#endowment

I can give you a rundown! There are also often temple preparation classes available in your ward or online!

(Warning for chunky post because there’s a lot to cover)

When you get your endowment, you start by calling the temple and setting up your appointment, so that they know you’re coming for your own ordinance and not a proxy. You usually go with an endowed family member or friend, so they can help guide you through the temple.

Once you arrive at the temple, somebody will be waiting for you to meet with the Matron, Matron’s assistant, Patriarch, Patriarch’s assistant, or some other member of the temple presidency. They check in with you, answer questions, and show a video that helps you know more about what happens in the ceremony. The video is pretty much the same as what you might learn about in a temple preparation class (or this tumblr post, lol).

The actual ordinance begins with you putting on your garments for the first time. This is done in the dressing room. When you get your endowment, make sure you have brought your garments (different styles, fabric types, sizes, etc. are available through church distribution sites), a white dress with long sleeves and a long skirt or a white suit if you’re a man, white shoes, a slip for your dress (optional), white socks/stockings, and a packet that holds your ceremonial robes. Again, these can be obtained from a church distribution site, and is usually bought for you by an already endowed family member or friend.

The garments are mostly unisex- each pair comes in two pieces, a boxers-style bottom and a cropped-sleeve top (styles vary). For women, you can wear your bra over or under the garments, but most choose to wear it over. You change into your garments in a dressing room, and put on your white suit or dress, socks and shoes, and take your packet of robes with you (without putting them on).

Once you are changed, your guide will take you to the Initiatory booths. Booths are usually the size of a large closet, and are divided into four sections by white curtains. The first section is a waiting area. The second is where you receive an introduction to the initiatory as well as your symbolic washing. The third section blesses you (in SUPER cool ways btw) and symbolically anoints you with oil. The fourth and final section instructs and teaches you about the importance of the garment. This last booth is also where you will receive a new name if it’s your own endowment. If you are a man, you receive your blessings from a man, and if you are a woman, your initiatory blessings are given by a woman. The blessings are nearly identical between men and women, with only minor changes (mostly in how you’re addressed- sister vs brother). The names are based on what day it is, so if you forget your new name in the future you can talk to a temple presidency member and they can look it up for you.

After receiving your new name, you move on to the chapel and wait to be let into the endowment room. Some temples may move you directly into the endowment room. Once everyone is seated, a film begins on a screen or projection at the front of the room. The film has narration, still pictures, voice acting, and captions to tell the story of the creation, the fall of Adam and Eve, covenants, and the process by which we may return to God’s presence. If you need language assistance, translators are available.

The film lasts about an hour and a half. During it, you receive instruction and vow to keep the covenants of obedience, sacrifice, chastity, the law of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the law of consecration. These are explained in the film before you covenant to keep them. You also dress in sacred ceremonial robes and learn more about how to return to God’s presence.

When the film is almost done, there is a break during which the prayer circle happens. During the prayer circle, individuals and couples stand and unite in prayer for those names that have been submitted to the temple for special blessings. The names remain anonymous, and are taken from the prayer rolls that can be found throughout the temple and through the church Tools app.

After the prayer, the film continues, instructing you on the next part of the ceremony, which happens at the veil. Temple workers help you perform the ceremony, usually with a card that has written instructions on what to do and say. When this is complete, you pass through the veil and enter the Celestial room. You can stay in this beautiful room as long as you want, and when you are done, you return to the dressing room, change back into your street clothes, and leave.

Please know that the initiatory and endowment ceremonies are nothing to fear and be anxious of- people like to talk about how complicated and overwhelming it can be, but if you focus on your feelings rather than trying to understand, memorize, or learn everything in one go, you will find more power, love, and awe in the endowment than anything else. Enjoy your first time, and look forward to learning and understanding it little by little as you return again and again. You won’t understand everything, but you will feel the power that comes from God’s abundant blessings.