Temple Endowment

President Russell M. Nelson reminded us that “every activity, every lesson, all we do in the Church, point to the Lord and His holy house. Our efforts to proclaim the gospel, perfect the Saints, and redeem the dead all lead to the temple. Each holy temple stands as a symbol of our membership in the Church, as a sign of our faith in life after death, and as a sacred step toward eternal glory for us and our families” (“Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings,” Ensign, May 2001, 32; Liahona, July 2001, 37).

Typically, worthy members may receive their own endowment once they are at least 18 years old, have completed high school, and feel a desire to receive and honor temple covenants throughout their lives (General Handbook Section 26.5.1).

The Year Before

We encourage you to use the year preceding your temple endowment as a time to prepare to receive this sacred gift from God. As you prepare, please review the following material with your parents or another trusted adult, such as a member of the Elders Quorum or Relief Society presidency, a ministering brother or sister, or a temple preparation instructor.

• Appendix A: For Parents--Preparing Your Children for a Lifetime on God's Covenant Path, found in the back of the Come, Follow Me manual

• The Temples section of the church website, especially the page About the Temple Endowment and Prepare for the House of the Lord

• Gospel Study Guide: Temples in the Gospel Library

• Gospel Study Guide: Endowment and Sealing Ordinances in the Gospel Library

• The Everlasting Covenant, by President Nelson

• The temple recommend questions, which will be asked when you meet with your Bishop and Stake President

You may also find the following additional (optional) resources helpful as you prepare:

• Prophetic Teachings on Temples

• Section 27.2: The Endowment of the General Handbook

• Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple

• The Endowed from on High temple preparation manual

• Virtual Tour of Rome Italy Temple, guided by Elder Bednar and Elder Rasband

Preparing to Wear the Garment of the Holy Priesthood

"During the initiatory, the member is instructed to wear the temple garment. The garment is a sacred symbol of Jesus Christ. It is also a reminder of temple covenants. When members keep their covenants, including the sacred privilege to wear the garment as instructed, they will have greater access to the Savior’s mercy, protection, strength, and power." (General Handbook, Section 27.2: The Endowment)

To prepare to wear the garment of the holy priesthood, please review the following material with your parents or another trusted adult.

• • The Garment of the Holy Priesthood, by President Holland

  • Topics and Questions: Garments in the Gospel Library

  • The video Sacred Temple Clothing, which discussed the robes of the holy priesthood and the garment of the holy priesthood

  • Section 38.5: Temple Clothing and Garments of the General Handbook, especially Section 38.5.1 (Temple Clothing), 38.5.2 (Obtaining Temple Clothing and Garments), 38.5.5 (Wearing the Garment), 38.5.6 (Caring for the Garment), and 38.5.9 (Disposing of Garments and Ceremonial Temple Clothing)

The Weeks Before

When you are ready to receive your temple endowment, please complete the following steps:

• Contact your Ward Executive Secretary to let him know you'd like to schedule an appointment with your Bishop to receive your living ordinance recommend for your temple endowment

• Meet with your Bishop to discuss your preparation and worthiness to receive your temple endowment (your parents are welcome to join you)

• Contact the Stake Executive Secretary to schedule a meeting with the Stake President; inform him this meeting is to receive your temple endowment

• Meet with your Stake President to discuss your preparation and worthiness; your parents are encouraged to join you for this meeting, where you will discuss what you learned from studying the preparation material outlined above; please bring with you the physical temple recommend that was signed by your Bishop

Preparing to Receive Your Temple Endowment

Once you have your temple recommend signed by you, your Bishop, and your Stake President, please complete the following steps:

• Call the temple of your choice and schedule a time to receive your endowment

• Invite family members and others to worship with you in the temple

• Determine someone to serve as your escort while you receive your temple endowment

• With the assistance of an endowed member with a current temple recommend, purchase a few pair of garments and take one unopened pair with you when you receive your temple endowment; make plans to either purchase or rent white clothes to wear in the temple and the temple ceremonial clothing

• Visit Distribution Services to purchase a few pair of garments and, if possible, your own robes of the holy priesthood

• If possible, purchase your own white clothing to wear in the temple (see Section 38.5.1: Temple Clothing)

• Take one pair of unopened garments with you to the temple when you receive your endowment

After You Receive Your Temple Endowment

• After receiving your endowment, make plans to attend the temple regularly

• If time and circumstances allow, consider serving as a temple worker; if you are interested, discuss your interest with your Bishop