I get phone messages deposited as a text message on my iphone....i'd like it to stop

@gramps28, advice like this from you shouldn't even be allowed. OP is asking about an iPhone. The iPhone Phone app does not have 3 dots for more options. That is very clearly an Android feature--and I say this as someone who has a Pixel and iPhone in front of me right now.

3 dots > Settings > Voice Mail > toggle off Visual Voicemail is an Android setting and is INDEPENDENT of the incoming text that transcribes your voice mail. Visual Voicemail is built into Android now and turning that off turns off the transcription in the OS. The text that comes in with transcription is a T-Mobile specific feature.

Please do not suggest useless and incorrect actions for users to take.