Preparing for Your First Latter-day Saint Temple Visit

To enter the temple, members must hold a valid temple recommend. This is a small card issued after interviews with local priesthood leaders (the bishop or one of his counselors, followed by the stake president or one of his counselors).

Entering the Temple: Because of the sacred nature of the ordinances performed inside, only members of the Church who meet standards of personal worthiness and hold a valid recommend are permitted to enter. If you are not a member of the Church, or do not currently hold a recommend, you cannot enter the temple itself, but you are welcome to visit the temple grounds, gardens, and adjacent visitors' centers.

During these interviews, you will answer questions regarding your faith, testimony of Jesus Christ and the Restoration, and adherence to church standards, such as the Word of Wisdom, the law of tithing, and the law of chastity. This process is not meant to be a test, but rather a conversation to ensure that those who enter are spiritually prepared to take upon themselves the sacred responsibilities and covenants of the temple.

Spiritual preparation is the foundation of a meaningful temple experience. Ward leaders frequently recommend attending a temple preparation class. This course provides a safe environment to ask questions and study the scriptures that underpin temple doctrines.

Focusing on Jesus Christ and the significance of the covenants you will make helps center your heart. It is helpful to study the Plan of Salvation, the history of temples in the scriptures (such as the Tabernacle of Moses and Solomon's Temple), and the concept of covenants. Preparing your mind to learn through symbols and spiritual instruction will help you receive personal revelation during your visit.

Inside the temple, the atmosphere is quiet and reverent. One of the first things you will do is change into simple, white clothing in private changing rooms. This practice is rich with symbolic meaning.

First, white clothing symbolizes purity and clean hands before the Lord. Second, it serves as a powerful symbol of equality. Everyone in the temple dresses in the same simple white clothing, removing all distinctions of wealth, profession, social status, and fashion. In the eyes of God, all are equal. You are encouraged to obtain your own white clothing prior to your visit, though temple clothing rental services are available at some larger temples.

Latter-day Saint temples are not designed for regular Sunday services, but rather for specific sacred ceremonies called ordinances. The three core ordinances performed are:

The Initiatory: A brief ceremony involving washings and anointings, which include symbolic blessings associated with spiritual strength and purity.

The Endowment: A presentation outlining the purpose of life, the creation of the earth, the Fall of Adam and Eve, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and the journey to return to God's presence. During this ceremony, you will make sacred covenants with God to live a Christ-centered life.

Sealings: Ceremonies where husbands and wives, as well as children and parents, are united in relationships that can endure beyond death. These marriages are performed at a sacred altar and are believed to be eternal.

To make your first visit smooth and meaningful, consider the following practical steps:

- Coordinate with a sponsor: Choose a close friend, spouse, or family member who already has a recommend to accompany you. They can guide you through the logistics, show you where to change, and sit with you during the sessions. - Arrive early: Give yourself plenty of time so you do not feel rushed. This allows you to quiet your mind, change clothing, and pray before the ordinance begins. - Ask questions: Temple workers are friendly, helpful, and wearing name tags. Do not hesitate to ask them for directions or assistance at any point. - Spend time in the Celestial Room: Following the endowment session, you will enter the Celestial Room. This room is a beautifully decorated, quiet space representing heaven. Plan to sit quietly, pray, read scriptures, and feel the spirit of the temple before returning to the outside world.