It’s Really Official!
October 1st, 2008 @ 4:15 pm by Mrs. Avocado
For most, getting their marriage license is “the step” that makes them realize that they are truly getting married; that the big party is really going to happen. For me, and likely for others of my faith, there is a different event that brings about those feelings. After picking up our marriage license, the government will recognize our marriage, but I couldn’t set foot inside of the temple to actually get married until I completed a personal worthiness interview with my local church leader, and then an area church leader, at which time they grant and sign a temple recommend. Temple recommends are essential to entering the temple. I in no way could have been married inside of the temple without one. I never intended to be married anywhere else, so this was an essential step for me. 
This is actually the Dallas, Texas temple. Isn’t it beautiful?
Source
Last night, I received my temple recommend. For those who are not a member of my faith, it might be hard to understand the significance of this event, although I am sure there are other belief systems which involve moments that evoke similar feelings. I have been singing of, reading about, and anticipating going to the temple since I was old enough to understand what it meant. It is undoubtedly the most important step I will ever take in my lifetime spiritual journey.
Today I feel happy and blessed. In 10 short days I will be marrying my sweetheart for forever.
What do you consider the most significant step that you’ve taken before you were married?
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20 Responses to “It’s Really Official!”
I’m not even a religious person and that gave me goosebumps. I’m so excited for you!
Congrats on your temple recommend! Is that the temple you will actually have your ceremony in? If it is, it looks super awesome. yay!
Congrats! What an amazing moment for you in your spiritual journey. I could hear your excitement in your words!
I’m so excited for you Avo! We had the missionaries over last night and we talked about going to the Temple and being worthy (we’re trying to get sealed). I know how exciting it has to be to know that you worked so hard to go there! yay!
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Congrats on getting your temple recommend!!! I had a friend who waited two weeks to hear back about hers and she just about had a fit. I’m sure you didn’t doubt that you were temple worthy, but it must be a relief to have it over and done with. Wow, just ten days and then you’ll be a family for all eternity!
I think things didn’t really hit me until the rehearsal. We were in the church in the evening (there is just somethign so special about being in a church at nighttime, reminds me of Christmas) and as were having an evening wedding the next day it just made everything feel so real and magical!
Becky
Congrats!!! That must be quite the wonderful feeling! I’m not very familiar with your faith so are you set to wed now or does Mr. Avo need to get one as well?
Yeah for official! Congratulations!
Yet, I have a possibly daft question. Please forgive me, as I do not know an LDS individual personally that I could ask.
Are LDS churches different than LDS temples? Did you, for example, grow up attending services and such at a completely different location than the temple? Or does the church and the temple have the same address, but different buildings?
And…if no one is allowed in the temple with out a recommendation, does the congregation clean the temple? The temple bathrooms?
Sincerely,
~ Sincerely interested and yet confused
Congratulations, that is very exciting And I can’t believe it is only 10 more days, it seems like not too long ago you were moving home and very far away from Mr. Avocado.
@Vic004: No it isn’t the temple we will be married in, but I’ll get to start visiting once we move to Dallas and I am really excited.
@mrshudson: So exciting for YOU as well!
@elle: He already has one, as he served a mission in the Bronx, NY before we met and started dating, and you receive a temple reccomend in order to do that.
@k: Haha, it isn’t a daft question at all!
LDS churches are VERY different from the temples. Members and non-members alike may visit the church at any time, and this is where worship services as well as a multitude of other activities are held throughout the week. To visit the temple, you must be a baptized member for at least one year and have a recommend. Temples are held to be much more sacred and special, although we are taught to have respect for our meetinghouses as well
As for cleaning, such an interesting question! Actually, members with recommends clean the temple. It is considered a privilege to be able to go inside, so I don’t think they mind so much. All temple and church functions are performed by members without pay. Plus, everything is white inside, and you wear white temple clothes, and you wear white slippers, so I don’t think it gets very dirty ever!
Congratulations Ms. Avo! What a wonderful accomplishment.
Congrats on getting your recommend!
I have more questions about the LDS faith!
You talked previously about how women get a recommend either at 21 or before getting married. Is your recommend conditioned on your getting married? That is, could you, in the 10 days before you get married, go into the temple now that you have a recommend? Also, what happens if a wedding (obviously not yours) gets called off between the recommend-getting and the sealing? Is the recommend revoked?
I’m a Unitarian, but I grew up really close to the Mormon Temple in Maryland - its beautiful, and I’ve always been curious about the entry process.
Congrats again!
Congrats Miss A! You guys are so close! What a meaningful and amazing experience it is gonna be for you to be able to enter the Temple for the first time!
Congrats Miss A! I’ve been thinking about temple recommends a lot lately myself and talking about the process with my honey. He didn’t go on a mission since he’s been serving in the military and was inactive up until the time we started dating. We’re anticipating the point down the line when we can go take out our endowments together.
(P.S. You’re still doing an amazing job explaining everything!)
Congratulations…I remember when I went through, it was amzing and confusing, heh.
I went through and was sealed in the Houston Temple in April
Thank you so much for all of your explanations. I love learning about anything new, and I have to say that I didn’t know much of anything about LDS, especially their weddings, before you started explaining!
Mrs. Avocado, Seattle
Age and Occupation: 23, Student
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Consultant
Engagement Date: July 27, 2008
Wedding Date: October, 2008
Blogging Since: June 30, 2008
Venue: LDS Seattle Temple & Hotel 1000
About Me: Somehow this little farm girl found herself a genuine Pole to fall in love and eventually move away to Poland with. I am an LDS bride attempting to plan a private religious ceremony, ring ceremony, seated reception for 100, and an open house while coordinating for guests flying in from across the United States and as far away as Poland. I try to avoid fads, excess waste, and saturated fat. I strongly endorse photography, DDR, calorie counting, rss feeds, cooking, and utilizing your resources.
That IS a beautiful church, Avo! I can just *feel* how happy you are by reading your post. Congrats! The countdown is officially on!