Temple Prep

[ldsguy422]

Hi all,

I'm teaching a temple prep class for 5-6 individuals in my ward. I've never participated in it before myself - never a student or a teacher for this one. Looks like I have a solid 7 weeks of teaching for the course. Just looking for suggestions on what you all think should be emphasized in this class. What would you want your potential students to know before going into the temple. Thanks!

 

 

[Jane_Doe]

Most important: know your students and teach to their level.

An example of this done poorly: I'm an lifelong active LDS lady who decided to go take out my endowments at the age of 30, after five years of intensive prayerful study on the subject.  My temple prep class was me as the only student... I remember being asked "Jane, did know you lived before you were born?"....  it was less than helpful.  After a while into this I spoke bluntly to the teachers about this and we were able to change things around to be a better class for me, and they became great mentors.

Now, that being said, if I were a new convert with language boundary issues, who'd never heard of garments, and such like that, these teachers initial approach would have been great.  (That's actually who they were used to teaching).

Another example of things done well: my sister's BYU temple prep class was awesome.  I totally recommend checking out their materials. 

Edited July 24, 2018 by Jane_Doe

[Sunday21]

I think that I would talk about both the necessity for and the importance of symbolism. Important to use symbolism beach this medium communicates to:

all cultures, all levels of understanding, all cultures, continues to communicate over many decades of exposure

The temple HAS to be symbolic in order to communicate and teach all comers in all time periods. There is no other medium that can convey meaning to all and that continues to do so across the lifespan.

[Guest MormonGator]

Honestly, prepare people for the temple like they've never experienced it before. Because they haven't. It can be very intimidating when you go through it the first time, so prepare them for that too. 

[mordorbund]

@Jane_Doe has it right. Find out why your class members are going to the temple (marriage, mission, maturity) and cater your lessons to that.

I would stick close to the manual. The plan of salvation in the manual includes the Fall. I think it's obvious why we would want to include that in preparation to receiving temple ordinances. And @Sunday21's point is captured in a lesson on symbols.

When teaching the worthiness lesson, be sensitive that those getting married might have family members who won't be joining them. Still teach the doctrine, but just be aware that it could be a pain point.

Be familiar with all 7 lessons before starting. It's quite probably that some classmembers may be nervous about the logistics of attending for the first time: when should they schedule an appointment with the bishop, or they have a deadline for when they can attend (due to family coming out of town for the wedding, or an MTC report date). This isn't covered until lesson 6, but may need to be covered on week 1 or 2 depending on the class.

[Jane_Doe]

Also, you don't need to teach the lessons in order.  If someone is really worried about logistics, perhaps have that lesson earlier to put them at ease.  If someone really wants to focus on a certain topic, don't be afraid to spend 2 weeks on it.  If the class has another lesson down pat, don't feel obligated to dwell unnecessarily on it. 

[ldsguy422]

18 hours ago, Jane_Doe said:

Another example of things done well: my sister's BYU temple prep class was awesome.  I totally recommend checking out their materials. 

Is there a website for that?