Preparing for Your First Visit to a Latter-day Saint Temple

What to expect and how to get ready for a meaningful experience inside a Latter-day Saint temple.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 14, 2026

Branched from Understanding Temple Recommends and Worthiness Interviews

Quick take

Obtain a temple recommend through interviews with your bishop and stake president.
Understand the sacred purpose of temple worship and its unique ordinances.
Dress appropriately and arrive with a prepared mind and heart.
Your first visit will involve receiving sacred covenants and instruction.

A first visit to a Latter-day Saint temple is a significant spiritual milestone for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, marking their initial participation in sacred ordinances and covenants performed only within these dedicated structures. It is a deeply personal and reverent experience, distinct from regular Sunday worship services.

Obtaining a Temple Recommend

Before entering a temple, members must be deemed spiritually prepared and worthy. This involves two private interviews: one with their local bishop or branch president and another with their stake or mission president. During these interviews, individuals discuss personal worthiness standards, including belief in God, adherence to Church teachings, and a commitment to living a virtuous life. Once approved, they receive a “temple recommend,” a small card that grants access for a specified period.

Understanding Temple Purpose and Sacredness

Temples are not regular Sunday meetinghouses; they are considered houses of the Lord, set apart for the highest ordinances of the gospel. They are places of instruction, covenant-making, and eternal family sealing. Before a first visit, members are encouraged to study and understand the significance of these ordinances through Church scriptures, general conference talks, and discussions with trusted leaders or family members. This preparation helps foster reverence and a deeper appreciation for the experience.

Practical Preparations for Your Visit

On the day of the visit, members should dress modestly and appropriately in their best Sunday attire. Upon arrival at the temple, they will check in with their temple recommend. Inside, they will change into white clothing, which symbolizes purity and equality among all participants. This clothing is provided by the temple or can be brought by the individual. It is also helpful to arrive with a prayerful attitude, a desire to learn, and an open heart, leaving worldly distractions behind.

A first temple visit is a pivotal moment in a member's spiritual journey, often occurring in late adolescence or early adulthood, typically before missionary service, marriage, or as a personal commitment to deepening faith. It matters because it is where individuals make sacred covenants with God, receive deeper spiritual knowledge, and participate in ordinances essential for eternal salvation and exaltation, including the endowment and sealings that bind families together forever.

Can anyone visit a Latter-day Saint temple?

While the temple grounds and visitors’ centers are open to everyone, only worthy, active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who hold a current temple recommend may enter the interior of a dedicated temple.

What happens during a first temple visit?

The primary ordinance for first-time visitors is the “endowment,” a series of instructions and covenants that teach about God’s plan, the purpose of life, and the path to returning to His presence. It is a symbolic and deeply spiritual experience.

Do I need to bring anything specific?

You will need your current temple recommend. While white clothing is provided, many members choose to purchase their own white temple clothing over time. Bringing a prayerful and open heart is the most important preparation.

Is it okay to feel overwhelmed or confused during my first visit?

Yes, it is very common. The temple ordinances are rich with symbolism and deep meaning that unfold over a lifetime of repeated visits. It is encouraged to reflect, ask questions of trusted leaders, and return often to gain greater understanding.

Sources

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints official website (churchofjesuschrist.org)