Why do Mormons believe in spiritual underwear?

Answer 1

Answer: only when we go into the temple

In Exodus 40:13 it says:

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.

Mormons put on these "special underwears", aka: the holy garments, as an outward sign of a commitment to God. The garment is white and represents purity, and by wearing it the person commits to Jesus Christ that he/she will follow whatever the Lord commands of them, just as people did in the Old Testament (the Jews).

These garments serve not only as a reminder, but as a protection from God. Not necessarily from physical harm, but spiritual harm as well. Some people have reported that their garments have protected them from physical harm.

Regardless, this is the purpose of the garment, and these holy garments are worn in conjunction with the restoration of the Lord's true church here on the Earth as a commandment from the Lord.

AnswerI was about to say that we don't when I realized what you were talking about. The temple garments right? I'm not exactly sure how to word the answer, but if you found a member and asked they might be able to give you a more accurate answer than mine. The garments are used to enter the temple. The temple is a super sacred place and to honor that everything we wear and do there is special. AnswerThey then put on the "authorized pattern" undergarment with another ceremony. This is the garment devout Mormon men and women wear nearly all of the time - day and night, summer and winter. They are told it will be a shield and protection against the power of the destroyer until their work on earth is completed. Many Mormons have testified of physical and spiritual protection by wearing the garment. Non-Mormons (Gentiles) sometimes refer to this garment as "Mormon armor" or "bullet-proof underwear" because of the dramatic stories Mormons tell about its protective power. The original undergarment was full length with a large collar, but dress styles have changed and the garment has been greatly abbreviated. However, President Joseph F. Smith said:

The Lord has given unto us garments of the Holy Priesthood, and you know what that means. And yet there are those of us who mutilate them, in order that we may follow the foolish, vain and (permit me to say) indecent practices of the world. In order that such people may imitate the fashions, they will not hesitate to mutilate that which should be held by them the most sacred of all things in the world, next to their own virtue, next to their own purity of life. They should hold these things that God has given unto them sacred, unchanged and unaltered from the very pattern in which God gave them. Let us have the moral courage to stand against the opinions of fashion, and especially where fashion compels us to break a covenant and so commit a grievous sin (Improvement Era, 9:813, August, 1906).

Answer 2

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) wear underwear for the same reason that everyone else does. Wearing underwear is more hygenic than not wearing it and most people think that it is more comfortable to have that protective layer between their skin and outer clothing.

You are obviously referring to "Garments" which are worn by those that have passed through the temple and have made certain sacred covenants there. the garments are among other things a reminder of those covenants and committments the person took on, since you put them on every day etc.

Answer 3

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) may 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 made with their spouse. Nobody is forced to wear the garment, but most choose to because they hold the covenants they have made as sacred.

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 considered a sort of 'priestly robe', qualifying them for responsibilities in the lay clergy. 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 4

Many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) choose to participate in a sacred religious ceremony called the 'Endowment', which takes place in the Temple. Similar to baptism or marriage, the endowment is an ordinance which is performed by someone who holds the proper priesthood authority. In the endowment, a Church member makes certain covenants or promises with God. Following the endowment they are obligated to wear a special garment throughout their lives. The garment is symbolic and serves as a reminder of the promises they made in their endowment ceremony.

Since Mormons have a lay-clergy, the garment also serves as a sort of priesthood robe, signifying that this person is worthy to hold leadership positions in the church. This is similar to the way a priest, pastor, minister, or other religious leader might wear a special robe or collar to represent who he/she is.

Both the garment and the endowment ceremony are modeled after ceremonies documented in the Old Testament. Exodus chapters 28 and 29 bear remarkable similarity to the endowment (minus the sacrificing of animals) and explain the significance of wearing a holy garment.

Please be aware that the garement is considered to be extremely sacred and Mormons are extremely offended if it is mocked or treated disrespectfully in any way. It is typically not spoken of outside the temple and is not meant to be shown or displayed to others.

Answer 5

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the 'Mormon' church) are not required to wear undergarments. Most people (regardless of religion) choose to wear undergarments as a sanitary and modesty measure.

Within the Mormon Church, adult members may choose to participate in a sacred Temple ceremony called the 'Endowment', in which they are given a sacred garment to wear as a symbol and reminder of the covenants and promises they have made with God during the ceremony. This ceremony is entirely voluntary, although the majority of Mormon adults do choose to participate. The garment is worn under the clothing and so it is sometimes referred to by non-Mormons as "Mormon underwear" or "Mormon undergarments". A Mormon may choose to take off this garment at any time, but most wear it at all times (swimming and bathing not included) as a personal reminder of their commitment to God.

The undergarment also encourage members to dress modestly. If clothing is too low cut, strapless, or otherwise, the garment would be visible, and inappropriate. This standard helps to maintain the proper respect in dress for those that would bear the name of the Savior, and witness to His name.

Answer 6

Shouldn't everyone sleep in their underwear?

If you are referring to endowed adult members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (commonly called "Mormons") who sleep in their temple garment, it is because the garment is to be worn at all possible times, which pretty much excludes only bathing and swimming.

To learn more about the temple garment, visit the "Related Links" below.

Answer 7

Devout adult members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) who have participated in certain ceremonies in the Temple are obligated to wear a special underwear (the temple garment). This underwear is worn for several reasons:

1), It is meant to remind them of covenants and promises they made with God as a part of the ceremony.

2), It is promised to be a 'shield and protection', both spiritually and physically, to them if they obey God.

3), Mormons have an all-lay clergy, and this garment serves as a way to distinguish them as servants of God, much like a priest or pastor in another Christian faith might wear a special robe or collar.

4), It promotes modesty and conservative dress.

5), In the Old Testament of The Bible, Aaron and the priests are annointed in the Temple and given white linen garments to wear. Mormons believe that they are continuing this practice.

Answer 8

Most adult men and women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) choose to participate in a sacred Temple ceremony called the "Endowment". The Endowment ceremony bears some similarity to the ceremonies found in Exodus 28 and 38 and Leviticus 6 and 16, which involve the putting on of linen breeches and other sacred clothing. In this ceremony, participants make sacred covenants (promises) with God, and are given a sacred garment as a symbol and reminder of these covenants. Those who participate in the ceremony are obligated to wear the garment under their clothing at all times (except bathing, swimming, etc) as a tangible personal reminder and witness of these promises they have made. This is similar to a married person wearing a wedding ring or a baptized Christian wearing a cross necklace - it is a personal symbol of the commitment or promise they have made.

Since Mormons have a lay clergy, the garment also serves as a sort of priests robe, symbolizing that the person is eligible for leadership positions in the Church. This is like an ordained pastor, priest, or minister wearing a special robe or collar to signify their position. The garment also encourages modesty in dress, as it is not supposed to be exposed to the view of others.

The garment essentially looks like typical white t-shirt and white boxer shorts or boxer briefs. There are special styles designed for men and women, (the women's styles have more feminine touches but still cover the thighs, torso, and shoulders just like the men) but all are white and come in a variety of fabrics.

Answer 9

Adult members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church) who have participated in certain temple ceremonies are obligated to wear a special undergarment called the "Temple Garment" as a symbol and reminder of the covenants or promises they have made with God as a part of the ceremony. These ceremonies are encouraged, but not required, for adult Mormons. (Those serving as missionaries or in priesthood leadership positions are usually required to have participated except in circumstances where traveling to a temple would be a significant financial burden.)

If you'd like to learn more about the Mormon "Temple Garment" underwear or see what they look like, visit this link: Mormon Temple Garments