Your temple endowment before your mission
Newly called missionaries are encouraged to receive the temple endowment as soon as possible. Here’s how to get ready, from the Church’s official pages. Sacred details stay in the temple.
More
When
Plan to receive it before your mission starts.
- Who: at least 18, finished with high school, and confirmed at least 1 full year ago.
- Got your call? Plan to receive your endowment as soon as you can.
- No way to do it before the MTC? You can receive your endowment at the MTC.
Not ordained yet? Being ordained an elder →
The steps
Five steps. Start with your bishop.
- Step 1Temple preparation course Encouraged for anyone preparing to receive their own endowment. Ask your bishop.
- Step 2Recommend interviews First with your bishop, then your stake president. You’ll talk about the standards for entering the temple.
- Step 3Two temple recommends To receive the endowment you need two temple recommends: a recommend for living ordinances and a current recommend for endowed members. Your bishop and stake president interview you and issue them.
More
- Step 4Make a temple reservation Make a reservation with the temple after you meet with your bishop. The temple will send instructions, including about temple clothing. Find a temple
More
- Step 5 Go to the temple Temple workers are there to help. You don’t need to remember everything the first time.
Temple prep toolsYour own endowment is scheduled with the temple. Later visits: Temple Reservation. Family names: Ordinances Ready.
What to wear and bring
Go in Sunday clothes and bring your recommend.
-
Wear to the templeThe clothes you’d wear to sacrament meeting.
-
White clothingWomen: a white long- or ¾-sleeve dress (or skirt and blouse), shoes or slippers. Men: a white long-sleeve shirt, tie, pants, socks, shoes or slippers.
More
-
Temple clothing and garmentsSold at Church Distribution and store.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Some temples rent clothing, and temples keep a supply missionaries can use.
More
For families
Parents have the main role in helping their children prepare.
-
An escortYour missionary may invite an endowed member of the same gender with a current recommend. The temple can provide one.
-
AfterwardEndowed family members and the bishop can talk with your missionary about the temple experience.
-
How to helpHelp with the prep course, interview times, clothing and the temple reservation.
Questions
Tap to open · 8 common questions
When should a missionary receive the endowment?
As soon as possible after the call. The General Handbook says newly called missionaries are encouraged to receive the temple endowment as soon as possible, and members who have received a mission call should receive it.
Who can receive the endowment?
Members who are at least 18, have finished or are no longer attending high school, were confirmed at least one full year ago, and want to make and keep temple covenants.
What if there’s no way to be endowed before the MTC?
The Provo MTC’s FAQ says that if there is no feasible way to be endowed before traveling to the MTC, you can receive your endowment at the MTC.
How many temple recommends do I need for my endowment?
Two. The General Handbook (27.2.3.1) says that to receive the endowment you need a temple recommend for living ordinances and a current temple recommend for endowed members. Your bishop and stake president interview you and issue them.
How do I make a temple reservation for my endowment?
Contact the temple after you meet with your bishop. The General Handbook (27.2.3.2) calls this making a reservation (it used to say appointment). The temple will give you instructions, including about temple clothing.
Do I need to buy temple clothing?
Not necessarily. Some temples rent clothing, and temples keep a supply that full-time missionaries may use if needed. You can also buy it at Church Distribution or store.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Does this guide explain what happens in the temple?
No. Temple ordinances are sacred. This guide covers getting ready. For what the Church shares publicly, see its About the Temple Endowment page.
What if I feel nervous?
That’s normal. The Church says you don’t need to know or remember everything the first time. Temple workers are there to help.
Sources and fine print
Tap to open · 8 official pages + fine print
- About the Temple Endowment, temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org (official)
- Prepare for the House of the Lord, temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org (official)
- Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple (official booklet)
- General Handbook 27.1–27.2: preparing, two temple recommends (27.2.3.1), making a temple reservation (27.2.3.2), clothing and escorts (official)
- General Handbook: Summary of Recent Updates (October 2026: “appointment” is now “reservation”) (official)
- General Handbook 24.5.1 “Temple Endowment and Temple Service” (official)
- General Handbook 38.5 “Temple Clothing and Garments” (official)
- Provo MTC At-Home MTC Training FAQ (official, )
Fine print
- This guide covers preparation only. Temple ordinances are sacred and are not described here.
- Ages and timing can differ for your situation. Your bishop, stake president and the temple are the final word.
- To see if a temple rents clothing, check temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
. Official pages, your call packet and the Missionary Portal are always the final word. GotMyCall is unofficial and not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Reflects the Church’s October 2026 General Handbook update, which now says “temple reservation.”