Choosing to Receive the Temple Endowment
Thinking about receiving your temple endowment? Young adults share their experiences.
Did you know that you can choose to receive your endowment even if you aren’t going on a mission or getting sealed in the temple yet?
You need to be 18, graduated from high school, and a Church member for at least one year. And you need to be keeping your covenants and have a desire to make and keep new covenants. Other than that, the timing of receiving your endowment is largely up to you, as you counsel with Heavenly Father, parents, and Church leaders.
The endowment is a gift from God. It is an opportunity for you to bind yourself more closely to the Savior and to receive more blessings!
Read these temple experiences from young adults as you think about receiving your own endowment.
The Next Step
Choosing to be endowed was an easy decision for me. As high school came to a close, I found myself longing for something more—something deeper, something different. I know that some people have powerful, defining experiences that lead them to the temple. For me, it was quieter, but just as certain: I simply saw it as the next step in coming closer to my Savior.
Each time I moved forward—whether meeting with my bishop or attending temple preparation lessons—it felt right. The more I prepared, the more I hungered for the divine blessings promised in the temple. I didn’t want to wait any longer. That’s why I chose to schedule my endowment for the very day after high school graduation.
When that sacred day came, it was beyond amazing. I could try to describe how marvelous it is, but the best way for you to understand is to experience it yourself. Since then, receiving my endowment has become more than what I experienced a single day—it has become a constant reminder of who I am, who I stand for, and who I am striving to become.
Ashlyn S., USA
The Best Mission Preparation
Before I graduated high school, I decided I wanted to serve a mission after doing two semesters of college. I had a few friends who were receiving their endowment. I really started to think about receiving my endowment too.
After months of thinking, praying, studying, and counseling with my parents, I decided to receive my endowment the week before I went out to college. That was the best decision I could have made for myself and for my relationship with my Heavenly Father!
During those two semesters at college before my mission, I had the opportunity to go to the temple frequently. It helped me learn more about the gospel and strengthen my testimony. It was the best mission preparation. It helped me during my time at college, and it’s helping me on my mission every day now.
Sister Brooks, USA
He Doesn’t Ask You to Be Perfect Now
The Nairobi Kenya Temple was dedicated recently, and I went to the open house. When we were in the celestial room, I had a spiritual experience. When I spoke to Heavenly Father in prayer, I felt like He was listening.
I had a flash of my life and how I can be a better person. I could see myself as who I was. And that just inspired me to try and be better.
We fall short sometimes, but He doesn’t ask us to be perfect now. He just asks us to try again. We can always repent, and He’ll open His arms to accept us back into His fold.
I’ll soon go back to the temple to receive my endowment before serving a mission.
Carl A., Kenya
A Spiritual Feast
Receiving my endowment was a fueling and renewing experience. The initiatory ordinance brought tears to my eyes. It was so powerful, and the Spirit was so strong. It brings me joy that I can still participate in these ordinances by helping others receive the same blessings.
Look forward to your endowment. It is a spiritual feast, a gift from our Heavenly Father for all those who are willing to accept it and follow Him.
Isak Ø., Denmark
Sacrifice Brings Blessings
Deciding to receive my endowment, I had to leave things behind, like for example, some clothes that wouldn’t cover the temple garment. But I was motivated by the fact that I could get to know Heavenly Father more. I chose to leave behind many things, in exchange for receiving more love.
Now, every day when I wear the temple garment, I feel like Jesus Christ is really close to me. I feel His protection in a way I can’t describe. The garment is a reminder for me that keeping my covenants is worth whatever sacrifice.
Juana M., Colombia
I Can Trust Him
I wasn’t getting married or planning on going on a mission when I received my endowment, but I felt that I was ready to take the next step in my faith journey!
I was able to be endowed in the Cardston, Alberta Temple surrounded by my family, and it’s a memory I will cherish forever.
Making covenants with Heavenly Father has helped me know that I am a beloved daughter of God and that I can trust in Him throughout all my trials in life. Whenever I’m feeling troubled, stressed, or unhappy, I go to the temple to spend time with God.
If you’re thinking about preparing to receive your endowment, do it! It has truly changed my life for the better.
Lachlyn H., Canada
Go, and Go Again
I felt excited, curious, and nervous to receive my endowment. At first, I didn’t understand everything, but my fiancé, family members, and friends brought me peace. I knew I needed to keep going to the temple to keep learning more.
You won’t learn everything about the temple in one visit. I recommend finding friends, ward or family members, or other people you trust to go with you to the temple again.
I also served as an ordinance worker, which helped me develop a better understanding of my covenants.
Kristi A., Puerto Rico
Worth Any Sacrifice
Before my mission, President Nelson visited São Paulo, Brazil. I was fortunate to hear him speak directly to the youth, urging us to serve a mission. His words resonated deeply with me, and it was at that moment I decided more firmly to begin preparing. That included receiving my temple endowment.
When I returned from my mission, I got married but then became unemployed. I didn’t have money for transportation to the temple, so I decided to walk there. I walked for two hours, praying for the Lord’s help to find a job. On the way back, I walked another two hours.
That day was very important to me. I cried a lot and asked the Lord for strength. He heard me and blessed me with a good job.
The temple is a blessing in people’s lives, and it’s worth any sacrifice to be there. Many things can happen—traffic jams, people trying to stop you, opportunities appearing on a day you planned to go to the temple—but nothing is more important, nothing is more meaningful than being there. The greatest blessings the Lord has for us come through the temple and the covenants we make there.
Erick G., Brazil
Hope in the Gospel
I received my endowment before I served my mission in the Philippines.
When I first got endowed, I really didn’t know what the meaning of it was. But I knew I was going to make covenants with the Lord.
When we’re outside of the temple, we can hear noises from the road, and then when we enter the temple, it’s silent, and it reminds us of how there is hope in the gospel, whatever challenges you may face in this world.
The temple is the right place to be and going is the right thing to be doing.
Annie X., Fiji