Preparing for the Temple?


Jason_J
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Hi all. I was baptized this February, and have been attending church practically every Sunday since (excepting when I've been out of town or had to go with my [non-LDS] family). I was recently ordained an elder, so I guess the next step is the temple? How should I approach this? Should I meet with my bishop to discuss this? One of my friends mentioned that they are going to be starting up the temple prep class again, so I assume that I should attend this.

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  • 1 month later...

just bumping this. So I briefly spoke with my bishop during tithing settlement about the temple, and he said (if I remember correctly, it's been a few weeks) that they'd start the temple prep class again at the beginning of next year. Do I need to do anything else to start preparing? Should I actually schedule a meeting with the bishop to discuss it? Also, what is the process like in preparing to go to the temple? By that I mean, do I attend the temple prep class, then after that is finished, I schedule a recommend interview with the bishop, then with the stake president, then if all goes well, I schedule the endowment?

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just bumping this. So I briefly spoke with my bishop during tithing settlement about the temple, and he said (if I remember correctly, it's been a few weeks) that they'd start the temple prep class again at the beginning of next year. Do I need to do anything else to start preparing? Should I actually schedule a meeting with the bishop to discuss it? Also, what is the process like in preparing to go to the temple? By that I mean, do I attend the temple prep class, then after that is finished, I schedule a recommend interview with the bishop, then with the stake president, then if all goes well, I schedule the endowment?

You don't have to wait for temple prep class to go to the temple. I suggest you get a temporary recommend so you can go to the temple and do baptisms. You can do this as soon as possible as often as you want to. It's a great experience and gives you a great introduction to temple work.

I believe you need to wait a year after baptism to get the full recommend for endowment. And so, it would be great if you complete the temple prep classes before this time if the opportunity is given to you. But, temple prep classes is not absolutely required to get a recommend - it all depends on what your bishop feels you need. So, yes, close communication with your bishop is key. Yes, you need the recommend interview with your bishop first, then your stake president. Then you can have your endowment done....

.... and then you can go on a mission... ;)

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Guest gopecon

I'd speak with the bishop or one of his counselors, they are the best to answer any questions you have about this. As to the timeline of what you can expect, it looks like you have it figured out. Interview with the bishop, then the SP, find a time that will work for you and those who will be going with you and head on out. Good luck!

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You don't have to wait for temple prep class to go to the temple. I suggest you get a temporary recommend so you can go to the temple and do baptisms. You can do this as soon as possible as often as you want to. It's a great experience and gives you a great introduction to temple work.

Thanks, I actually have had the limited recommend since March, and I've gone a few times. I love it!

I believe you need to wait a year after baptism to get the full recommend for endowment.

Yep, it'll be a year in February. Can't believe it's gone by so quickly.

And so, it would be great if you complete the temple prep classes before this time if the opportunity is given to you. But, temple prep classes is not absolutely required to get a recommend - it all depends on what your bishop feels you need. So, yes, close communication with your bishop is key. Yes, you need the recommend interview with your bishop first, then your stake president. Then you can have your endowment done....

Oh okay, I didn't know that the temple prep class isn't absolutely required. I'll definitely set up a meeting with the bishop to discuss all of this, I'm sooo excited and can't wait. I've got a few books on the temple that I can't wait to read, including the temple prep class manuals. Can't wait for my last final to be done today so I can get into all of them!

.... and then you can go on a mission... ;)

HAHA! Sigh, I really wish that I could serve a mission, but I don't think that this is a good time, i'm 25, trying to get into either pharmacy or med school, which is another couple years of school, and I don't think my non-member family would understand, and I don't think I could do that to them at this point, since I still live with them for now. Guess being a ward missionary will have to suffice!

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Whilst it is not absolutely necessary for you to have the Temple Prep Class it is recommended that you take it.

I have had mine and can highly recommend that you do them. It is only 7 weeks and is well worth it.

The Bishop will also have meetings with you, prior to your having your Temple Recommend Interview, which is also to prepare you for the first Endowment session.

Part-way through your Temple Prep classes they will arrange for the meetings with the Bishop and then to have your Recommend Interview. Then your Stake President's interview. Then the Bishop makes the appointment for you to take your Endowments, for which you need a chaperone.

Hope all goes well

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Whilst it is not absolutely necessary for you to have the Temple Prep Class it is recommended that you take it.

I have had mine and can highly recommend that you do them. It is only 7 weeks and is well worth it.

The Bishop will also have meetings with you, prior to your having your Temple Recommend Interview, which is also to prepare you for the first Endowment session.

Part-way through your Temple Prep classes they will arrange for the meetings with the Bishop and then to have your Recommend Interview. Then your Stake President's interview. Then the Bishop makes the appointment for you to take your Endowments, for which you need a chaperone.

Hope all goes well

Thanks, this is exciting! I hope I can invite my missionaries to come as well when that time comes. They mentioned that it should be possible, they have to get permission. Guess I should write letters to them to see how they're doing (they'll be in the mission for another year).

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Jason_J - Good to see you! It will be a year for me next month. I have been taking the temple prep class, but it has been drawn out because the teacher is a resident and often on call on Sundays. The other convert decided not to wait and took classes with her home teachers, and this is what I have done. I have heard from others here and in the ward that 1) you don't have to take a class or 2) the 'class' can be a couple of hours and over.

As for preparing for the temple, I got a book on the temples from the LDS.org store and a little booklet that seems slanted toward those who are doing their endowment right before marriage. I'm not doing anything special, but I do find myself drawn to conference talks about going to the temple, keeping myself temple worthy, talking to friends who are frequent temple-goers, etc. Much like when I first started taking lessons, I am just trying to keep an open mind and let it be what it is. I figure the first time I won't remember much, but I want to get that first time over with so I can keep going back to learn and understand more each time.

If you haven't as yet, you might ask a friend from your ward or your home teacher to show you some garments. I found it very helpful to see the real thing and not just read about it.

Isn't it exciting?!

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Jason_J - Good to see you! It will be a year for me next month. I have been taking the temple prep class, but it has been drawn out because the teacher is a resident and often on call on Sundays. The other convert decided not to wait and took classes with her home teachers, and this is what I have done. I have heard from others here and in the ward that 1) you don't have to take a class or 2) the 'class' can be a couple of hours and over.

As for preparing for the temple, I got a book on the temples from the LDS.org store and a little booklet that seems slanted toward those who are doing their endowment right before marriage. I'm not doing anything special, but I do find myself drawn to conference talks about going to the temple, keeping myself temple worthy, talking to friends who are frequent temple-goers, etc. Much like when I first started taking lessons, I am just trying to keep an open mind and let it be what it is. I figure the first time I won't remember much, but I want to get that first time over with so I can keep going back to learn and understand more each time.

If you haven't as yet, you might ask a friend from your ward or your home teacher to show you some garments. I found it very helpful to see the real thing and not just read about it.

Isn't it exciting?!

Hi Dahlia, good to see you too! So I'll find out from the bishop next week about this temple prep class. He mentioned it very briefly to me during tithing settlement, and my good buddy, who's also the ward clerk, mentioned it to me as well (he apparently taught it in another ward).

I feel like I'm at the obsessing stage of preparing to be endowed, so I've made a list of scriptures that have been referenced as good to study before the endowment, I plan to read the two manuals from the temple prep class (Endowed from On High and Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple), and I have a bunch of books on the temple as well (another book called Endowed From On High, House of Glory: Finding Personal Meaning in the Temple, The Holy Temple, Temple Worship, The Temple: Where Heaven Meets Earth, Temple Worship Simplified, and Your Endowment).

:eek: Yes, I know, this is overkill, but I'm really excited, and I love going to the temple and feeling the Spirit there when I do proxy baptisms, and the restoration of the temple is an important part of my testimony. It is exciting!

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Re inviting missionaries -

I missed that part of your post. The elder who worked with the other convert came back for her baptism. He is hoping to come to mine, as is the elder who was actually at my baptism. What kinda freaks me out is that people from the ward come - the other person had 20 people! I don't know why, but this makes me uncomfortable. It's kind of like when I was baptized and all these people showed up. I had no idea it would be anyone but me, my son, the bishop, and the missionaries. It is very humbling.

If the elders can't come this time, they all want to go through with me on their way out of their missions this summer.

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  • 3 weeks later...

You might also want to think about deciding who you want to go with you when you get your endowments. They are called an 'escort' it is usually someone you know...they have to be the same gender, and endowed obviously, but if you can't decide on someone the temple will provide one for you. An escort can help you prepare some of the little things that need to be done, and answer questions for you. A lot of people have a family member do this, I had my home teacher's wife and she was really nice and got a lot of things ready for me beforehand that I knew nothing about...she was a big help. :)

If you need to purchase temple clothing, (some temple areas it's necessary) I believe they still have half price discount for newly endowed members, well, in my area anyway. Some temples have laundry facilities so you can 'rent' the clothing basically for the cost of laundering it, so it is very inexpensive. When you buy the white pants, they are really long, so they can be hemmed to your height...dresses are that way too. Snicker, I didn't know this and bought a dress planning to wear it....lol I am such a shorty you could hear me walking around and dragging that skirt :o Luckily I was at a temple that had rental available so like a buck later I rented one.

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You might also want to think about deciding who you want to go with you when you get your endowments. They are called an 'escort' it is usually someone you know...they have to be the same gender, and endowed obviously, but if you can't decide on someone the temple will provide one for you. An escort can help you prepare some of the little things that need to be done, and answer questions for you. A lot of people have a family member do this, I had my home teacher's wife and she was really nice and got a lot of things ready for me beforehand that I knew nothing about...she was a big help. :)

If you need to purchase temple clothing, (some temple areas it's necessary) I believe they still have half price discount for newly endowed members, well, in my area anyway. Some temples have laundry facilities so you can 'rent' the clothing basically for the cost of laundering it, so it is very inexpensive. When you buy the white pants, they are really long, so they can be hemmed to your height...dresses are that way too. Snicker, I didn't know this and bought a dress planning to wear it....lol I am such a shorty you could hear me walking around and dragging that skirt :o Luckily I was at a temple that had rental available so like a buck later I rented one.

Thanks! Yeah, I already know who I'd like to ask to be my escort, I have a good buddy in the ward that I also asked to ordain me an elder. I'm meeting with my bishop in the morning to talk about the temple, as it'll be a year since my baptism/confirmation next month, so we'll see!

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Thanks! Yeah, I already know who I'd like to ask to be my escort, I have a good buddy in the ward that I also asked to ordain me an elder. I'm meeting with my bishop in the morning to talk about the temple, as it'll be a year since my baptism/confirmation next month, so we'll see!

Yeah!!!! :bouncingclap::bananajam:

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Also be aware that although the temple prep class may not have started, you can read the manual online at any time for personal study.

The pathway is: LDS.ORG -> Menu -> Study: Manuals -> Optional Courses -> Temple Preparation

I personally also read The Holy Temple by Boyd K. Packer and The House of the Lord by James E. Talmage. I recommend them as I feel they helped me to be prepared as well.

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So I met with my bishop. The temple prep class should be starting soon, so he'd like me to attend that. He also said that I should meet with him every other week as well to go over things. He said that I should start thinking about a date now, anytime after Feb 20th. Exciting!

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  • 3 weeks later...

just an update: spoke with the bishop today, and we're all set for me being endowed on Feb 25th! I'll meet with him for the recommend next Sunday, and with the stake president on the 12th. I spoke with one of the missionaries that I took the discussions with, and they'll be there for the endowment too. Can't wait!

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just an update: spoke with the bishop today, and we're all set for me being endowed on Feb 25th! I'll meet with him for the recommend next Sunday, and with the stake president on the 12th. I spoke with one of the missionaries that I took the discussions with, and they'll be there for the endowment too. Can't wait!

Congratulations Jason!

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  • 3 weeks later...

Question: do people laminate their recommends? I feel like I might get mine crumpled before 2 years are up!

Deseret Books (and I imagine other LDS Bookstores) sell recommend holders, those are fairly common. I don't see why lamination would be bad, but I'd double check with someone at a temple office (call them up or ask next time you visit the temple)

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Actually, you don't even need to buy a temple recommend holder. The temple provides one for you (it's a cheap one and doesn't come with pictures or anything like Deseret Book sells). I'm not sure if you can laminate it. Ask the temple.

It's not as if you are going to be using it like a debit card. You'll place it in your wallet and use it only when you go to the temple for about 30 seconds (you hand it to the temple worker who inspects it for signatures and date). I don't think you need to worry about crumpling it.

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