Mobile Temple Recommends Available Churchwide

After a global, multi-week rollout, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now offers worldwide the option of issuing their temple recommend on a mobile device, rather than on paper.  

A letter from the Temple Department released Thursday, June 5, confirms the final areas to get the mobile temple recommend option — all Africa and Asia areas, and the Middle East/Africa North, Philippines and Pacific areas.

The Church hopes the option of mobile temple recommends will make temple attendance more convenient and accessible for Latter-day Saints everywhere. Church President Russell M. Nelson has called the temple the “gateway to the greatest blessings God has for each of us” (“Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys,” April 2024 general conference).

Those with current temple recommends may choose either the paper or mobile temple recommend option for entering a temple, but not both simultaneously.  

who wish to keep their printed paper temple recommend may continue to do so.

Those who desire to switch to a mobile temple recommend will need to a member of their bishopric or branch presidency. Once the leader approves the mobile temple recommend, it will be available on the Member Tools app on their phone or tablet, which can be scanned at any of the Church’s temples.  

Sarah and Jared Butler of the Provo 6th Ward, Provo Freedom 1st Stake, in Provo, Utah, have differing preferences. “While I personally appreciate having a physical recommend, just because I enjoy having something tactile that I can hold, I can see how the mobile recommends would be convenient,” said Sarah.

Her husband, Jared, is excited about the new mobile option. “I’ve forgotten my paper recommend a few times in the past. Having it on my phone is so convenient and will definitely save time for temple patrons as well. It’s a game-changer for making temple visits smoother and stress-free.”

Why Mobile Temple Recommends?

The introduction of mobile temple recommends is a response to from who have expressed a desire for a more convenient and secure way to carry their temple recommends.

Other benefits include convenience and security. don’t need to worry about forgetting their recommends at home because they will always be accessible on their mobile phone. Mobile temple recommends are less likely to be lost or damaged compared to paper recommends.

Alaina Hatch of the Garden Creek Ward, Arimo Idaho Stake, from Robin, Idaho, was happy to learn there is now an option for mobile temple recommends, liking the convenience and simplicity it offers. “I’ve gone minimal, and rarely take a purse or wallet anywhere,” she said, but “we always have our phones.”

Brandon Price of the Riverbend Ward, Pineview Stake, in St. George, Utah, said he looks forward to the day he won’t have to carry a wallet. Mobile temple recommends are “safer, easier to find, you can’t lose it, [it’s] always with you and no filling up a thick wallet,” he said.

Instructions for Leaders

• to Leader and Clerk Resources, select “Temple” and then “Temple Recommends” from the dropdown menu.
• Use the Find Member search bar to look up the member who requested a mobile temple recommend.
• Under Choose an Action, select “Switch active recommend format from printed to mobile.”
• Under Temple Recommend, go to Format. Select “Mobile” and click “Save.”
• Inform the member they can activate the mobile temple recommend on their Member Tools app.

If the priesthood leader who initially signed the paper temple recommend is no longer serving in that calling, the current leader will need to initiate the renewal process for a new temple recommend.

Instructions for

• Ensure that your Member Tools has a profile photo, which is required for the mobile temple recommend.
• Inform your bishopric or branch presidency leader that you would like to switch to a mobile temple recommend.
• When the leader approves your request, open the Member Tools app (iOS 17 or newer and Android 8.0 or newer), navigate to the Home menu and tap “Temple Recommend.”
• Tap “I Agree” to activate the mobile temple recommend.
• When arriving at the temple, scan the QR Code at the recommend desk. Note that screenshots of mobile temple recommends will not be accepted.

Photo

For more detailed instructions, see:

• For Bishoprics and Branch Presidents
• For Stake and Mission Presidencies
• For
• The Help Center section of the Leader and Clerk Resources