From ancient times, men and women have embraced sacred music, different forms of prayer, religious vestments full of symbolism, gestures, and rituals to express their innermost feelings of devotion to God. The variety of these forms of expression is as wide and diverse as the human family, yet all have the same ultimate purpose: to connect the believer with the object of their devotion in the most personal way, to draw close to God. Mormon garments are no different.
To those outside a particular faith, the rituals and clothing may seem unfamiliar, but for the participants, they can stir the deepest feelings of the soul, motivate them to do good, and even shape the course of a whole life of service. The nun’s habit, the priest’s cassock, the Jewish prayer shawl, the Muslim skullcap, the saffron robes of the Buddhist monk—all are part of a rich tapestry of human devotion to God.
Not all such religious vestments are on public display; some are seen only in places of worship. Temple robes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known as the robes of the Holy Priesthood, are worn only inside Mormon temples and reserved for the highest sacraments of the faith. White symbolizes purity, and there is no insignia or rank, making the highest apostle and the newest member indistinguishable when dressed in the same way, wearing similar clothing. The simple vestments combine religious symbolism with echoes of antiquity reflected in ancient writings from the book of Exodus.
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there are no outer religious vestments in ordinary worship services. However, many faithful Latter-day Saints wear a garment under their clothing that has deep religious significance, similar in design to ordinary modest underclothing. It comes in two pieces and is usually referred to as the temple garment.
Some people incorrectly refer to temple garments as “magical” or “magic underwear.” These words are not only inaccurate but also offensive to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is nothing magical or mystical about temple garments, and church members ask for the same degree of respect and sensitivity that would be afforded to any other faith by people of goodwill.
Mormon temple garments are worn by adult members of the church who have made sacred promises of fidelity to God’s commandments and the gospel of Jesus Christ in temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To church members, the modest temple garment worn under normal clothing, along with the symbolic vestments worn during temple worship, represents the sacred and personal aspect of their relationship with God and their commitment to live good, honorable lives.
By Todd Noall, Source Expert
Todd Noall is an author and religious scholar at Mormonism Explained with a focus on the history and theology of religion.
Fact Checked by Mr. Kevin Prince, Source Expert
Kevin Prince is a religious scholar and host of the Gospel Learning Youtube channel. His channel has garnered over 41,000 subscribers and accumulated over 4.5 million views. Mr. Prince also created the Gospel Learning App, a reliable platform where individuals seeking truth can access trustworthy answers to religious questions from top educators worldwide.
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Mormonism Explained is a resource that was designed to provide objective and factual information about Mormonism, its history, doctrines, and policies. Our team of researchers consults experts and primary sources to present factual information on a variety of topics relevant to the Mormon Church.
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