The Biblical Roots of Mormon Garments

Many people might have heard about the “Mormon Garments” that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wear under their regular clothes. All they know might have come from the Heretic magic underwear scene or the popular Book of Mormon Broadway musical. They might wonder where the idea comes from and what it has to do with being Christian, as Latter-day Saints (Mormons) claim to be. 

The idea of temple garments may sound strange at first. Some people misunderstand their meaning, sometimes referring to them disrespectfully as “Mormon magic underwear.” But the principle behind these garments actually has deep roots in the Bible. In fact, sacred clothing has been a crucial part of worship for thousands of years, notably with the people of Israel in the Old Testament.

Special Garments in the Bible

In the book of Exodus, God told Moses to make special clothes for Aaron and the other priests. These were more than just clothes to the Israelites—God called them “holy garments” (Exodus 28:2–3). The clothes helped set the priests apart for their spiritual responsibilities in the temple.

The clothes of the high priest included:

• The ephod – A colorful vest with gold threads, worn over a blue robe. It had two onyx stones on the shoulders with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. This reminded the priest that he carried the people of Israel with him when he went before God.
  
• The breastplate – A square piece attached to the ephod. It had twelve precious stones, each with a tribe’s name, worn “over his heart” as a memorial to God (Exodus 28:29).
  
• The robe – A seamless blue robe with bells and pomegranate-shaped tassels around the hem. These were reminders of God’s commandments.
  
• The turban and golden plate – A fine linen hat with a gold band that said “Holiness to the Lord” on it. This reminded the people that the priest was set apart to serve God.
  

Other priests in the temple also wore specific holy clothing, although it was simpler than that of the high priest. The priests wore these clothes when they worked in the temple, where they offered sacrifices and helped the people draw closer to God.

Sacred Clothing and the Ancient Temple

Temples in the Bible were considered very holy places. They were places where people made covenants with God and tried to dedicate their lives more fully to Him.

Before a person could enter certain parts of the temple, they had to be clean. Sometimes they were washed, anointed with oil, and given clean clothing. These acts were full of meaning. They symbolized a new life, spiritual strength, and being set apart for God’s work.

Prominent Latter-day Saint scholars Hugh Nibley and Stephen D. Ricks point out that temple worship in ancient Israel was intended to be like a journey back to God. The temple was a place to learn about God, remember His laws, and become more holy. The special clothing was a big part of that experience.

Even Jesus wore a seamless robe despite most Palestinian men at the time wearing a two-piece set of clothing (John 19:23), a distinction which some believe connects to the Old Testament pattern.

What About Mormon Garments?

Today, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints still believe in temples. They also believe in making sacred covenants with God just like people did in Bible times.

As part of their temple worship, adult members are given a simple white garment to wear under their clothes as a symbol of Christ making them clean and renewed. This isn’t something they show off or talk about much. It’s not meant to be seen by others. Instead, it’s a private, personal reminder of their promises to God and their goal to follow Jesus Christ. The Mormon Sacred Garment might sound strange to some, but when one understands the biblical background, it starts to make more sense.

Just like the priests in ancient Israel wore special clothes to remind them of their duty and their relationship with God, Latter-day Saints wear the garments Mormons for the same reason. It helps them remember to be honest, kind, faithful, and loyal to their covenants.

Not Just a Mormon Idea

The idea of sacred clothing is far from being unprecedented in today’s world. In many cultures and religions, people use clothing as a way of practicing their religious beliefs. The nun’s habit, the Sikh dastar, or the Buddhist monk’s saffron robe remind the wearer of their spiritual commitments. For Latter-day Saints, the temple garment serves a similar purpose. It’s a symbol of spiritual identity, not to display publicly, but to quietly honor a commitment to God.

So the idea that clothing can be sacred, especially in a religious setting, is not strange at all when seen through an anthropological lens. For many, even most world cultures, traditional clothing gives the wearer a sense of belonging and identity.

Mormon the garment that Latter-day Saints wear is not simply about being different. It’s not magic underwear. It’s simply a consistent way for Latter-day Saints to remember their faith, just like the blue fringes on the robes of the Israelites reminded them of their covenant responsibility as God’s people (Numbers 15:38–39).

Biblical, Not Alien

If you’ve ever wondered why Latter-day Saints wear Mormon garments, the answer goes all the way back to the Bible. God’s people have used clothing to show their dedication for a very long time, from the priests in Exodus to modern believers today. What might look strange at first turns out to be part of a very ancient and beautiful tradition—one that teaches about holiness, commitment, and walking with God every day.

About Mormonism Explained

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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