The Temple

[Investigator1]

One of the great aspects of the Restored Gospel is the restoration of the use of temples. After much reading on the subject (admittedly this is what began my interest in the LDS Church), I have come to the conclusion that the temple is in fact a restoration of a concept that exist since Old Testament times.

My question is, how soon after baptism can one begin to attend the temple to participate in baptisms for the dead? I know you have to wait a year to receive your endowment. Being baptized on behalf of my grandfather is something I would be very excited to do. Also, when you go to the temple, is it always for a specific purpose, such as sealing, baptism for the dead, or the endowment? Can one go to the temple (after being endowed and having a full recommend) and sit in the celestial room in pray for example, or is it always for one of the ordinances?

[Honor]

As far as I know, you are able to go immediately after you are baptized, or at least as long as it takes to obtain a limited use recommend from the bishop. I don't think there is a waiting period. Yall correct me if I'm wrong, but I know of a few people who have participated in the ordinance without waiting a year.

[Dravin]

Yes you can do baptisms for the dead without waiting a year. In fact in the Washington Spokane mission missionaries are urged to to get the ball rolling on that ASAP. If you are worthy to be baptized you are worthy to be baptized for somebody else.

[WillowTheWhisp]

Yes the same in our Stake. If a person is considered worthy after baptism (and is at least 12 years old) they can receive a limited Temple Recommend to do baptisms - but must be accompanied by a full Temple recommend holder as escort. We usually go on organied Ward Baptism nights so there are always a few full recommend holders there.

It is not possible to get to the Celestial Room without going through an endowment session but once you get there it is perfectly possible to sit and pray for a while.

[Gwen]

i have gone and done a hand full of sealings and then went and sat in the celestial room for awhile without any issues. however it is at one of the smaller temples where the setup is conducive to that, not sure if it would be different in the larger temples..... but i really don't see why it should be.

[Wingnut]

As a male, you will have to wait until you are ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood, which usually happens within a few weeks after baptism. As a female, there's no need to wait for that. At that point, you may attend the temple (with a limited use recommend from your bishop, as Honor mentioned) to participate in baptisms and confirmations for the dead.

The celestial room is available only to endowed members.