned ignorance of Mormonism and the Romney history and his powerful presence in his religion is as phony as a three dollar bill and is just another route for you to keep fighting for Romney.
Ah, but what is in an oath? When do they swear? Age 12? Confirmation? At 18, embarking upon some missionary venture? At age 60? Do they really believe what they once swore? Or is it all just part of custom and heritage.
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The oaths are usually taken between the ages of 19 and 21, either before going on an LDS mission or getting married in the LDS temple. After going through the first time, they go through again several times (sometimes as often as once a week) and re-confirm the oaths as they do the rites as proxy for the dead.
They really do believe it, if they don’t they leave Mormonism and quit wearing the LDS garments. Since only about 25%-30% of LDS worldwide ever take the oaths, it isn’t cultural or custom, it is serious business that is worked hard to earn and to keep (access to the temple through obedience to a strict set of beliefs and rules). Going to the Temple is the highest goal and achievement because it is REQUIRED to get to the Celestial Kingdom (Heaven) since God requires special handshakes and words to get in, and it is also required for them to become Gods themselves one day.
The fact that Romney still wears his ‘temple garments’ is a sign that he still believes the oaths. If you would like, I can post the texts of the oaths that Romney (and other Mormons) took.