60 years ago today - Jul 10, 1953

Regarding the matter of granting temple recommends to people who have been divorced ... The bishop of the ward should make his investigation and write a letter giving the results thereof to the president of the stake. The bishop's letter to the president of the stake should, whenever possible, contain a short statement signed by the person making the application ... The president of the stake should likewise make an investigation, personally whenever possible, and either approve or disapprove the recommendation of the bishop of the ward. .... The president of the stake should forward the completed file to us. .... the essential thing we wish to know is whether or not there was on the part of the one seeking the recommend any infidelity or other serious transgression. We wish both the bishop and the president of the stake to make definite statements of their own feelings and impressions on these matters after their interviews with the applicants. This information should be sent to us irrespective of the fact that we may have a record here having to do with a sealing cancellation. We are sure you understand that the Church has always looked with disfavor upon divorce, and has discouraged it wherever possible. ...

[Source: David O. McKay, Stephen L. Richards, and J. Reuben Clark Jr., circular letter, July 10, 1953, as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]