Temple Question

[ldsz]

I am a pre-missionary awaiting to go to the temple.

My bishop told me in my initial interview that I would be endowed by November. However, I am not. Upon setting up an interview with him to obtain a recommend he told me "no temple preparation class, no recommend".

I was told that this class would begin in September. Then it didn't start. Upon asking, I was told by the Bishop that it would start in October and it did not. I asked again the answer was next week. It didn't start that following week. When late October hit, I asked the bishop, and he gave me the same answer, it will start next week. The following week, I asked the temple prep teacher and he told me that he has not received the authorization from the Bishop to teach me. I asked the bishop again, he said it would start "next week". It didn't, so I asked the teacher again and I got the same answer. This cycle has repeated now three more times with the exact explanations (I ask every week).

So, my question is, what should I do about this? I feel like there is something that I did wrong or something. I would think there is a reason that these "next weeks" have turned into 2.5 months. I have thought about giving the white flag and just not asking again, but factoring in the 6 week long course, the holidays, and the 3 week period my temple requires to schedule a live ordinance in advance, I have one month right now if the class started next week before I enter the temple and leave on a mission. So, if the class doesn't start next week, as I have been told (and the teacher already has said hasn't got the okay from bishop) then I will go to the temple only a couple weeks before I leave. I would like to have the opportunity to go often before I leave on my mission and don't go for two years.

I am very excited to enter the temple. I've read the Holy Temple by Packer, a bunch of Hugh Nibley, and studied extensively the ancient temples. As a convert to the church, I studied aspects of the temple which has given me more of an idea of what happens than most people know when going the first time. I feel very ready to go.

Thank you for your insight.

-Bradley

[Blackmarch]

I am a pre-missionary awaiting to go to the temple.

My bishop told me in my initial interview that I would be endowed by November. However, I am not. Upon setting up an interview with him to obtain a recommend he told me "no temple preparation class, no recommend".

I was told that this class would begin in September. Then it didn't start. Upon asking, I was told by the Bishop that it would start in October and it did not. I asked again the answer was next week. It didn't start that following week. When late October hit, I asked the bishop, and he gave me the same answer, it will start next week. The following week, I asked the temple prep teacher and he told me that he has not received the authorization from the Bishop to teach me. I asked the bishop again, he said it would start "next week". It didn't, so I asked the teacher again and I got the same answer. This cycle has repeated now three more times with the exact explanations (I ask every week).

So, my question is, what should I do about this? I feel like there is something that I did wrong or something. I would think there is a reason that these "next weeks" have turned into 2.5 months. I have thought about giving the white flag and just not asking again, but factoring in the 6 week long course, the holidays, and the 3 week period my temple requires to schedule a live ordinance in advance, I have one month right now if the class started next week before I enter the temple and leave on a mission. So, if the class doesn't start next week, as I have been told (and the teacher already has said hasn't got the okay from bishop) then I will go to the temple only a couple weeks before I leave. I would like to have the opportunity to go often before I leave on my mission and don't go for two years.

I am very excited to enter the temple. I've read the Holy Temple by Packer, a bunch of Hugh Nibley, and studied extensively the ancient temples. As a convert to the church, I studied aspects of the temple which has given me more of an idea of what happens than most people know when going the first time. I feel very ready to go.

Thank you for your insight.

-Bradley

Contact your stake president. Let him know whats happening and ask him on what you should do.

[Guest gopecon]

The class is not an absolute requirement to go to the temple. If you are going to be leaving soon, you will probably need to set a date for your endowment at your temple. If you are able to get some of the classes in before then, great! If not, well...You can still go. You have read Pres. Packer's The Holy Temple, which will help.

My formal temple preparation was from my interviews with my bishop and SP. They briefed me on what to expect and signed my recommend. You'll be fine. Go with an open mind and without the expectation that you will remember or understand everything your first time around.

[ldsz]

I have actually talked about going straight to the temple and bypassing the class, however, my Bishop said that I would not be allowed to do that. I must first take the class before I can go.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[john doe]

Hmm, I didn't know it was a requirement these days. I never took a temple prep class before I went through, but that was a few years ago.

[Guest gopecon]

It sounds like you have your mission call and date to report to the MTC. If that's the case, you might respectfully remind the bishop that you are on a fairly tight schedule if he is insisting on the temple preparation class prior to signing a recommend. If that does not work, I'd go with Blackmarch's advice and contact the SP because the bishop's inaction is putting you in a potentially bad situation of leaving without getting your endowment. (This can take place at the MTC, but I think it is supposed to be when you don't have a temple conventient enough to your home).

[Sweetp]

I attend the LDS Business College and I checked with the Institute Instructors that have been in Bishop positions and they said that it is up to the Bishops as to whether or not it is required. The instructor's did say that it is highly recommended.

So, I suggest that you not wait until the last minute. I would contact your Stake President asap and see what he can do for you.

[ldsz]

We are now starting the Temple Prep classes. Thank you all for your help.

[Mamas_Girl]

We are now starting the Temple Prep classes. Thank you all for your help.

YEA! BTW, you'll have a lot of opportunities to attend the temple in Provo while at the MTC, I was actually able to do quite a number of female ancestors (as an only member I had a lot of names!). Just watch out for those sprinkler systems on your way back to the training center -- I got a couple of good dousings going from the temple back to the MTC. Timing is everything.

[Dravin]

YEA! BTW, you'll have a lot of opportunities to attend the temple in Provo while at the MTC, I was actually able to do quite a number of female ancestors (as an only member I had a lot of names!).

It really depends on how long you're in the MTC. I was only in for 19 days IIRC and only got to do 2 sessions. I imagine someone learning a language who is there for several months has a decent opportunity though. Luckily there was a temple in my mission and we were able to go once per transfer (later on that turned into every other).

[ldsz]

Well, guys, I'm getting endowed the first week of next month. I am so excited. Thanks again for your help!

[bytebear]

I never once got to go to the temple while in the MTC. I was there for three weeks over Christmas, and it wasn't open.