Conference tecrus::mormonism

    Why do you want to take out your endowments on the 8th and get sealed
    on the 12th?  I would suggest that you get your endowments on the 8th
    and sealed on the 8th, then do temple work the rest of the time.
    
    As far as fasting goes, that is an individual decision.  As
    missionaries, we were counseled to not fast longer than 24 hours since
    there were a few missionaries who were not using common sense about
    fasting.  To me fasting is like prayer, temple work, and tithing.  They
    are all individual.  I don't need to, or want to compare myself with
    others in regard to how long I pray, or how much I pay for tithing and
    how often I attend the temple.  
    
    Congratulations on your decision to go to the temple.
    
    scott

My suggestions are to read the books of Moses and Abraham in the Pearl of
Great Price before you go, to follow the suggestion of President David O.
McKay to not worry too much about the details of the ceremonies but to relax
and enjoy the beautiful Spirit in the Temple, and to take a close friend or
relative to accompany you throughout day.  Pres. McKay said you would learn
the details as you return to the Temple, and that your first visit should be
one of being immersed in the Spirit.

Congratulations, Frank!

Allen

    I've never been to the temple, and it will be a while yet for me,
    but I'm overjoyed to have this opportunity to congratulate you and
    your family!
    
    aq
    

    Congratulations also on your upcoming TEmple trip.
    
    As you are asking for advise (I love to give free advise ...for
    once that someone even asks ... :^) !)
    
    I personally regretted my decision to fast on the first time I went
    there, as the ceremonies took longer than I had thought they would
    and I did feel a little bit weak.  At the time that you are going
    thru, you are concentrating a lot on everything that goes on, and
    not so much on praying or fasting . I would suggest that if you want
    to fast maybe you do so the day before to prepare yourself spiritually
    for this big event.
    
    Yes Temple ordinances are sacred, but one thing you can plan on
    of course is that it will be very different from anything you've
    probably ever done and you might be a little bit surprised.
    In addition, don't expect to understand "everything" while there,
    just be ready and enjoy going through the motions, and then return
    to the Temple time and time again, so that you may gain more
    understanding of the ordinances that will be shared.
                               
    The Frankfurt Temple is not as grand in size and style as some of
    the other Temples (like SLC and Washington, which is the one we
    generally go to from the Boston area)   , so don't be disappointed
    by that (sometimes little things become big things ...)
    
    I think that it will be a very special time for you and your family
    and again I congratulate you and pray for a safe trip there!
    
    mathilde
       

Hi!  I'm back again after a rather long (but very enjoyable & restful vacation).

As to be expected, work has piled up and has patiently awaited my return.  

Thanks to all of you who replied with help/advice on how to prepare for the 
temple.  

Now that I am back, I would like to respond to the previous replies:

Re: .1
Scott, having the endowments on the 8th and the sealing on the 12th was 
intentional.

My reason is that we wanted to spend the entire week in the temple and you 
have to do your own endowments first before you can do any work for the dead.  
We could have gotten sealed on the 8th (Monday), but we wanted to have our 
sealing on Saturday so that other members of our ward could drive up to witness
our sealing.  We followed through on our original schedule of driving up on the
7th, getting our endowments on the 8th, and doing temple work on the 8th-12th.
We were sealed on the 12th, and did some more temple work on the 15th and then
came back to Munich.

I agree with your view on fasting.  We decided not to fast during this temple
trip so that we would be able to concentrate and learn as much as we can
(it really is a lot of information at once).  We will probably fast during
other temple trips (I'm planning another in the near future). Thanks for the 
advice & congratulations!


.2
Allen, thanks for the congratulations!  I took your advice & read the books of 
Moses & Abraham in the PoGP.  It was good advice as it helped to prepare me for 
my visit to the temple.  

We took Pres. McKay's advice about bringing a close friend with us during our 
first visit.  My parents accompanied us as we went through the temple.  It was 
a truly wonderful & uplifting experience.  


.3
Ann, thanks for the congratulations.  I would *really* like to recommend 
that you visit the temple as soon as you can.  It is without a doubt the most 
wonderful & beautiful experience that I have ever had.  I don't think anyone
can visit the temple and not be moved by it or changed by it. 


.4
Mathilde,  thanks for the congratulations!  We took your advice & decided not 
to fast.  We spent a lot of time preparing for this deeply spiritual experience 
by meditating and praying.  It was a wonderful experience.


To all:

Thanks for the congratulations and the advice.  You helped us to prepare for 
our first visit to the temple and the preparation helped make the visit all 
the more enjoyable.  Our visit to the temple was a beautiful experience and 
one we will never forget.  It is an experience that I will always cherish.

I will post a note (as a reply to 217) a little later describing my feelings
about my trip to the temple.  As there are other notes which describe temples 
& temple work, I won't go into these.  I will just try to tell you what I felt
as I was in the temple.  It will not be easy for me to put into words what I 
felt, but I will try.  


With love,

Frank

    
    FWIW, the following notes cover different aspects of temples.
    
    They are:
    
     35.*	Genealogy
     93.*	LDS Temples		     (Tells about Temple Work)
    217.*	Increasing Temple Attendance (with testimonies of experiences)
    255.*	Temple Open Houses
    267.*	Is Temple Policy Discriminatory?
    276.*	How about a Temple in Massachusetts?
    
    Personally, I find the first 3 the most informative for those who have
    never been to the temple before.
    
    Anyway, just thought you would like to know.
    
    With Love,
    
    Frank

    
    
    For those who are interested, I visited the temple (8-15 May).  
    
    I posted a note ( 217.5 ) which tells how I felt in events leading up
    to my visit to the temple & my feelings both in & out of the temple.
    
    It is difficult for me to put into words (& even moreso to make it
    public) things that are very special to me, but I love you all and 
    wanted to share this special experience with you.
    
    Sincerely,
    
    Frank

I thought I would wrap up this note on Temple Preparation by giving 
my thoughts on how to prepare to go to the temple for the first time.


1)  Get a Temple Recommend

	If you don't have it, set that as your goal and work toward it.
	It might take a while to get it, but think of it as the _minimum_
	requirements to enter the House of the Lord.

	During the interview, listen to each question that the Bishop asks.
	Try to really understand the questions and what is being asked.


2)  Call the temple and let them know you are coming - well in advance.

	You should do this together with your Bishop.  When you call, ask them 
	what you will need to bring with you when you go.  It would probably be
	a good idea to visit the local Distribution Center _before_ you visit 
	the temple (the first time).


3) If possible, take a week's vacation & spend the entire week at the temple.

	Your first trip to the temple is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
	Take the time & do it right.  Prepare for this.  It will be worth 
	the sacrifice.  I did this and it was without a doubt the best 
	vacation I _ever_ had.  You will definitely enjoy this very uplifting 
	spiritual experience.  There is no finer place on this earth than in 
	the House of the Lord.


4) When staying overnight, stay as close to the temple as possible.

	Drive up the night before and stay overnight - somewhere as close to 
	the temple as possible.  It is difficult to be in tune with the Spirit 
	when you are wading through rush-hour traffic.  Reserve rooms well in 
	advance.

	If the temple has such facilities, stay at the temple hostel.  
	This is sort of like a small hotel.  Few temples have them, most don't.
	Generally these are on temple grounds.  BTW, reserve rooms in advance.
	
	
5)  Read the Books of Moses & Abraham (in the Pearl of Great Price)

	I would read them at least twice.  Read them thoughtfully & try to 
	understand what is being said in them.


6)  Don't Fast (if this is your first time to the temple)

	Your first time is very special.  You want to be able to (try to)
	understand as much as you can.  It is a lot of information at once
	and will be unlike any other experience you have ever had.


7)  Read the Scriptures
	
	I read a lot from D & C shortly before I went to the temple.  
	Interestingly enough, the passage I had read the night before 
	was quoted the next day in the temple.  Pray before you read the 
	Scriptures.  Ask our Heavenly Father to let his Spirit dwell upon
	you as you read the Scriptures.  Close with prayer.

	
8)  Pray (very often)
	
	Try to commune with our Heavenly Father.  Be reverent & humble in 
	your prayers.  Don't let them be mechanical.  Pray as often as you 
	can - both in & out of the temple.  If possible, pray before & after 
	you read the Scriptures.  Pray as much as possible when in the temple.


9)  Eat a good breakfast the morning before you go in the temple.
	
	This will help you to be alert when you are in the temple.


10) Be prepared to learn as much as you can.  

	You will be given a lot of information in a very short period of time.
	Try to understand - not memorize what is being said.  Don't worry about
	the details.
	

11) Ask questions

	Don't be afraid to ask questions.  If you have any questions, ask those
	who work in the temple.  If they don't have the answers, they can point
	you to someone who can.


12)  Have a friend go with you when you go for the first time

	I would recommend your father, mother, etc.  This person will help you 
	and try to answer your questions.  It is also a beautiful experience
	and best spent with someone you are close to.


13) Relax

	You are entering the House of the Lord.  Leave your troubles & burdens
	outside (this will probably happen anyway).  Enjoy the wonderful Spirit.


14) Try to immerse yourself in the Spirit

	The temple is the House of the Lord.  As such, the Spirit of the Lord
	is very strong here.  Try to immerse yourself in it.  Commune with our
	Heavenly Father.  This will be a very spiritual experience.  Don't let
	things become automatic - even if you have been there often before.  
	Try to always be aware of where you are - the House of the Lord.  
	Pray as often as you can in the temple.
    
    
    That's all I can think of.  I hope the above information will be of
    help to someone.
    
    
    With Love,
    
    Frank