Most churches would welcome distribution of its materials used to spread their faith. They have no secrets and the will of God is not copyrighted. So it becomes a news item when the LDS demands that information used for its ministery is to be unpublished and secret.

The material in question is the Church handbook of instructions, a guide to its leaders for handling confidential matters relating to tithing, excommunication, baptism and doctrine teaching.

The books (Book 1: Stake Presidencies and Bishoprics. This book is similar to the former General Handbook of Instructions. Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders.) it claims supersedes the following other publications:

• General Handbook of Instructions
• 1991 Supplement to the 1989 General Handbook of Instructions
• Melchizedek Priesthood Leadership Handbook
• Aaronic Priesthood Leadership Handbook
• Stake Mission Handbook
• Temple and Family History Leadership Handbook
• Relief Society Handbook
• Young Women Leadership Handbook
• Primary Handbook
• Primary Handbook Supplement
• Sunday School Handbook
• Activities Committee Handbook
• Church Music Handbook
• Stake and Ward Clerk Handbook
• Public Affairs Handbook
• Member Progress Reporting Instructions
• Instructions for Priesthood Leaders of Single Members
• Instructions for Priesthood Leaders on the Church Educational System
• Instructions for Priesthood Leaders on Institutes Of Religion
• Instructions for Priesthood Leaders on Military Relations
• Instructions for Priesthood Leaders on Physical Facilities (United States and Canada)
• Instructions for Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders on Sports and Recreation Activities
• Instructions for Priesthood Leaders on Church Magazines
• Instructions for Priesthood Leaders and Librarians about Meetinghouse Libraries
• Instructions for Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders on Primary
• Instructions for Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders on Sunday School
• Instructions for Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders on Teacher Development
• Gospel Literacy Guidelines for Priesthood and Relief Society Leaders
• Helping Unwed Birth Parents: A Guide for Ecclesiastical Leaders
• Bulletin issues preceding 1999 (except the March 1993 Special Bulletin)

Recommends to Enter a Temple A member who is eight or older must have a valid recommend to enter a temple. A valid recommend admits a member to all temples. The three types of temple recommends are listed below:
1. Temple Recommend for members receiving their own endowment and for previously endowed members. This recommend authorizes a member to participate in all temple ordinances.
2. Recommend for Living Ordinances for members receiving their own endowment, those being sealed to a spouse, and those being married in a temple for time only. This recommend may be used only with a valid temple recommend.
3. Limited-Use Recommend for unendowed members (see page 68). Children under eight who are to be sealed to their parents do not need recommends. However, the family needs to present a family group record showing the relationship of the child to the family.

Information pertaining to worthiness; in the face of issues such as, religion of the parents, have they ever done a homosexual act

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General Guidelines for Issuing Recommends Authorized Church officers conduct worthiness interviews for temple recommends as outlined in the temple recommend binder. Church officers are responsible to see that no unworthy person enters the house of the Lord.

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Bishops and their counselors must take exceptional care when issuing recommends to members whose parents or other close relatives belong to or sympathize with apostate groups. Such members must demonstrate clearly that they repudiate these apostate religious teachings before they may be issued a recommend.

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Who May Attend a Temple Marriage Only members who have valid recommends and have . received their endowment may attend a temple marriage. Couples should invite only family members and close friends to be present for a temple marriage.