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SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will soon accommodate families serving together in temples across the world by designating a “Family Temple Time.”
Family Temple Time will allow families to avoid a crowded baptistry if they call ahead of time and schedule an appointment during the time set aside for families to perform work for their ancestors, according to a press release.
“Temples are so busy with youth — which is wonderful — but it makes it difficult for families to get in without a long wait,” Elder Kent F. Richards, executive director of the Temple Department, said in a statement.
Families will still be able to serve in the temple at any time on a first-come, first-served basis, but Family Temple Time will help them avoid a long line. Each temple will designate a different Family Temple Time.
“We are encouraging families to call the temples to make an appointment so they will be able to go right in to the baptistry,” Richards said. “They will have an opportunity to go at their scheduled time without a long wait.”
We are encouraging families to call the temples to make an appointment so they will be able to go right in to the baptistry.
–Kent F. Richards, executive director of the Temple Department,
Richards announced Family Temple Time at the RootsTech family history conference Feb. 14. Some temples have already started taking appointments and others will begin taking appointments in a few months.
Patrons may check lds.org/temples to find the designated days and times available for temple appointments in their area, Richards said.
Youths are still encouraged to serve in the temple individually as well as with their families. Each temple will still accept appointments from wards and stakes bringing large youth groups.
Families are not required to bring their own family names to the temple, but church leaders encourage families to find names of their ancestors whose temple work has not yet been done.
“We have taken our grandchildren to do baptisms, and we have regular family sealing sessions where we go with our married children and do sealings of our family names,” Richards said. “It’s wonderful. We just love the experience of being there together in a sacred place with a beautiful spirit. We feel connected to our family much more than ever before.”
