In all the hustle and bustle of wedding plans, the most important aspect is preparing for making temple covenants.

“The first time through the temple or the sealing on a wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is worth preparing for,” said Elder Boyd K. Packer in his book, The Holy Temple.

Steve Clark, a religion teacher, recommends that students start preparing far in advance to enter the temple. Clark said that our motive in going to the temple should not be to get married; it should be to make covenants.

“The main thing is our covenants. That should be our goal,” Clark said.

Elder Packer said members of the Church should pray fervently and set their lives in order.

“The temple transforms individuals and makes abundantly worthwhile any efforts made to get there,” Elder Packer said.

Symbolism is another thing Clark suggests we keep in mind when preparing for the temple. “The Savior taught using symbolism. Go to the temple realizing that there will be a lot of symbolism,” Clark said.

Natalie Johnson, a sophomore from Moses Lake, Wash., said that, for her, there were two types of temple preparation. Her long-term preparation started from the day she decided she wanted to go to the temple someday, and her short-term preparation began when she found someone she wanted to marry.

Natalie said that her bishop encouraged her to read the Pearl of Great Price carefully to help her understand what she would be learning in the temple.

“It’s really important to know why you are going to the temple,”Natalie said.

If someone has any worries about the temple experience, they should go talk to their bishop, Natalie recommends.

Natalie’s husband, Casey Johnson, a senior from Hazelton, Idaho, said that even though he had been to the temple before, there was still preparation required in the months before his wedding.

“I started studying about what it means to be a good husband, a good father and a priesthood leader in the home,” Casey said.

Both Casey and Natalie agree the most important thing in preparing to enter the temple is making sure the heart is in the right place.