Posted on 11/30/2011 5:18:31 AM PST by Saundra Duffy
Known to some is the fact that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or Mormon Church) wear a special kind of underwear in connection with their religion. This is true of most faithful adult members of the Church. (Mormon children are generally dressed the same as any other children.) The special underwear is called a "garment" by Mormons, and it is directly related to Mormon temples.
Garments are a symbolic gesture of the promises that Mormons have made to God. The garment is always worn under other clothing, next to the skin. In fact, for most people who wear it, the garment takes the place of regular underwear. Mormons begin wearing it during their first visit to the temple, wherein they receive individual instruction on how the garment should be worn and cared for, and furthermore, they undergo a sacred ceremony called the temple endowment. Solely during this ritual, additional special clothing is put on; by contrast, the garment or special underwear is worn at all times, both day and night, from then on. It serves as a constant reminder of the covenants made during the temple endowment.
Mormons believe in being "in the world, but not of it," and the garment helps in privately yet consistently setting temple-going Mormons apart from the world. A particularly sharp contrast is felt in today's society, where morals and modesty have deteriorated to a most horrific degree. Many moviemakers and clothing manufacturers, for example, design their respective products to reveal so much of the human body that virtually nothing is left to the imagination. Mormons, on the other hand, are encouraged through the modest length and cut of their temple-got garments to always dress appropriately. Devout Mormons further understand that in only a very few instances might the garment be removed, such as for swimming, using the bathroom, or being intimate in marriage. The reasons for keeping the garment on far outweigh the reasons for taking it off.
The special Mormon underwear consists of a top and bottom piece, and it is made from a variety of lightweight fabrics. There are some special colored temple garments that can be worn by members of the armed services, but for the vast majority of Mormons, garments are always white. This symbolizes physical and spiritual purity. It fosters a mindset of continual obedience to the Lord, which is crucial in keeping the covenants entered into in the temple. Through such obedience, a person can find physical and spiritual protection. The Lord God is enabled to grant promised blessings, fulfilling His side of the temple covenants. Thus, the garment is sacred to the wearer not for what it is, but for what it represents. The garment helps the wearer to focus his or her life on Jesus Christ and to thereby lay claim to the blessings promised to those who do so.
Mormons are not unique in the wearing of special clothing for religious purposes. Perhaps the most well-known example is the yarmulke, which is worn at special times by many Jewish men or at all times by devout orthodox Jews. Similarly, in some religions a minister or priest might wear a special collar that has religious significance, or nuns may wear special clothing that signifies the religious order to which they belong. In all cases the special clothing reflects the religious conviction of the wearer.
There is a historical precedent for wearing religious clothing. Mormons emphasize the fact that Adam and Eve wore clothing that was made for them by God before they left the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:21 states that "unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them." Mormons believe that such clothing was provided as part of the religious instruction given to Adam and Eve by God. This is the same context in which Mormons receive the garment: as part of the religious instruction contained within the temple endowment.
Other religious figures throughout history have also worn special clothing as they performed their religious duties. For instance, Moses was commanded by the Lord (as recorded in Exodus 28:1-3) to place holy garments and priestly vestments upon Aaron and others in preparation for officiating in the tabernacle.
There is no professional clergy in the Mormon Church, so in some ways the garment serves as a symbol of the lay clergy, where both men and women share in the responsibilities and blessings of the priesthood, particularly in the temple.
For more information visit Mormon Underwear.
“Perhaps you could post an article explaining burial
rituals?”
I have attended a few LDS funerals; they are pretty much the same as other Christian funerals. I know that most Mormons want to be buried along with their Temple Recommends (it’s a card we carry to gain access to the Temple) and of course Mormons are buried with their garments on. Other than that, it’s pretty much the same as with other Christians.
My husband’s brother recently passed away and he was not a member of the Church. The Church allowed us to use the Chapel for the memorial service and the Cultural Hall for the meal following. The “sermon” was non denominational and the non LDS folks in attendance were pleased with the way it was handled.
Same thing happened when my Dad died. The Church allowed us to use their facilities for the memorial service even though my Dad was not a member and many non members were in attendance. It was a wonderful, moving service and the Church leader who officiated told us before the service: “I will not refer to the Book of Mormon but everything in the Bible is fair game.” I laughed so hard!
For the record - no one in our Church gets paid - including Bishops and Stake Presidents. We are all volunteers, as in there are no paid clergy.
“But you don’t think of yourselves as Christian. “
What? Of course we are Christians, as the Holy Ghost is my Witness.
I was making the point that there are Christians all over the world; some of the best ones are found in Belize Central America.
You must not know anything about Mormonism. I’ve read a bit of their material and have talked with Mormons in good standing. The goal of Mormons is to become gods and goddesses and have celestial children of a planet.
Every Mormon I have ever come across are good and decent people, but it’s the theology that is a little off.
Keep in mind that much of it comes from Freemasonry. Joseph Smith was a mason who stole much of their material and used it for his new religion.
Now if I could just get a lift to Kolob! If you take the consonants of Kolob (K-L-B), those same consonants spell the word ‘kalb’ in Arabic which means ‘dog’. Hebrew is the same with the word ‘kelev’ (the ‘b’ being the plosive form of the letter ‘v’). I bet when dogs go to heaven Kolob is the place where they reside.
See how much fun I can have with Mormon theology?
“The only attire I need to approach God’s throne is the blood of Christ.”
I do not disagree with you, although I wonder about your use of the word “attire” in this context. The article is about garments that we wear to remember the Covenants we make with our Heavenly Father.
I thank God every day for the Blood of the Lamb. Amen.
“Oh, the Blood of Jesus; Oh, the Blood of Jesus; Oh, the Blood of Jesus that washes white as snow.”
“Are you embarassed or do you personally not embrace that teaching? “
I most certainly am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; I would shout it from the rooftops.
When the anti Mormons on this site blab blab blab about what they THINK we believe, I used to post the LDS Articles of Faith to show what we actually believe; however, the Articles of Faith were trashed, butchered and ridiculed, so I refuse to play that game anymore.
The anti Mormons around these parts have a way of badgering, belittling, trashing, etc., and then holler about how we Mormons will not respond.
It’s a vicious cycle. When I had counseling in the past, I discovered that when the roller coaster is fixing to take off, I do not have to hop on.
“I learned about the Jewish undergarments when Senator Joe Lieberman spoke at BYU recently.”
Zoroastrians wear special undergarments, also. For those who don’t know, these people were from ancient Persia, pre-dated Christianity, and were, along with Jews, among the earliest monotheistic religions.
“Although the notion sounds noble it is a scary proposition when you get to the meat of that situation. “
It is “scary” to you that no one in our Church gets paid? Why? It’s one of the reasons I joined the Church. P.S. No passing the plate on Sundays, either. We do pass the Sacrament (Communion) every Sunday, however.
“Zoroastrians wear special undergarments, also. “
I have learned a lot today. Thanks!
And just how voluntary is the tithe to the Mormon church.
“You must not know anything about Mormonism.”
I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior; I know that the Bible is True and that The Book of Mormon is True; I know that Heavenly Father sent His Son to suffer and die to save me from my sins; and I know that the Holy Ghost ever lives to draw us to the Father and the Son. I was Baptized “In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost” - by full immersion. I have no idea why my sincere Testimony is not good enough for you. No idea at all.
Good thing you are not my Judge; that job belongs to Jesus Christ, my Advocate with the Father. Amen.
The prophets, Jesus and the Disciples offended people all the time. That is why so many of them died the way they did.
I also go to a church that does not pass a plate. I would never mind if it were but it tends to place certain guilt on people and therefore reinforces something that is not biblical. And that biblical teaching is to give hilariously. Give out of a happy heart and not because the law says so. So the LDS church goes against that teaching because you are compeled to give a tithe.
Why is a non-paid clergy scary? LDS bishops are called to be counselors and they have certain authority over people which most are not prepared to do either through experience or training.
Besides, you mean to tell me that the prophet has never financialy benefited from the church in any way shape or form? Before you answer that tell me how much his last book sold for and who the publisher is. The Mormon church is about as big of a corporation as you can get in the religious world and there are plenty of leaders taking from that pot.
I agree with you. But Catholicism teaches that she never had sex and was perfect.
Jesus knew all and His 12 Disciples has the spirit of discernment!
Took other men's wives.
Studied the occult.
And was a thief and a liar.
Rebut that.
Well said. Amen.
What can there be sacred about undies SD they are nothing but a piece(s) of cloth sewn together.
Devout Jews wear their garment hidden from view.
Uh sorry SD, you are wrong on this point. While the "Tzizit" is commonly worn under a shirt, many Jew's I've seen do not tuck it into their pants.
Why does this bother you so much?
You need to ask yourself that question SD - you're the one who started the thread. Do you have a hang up with your two piece?
And from your silence it is evident that the other things I posted are factual - your silence speaks volumes.
However, my 'salvation' doesn't depend upon wearing special underwear SD - for you, your future 'godhood' depend on it. Remember SD, that 'salvation' you so actively tout here by the first definition of mormonism is nothing more than an universal bodily resurrection. Every one gets that - even those who have no clue. The rest you have to do on your own - straight from your doctrines.
Or course THAT is not what you SAID.
Of course Saundra...you are a known weaseler of the TRUTH here.
A known liar...may I be so bold.
How many times have you said you were done here?????????
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