Getting Endowment this Saturday 8/2?


Recommended Posts

Does anyone know a few specific scriptures that I can read before I go? My escort told me to read some things the Pearl of Great Price, but didn't know the exact scriptures. She said it would help me better understand. Any idea what they might be?

Are there any other ways to help me prepare? Do I dress up? (Like church- or nicer than church? Do I do my hair up? Or does it matter?) What else should I read that will help me better understand what goes on in there, and that will help me remember after?

Any advice would be great.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

OK. I'm really excited for you. Much of the endowment is contextualized within a 'story' -- the story of Adam and Eve. So, insofar as scriptures in the Pearl of Great Price speak of the story, it will sound VERY familiar, when you get in the temple and start your endowment.

Consider that right from the start, they tell you that Adam & Eve are figurative - listen to what they say! The endowment is a ritual-type instruction format, so it may seem a little non-contemporary, just be flexible and learn what you can. It is an immersive learning opportunity.

You should dress as you would for Sunday services, yes. I think it would be a nice touch to do your hair, but I don't know that you would really NEED to.

Here is a web site put up by a very knowledgeable Saint, that I recommend: http://www.mormonmonastery.org . Check out the "temple prep" button at the top of the page. Then, check out the questions on the right side of the page.

To me, the real point of the whole endowment is two-fold: (1) to firmly establish in your mind & soul, by covenant, that you ARE ready to receive the Lord; (2) to receive the keys and how you must use them, to enable that reception. "Give strict heed".

We all have accepted our first covenant at baptism. In the temple, there are 5 more to be made, plus the 'highest' covenant of marriage. These are marvelous and liberating, but only to the faithful. May God bless you as you experience these things.

And remember, we are blessed to be able to go often, and the more you go, the more it makes sense. I remember a comment from Pres. Kimball near the end of his long life, where he said how marvelous it was that after so many years, he was still learning more things in the temple. I think the scriptures are much the same.

HiJolly

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Book of Moses.

Dress in your Sunday attire. Larger temples have temple robes for rent and charge a small cleaning fee for you to rent them.

Pray.

Understand that these are very sacred ceremonies and are different from Sunday worship services. Focus on the spirit and enjoy this experience!

The best way to remember what happens in the temple is to attend regularly.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Does anyone know a few specific scriptures that I can read before I go? My escort told me to read some things the Pearl of Great Price, but didn't know the exact scriptures. She said it would help me better understand. Any idea what they might be?

Are there any other ways to help me prepare? Do I dress up? (Like church- or nicer than church? Do I do my hair up? Or does it matter?) What else should I read that will help me better understand what goes on in there, and that will help me remember after?

Any advice would be great.

Someone else is asking the same questiom and may provide some additional answers: http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/13155-my-story-question.html#post236516

Link to comment
Share on other sites

May I also suggest that you read a little in 1 Cor. Chapter 2 vs. 14 .... I think...

" But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (Emphasis added)

This scripture and a couple more in Cor. helped my wife understand a few things that bothered her when we went. Also I agree with the others on here that have counseled you to return often to the temple. The more you go the more you will learn!!!!

Good luck.... relax and enjoy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am very happy for you. Just remember that everything is a type and shadow of what points you to the eternal realm, to Heavenly Father. For example, and I am being careful not to tread even close to the line here; the tokens you receive are representative of the 'real' coin, like a token in life. One day when we are called up we will receive the real thing. It is a life-long quest to understand the endowment, kind of like the Atonement, but it a wonderous, joyful, and exciting journey. Remember how you felt.

Abraham

Link to comment
Share on other sites

May I also suggest that you read a little in 1 Cor. Chapter 2 vs. 14 .... I think...

" But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (Emphasis added)

This scripture and a couple more in Cor. helped my wife understand a few things that bothered her when we went. Also I agree with the others on here that have counseled you to return often to the temple. The more you go the more you will learn!!!!

Good luck.... relax and enjoy

Thanks utcowboy for putting that scripture reference in your post!!!

Anyway when Ut told me that scripture we had already been thru the temple but only once and i was wondering just exactly what church i had joined. :huh: I was so freaked out that I really wasn't sure if i wanted to do that again or not. So over the next couple of days we talked about our feelings and experiences and of how we percieved the endowment. And my wonderful husband helped me to understand that the things of god will seem foolish and odd to the natural man. Which was how i was percieving the endowment at that time now i can look at it in a much better light and understand that it just enhances the plan of salvation. Be patient and know that you are truly loved by our father in heaven. Also remember that we are invited to return to the temple as many times as we wish so that we may enjoy the blessings we will recieve and to learn more of the endowment. Also go back and enjoy the other ordinances that are also performed only in the temple they will help you to remember the many blessing you will be given during your own endowment.:D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My advice? Enjoy the experience, then go back to the temple as soon as you can. Don't try to get everything at once. The first time, there is a sense of newness and excitement which often prevents much real understanding. It's like picking up the Book of Mormon for the first time - most people need to read it through once to get the story down and figure out what's going on, then subsequent readings yield deeper insights.

My further advice is to come to the temple every time after the first with a specific question or topic about which you want to receive revelation. The Lord will sometimes give us great wisdom out of the blue, but He seems to give it more readily when we are actively seeking in this way. For me, this has been especially true at the temple.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So did you go??? I went for my own endowments last Saturday, went to a sealing session, and another endowment session afterward. Today I went to the temple again, which was FANTASTIC. I hope you enjoyed it to the fullest... I love being endowed. I just wish I could've done initiatory today, cause I only went for 2 sessions and a sealing session (like I did last time). I think I'm gonna go next saturday as well, as it's my last saturday before I leave on my mission. Tell us all about your feelings and how today went!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So did you go??? I went for my own endowments last Saturday, went to a sealing session, and another endowment session afterward. Today I went to the temple again, which was FANTASTIC. I hope you enjoyed it to the fullest... I love being endowed. I just wish I could've done initiatory today, cause I only went for 2 sessions and a sealing session (like I did last time). I think I'm gonna go next Saturday as well, as it's my last Saturday before I leave on my mission. Tell us all about your feelings and how today went!

I like the initiatory sessions the best. I have yet to come away without feeling like I had been lifted up and spiritually hugged by all the women I did the work for.

My last time at the Portland Temple, I did the work for 25 women. Half way through I had to stop, go into a small office and "talk" with the Ladies who I was doing the work for. I needed them to calm down and not overwhelm me with the passion-gratitude-love. I was crying so hard I couldn't hear or see, and yes I do this work for them, but I also need to hear and see what is going on. Even the Temple Workers were overwhelmed. They were changing them on me every two women!! The Temple Matron asked me if I didn't want to quit, and I said no, just let me have a little "chat" with these Sisters, see if they can't tone it down a wee bit.

Took me nearly half an hour after I was all through before I felt like I could leave the Temple.

I know what it feels like to have the Holy Ghost testify to me and comforting me. But when at the most there are 25 Spiritual Sisters who are thanking you and are rejoicing and you are allowed to feel this - who-eeee, it is powerful!

I also never got an easy to pronounce name except one- Thankful. Yep, that was her name. I have 3 Thankful's in my ancestry too.

I have been to the Mesa Temple, during the hottest part of the summer and the coolest part of the winter, and it is still too hot inside the Temple for me to be comfortable. I took a small room thermometer and left it in the dressing room. When I went to change into street clothes it read 85 degrees! The seats are really close together and they are on the smallish size- and each session we went to was packed! Whoa- that is a lot of bodies to add to the rooms temperature. Wonder what it was in the rest of the Temple???

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have yet to come away without feeling like I had been lifted up and spiritually hugged by all the women I did the work for.

I know what you mean. Those spiritual hugs are enduring.

The first time I took through the name of someone else (not an immediate relative) was such a profound experience. The memory has never left me. I had truly met an eternal friend in God's house and I felt her deep gratitude and love.

Oft times, I have fond memories thinking about the spiritual friendships fostered through temple work.

Congratulations NormalMormon and Inthearmsofsleep. Wonderful achievement and heaps of encouragment to you both. (BTW what temple did you attend?) Inthearmsofsleep, I'm really excited to hear that you are leaving to go on your mission. That is just so awesome. Blessings.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share