I freely admit that the Mormon practice of wearing undergarments with religious meaning is one of the most odd, peculiar and misunderstood aspects of Mormon religious observance. What is the purpose of these garments? Do Mormons really believe that wearing the garments will protect them from physical harm? Are these garments, as so many lazy observers claim, “magic underwear?”
Let me begin by quoting what I have written on this very subject in the past:
Mormon undergarments, or simply garments, are directly related to Mormon temple worship. In the temple, Mormons perform several rituals the most common being what is called the Endowment.
Mormons who receive the Endowment are given the garment, also known as the Garment of the Holy Priesthood, as part of the preparation for the ceremony itself. Thereafter, Mormons are expected to wear the garment as a continual reminder of the covenants they make with God in the Endowment ceremony.
Today’s garments are no different than a standard t-shirt and long boxer shorts. However, they do have symbolic markings which are intended to remind the wearer of their commitments made to God.
Garments are entirely symbolic. A common misconception amongst both Mormons and non-Mormons alike is that the garment provides some sort of supernatural or divine protection from bodily harm. Thus, the garment is often referred to by some as magic underwear. This misconception is a Mormon folk-belief and is NOT part of official Mormon doctrine. A careful study of the Endowment (which I will not offer here) indicates that the garment offers spiritual protection through the wearer’s commitment to spiritual covenants and makes no promise of physical protection. Plenty of Mormons have been injured and killed while wearing their “magic underwear.”
The garment was introduced as part of temple worship by Joseph Smith, Mormonisms’ founder, during the Nauvoo period sometime around 1842-43. Smith was heavily influenced by the Old Testament and often used OT conceptions of priesthood as the basis for the temple worship he introduced.
For example, consider serveral verses from the Book of Exodus. Exodus 40:13-15
13 And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office. 14 And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats: 15 And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.
Also, Exodus 28:2-3
And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. 3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
It is possible that Smith was influenced by New Testament texts as well. Consider Revelation 3:4-5
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
As the Endowment is intended to give both men and women the opportunity to minister to God in priesthood ritual, it makes sense that Joseph Smith introduced special garments as part of the preparation for the Endowment. Smith also introduced other ritual temple clothing but a discussion of those particulars is beyond the scope of this question.
Joseph Smith was also influenced by his modern surroundings in designing garments. Thus, as Joseph Smith was a Mason, he included some Masonic symbols as part of the temple garment. This being said, however, it is important to note that the garment is merely influenced by Joseph Smiths practice of Masonry and was not strictly borrowed from Masonry.
Symbolism is important in many religions.
Mormonism is by no means the only religion that uses religious clothing as a symbol. clergymen have religious robes, protestant clergymen often use a distinctive “collar,” Jews have their yarmulkes (skull caps), Muslim women wear the hijab, and the Sikh wear their turbans. I have even heard that some Orthodox Jews wear an undergarment with religions significance (the tzitzit), much like the Mormon garment.
Contrary to the allegations of many anti-Mormon bigots, Mormons do not believe that their garments are “magic.” They do not believe that garments necessarily “protect” them from physical injury. Garments serve only as a reminder of special promises made to God; because of this powerful religious symbolism, mocking the Mormon garment is a very offensive form of hate-speech.
If you’d like to learn more about Mormonism, visit my site at http://www.allaboutmormons.com
Joe Smith was a big time sinner. He had dozens of wives. The cult, founded by a modern-day criminal (polygamy was against the law), is a cult. Oh, and mitt Romney’s dad was born in a polygamist cult in Mexico. Fact.
http://www.wivesofjosephsmith.org/
Hi Mary,
Thanks for commenting! Joseph Smith had 33 wives according to the best estimates.
Your use use of term cult as a pejorative is clearly noted but rather silly.
What does Romney’s dad’s birthplace have to do with anything? My grandfather was born in northern Mexico in the Mormon colonies as well. Does that have anything to do with me?
Seth
Romey Senior’s birth in Mexico highlights Governor Romney’s blatant hypocrisy regarding Trump and the Birther issue. As far as my use of cully being silly, that’s simply your opinion. , I’ll refer you to This well-documented site: http://mormoncult.org/
Jesus and Satan were never brothers
The mormons do not believe Jesus is God therefore they are a cult.
Mormons believe they will be in heaven with their family unit as they were on earth. Jesus teaches that will not be the case. Mormons refer to themselves as LDS but really they behave like they are on LSD. Watch the show Big Love and you will see the definition of CRAZY.
hi mecos,
im a mormon and i believe jesus is the Christ the only begotten of the Father. i believe that family can be together forever. do you hate your family that you dont want to see them in heaven? we are all children of God, until lucifer rebell, he was my brother too. but i follow jesus christ and he (lucifer) is now my enemy.
hi mary,
i live in the phillipines, and here we have no anti-polygamy law. therefore here joseph smith is not a criminal. at first i thought that america is the cradle of freedom of religion now i have second thought. i think it is the phillippines. philippines is a christian nation. here if you are a muslim you can have many wives. what do you think.
You Mormons preach out of the book of Mormons . God warned all Christians about False Prophets . Explain How Joseph Smith and the rest of your Mormon Prophets are not false ?
Joe — what does that have to do with anything I’ve written here?
Also, if you are going to condemn a religion it is helpful to at least get names right. It’s called the “Book of Mormon” not the “Book of Mormons.”
[...] one Christian commenter, Mary, wrote in response to an article about Mitt Romney and his Mormon beliefs [...]
Do they have to wear them if they go to the beach or swimming? you mention the military being allowed to have their own clothes modified, could you have a wet suit modified with the symbols and use that?
If they really are just symbolic then surely there should be a good deal of flexibility.
Hi Bernie,
Mormons do not wear them when they go to the beach or for swimming. A lot of Mormons don’t wear them when playing sports. Some do. It is all a personal choice.
You are absolutely right that there is a lot of flexibility and it is up to each Mormon to decide how and when they wear temple garments.
Seth
So glad I am an atheist and am not bothered by what a supernatural being (that does not exist anymore than unicorns) cares or doesn’t care about what I wear. Geez folks reality check.
Good for you Mac! I’m glad you have found happiness.