Importance of setting a date for the Temple

[andypg]

In a couple weeks I will be celebrating my one year anniversary of joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to be honest I never thought I'd be so at home in this Church!

 

One of the things I've been thinking about lately has been going to the temple. Lately I've been having a strong desire to receive my endowments (is that the proper phrasing?). I have been reading President Packer's book and that has really elevated my desire to go to the temple. Last time I was at the temple for baptisms, I was waiting in front of the front desk looking into the temple at people getting ready to enter a session and I really just wanted to run and join them

 

When I met with my Stake President recently one of the things he talked about was preparing to go to the temple when I reached a year and when i felt like I was ready. I've talked to a friend who was the missionary who first taught me (via mormon.org!) a year ago to talk about this a little. But i thought I'd come here for some help...

 

How important is it to pick a date for the temple? Part of me wants it to be a special day that I pick and pray about yet I recognize I will be dependent on someone from my ward to drive me as I don't have a car so the easiest will just be to go on a ward temple night.

 

Right now, I'm leaning towards my birthday, a Saturday in late October. But how important is the date? Should i just do it on the ward temple night?

 

 

And how do you know you are ready to enter the temple? I really want to go, I have a strong desire, I've prayed about it and feel like October/November would be an appropriate time to go, but I don't want it to seem like I am rushing.....and what if I miss things the first time around because I don't know enough???

[Leah]

In a couple weeks I will be celebrating my one year anniversary of joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to be honest I never thought I'd be so at home in this Church!

 

One of the things I've been thinking about lately has been going to the temple. Lately I've been having a strong desire to receive my endowments (is that the proper phrasing?). I have been reading President Packer's book and that has really elevated my desire to go to the temple. Last time I was at the temple for baptisms, I was waiting in front of the front desk looking into the temple at people getting ready to enter a session and I really just wanted to run and join them

 

When I met with my Stake President recently one of the things he talked about was preparing to go to the temple when I reached a year and when i felt like I was ready. I've talked to a friend who was the missionary who first taught me (via mormon.org!) a year ago to talk about this a little. But i thought I'd come here for some help...

 

How important is it to pick a date for the temple? Part of me wants it to be a special day that I pick and pray about yet I recognize I will be dependent on someone from my ward to drive me as I don't have a car so the easiest will just be to go on a ward temple night.

 

Right now, I'm leaning towards my birthday, a Saturday in late October. But how important is the date? Should i just do it on the ward temple night?

 

 

And how do you know you are ready to enter the temple? I really want to go, I have a strong desire, I've prayed about it and feel like October/November would be an appropriate time to go, but I don't want it to seem like I am rushing.....and what if I miss things the first time around because I don't know enough???

I don't know how to explain it, but you will know when you are ready. I was fortunate in having a bishop and friends who conveyed the importance of the temple to me, and I pretty much spent my first year focusing on being prepared.

No matter how prepared you fee, there will be things that you miss. You cannot possibly absorb it all the first time. That's one of the reasons it is important to continue to attend regularly.

I don't know about receiving your endowment on ward temple night. There is a lot more involved than just attending an endowment session. But others with more experience can weigh in on that. Your bishop will also provide guidance.

[john doe]

As you discuss things more with your bishop and stake president, things will become more clear to you. Keep in mind that your first time through, you can ask a good friend of the same sex to go as your escort to show you what to do and where to go. Generally, first-timers should also call the temple and give them a heads-up and tell them which session you are planning on attending so they can have staff available to help you and guide you through your first session. When buying temple clothes through the distribution center tell the people that it is your first time and most centers will sell you the 'kit' for half price.

[andypg]

When buying temple clothes through the distribution center tell the people that it is your first time and most centers will sell you the 'kit' for half price.

 

This is something I've been worrying about (more like thinking about really), do I have to purchase any clothes before hand? At this point, I'm trying to think through the preparatory logistics.

[Guest]

This is something I've been worrying about (more like thinking about really), do I have to purchase any clothes before hand? At this point, I'm trying to think through the preparatory logistics.

 

AAAANNNDDDYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

No, you don't need to purchase anything.  There are several options here, 1.)  Bring your own (has to meet temple guidelines), 2.) purchase your own, 3.) use ones provided by the temple (call the temple before hand because each temple is different - some rent them, some don't have them to rent at all), 4.) if you can't afford one, the bishop can help you get one.

 

About the date... I suggest making a special trip of it instead of going with the ward Temple Trip.  The first time I went, I was too overwhelmed to understand anything.  I did my endowment and got sealed to my husband all on the same day.  I simply went through the motions (getting herded by my husband's family and ward members who went with us) and concentrated on the feeling instead of the words.  After the whole thing was done, my husband and I sat in the Celestial Room for a loooooong time just trying to absorb what we experienced.  This wouldn't be a good time to have to worry about catching that ride back home.

 

So, yes, choose a date.  Even a special date.  Make it your target date and prepare around that date.  But don't get too hooked on that date - be flexible for when things don't go according to plan.  You can ask your Home Teachers/EQP/Bishop to see if somebody in the ward would be willing to spend the day with you in the Temple.  Or, if you can spare the dime, rent a car to go.

 

There are many things that needs to be done... you'll need to go through the temple interview with the bishop and the stake president then go through a temple prep class.  You'll learn more about the process and things will be clearer for you then.

 

Exciting!

[dahlia]

You will have to purchase garments. You won't be able to do it yourself because you're not endowed, which is why you should be working with someone (doesn't have to be the bishop) so you can do this.  The temple workers will look after you in general, but you should really have someone from your ward that will be your escort and stay by your side. You should also be able to ask this person questions (there may be limits on what they can answer). Hopefully, you have a friend or two in the ward who can help you with this.

 

Does your ward offer temple prep lessons? If so, you should take them. We also got some info on garment materials, but that may not make as much difference for a guy as it does for a female.

 

As for getting endowed on your ward temple trip, it's probably ok BUT, I found that people want to be there when a convert goes to the temple for the first time. I think that picking a date gives you something to work toward (for me, I wanted to finish reading the BOM before I was endowed) and will let ward members who want to share this moment with you schedule the date.

[kapikui]

From a practical standpoint, you will need an appointment with the temple to take out your own endowments.  To attend an endowment session later on is generally done on a drop in basis, though some temples do require an appointment to better distribute the visitors, live endowments to my knowledge are only done on an appointment basis, and usually only at certain times.

 

For your own endowments, you will need white temple clothing and the temple packet (I won't go into further detail here), Many temples have clothing rental, but many do not.  You can call the temple you will be attending, or just find it on the church website.  Each temple has a page that gives you the important stats such as hours open, when live endowment sessions are done, if clothing rental is available, and if any food service is available.  If you have the option to rent the clothing at 'your' temple, then you won't have to get anything except garments before you go.  If there isn't clothing rental, you'll have to buy or borrow it before you go.

 

You'll also need an escort.  That's someone you trust (of the same gender) who will help you out while going through for the first time.  For me it was my father, but since you are a convert you most likely won't have that luxury. The bishop might be able to help you with it, or a home teacher, or a friend from your ward. It really doesn't matter as long as they're endowed and have a recommend.

 

Your best bet is to simply start talking to your bishop about it.  You'll need to talk to him to get your recommend anyway, so just talk to him about it, and he'll get you all squared away with everything you'll need.

[Leah]

You will have to purchase garments. You won't be able to do it yourself because you're not endowed, which is why you should be working with someone (doesn't have to be the bishop) so you can do this.  The temple workers will look after you in general, but you should really have someone from your ward that will be your escort and stay by your side. You should also be able to ask this person questions (there may be limits on what they can answer). Hopefully, you have a friend or two in the ward who can help you with this.

 

Does your ward offer temple prep lessons? If so, you should take them. We also got some info on garment materials, but that may not make as much difference for a guy as it does for a female.

 

As for getting endowed on your ward temple trip, it's probably ok BUT, I found that people want to be there when a convert goes to the temple for the first time. I think that picking a date gives you something to work toward (for me, I wanted to finish reading the BOM before I was endowed) and will let ward members who want to share this moment with you schedule the date.

I bought my own garments for my own endowment. So did everyone else that I have talked to about it. Unless you are trying to buy them before you've had your interviews and have your recommend signed, I don't know why you couldn't.

Your recommend is signed and recorded before you go to receive your endowments. You will have it in hand when you check in at the desk the day you go to receive your endowment. Prior to that day, you simply take it with you when you go to buy your garments and your temple clothes (if you are buying your clothes and not renting). The folks at the distribution center can answer any questions you have and help you with your purchases. There are some purchases that require their assistance (temple robes).

I also recommend taking an endowed friend of the same sex with you (I took my VT companion) as they can also give helpful advice regarding your purchases, including accompanying you into the dressing room for certain items that a non-endowed person would not be allowed to view.

Any endowed male...a friend....home teacher...bishop...would be able to answer your clothing questions. I don't know about guys, but it's usually trial and error for us gals to figure out which garments work for us. Sometimes other items, as well.

[dahlia]

I had a recommend for baptisms, but for some reason that escapes me now, I needed an endowed member to buy my garments. We aren't near a distribution center and had to do it online, if that makes a difference. I had to use my friend's number. Another woman went to the temple about 3 months before I did and she had to do the same thing. All I know is I was told I needed a member to buy the garments for me (obviously I put in my payment info, etc.).

[Iggy]

The members of my Branch all asked me to wait a few months to get my endowment until it could be done on a Branch Temple Day. 

 

At the time there were 60 active endowed members. That worked out best for me, since I wanted my older sister to be my escort and she wouldn't have been able to do it if I hadn't of waited.

 

There was no worrying about hurrying to catch a ride home, no one was going to leave me there, and they all wanted to have lunch with me afterwards. Fortunately the Branch Presidents wife reserved a room at the Olive Garden for 65 people! 

 

I will never forget that day. And I am so glad I waited for the Branch temple day so that my Church family could be with me. 

 

My two older sisters bought my dress and some of the garments. A couple from the branch gave me $50.00 to buy what I needed also, be it garments, or dress, or whatever. 

 

I was endowed in April of 2001 at the Portland Temple, then in June of that same year I was sealed to my Mom and Dad in the Seattle Temple. That too I will never forget. Sitting outside the sealing offices, with my eyes closed, listening to the hushed voices and the swishing of the temple dresses on the sisters as they walked by. The absolute peace and serenity that embraced me. Afterwards, my family and I went to the Red Lobster for dinner.