What are Mormon sacred undergarments?

Answer 1

Devout members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wear sacred undergarments, called temple garments, as a physical symbol of their covenants with God. Members start wearing them after they have received their "endowment," a sacred temple ceremony that usually occurs when members go on proselytizing missions or get married. The garments are thin, white shorts and a t-shirt that come in a variety of fabrics. Both men and women wear them.

Answer 2

A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (commonly called "Mormons") who has been endowed in the temple (being endowed means that you have made certain covenants with God in the temple) will wear special undergarments (called 'garments' by church members) to remind them of the covenants they have made. This is similar to the way wearing a wedding ring reminds one of the covenant or promise they have with their spouse.

Many other denominations and religions have special robes or other clothing for their clergy, and since Mormons have an all lay clergy, the garment is a sort of 'priestly robe'. It is considered sacred and is not discussed in casual converstion. If it is mocked or disrespected it is very offensive to faithful Church members.

The Church published reference book, True to the Faith, says "Once you are endowed, you have the blessing of wearing the temple garment throughout your life... The garment provides a constant reminder of the covenants you have made in the temple. You should treat it with respect at all times. You should not expose it to the view of those who do not understand its significance, and you should not adjust it to accommodate different styles of clothing... Wearing the garment is an outward expression of an inward commitment to follow the Savior."

If you'd like to know more, there are some great articles and official church statements regarding the garment and the temple ordinances included in the "Related Links" provided below.

Answer 3

Adult members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) are encouraged to participate in a sacred ceremony in the temple called the 'Endowment'. During the endowment, special covenants and promises are made with God, and a sacred undergarment (usually called 'garments' or 'temple garments') is given to the participant. The garment is meant to be worn from then on under the clothing at all times (or whenever you would wear regular underwear) as a symbol and reminder of the commitments made during the ceremony.

The clergy of many faiths wear special clothing to symbolize their leadership and authority. Since Mormons have a lay clergy and share preaching responsibilities, the garment also serves as a sort of 'priests robe' - a symbol of their worthiness and authority to preach and teach within the congregation.

The garment is white and covers the thighs, body, and shoulders. Mormons believe that the garment and the ceremony in which it is recieved is based on several verses in the Old Testament, including Exodus 28:42, Leviticus 16:4, and Exodus 39:28.

Answer 4

Adult members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) who have been baptized may choose to participate in a religious ordinance called an 'Endowment'. Similar to baptism, the Endowment is a ceremony in which the Church member progresses in their religious development by making personal covenants with God. The Endowment ceremony takes place in Temples, rather than regular meetinghouses. As a reminder of the covenants made in the Endowment, the Church member will wear a garment under their regular clothing. The garment serves as a constant reminder of the covenants made in the Endowment ceremony, and serves as a way to promote modesty and virtue in the wearer.

There are rules regarding the garment, for instance it is not supposed to be shown to others who are not of the faith. It is meant to be worn against the skin under the person's regular clothing and not altered in any way to accommodate immodest fashions. It is treated as a sacred item and is therefore rarely spoken of outside of a religious setting. It is to be worn as consistently as possible, and is usually only taken off for bathing and swimming.

The garment also serves as a sort of 'priestly robe', as the Mormon Church has an all lay clergy. Those who wear the garment are all qualified to be leaders in the congregation, so wearing the garment would be similar to wearing a robe, collar, habit, or other type of clothing signifying that the person has devoted their life to religious pursuits (similar to the way that many pastors, priests, nuns, etc might wear special clothing to signify their religious devotion or duties).

Church members today purchase garments at cost (or receive them free of charge, if they cannot afford to purchase them) from the Church, which manufactures them in a variety of sizes and fabric options. Historically, the Church distributed a sewing pattern and Church members made their own. They are always white, except in the case of military personnel, who may purchase them in a military-approved tan color.