A few things (I’m a convert)

Welcome mikethemormon, I’m a convert too. There’s so much that’s new that it can be very overwhelming at first.

Patriarchal blessing – People have said they had to write a letter to the Patriarch before they get their blessing (things going on in their life/aspirations etc.), I have mine next Sunday but haven’t been asked to do so; will it be as personal as others’?

I’ve never heard of anyone having to write the patriarch before receiving a blessing. The process is:

1) You are interviewed by your bishop, the bishop green lights the blessing.

2) You visit the patriarch.

That’s it.

The patriarch will likely interview you as well but it’s more of an informal “get to know you” type of thing. The letter may be at the request of the patriarch, like his version of the pre-blessing interview. As far as a personal blessing goes, it really depends. My blessing was very generic but I’ve known many people that have gotten very personal blessings. Of course the better the patriarch knows you the more likely you’ll get a more personal blessing.

Word of advice, wear what you’d wear when you go to church when you see the patriarch. When I showed up for mine I was in normal clothes and there were a few other people there to receive their blessing (children). Everyone was in their Sunday best and there I was… in my street clothes. It’s not a requirement or anything but it may save you a little embarrassment. 😳

Temple endowment too early? – There are plans for me to go to the Tempe in July (1 year baptism aniversary), but a YSA recent told me I shouldn’t be going to the temple because I have not been in the church long enough. I’m not planning to marry at the time (I am dating a member, who I think I’ll marry, but not soon!). They almost sounded like I was crazy for going. I have such a strong testimony of the gospel though and can’t wait to receive the blessings of the temple and to make such strong and binding covenants with my heavenly father. The person said that if I am excited to, and anticipate going to the temple, then I do not understand the importance of it, and therefore shouldn’t be going. Is there any truth in this?

The general rule is you have to be a member of the church for at least a year before receiving endowments in the temple. You can certainly receive the endowment before you get married and it’s between you and the lord… and at the bishop’s discretion. It would be up to your bishop to decide whether you are ready to go to the temple, not some guy in the hall in a YSA ward.

I think the fact that you are excited and highly anticipate going to the temple is the determining factor in showing that you are indeed ready, but that’s just me. If I had to guess I’d say that the person giving you that advice probably wanted to go to the temple real bad and someone told them they had to wait so now they think if they had to wait then so should you! That’s just me being judgmental about someone I never met, so – grain of salt. :angel:

The temple garments – So, I know they must be worn all the time. I know they are made of a cotton (or cotton like) material. I am worried about them causing me skin problems (I have to wear light clothing that is very breathable or I develop rashes quickly that are very itchy). Can you but a pattern for the garments and have a tailor/somebody good as sewing make the garments from a more suitable material?

They make garments in about a half dozen types of materials. There’s the cotton (never dries in the summer in humid climates) and several others but I eventually landed on the “Dri Lux” material. It’s kind of a middle ground between the all cotton and all poly. As I understand it there is an approved, authorized, etc. pattern for making garments. I don’t know much about it since I’ve never gone to the trouble to get custom garments, hopefully someone else will know.

Callings – I have a stake calling currently, but I feel like I would really, really like to do more to serve the Lord, especially in my own ward. Is it inappropriate/rude to approach the bishop to ask for an additional calling (locally)? I don’t want to seem ungrateful for the calling I already have!

Most bishops I know would do a back flip if someone like you came along. Just phrase it like you’ve phrased it. I’m grateful for the calling I have and I just want to let you know that I can do more if you’d like.

Welcome to the forum. I’ll just second what others have said.

1. I’ve never heard of writing to the patriarch before a blessing. In my case (I was a convert at age 21) and in the case of my children who got blessings we just went to the patriarch’s house, he did a short interview, did the blessing, and that was that. A short time later we got a copy in the mail.

2. It’s not anyone else’s decision about when you go to the temple except you and your bishop and stake president. I was a “golden convert.” I got the Aaronic priesthood the week I was baptized, the Melchizedek priesthood about 6 months later, and went on a mission when I had been a member for 2 years (I was in the military when I joined). In those days people who weren’t getting married in the temple or going on missions didn’t go to the temple but they have since changed the rules. The point is, if you feel you’re ready and your bishop feels you’re ready, you’re ready. There aren’t time restraints for most things in the church (especially those that don’t involve discipline).

3. Garments come in several different fabrics, including cotton and cotton/poly. There are also nylon and other synthetic fabrics, and there are even special order ones for those allergic to cotton (somehow made from bamboo as I understand it). Not all temples have Beehive Clothing or distribution at the temples, but if that’s a possibility, they have samples there.

4. I bet your bishop would fall out of his chair if you told him you wanted more to do! There’s absolutely nothing wrong with talking to him about that.

Hi, mike… I’m just saying welcome and I’m happy for all the good things going on with you.