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.
I wear a simple James Avery cross that I’ve worn for 35 years. I rarely take it off, but it’s not because I think it protects me from harm or would make God mad. It is, for me, a symbol of the sacrifice that bought me and gave me eternal life. It is also, frankly, advertising: I have had a number of conversations about Christ begin after someone remarked on the cross I wear.
I have great trouble equating a symbol of the instrument of my Savior’s torture and death standing empty because He is risen, with a garment that is completely unsupported by Scripture - that actually hearkens back to when “obey the rules” was what people thought made them right with God. Doesn’t mean I don’t love Mormons - in fact, I’ve only ever met one Mormon I didn’t like, and all the Mormons I know in the Air Force are upstanding examples of what it means to serve. People can be good citizens and good neighbors and still be misled.
Colonel, USAFR
“I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior. I am not ignorant of His Infinite Atonement for me and for all mankind. I love Him.”
Amen. So strip the rest of the trappings out as unnecessary distractions.
Well for the Jews, wearing the tzitzit is commanded in Deuteronomy 22:12: “You shall make yourself twisted threads, on the four corners of your garment with which you cover yourself.”
Personally, if I were Jewish, I would do what is commanded.
For the Mormon, this is from the article...
“Garments are a symbolic gesture of the promises that Mormons have made to God”
Perhaps some may have a problem with this. It isn’t a “right with God” situation from what I can see, but rather a remembrance of what one vowed. More like a wedding ring or a pledge pin. It’s a personal devotion and should not be looked down upon just because I don’t follow it.
Afterall, it isn’t something that one puts out there for everyone to see.
Amen to your post.
I got no problem with the under garments and some friends explained what wearing them meant in their lives.
My friend just passed away and I don’t step up to open caskets but several friends talked about the apron that was placed on her.
Perhaps you could post an article explaining burial rituals?
Thnx.
ROFLOL!!!!
“Perhaps some may have a problem with this. It isn’t a ‘right with God’ situation from what I can see, but rather a remembrance of what one vowed. More like a wedding ring or a pledge pin. It’s a personal devotion and should not be looked down upon just because I don’t follow it.
Afterall, it isn’t something that one puts out there for everyone to see.”
Thank you.
“So strip the rest of the trappings out as unnecessary distractions.”
No thanks. They mean something very sacred to me.
Interesting for a couple reasons.....
Apparently you know....ALL Christians. Yeah right!!!! LOL!!!
And secondly....what about mormons?
I think you've slipped up here....You all want to be called Christians. But you don't think of yourselves as Christian.
Of course...I've known that for decades. But it's just interesting to see you admit it....unintentionally.
Perhaps it's because mormon leaders and members have "bashed" Christians and Christianity since the very founding of the mormon church.
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Well Saundra..do you believe the following:
1) The Bible is the inspired word of God
2) Mormonism is in conflict with historic Christianity
3) It is truth that sets us free (John 8:32)
Ten important questions that need answers (please check all quotes to be sure they are correct):
1) Joseph Smith said: “..the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” (Introduction to Book of Mormon). What are these precepts?
2) Why do the doctrines in the Book of Mormon conflict with some of the doctrines in the D&C? (i.e. Jacob 2:23-28 and D&C 132:38-39)
3) Why would a true prophet of God claim: “I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I.” History of the Church, Vol.6, p.408-409).
4) Why did Mormonism practice blood atonement and Utah have the death penalty by firing squad for many years? (Doctrines of Salvation, Vol.1, p.136)
5) Why are some sins not covered by the blood of Jesus? (Journal of Discourses, Vol.3, p.247; Vol.4, p.219; Doctrines of Salvation, Vol.1, p.133-134)
6) How could God, the Creator, have been equal to His creation by being at one time a mere man? (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.345-346)
7) Is it necessary to have the “passport” of Joseph Smith in order to enter the celestial kingdom of God? (Journal of Discourses, Vol.7, p.289)
8) Is it true that Heavenly Father has a father, a grandfather, etc.? (The Seer, p.132)
9) Can anyone obtain the celestial kingdom without being perfect? (Book of Mormon Student Manual, p.303)
10) How could the law of man override the law of God in regards to polygamy? (Journal of Discourses, Vol.11, p.269)
Gee..is that kind of like the way no one is allowed into a mormon temple without being found "worthy"...even parents of a couple being married there? Shocking!
I didn’t read it in the article you posted but is it OK to remove the garment when showering? They only mention swimming, using the bathroom and intimacy. Does the bathroom part also mean showers?
Well, G_D was pretty specific in what you had to wear in order to get into the Holy of Holys.
I find that the belief that God is actually "bound" by some manmade rituals in a mormon temple to be ridiculous. In order to take part in these rituals, one must be found "by men" to be worthy.
If God wanted to be bound to a covenant with man, He wouldn't require the covenant to be something that is fashioned from the mind/hand of man. He could simply use his Heavenly ZOT!
(I borrowed that from another more humorous and brilliant FReeper)
‘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. ;
I think you aren’t being totally logical here. They can’t ALL be right, some having diametrically opposed views. There is the possibility, logically, that they may all be wrong. But you leave out the possibility that ONE of them is right.
Those restrictions were for the priests because they alone were allowed access to the Holy of Holys. Christians hold that those restrictions of attire and access were lifted when the veil of the temple was torn at the cruxification of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:51). It was part of the shadow system which was cast aside with the arrival of the Messiah who was the reality behind those shadows.
The only attire I need to approach God's throne is the blood of Christ.
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