I was recently baptized and am very excited to go to the temple! My birthday is coming up, and I was wondering if it would be possible for me to visit the temple on that day. I have been a member of the Church for less than a year. Thanks!
2 Responses to “I was recently baptized and am very excited to go to the tem…”
Mario Rios
2009-09-26 21:22:50
The San Diego temple in San Diego, California.
Hi Veronica. Congratulations on your recent baptism! I hope you find the same peace and happiness that I have found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Your testimony seems to be very strong! I think you have a happy future ahead of you.
It's wonderful that you want to visit the temple on your birthday. Many of the temple ceremonies, like the endowment and sealing ordinances, require a year of preparation. However, vicarious baptisms can be performed after only several months of Church membership. Jesus Christ taught that those who would follow Him must be baptized to enter into the Kingdom of God. Many of our ancestors never had the opportunity to be baptized by someone with authority given from God. We can be vicariously baptized for our ancestors so that they can receive this important saving ordinance. It's a beautiful ceremony and an excellent way to remember and honor those who have died.
I encourage you to talk to your bishop or branch president about your desire to perform "baptisms for the dead". He can provide further instructions and can make sure that you are ready for temple worship. I hope you have a great birthday!
Lowell
2009-09-27 03:20:30
Sure you could :) If you are a guy you will need to be 12 years of age and be a Deacon, for girls they must be 12. Simply have an interview with you bishop, inform him that you would like to visit the temple, and you and him will work on getting you a temple recommend. You will receive the temple recommend after he asks you a series of questions such as if you are keeping the word of wisdom, if you believe in Christ and accept him as your personal Savior, if you believe Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, etc. Hope this helped :)
It's wonderful that you want to visit the temple on your birthday. Many of the temple ceremonies, like the endowment and sealing ordinances, require a year of preparation. However, vicarious baptisms can be performed after only several months of Church membership. Jesus Christ taught that those who would follow Him must be baptized to enter into the Kingdom of God. Many of our ancestors never had the opportunity to be baptized by someone with authority given from God. We can be vicariously baptized for our ancestors so that they can receive this important saving ordinance. It's a beautiful ceremony and an excellent way to remember and honor those who have died.
I encourage you to talk to your bishop or branch president about your desire to perform "baptisms for the dead". He can provide further instructions and can make sure that you are ready for temple worship. I hope you have a great birthday!