I am paying my monthly payments on child support as I should. But when I wasn’t working it got piled up. So when I went to court, we made an agreement, to pay the back pay in small payments with the monthly payments on top of that. So basically, I am paying what is required by law.
On the Temple Recommend interview question states as follows:
Do you have financial or other obligations to a former spouse or children? If yes, are you current in meeting those obligations?
I answered yes because in my mind I am current in meeting those obligations with my ex through court by making an agreement and paying on what we agreed on. By law.
Am I doing wrong here? I would hate to go to the temple and have this over my shoulder and feeling guilty for not knowing for sure if I am doing wrong here.
Marco
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Marco,
First, I’m sorry to hear about your situation. Divorce, child support and everything else along with it is never an enjoyable situation.
When reading your question, it is important to define the word ‘current’.
Let’s talk about being not current, or in non-compliance of the court order. If you are not current with a court order, you are in violation of the law of the land as it applies to you and your family situation.
The 12th Article of Faith states “We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.” This includes court orders for spousal and child support.
If you are not current with such court orders, you are in violation of the spirit and letter of the law for the financial support and well-being of your family. If this situation became prolonged without any communication with the court system governing the order, you could face arrest.
I don’t think I’m telling you anything you don’t already know.
Should a person, who is not doing everything within their power to be current on these obligations, hold a current temple recommend?
Should a person, who is in danger of possible arrest, hold a current temple recommend?
So, what is ‘current’? To me, the word ‘current’ means that your current payment structure is in good standing with the court system. If your child support was reported to a credit bureau, would it say “current” by this obligation? If so, then you are current, even if you have an outstanding balance. It means that you are providing for the financial well-being of your children.
Let’s also think about the temple recommend interview. The interview is a minimum standard for entrance into the Lord’s House. We want to do better, but the interview gauges a minimum standard. Don’t let your desire to be perfect in some things affect your ability to enjoy the spirit of the temple. Your children need you to be a righteous priesthood holder, a temple recommend holder and a regular attender of temple ceremonies.
I hope this has helped.
Gramps
