How to Schedule and Prepare for Your LDS Temple Appointment

What you need to do before you book a temple appointment

Before you can schedule a temple appointment, you need a current temple recommend — a card issued by your local LDS bishop or branch president that shows you have met the church's membership standards. This is not something you can get online or by mail. You must meet in person with your bishop, answer questions about your faith and conduct, and receive the recommend from them directly.

Once you have the recommend in hand, you can schedule through the official LDS temple website or mobile app. The app is often faster because it shows real-time availability at temples near you. You will need to log in with your church account (the same one you use for other LDS services), select your temple, choose a session type and date, and confirm your appointment.

The recommend itself is valid for two years from the date your bishop issues it. If yours has expired, you will need to meet with your bishop again before you can book a new appointment.

Key Takeaways

• You must have a current temple recommend from your bishop before you can schedule any temple appointment.
• The LDS temple app or website is where you actually book your appointment — your bishop cannot do this for you.
• Temple sessions fill up weeks or months in advance at popular times, so booking early gives you more options.
• You will need to bring your recommend card and a valid photo ID on the day of your appointment.
• If you cannot make an appointment you booked, cancel it through the app so someone else can use that slot.

How to get a temple recommend from your bishop

Schedule a recommend interview with your bishop by contacting your ward office or asking him directly after a service. The interview is private and usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. Your bishop will ask you questions about your beliefs, your personal conduct, your family relationships, and your standing in the church. There is no written test — it is a conversation.

Be honest in your answers. The bishop is not looking for perfection; he is assessing whether you are trying to live according to church teachings. If you have questions about what the church expects, ask them before or during the interview. If your bishop has concerns, he will discuss them with you rather than simply refusing the recommend.

Once the interview is complete and your bishop approves, he will issue you a physical recommend card on the spot. Some bishops also send a digital version to your church account. Keep the card in a safe place — you will need to bring it every time you go to the temple.

Booking your appointment through the app or website

Log into the LDS temple website (temples.churchofjesuschrist.org) or open the official LDS mobile app on your phone. Both show the same availability. Tap or click "Schedule an Appointment" and select the temple you want to visit. The system will show you available dates and times for the next several weeks or months, depending on how far in advance that temple accepts bookings.

Choose your session type — endowment, sealing, initiatories, or proxy work — and select a specific date and time. The app will ask you to confirm that you have a current recommend and that you understand the temple's dress code and conduct rules. Once you confirm, your appointment is booked and you will receive a confirmation number.

Save or screenshot your confirmation. You do not need to print it, but having the number on hand makes check-in faster on the day of your appointment.

What to bring and what to expect on appointment day

Bring your temple recommend card and a valid photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. These are the only two things the temple requires. Do not bring your phone, keys, or wallet into the session itself; the temple provides lockers for personal items.

Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early. The temple staff will check your recommend and ID at the entrance, answer any last-minute questions, and direct you to the appropriate area. If you are going through the temple for the first time, staff will walk you through each part of the experience. If you have been before, you will move through the session at your own pace.

Dress modestly in business or church clothes. Women typically wear a dress or skirt and blouse; men wear a suit or dress pants and a shirt. The temple will provide a white robe and other ceremonial clothing once you are inside. If you are unsure about the dress code, call the temple directly — staff can answer specific questions.

If you need to cancel or reschedule

Cancel your appointment through the same app or website where you booked it. Open your scheduled appointments, select the one you need to cancel, and tap the cancel button. The slot will immediately become available for someone else to book. Do not simply skip your appointment without canceling — this wastes a slot that another member could have used.

If you need to reschedule instead of cancel, you can usually book a new appointment right away through the app, then cancel the old one. This is faster than canceling first and then searching for a new slot.

If you have a technical problem with the app or website, call the temple directly. Staff can help you cancel or reschedule by phone, though they may ask you to confirm your recommend number and ID.

Temples with long wait times and how to find open slots

Popular temples in large cities — Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and others — often book up months in advance. If your preferred temple shows no availability, check smaller temples in your region or nearby states. Many members find that driving an extra hour or two to a less-busy temple means they can get an appointment within days instead of months.

The app lets you search multiple temples at once. Add several temples to your favorites and check them regularly — cancellations happen constantly as people reschedule or change plans. If you are flexible about dates, you will find an opening faster than if you are locked into one specific temple and time.

Some temples also have walk-in hours for members who do not have a scheduled appointment. These vary by temple and are not may provide, so call ahead to ask whether walk-ins are accepted and what times they are available.

What to do if your recommend expires or is lost

If your recommend card expires, you cannot book new appointments until you meet with your bishop for a new interview. The process is the same as getting your first recommend — schedule an interview, answer the bishop's questions, and receive a new card. This usually takes one meeting and can be done the same week you request it.

If you lose your recommend card, contact your bishop or ward office right away. They can issue a replacement card or, in some cases, provide a temporary digital version while you wait for a new physical card to be printed. Do not try to book an appointment without a valid recommend — the temple will not let you in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book a temple appointment without a recommend?

No. The temple will not allow you to enter without a current, valid recommend card. If you do not have one, you must meet with your bishop first. This is a church requirement, not something the temple staff can override.

How far in advance can I book an appointment?

This varies by temple. Most temples accept bookings 2 to 6 months ahead, though some popular temples may open bookings further out. The app will show you the furthest date available at each temple when you search.

What if I show up without a scheduled appointment?

Some temples accept walk-ins during specific hours, but this is not may provide. Call the temple ahead of time to ask whether walk-ins are welcome and when they are available. Showing up without an appointment may mean a long wait or being turned away if the temple is full.

Can someone else book an appointment for me?

No. You must log into your own church account and book the appointment yourself. This is a security measure to make sure the person with the recommend is the one using it.

What happens if I miss my appointment?

If you do not show up, the slot is wasted and someone else could have used it. Cancel through the app if you realize you cannot make it. If you miss an appointment without canceling, there are usually no penalties, but it is courteous to cancel so the temple can offer the slot to another member.