How to Schedule and Prepare for an LDS Temple Appointment

If you're a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and planning to visit a temple, understanding how appointments work is essential. Whether you're going for the first time or returning after years away, the appointment system has changed significantly in recent years. Here's what you need to know about scheduling, preparing, and what to expect. 📋

What Is an LDS Temple Appointment?

An LDS temple appointment is a scheduled time slot for members to enter a temple and participate in religious ordinances—sacred ceremonies central to Latter-day Saint practice. These are not open-house visits. Temples operate by appointment only for members in good standing, meaning you hold a current temple recommend issued by your local religious leaders.

The appointment system exists to manage capacity, ensure an orderly experience, and allow the temple to serve patrons efficiently. Without a scheduled time, you cannot enter the temple.

Understanding Temple Recommends 🎫

Before you can schedule an appointment, you must have a current temple recommend—a document issued by your bishop and stake president after personal interviews. This is a prerequisite, not something obtained at the temple itself.

A temple recommend confirms that you:

• Are a baptized member of the Church
• Live according to Church standards (including the law of chastity and word of wisdom)
• Sustain Church leadership
• Have been interviewed and found worthy by local leaders

The validity period varies. Most recommends are valid for two years, though some categories (such as those for specific ordinances) may have different durations. You'll know your recommend's expiration date from the document itself.

If your recommend has expired, you'll need to schedule new recommend interviews with your bishop and stake president before booking a temple appointment.

How to Schedule an LDS Temple Appointment

Digital Scheduling (Primary Method)

Most LDS temples now use an online appointment system accessible through the Church's member portal or app. The process typically involves:

1. Logging in with your Church account credentials
2. Selecting your temple from available options
3. Choosing your preferred date and time from open slots
4. Confirming your recommend status digitally
5. Receiving confirmation via email or the app

The availability of time slots depends on:

• Temple location and operational schedule
• Type of ordinance you're attending for (endowment, sealing, proxy work, etc.)
• Current demand and patron volume
• Temple hours (many temples operate limited schedules)

In-Person or Phone Scheduling

If you're unable to use digital systems or prefer direct contact, some temples allow scheduling by phone. You can typically find the temple's contact information on the Church's official temple locator website. Phone lines may have specific hours, and wait times can vary depending on how busy the temple is.

Variables That Affect Your Appointment Availability

Several factors determine whether you'll easily find an appointment slot that works for you:

If your preferred temple is fully booked, you have options: wait for cancellations, book at a different temple, or schedule for a different date.

Preparing for Your Temple Appointment

Before You Go

Confirm your recommend is current. Check the expiration date on your physical recommend or verify it in your Church account. An expired recommend will prevent entry.

Plan your arrival time. Temples ask patrons to arrive 15–30 minutes before their appointment time to allow for check-in. Traffic, parking, and unexpected delays happen—arriving early reduces stress.

Know what to bring. At minimum, bring:

• Your temple recommend (physical card or digital verification)
• A form of government-issued photo ID
• Any special clothing or items specific to your temple experience (your temple bag, if you maintain one)

Understand what's expected. If this is your first temple visit, attend a temple preparation class offered by your ward or stake. These classes explain temple protocols, what to wear, what to expect, and answer common questions. First-time visitors especially benefit from this preparation.

Dress appropriately. Standards for temple dress are specific. You'll generally wear modest, formal clothing (think business attire or dressy clothes). Inside the temple, you'll change into special temple clothing provided or maintained by the temple. The temple itself explains these expectations clearly.

Day-Of Logistics

• Check in at the temple entrance with your recommend and ID
• Proceed to your locker or dressing room if you're changing
• Follow staff guidance about where to go next
• Be respectful of the quiet, reverent atmosphere maintained in temples

Different Types of Appointments

LDS temple appointments vary depending on the ordinance or purpose:

Endowment appointments are for members receiving their endowment for the first time or returning to participate in the endowment ceremony. These typically require the longest time block.

Sealing appointments are for couples being sealed in marriage or families being sealed together. These are scheduled separately and may require advance coordination with your religious leaders.

Proxy ordinance appointments are for members performing ordinances on behalf of deceased ancestors. These are often shorter and more flexible in scheduling.

Limited-use recommends allow attendance for specific ordinances only (such as proxy work) without full temple recommend privileges. These have their own scheduling rules.

The type of ordinance you're attending affects how long you should plan to be at the temple and which appointment slots are available.

Canceling or Rescheduling

Life happens. If you need to change your appointment:

• Use the online system to cancel or reschedule when possible (usually available up to a certain time before your appointment)
• Call the temple directly if you can't access the digital system
• Do this as soon as you know you can't make it—this frees up the slot for others and is considered respectful

Canceling a few hours before your appointment may still be possible by phone, though the online system may require more advance notice.

What If You Can't Get an Appointment?

If your preferred temple is fully booked:

• Check nearby temples. You may have another temple within reasonable distance that has more availability
• Try off-peak times. Weekday mornings, especially mid-week, often have more open slots
• Plan further ahead. If you're flexible on dates, booking weeks in advance typically offers more options
• Join a cancellation waitlist if your temple system offers one—when someone cancels, you may be notified of the opening
• Contact the temple directly to ask about upcoming schedule changes or expanded hours

Common Questions About Temple Appointments

Can I bring someone with me? Only members with valid temple recommends can enter. Non-members cannot attend, regardless of relationship.

What if my recommend expires during my appointment? Your recommend must be current when you arrive. If it expires that day, you typically cannot enter.

Can I change my appointment multiple times? Yes, as long as you follow the temple's policies for modifications. Some temples may have limits on how frequently you can reschedule.

Do I need to make an appointment every time I visit? Yes. Each temple visit requires a separate scheduled appointment.

What if I'm visiting a temple outside my home area? You can still schedule an appointment using your valid recommend. The process is the same, though some temples may have preferences about advance booking.

Taking the Next Steps

To move forward, you'll need to determine whether your recommend is current, identify which temple you plan to visit, and decide your preferred dates and times. From there, the appointment system—whether online or by phone—will guide you through booking. If you have questions about your recommend status or aren't sure where to start, speaking with your bishop is always a good first step.