Temple After 1 year?

[Rico]

I am just curious if the rule is rigid that you have to be a member for 1 year before going to the temple. Is it?

Here's why I ask, my wife and I got married February 26, 2008, baptized on March 6th, 2008 and we were confirmed on March 10th, 2008. I was ordained an elder on April 27th, 2008. We both have callings. I hope this puts all the pertinent information and dates out there.

We have been negatively affected by the economy since I do most of my work online. I'd say I've had my income reduced 70% or more. I do have an opportunity to work at a better job, but it will be out of the country we are in and a place thousands of miles from the nearest temple. It will easily be a year before we could even possible go again to the Temple. To take the opportunity, I need to go there preferably by the first of March, but I think I could delay it to the middle of March.

The problem is two fold. The temple is closed for cleaning or ?? from March 4th to March 19th this year. A second problem has come up. My youngest son needs his passport renewed, but since it was a Philippine passport issued in Thailand, it can ONLY be renewed at the main DFA office in Manila. Once applied, it takes 3 to 4 weeks to get the passport back.

So, maybe you can understand my question a bit easier. It sure is a quandary for both of us. Going to the temple is quite important for us and if we had to choose between going to the Temple now or taking the job, we'd choose the Temple, unless advised otherwise(any advice???). If I don't take the job though, I might have to leave my wife and kids behind while I go back to the states to work.

If we could go to the Temple before a year is up, we could have the temple and have the better job. One thing is pretty clear right now, we will need to be in Manila sometime by the middle of February in order to renew my son's passport. And that brings up another issue, economically, we can't afford to make a trip to Manila in the middle of February as well as in late March. If we could go to the temple at the same time, it would be great.

I am going to go talk to our bishop if this is at all possible. He understands our situation. I just want to ask others before I waste his time asking. If it's a hard and fast rule, then there is wisdom behind it and I accept it. The worst thing I could do, though, is assume it is when it isn't.

Thanks! I appreciate all advice and insight!

[FunkyTown]

I wouldn't recommend it, but it will obviously come down to your Bishop.

There are temple prep classes, fasting to be done and I would definitely go with another member the first time you go to the temple.

Being prepared spiritually is vital to having a good first experience in the Temple.

[Rico]

We have completed the temple preparation class. That was done several months ago. In fact, for the last several months our Bishop has been encouraging us to go to the Temple this coming March. We are preparing ourselves spiritually to make the trip. A friend of ours just got a job in the Manila temple so we will have someone there and I think there will be another couple that will go along us. They are making regular temple trips.

Edited January 19, 2009 by Rico

[Elgama]

I was 10 years baptised before I went through the temple and have to say I am glad I waited so long the learning I received outside the temple went a long way to increasing my understanding and enriching the experience in it.

I know you have a family to be sealed to which makes it more important but my advice based on my experience would be to wait a little longer rather than go too early

-Charley

[FunkyTown]

I agree with Gama. It's ultimately between you and your bishop and, if your bishop is inspired to allow you to go early, more power to you! But I'd recommend waiting.

[john doe]

I'm not positive, but I believe the 1 year wait is a general guideline. As has been stated, consult with your bishop and see what can be worked out.

[BenRaines]

In extreme cases exceptions can be made, always the exception. Would require Stake President approval.

Ben Raines

[Wingnut]

My mom went a few days prior to her one-year mark, but it was so close that I don't think anyone realized it until she got there, and she says they "freaked out a little." I would explain the situation to your Bishop, and see what he says.

[Hemidakota]

I am just curious if the rule is rigid that you have to be a member for 1 year before going to the temple. Is it?

Here's why I ask, my wife and I got married February 26, 2008, baptized on March 6th, 2008 and we were confirmed on March 10th, 2008. I was ordained an elder on April 27th, 2008. We both have callings. I hope this puts all the pertinent information and dates out there.

We have been negatively affected by the economy since I do most of my work online. I'd say I've had my income reduced 70% or more. I do have an opportunity to work at a better job, but it will be out of the country we are in and a place thousands of miles from the nearest temple. It will easily be a year before we could even possible go again to the Temple. To take the opportunity, I need to go there preferably by the first of March, but I think I could delay it to the middle of March.

The problem is two fold. The temple is closed for cleaning or ?? from March 4th to March 19th this year. A second problem has come up. My youngest son needs his passport renewed, but since it was a Philippine passport issued in Thailand, it can ONLY be renewed at the main DFA office in Manila. Once applied, it takes 3 to 4 weeks to get the passport back.

So, maybe you can understand my question a bit easier. It sure is a quandary for both of us. Going to the temple is quite important for us and if we had to choose between going to the Temple now or taking the job, we'd choose the Temple, unless advised otherwise(any advice???). If I don't take the job though, I might have to leave my wife and kids behind while I go back to the states to work.

If we could go to the Temple before a year is up, we could have the temple and have the better job. One thing is pretty clear right now, we will need to be in Manila sometime by the middle of February in order to renew my son's passport. And that brings up another issue, economically, we can't afford to make a trip to Manila in the middle of February as well as in late March. If we could go to the temple at the same time, it would be great.

I am going to go talk to our bishop if this is at all possible. He understands our situation. I just want to ask others before I waste his time asking. If it's a hard and fast rule, then there is wisdom behind it and I accept it. The worst thing I could do, though, is assume it is when it isn't.

Thanks! I appreciate all advice and insight!

No rule is rigid. Talk to both the Bishop and the Stake President for earlier approval.

[NeuroTypical]

I am just curious if the rule is rigid that you have to be a member for 1 year before going to the temple. Is it?

In our ward, we had a guy who was being shipped out to Iraq for a combat role, one month before his 1 yr date. At his and his wife's requests, the Bishop and SP sought and received approval from the 1st Presidency to get him through the temple one month early.

Exceptions are possible.

[Palerider]

If a person is ready and worthy they could go as soon as 6months.....maybe even earlier.....it does depend on what your Bishop thinks....he has the final say in a Ward.....:)

[Rico]

Thanks everyone, I will go and talk to the bishop in the next day or so and I will approach the issue with him.

[rockwoodchev]

Wow! What a complicated situation. Hope you work out the best solution for your family.

[rayhale]

If you want to, you can go to the temple within a few weeks of your baptism; you can do baptisms for the dead.

[talisyn]

In our ward, we had a guy who was being shipped out to Iraq for a combat role, one month before his 1 yr date. At his and his wife's requests, the Bishop and SP sought and received approval from the 1st Presidency to get him through the temple one month early.

Exceptions are possible.

I'm glad he got his endowments, he's gonna need everything he can. I had 2 brothers in Iraq, one sister and her husband there right now, and I really wish they had the protection going through a temple can provide.

[Rico]

Complicated situation that over the last few weeks has become a lot more uncomplicated. My Bishop suggested that he ask about us going earlier, but I told some of the advice I got in private messages here. He said he'd ask for advice anyways from the Stake President. Before we got any word back, an opportunity to take the whole family back to US soil became possible.

Heavenly Father knew what options were going to be available to us before we knew and we will be going to the Temple in probably 6 to 9 months. I think that's good and gives us time to grow some more.

Now we must deal with a whole new set of issues, including being back in the US on March 2nd with no job, little money, but a lot of faith. Any prayers would be appreciated. I have been gone from the states since 2005, and I have spent a total of about 1 year in the states since 1997 so I am bracing for major culture shock.

[Palerider]

We will keep you in our prayers.....good luck to you...:)