DEVIN - I really appreciate what you do. Thanks for working so hard to provide us with a broad-scope of information and a rather comprehensive resource on the LDS Church. I am aware of several LDS bartenders and I was wondering if the LDS Church is against bartending? Specifically, could a member that sells alcohol at a bar hold a temple recommend? Any sources and information you could provide me with would be appreciated.

JOEL - I have never heard the LDS church authorities make any "official" statement against any legal profession that a member of the church might have. The only thing I found that might relate to this was some council given by Elder Howard W. Hunter thirty years ago:

"May I suggest a definition of “honorable employment.” Honorable employment is honest employment. Fair value is given and there is no defrauding, cheating, or deceit. Its product or service is of high quality, and the employer, customer, client, or patient receives more than he or she expected. Honorable employment is moral. It involves nothing that would undermine public good or morality. For example, it does not involve traffic in liquor, illicit narcotics, or gambling.
Honorable employment is useful. It provides goods or services which make the world a better place in which to live." (Howard W. Hunter, “Prepare for Honorable Employment,” Ensign, Nov. 1975, 122)

I suppose bartending could be included in Elder Hunter's list of jobs to avoid, however, I don't recall any questions in the temple recommend interview that asks about one's profession. I know several good temple recommend holding members who work as cashiers at grocery stores which sell both tobacco and alcohol.

Church leaders have often stated that we should give an honest days work for our pay and to try to avoid working on the Sabbath. And in light of Elder Hunter's council above, a bartending church member might be encouraged by his Bishop to find more "honorable employment". But I guess as as long as the member doesn't drink what he sells, there should be no problem getting a temple recommend. This would depend somewhat on what one's Bishop may be inspired to do in a particular situation. I think the propriety of such a profession is something that is between the Church member and God.

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