When I received my temple endowment, I wasn’t as prepared as I should have been. As is the case for some young adults, I had recently switched wards, and, as a result, hadn’t taken a temple preparation class. I also had heard some misinformation about the temple that made me nervous. In short, I didn’t have the greatest experience when I first participated in the intiatory and endowment ordinances in the temple. Fortunately, my parents encouraged me to go back, and after a few more visits to the temple, I loved it, and felt its spiritual power.
Although many people have wonderful experiences when they first attend the temple, I think I’m not the only who could have benefited from more preparation. But sometimes finding helpful information about the temple is difficult because, as Elder David A. Bednar said, “Many Church members are unsure about what appropriately can and cannot be said regarding the temple experience outside of the temple.”
Elder Bednar emphasized the importance of preparing for the temple by quoting President Ezra Taft Benson: “The temple is a sacred place, and the ordinances in the temple are of a sacred character. Because of its sacredness we are sometimes reluctant to say anything about the temple to our children and grandchildren.
“As a consequence, many do not develop a real desire to go to the temple, or when they go there, they do so without much background to prepare them for the obligations and covenants they enter into.
“I believe a proper understanding or background will immeasurably help prepare our youth for the temple … [and] will foster within them a desire to seek their priesthood blessings just as Abraham sought his.”
As I’ve talked with many young adults who are preparing to receive their endowment, I’ve found that some are nervous because they don’t know what to expect during the endowment, causing them to feel uncomfortable. Others have heard misinformation about aspects of the endowment.
Based on the words of President Benson and Elder Bednar, I recently helped create a video to provide helpful information for those who are preparing to receive their temple endowment. I walk viewers through what will happen from the moment they enter the temple to receive their own endowment to the time that they leave. In doing so, I am careful to only share what is appropriate to share and at the same time help viewers know what to expect.
For those who are endowed but haven’t been able to attend the temple for some time because of COVID-19, this video may assist in remembering the power of the temple. For those who haven’t yet been endowed, I hope this video will help in temple preparation.
Watch the video here: Your First Temple Visit: A Practical Guide | John Hilton III
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