Assistant Temple Recorders- how many hours per week and how many of you are called in large Temples?

nuclearfuels · November 11

I'd like to serve as one.

looking for experience from those who have served

MiserereNobis · November 12

I thought people don’t ask for or seek callings in the LDS church..? I’ve heard/read many point to that a positive part of LDS hierarchy.

Or am I misunderstanding what a temple recorder is?

Pyreaux · November 12

I don't know how the temple finds talent. From a pool of existing temple workers?

Calm · November 12

17 minutes ago, MiserereNobis said:

I thought people don’t ask for or seek callings in the LDS church..? I’ve heard/read many point to that a positive part of LDS hierarchy.

Or am I misunderstanding what a temple recorder is?

There is no announcement that a calling needs to be filled and volunteers are welcome to apply. There is no application process for a calling.

However, when we would move into new wards I would volunteered to serve in Primary in every ward I was in over 20 years. I volunteered for a number of other callings when I knew they were having difficulty filling the position. Also told bishops what I could handle when health issues restricted opportunities. My husband, Otoh, has apparently never mentioned his dream calling (serving with YM) though he has volunteered for other callings. I have heard I was unusual, it seems a cultural trait to let leadership decide without input until they call you, but every bishop expressed deep appreciation for the information and took me up on every offer, so I doubt any thought it was inappropriate I did so. I never campaigned for a calling, I would just tell them when meeting as a new ward member or for tithing settlement or a temple recommend interview that I really liked serving in Primary or couldn’t serve except in callings from home or catch them in the hall and say I heard a calling was open for awhile and I wouldn’t mind filling it until someone more appropriate came along (which is how I got called as a clueless Akela).

I have been in a couple of wards (mostly in Utah in the past 20 years) that have sent around interests and calling experience surveys to help leadership with callings. I suspect members are getting more proactive in offering to serve (but I have no real evidence) as well as it is likely more difficult to fill callings these days given the highly scheduled lives of many members, so I bet volunteering for a general area or even a specific calling would be appreciated as long as there was no resentment when someone else got called.

While you can volunteer, it is still the choice of the leader to call someone. I never volunteered for a specific calling unless I knew they were having issues filling it. I would always just say which organization (Primary) or type of calling (can do at home or need to be able to be absent a lot) and let them choose where I was needed. I also never volunteered for anything specific ‘higher’ than Akela/Cub Scout leader, though once I was called into Primary leadership instead of as a teacher.

There may be people who volunteer for bishop, but they are likely few and far between given it’s a difficult calling. Campaigning for a calling would be truly bad form, imo. The calling process is also different for bishop as that calling is done at the stake level rather than within the ward. Volunteering for anything higher than bishop seems unlikely to me as well.

Callings in the temple…I don’t know how those operate for temple workers, if people volunteer much for those callings as they require availability for longer periods of time than most callings. I also assume positions within the temple are then pulled from the temple workers in most cases, but I could be wrong. I would be very interested to hear how anyone who has served in the temple got called to the calling, if out of the blue or they had let someone know they were available if needed.

InCognitus · November 12

54 minutes ago, MiserereNobis said:

I thought people don’t ask for or seek callings in the LDS church..? I’ve heard/read many point to that a positive part of LDS hierarchy.

Or am I misunderstanding what a temple recorder is?

smac97 posted a link in a prior thread on this topic to this website: https://bycommonconsent.com/2010/11/18/mormon-temples-how-they-work-part-3/

This is what it says about temple recorders:

Quote

Each temple also has one or more men known as “Recorders.” This is a paid full-time position in larger temples (there may also be more than one employee/recorder or there may be a volunteer assistant recorder(s)). The Temple Recorder has a number of specific responsibilities. The recorder functions by assisting the president of the temple in carefully overseeing the recording of all ordinances performed in the temple and assuring that those records are communicated to Church headquarters where they are archived. Most of this work is now digitized. The recorder also performs certain functions with the president related to the general preparation for the administration of the endowment. Additionally, the recorder may have specific assignments in directing other paid personnel that may or may not exist in a given temple: laundry service employees, grounds keepers or contractors, cafeteria employees, general food service matters, building maintenance, some secretarial staff, security. The presidency, matrons and ordinance workers are not paid staff and perform their duties gratis. However, in smaller temples, the recorder and building engineer are also counselors in the temple presidency and the temple itself is maintained on a volunteer basis (no paid employees – these smaller temples have no food service and do not provide rental ceremonial clothing).

3 hours ago, nuclearfuels said:

I'd like to serve as one.

looking for experience from those who have served

Given that there are just a handful of possible recorders or assistant recorders per temple, the likelihood of someone on this message board being a temple recorder or an assistant recorder is slim (although that number is growing with every new temple that is added).

Check out the prior thread that I posted the link to above. It may have something that may help you.

Calm · November 12

1 hour ago, MiserereNobis said:

I thought people don’t ask for or seek callings in the LDS church..? I’ve heard/read many point to that a positive part of LDS hierarchy.

Or am I misunderstanding what a temple recorder is?

I was unaware of the calling until it was discussed on the board awhile back:

https://www.mormondialogue.org/topic/67955-what-is-a-temple-recorder/

smac posted a link to some info:

https://bycommonconsent.com/2010/11/18/mormon-temples-how-they-work-part-3/

Added: Incog got in with the win seconds before me, dang!

Edited November 12 by Calm

mfbukowski · November 12

3 hours ago, MiserereNobis said:

I thought people don’t ask for or seek callings in the LDS church..? I’ve heard/read many point to that a positive part of LDS hierarchy.

Or am I misunderstanding what a temple recorder is?

It's not a calling, it's a full time paid job, they are employees of the church. Their main function is hiring and firing other employees like ground crews, security people, plumbers, ordering supplies and other secular functions.

Recorders are like the CEO, the top manager, their assistants are... well, assistants.

Peacefully · November 12

4 hours ago, MiserereNobis said:

I thought people don’t ask for or seek callings in the LDS church..? I’ve heard/read many point to that a positive part of LDS hierarchy.

Or am I misunderstanding what a temple recorder is?

We usually don’t ask for callings but I think the leaders appreciate knowing who is willing and available to work in the temple. It takes such a large number of volunteers to keep a temple running smoothly. I volunteered to work in the temple, but my bishop had to recommend me before I could serve there.

Edited November 12 by Peacefully

mfbukowski · November 12

3 hours ago, Pyreaux said:

I don't know how the temple finds talent. From a pool of existing temple workers?

Could be, but not required as far as I know. I had a relative who answered phones, and do routine secretarial stuff, paying bills etc.

blackstrap · November 12

10 minutes ago, mfbukowski said:

Recorders are like the CEO, the top manager,

In the event of a disagreement, who rules, the temple pres. or the recorder

mfbukowski · November 12

3 minutes ago, blackstrap said:

In the event of a disagreement, who rules, the temple pres. or the recorder

No disagreements theoretically possible really, technically. The President is called as Mission President would be, through the Priesthood. Presidents are the SPIRITUAL leaders, Recorders run the secular side.

Completely separate realms of leadership

Presidents are strictly in charge of training workers, setting people apart, answering theological questions, taking care of making sure every session goes well, and correctly etc.

Theoretically I suppose they might differ on the Christmas decorations, but in the end, IMO, that would be up to the Recorder.

I have a dear friend who is a former President.

nuclearfuels · November 14

@Calm @mfbukowski @blackstrap @InCognitus @Pyreaux @MiserereNobis

Who sustains people called to serve in the Temple?

I dont recall sustaining anyone specifically, other than when we sustain all General Authorities and local authorities.

I don't think Temple workers are sustained, if memory serves.

Hmm.....nothing wrong with that.

Sounds nice to be above ward politics and stake politics

mfbukowski · November 14

2 hours ago, nuclearfuels said:

@Calm @mfbukowski @blackstrap @InCognitus @Pyreaux @MiserereNobis

Who sustains people called to serve in the Temple?

I dont recall sustaining anyone specifically, other than when we sustain all General Authorities and local authorities.

I don't think Temple workers are sustained, if memory serves.

Hmm.....nothing wrong with that.

Sounds nice to be above ward politics and stake politics

Then volunteer, as we all do, but it's not all roses

It would be irrelevant for members to sustain temple workers because they are not privy to the extra info available to leaders and not available the general ward members, so their decisions about their worthiness may be distorted.

Have you been divorced, after you were baptized, and within the last 5 years?

What was the reason for the divorce?

Do all ward members know those things? Should they sustain you if those are the requirements?

There's a reason none but leaders do the interviews. There's a lot of private info, that bishops might not know, like what your life was like in detail before baptism.

Besides it is not USUALLY a "calling' it is most often a position for which one volunteers. The time commitment is significant.

That's why you see so many 'seniors" as workers.

Edited November 14 by mfbukowski

InCognitus · November 14

14 hours ago, nuclearfuels said:

@Calm @mfbukowski @blackstrap @InCognitus @Pyreaux @MiserereNobis

Who sustains people called to serve in the Temple?

I dont recall sustaining anyone specifically, other than when we sustain all General Authorities and local authorities.

I don't think Temple workers are sustained, if memory serves.

Hmm.....nothing wrong with that.

Sounds nice to be above ward politics and stake politics

In my experience it wasn't a volunteer situation (although perhaps it can be), but a recommendation was made by the bishop and stake president to the temple presidency, and then the call came from the temple presidency. It's not a ward or stake calling, however, so it's not recognized at the ward level by a sustaining vote, although a person's calling might show (in LDS tools or on the ward directory in your login) that they are a Temple Ordinance Worker at the ward level.

And mfbukowski is right, there can be a high time commitment. Depending on the assignment, some of the temple shifts are five to six hours at a time, and some people take multiple shifts per week.

Edited November 14 by InCognitus

nuclearfuels · November 14

1 hour ago, InCognitus said:

In my experience

THanks Incognitus. I appreciate your responses.

What were you called to do in the Temple?

I heard that Assistant Recorders at least in some large Utahan Temples serve 15 hours/week.

InCognitus · November 14

37 minutes ago, nuclearfuels said:

THanks Incognitus. I appreciate your responses.

What were you called to do in the Temple?

I heard that Assistant Recorders at least in some large Utahan Temples serve 15 hours/week.

It's the "Temple Ordinance Worker" position that is the most needed and most common to be filled in that way (for the busy temple districts). What that entails on each shift depends on who does the assignments, but it's primarily for the ordinance work in general.

mfbukowski · November 14

3 hours ago, nuclearfuels said:

THanks Incognitus. I appreciate your responses.

What were you called to do in the Temple?

I heard that Assistant Recorders at least in some large Utahan Temples serve 15 hours/week.

I have never seen or heard of an "assistant recorder", but in Utah there is probably a greater load of patrons.

In LOS ANGELES, a fairly large city, 😉 temple attendance is down significantly since Covid. It is only open Thursday thru Saturday, iirc. I surmise that the Recorder is not overwhelmed by his duties, and needs no "assistants".

mfbukowski · November 14

5 hours ago, InCognitus said:

And mfbukowski is right,...

It DOES happen occasionally! 🤪😉

mfbukowski · November 14

On 11/11/2023 at 4:51 PM, MiserereNobis said:

I thought people don’t ask for or seek callings in the LDS church..? I’ve heard/read many point to that a positive part of LDS hierarchy.

Or am I misunderstanding what a temple recorder is?

It's been a while

Are the equivalent of "altar boys " in Catholicism

A- now called something else?

B- "called" or volunteers?

I usta be one.

Definite similarities to being temple workers!!

"You wanna take the book or the bells?" And who does the candles?

I can still say the "Confiteor" ( sp?) in Latin.

https://www.saintanneshelper.com/confiteor.html

AND FOR THE LDS, CHECK THIS OUT:

"As administered in the Western Church today according to the rite of the Roman Ritual, the sacrament consists (apart from certain non-essential prayers) in the unction with oil, specially blessed by the bishop, of the organs of the five external senses (eyes, ears, nostrils, lips, hands), of the feet, and, for men (where the custom exists and the condition of the patient permits of his being moved), of the loins or reins; and in the following form repeated at each unction with mention of the corresponding sense or faculty: "Through this holy unction and His own most tender mercy may the Lord pardon thee whatever sins or faults thou hast committed [quidquid deliquisti] by sight [by hearing, smell, taste, touch, walking, carnal delectation]". The unction of the loins is generally, if not universally, omitted in English-speaking countries, and it is of course everywhere forbidden in case of women. To perform this rite fully takes an appreciable time, but in cases of urgent necessity, when death is likely to occur before it can be completed, it is sufficient to employ a single unction (on the forehead, for instance) with the general form: "Through this holy unction may the Lord pardon thee whatever sins or faults thou hast committed." By the decree of 25 April, 1906, the Holy Office has expressly approved of this form for cases of urgent necessity."

Assistant Temple Recorders- how many hours per week and how many of you are called in large Temples?

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