About Mormonism - Mormon Underwear

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[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.

[pyx]

Mormons are not unique in the wearing of special clothing for religious purposes.

Many devote Catholics wear a Brown Scapular at all times.

[Saundra Duffy]

“Catholics wear small cloth pictures called Scapulars as well.”

I think that is totally cool and I have no idea why anyone would want to make fun of Catholics, Jews or Mormons for our various religious practices.

I didn’t know that Jews wore holy undergarments until I heard Senator Joe Lieberman talk about that at BYU recently.

Thank you for sharing.

[MarkL]

Please note that Jewish folks also wear religious under garments. It would be considered anti semitic to poke fun at their underwear so why is it OK to ridicule those of us who belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints? (Hint, it's not OK.)

You know, that was my first thought when I was reading this as well. While I wouldn't call the Jewish garment ("Tzizit") "underwear," it IS a garment that is worn by religious Jews under their shirt. It does not have to be in direct contact with the skin (i.e. it's alright to wear this over an undershirt). It's a simple garment, with the same "fringes" that are found on the Jewish "Talit."

Mark

[cuban leaf]

—By posting this article, I was hoping to thwart some of the bigotry, ignorance and silliness.—

What you don’t understand, Sandra, is that a lot of us are not coming from a position of ignorance. I see nothing in that article that I did not know 25 years ago. That is one of many reasons I am NOT a mormon.

Thing is, we don’t disagree with you because we are ignorant. We disagree with you because we think your religion is a false teaching.

[Saundra Duffy]

Here’s the article about Senator Joe Lieberman addressing BYU students recently where I learned for the first time that Jews wear special undergarments:

http://news.byu.edu/archive11-oct-liebermantalk.aspx

[cuban leaf]

—...I have no idea why anyone would want to make fun of Catholics, Jews or Mormons for our various religious practices.—

I’m with you. But I am focusing on the words “make fun of”. Calling out the error in the practices and their core purpose is more than appropriate. It is scriptural. It is the type of thing Jesus and the apostles did. It is a part of what the Great Commission is.

[cuban leaf]

—...I have no idea why anyone would want to make fun of Catholics, Jews or Mormons for our various religious practices.—

I’m with you. But I am focusing on the words “make fun of”. Calling out the error in the practices and their core purpose is more than appropriate. It is scriptural. It is the type of thing Jesus and the apostles did. It is a part of what the Great Commission is.

I forgot to add, I do it with my own church. I did it with that silly powder blue Christian flag and its “pledge of allegence”.

[Saundra Duffy]

Thank you for Post 23. I first learned of the Jewish undergarment when I watched Senator Joe Lieberman as he addressed BYU recently.

[netmilsmom]

>>I think that is totally cool and I have no idea why anyone would want to make fun of Catholics, Jews or Mormons for our various religious practices.<<

If you are standing next to me, fighting the good fight for the welfare of our society, why would I care what kind of cloth you are wearing? If it means something to you, it’s cool with me.

[cuban leaf]

Jews wear a beany too.

[netmilsmom]

>>Yeah, they also believe that Mary was perfect and died a virgin...<<

And this effects you because...?

[cuban leaf]

—And this effects you because...?—

Where did I say it does?

[MD Expat in PA]

I live and work in Amish and Mennonite country in central PA and I don’t even look twice anymore at the Amish or Mennonites and their style of dress. I don’t find the Amish quaint; they just are what they are. They are largely hard working, industrious and keep to themselves. And although it can be annoying to be stuck behind a buggie on a country road, I much prefer it to rush hour traffic on the DC beltway. And I used to live in Baltimore and for a time worked in an area with a large population of Orthodox Jews and after a time stopped noticing their distinctive dress.

Just for some prospective Sandra, I am not a believer so I find some of the customs of many if not all religions somewhat strange and curious and I was raised Catholic ; ), OTOH, I have had over the years, friends and co-workers who are of many different religious faiths including some Mormons. I honestly don’t get rabid hostility here toward Mormons. In my experience I’ve found them to be honest, hard working, conservative and very kind. I’ve also found that to be the case with some Buddhists, Jews, Baptists, Church of the Bretherns, etc. that I’ve known in my 50 years on this Earth, and even, if I dare even say it here, even a few Muslims!

One of the reasons I became an Atheist was seeing the constant bickering among religious people about who was absolutely right and who was absolutely wrong. So I long ago came to the conclusion that either they are all right or none of them are right. Perhaps that makes me more of an agnostic then as I have no problem with what a person chooses to believe in or what God or Gods they choose to pray to as long as they don’t try to force me to believe as they do. Live and Let Live.

[Alex Murphy]

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....

....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....

For more information visit Mormon Underwear.

Or these related threads:
The Sacred Garment of Mormon Theology
Rick Majerus: Is Nothing Sacred? Not Even Underwear?!

[cuban leaf]

—And this effects you because...?—

Where did I say it does?

I was merely pointing out that there are other goofy, unsupported religious beliefs out there. We should all scrutinize what we hear from the pulpit at our own churches. I actually got my church to remove that “Christian flag” and the pledge. I’m sure whoever came up with it was well-meaning, but it had no place in our worship service.

[Saundra Duffy]

“It is the type of thing Jesus and the apostles did.”

It was the Pharisees who made fun of Jesus and the Apostles. Jesus is my Savior; He would never make fun of me, nor would He ridicule and insult my Faith in Him. He said either we are for Him or against Him and we Mormons are surely FOR Him. He is our Savior, Redeemer, and Soon Coming King. I am looking forward to the Second Coming with all my heart. I am looking forward to the day when I can worship Him without interference from any vicious hateful mob.

The purpose for my posting this article was to try to enlighten FReepers and help with understanding why we are hurt and offended when stupid people make fun of our undergarments. Sheesh already.

[netmilsmom]

>>I was merely pointing out that there are other goofy, unsupported religious beliefs out there<<

Well, we are all allowed our opinion. Thanks.

[Saundra Duffy]

Everything you posted in #20 is the same twisted suit-your-own-agenda stuff that has been rehashed and rehashed thousands of times here on FR.

Don’t you guys ever get tired of it?

[sodpoodle]

Underwear vs. outerwear.

Possibly, because the term ‘underwear’ in the modern vernacular reminds us of ‘boxers or briefs’. The point at which respect for the office of President was diminished forever.

I see nothing strange about white undergarments as a religious practice for lay people - inasmuch as Catholic nuns and parochial schools require certain ‘uniforms’.

Jewish Rabbis and Catholic clergy have religious garments which differ only in degree of design and decoration. A statement of belonging.