Temple Prep. Basics

I went through the temple for the first time last May before I got married in June. When I was preparing to make this next step in my life, I was excited and eager. I had been wanting to go to the temple and had been preparing myself for a while and I was so excited to take this next step. For me, it was something that felt like a true commitment to the gospel, but more than that, it was embracing the gospel as an integral part of my life. I, Anna, a pretty normal girl, was taking this spiritual leap into the life of being a devoted Mormon. It was something I really, really wanted.

When the time came, I went through the Bountiful temple with my fiancé, my family and my closest friends. And I had a wonderful, wonderful experience.

Great feelings aside, I know others feel different the first time they go through the temple. It’s understandable. It’s something that you don’t know a lot about and often there are Mormon legends about what the temple is like. But listen here: be not afraid! (Yes, I did quote Jesus.) There is nothing to be worried about. To quote the Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple manual, “Be at peace. You are going to the temple.”

So. I’ve put together a few basic ideas and practical tips for those who are going through the temple for the first time. The church has great resources that talk about the temple that I’ve linked to throughout this article. There are a few manuals, too, that are available through church leaders, are online, or can be downloaded through the Gospel Library app.

Physical Preparations

–          Temple recommend. This might be a “duh” sort of thing to say, but it’s worth noting anyways. An interview to get a recommend to go through the temple for the first time is often done through the stake president. Interviews afterwards are usually through your bishop. There’s a fantastic talk called “The Blessing of Church Interviews” from President N. Eldon Tanner, first counselor in the first presidency, (link: http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1978/10/the-blessing-of-church-interviews?lang=eng) that goes into detail about the importance of having a temple recommend and what it means to be worthy to have one. Once you have your recommend, you’ll be given another recommend, called a living ordinance recommend, for your own personal endowment which signifies that you are doing temple work for yourself. If you happen to be getting sealed, too, you’ll use the same living ordinance recommend for your sealing.

 –          Setting up an appointment with the temple. The church requires that those who are going through the temple for themselves, endowment or sealing, to set up an appointment. They do this so that they can adequately prepare for it, mostly so there aren’t too many people. This is a pretty straightforward process and when you call the temple you’ll be directed to the right person to talk to. They’ll ask you when you’re planning on doing it and how many people will come with you, if you have your family and/or friends coming with you.

 –          Buying garments/temple clothing.  When I was buying my garments for the first time, I went with my mom to Deseret Book. I knew a bit about the different materials and things, and I was pretty sure I knew what I wanted. I was prepared to waltz in, pick out a few kinds and check out. My mom forced her way in, though, and flagged down a worker to let them know I was a “newbie.” (Thanks mom.) I ended up being super grateful for my mom’s nosiness. The woman who helped me gave me a great run down of the garments and a more detailed explanation of all the fabrics and styles. But more than that, she explained other aspects of temple clothing and ceremonial things we wear in the temple. There are specific clothing standards in the temple—all white, floor length, long-sleeved dresses for women and white pants, a white collared shirt and a white tie for the men. But there is also different ceremonial clothing that is worn in the temple. It is just like other things regarding the temple—it’s sacred and not talked about in detail because of their significance and symbolism. For me, I was so grateful to know a little about their background and what they would be like. When buying garments for the first time, I’d strongly recommended talking to one of the workers about it. I loved knowing more about them and they will be happy to help you!

Temple clothing can usually be rented, too, in the temple for pretty cheap (around two or three dollars), but if you do decide to purchase them, you can get a 15% discount on your first purchases if you buy them through a church distribution center. Woot!

 (For some tips about how to take care of garments, click here. (link: https://theculturalhall.com/2012/09/12-practical-tips-for-wearing-lds-temple-garments/))

Mental/Spiritual Preparations – For this part, I’d rather have the church do the talking. I haven’t gone into a ton of detail, but there are a lot of helpful resources that I’ve referenced and the church website has a lot of great information, too. My only recommendation is to stick to information that is church-produced or from a LDS-friendly group. Because of the sacred nature of the temple and the things that are done it in, there are plenty of anti-Mormon sources out there that attempt to “expose” what happens. The temple is such a special place with the power to be a place of spiritual significance and there are plenty of people out there trying to destroy the sacredness of it. Be careful about where you go on the Internet.

–          Take the Temple Prep. class. Sometimes a class isn’t always available, but in most wards, there should be someone called to be a temple prep. teacher. Get together with them and go through the class with them (there are seven lessons designed for a seven week class). If someone like that isn’t available, ask for a manual from your bishop, check it out online, or download it from the Gospel Library app. The class is great and helps to emphasize the importance and significance of the temple. (Link: http://www.lds.org/manual/endowed-from-on-high-temple-preparation-seminar-teachers-manual?lang=eng)

–          Read Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple (also available from church leaders, online, and on the Gospel Library app). It explains the different parts of the endowment process and the covenants that are made. It also has a lot of information about the sealing ordinance.  (Link: http://www.lds.org/manual/preparing-to-enter-the-holy-temple/preparing-to-enter-the-holy-temple?lang=eng&query=preparing+for+the+holy+temple)

–          Read the book of Moses, specifically chapters two through five. The story of the creation and of Adam and Eve are taught in the temple.

–          Watch Between Heaven and Earth. This is a five part series that talks about ancient temples from Bible times as well as what the purpose of a temple is today. (link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azAFsfDrd2w&list=PL47C9CB3C9CB198DF)

–          Pray. The temple is a wonderful place to commune with Heavenly Father, but I think it’s important to pray specifically about your temple experience before you go. Pray to know if it’s the right time for you and pray to be prepared and ready to make that step.

–          Approach the temple endowment as a serious step in your spiritual journey. I know this may seem like a weird thing to say, but I often think that going through the temple is viewed as just another step in being a Mormon adult. It’s so much more than that. Going through the temple is dedicating yourself to the gospel on higher level. Be mentally prepared for the significance of the covenants you make in the temple. Covenants, to put in simple terms, are a big deal. When you choose to go through the temple and make those covenants, you commit to live God’s will.

–          When you go to the temple, go in with the perspective that you’re going to do something new. One thing that bugs me is when the ordinances in the temple are described as “weird.” It is disrespectful and inappropriate (sorry to be that person.) Approaching the temple with that perspective can distract from what could be a beautiful and meaningful experience. Instead, think of the temple as something that is simply new to you.

–          The ordinances and covenants we make in the temple are similar to ordinances and covenants that members of the church have done and do continually. Baptism, partaking of the sacrament, blessings of the priesthood—these are all similar to the ordinances that are done in the temple.

–          As you go through the temple, know that there is someone there who will guide you through each step of the process. Temple workers are there to assist the temple-goers and they will be happy to answer your questions, too.

–          Keep your heart open and in tune with the spirit. The things that are taught in the temple are taught through symbols. Don’t expect to understand everything that happens the first time. It’s a constant learning experience—one that is meant to teach throughout your lifetime.

The temple is truly a wonderful place. And with a little bit of preparation, the first time you go through can be a special experience, not strange or weird. Take the time to learn and prepare. It can enhance your experience and instill a love for the temple and the guidance and purpose it gives to your life.  

So, in the words of President Howard W. Hunter, “Let us truly be a temple-attending and a temple-loving people….Let us make the temple, with temple worship and temple covenants and temple marriage, our ultimate earthly goal and the supreme mortal experience.”

~Anna Thorley