I know you Mormons hate to be asked this question, but there are a lot of us who find it quite curious and would like to know what the significance of it is and what it's all about. The most thorough explanation will get my vote for best answer.
2007-04-06 10:13:12 · 13 answers · asked by Jonathan 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Fotomama (and the rest), I asked this question in a casual way because of how little I knew about it. I didn't even know of the phrase "sacred undergarments" or "temple garments" or anything like that. I apologize if my question offended anybody, but given how little I knew about the subject, I hope you'll cut me some slack.
2007-04-07 05:43:24 · update #1
I am a Mormon:
They are called garments. A person wears them after receiving their endowment in the temple, not all members wear them because not all members have even been through the temple. Those who have been to the temple (and are active in the church) wear them. They are basically underwear that serve a few purposes: they are a reminder of covenants we have made, they help keep us modestly dressed and they are promised to be a spiritual as well as physical shield for us. They are sacred, they are special. They are not magic or weird or uncomfortable or awkward or anything like that.
They are basically our underwear. There are many different kinds and styles, all of which are white.
There ya go.
*Penguin - maybe you don't care if you break covenants and promises - but I do. I am not "scared" of God. I keep those covenants because I respect, love and honor God and WANT to keep those covenants...
2007-04-06 10:27:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
First, you need to understand that "the undewear thing" is something very sacred to us. You ask it so casually, but all things associated with the temple are sacred and should be revered. I don't care how ridiculous you think it is. I don't care if you think we're crazy. The temple and everything associated with it is most sacred and we don't speak so lightly of it. So the next time you ask this, we would generally appreciate a more reverent tone.
As for the "underwear issue" we wear it as an outward symbol of an inward commitment...that is a sacred covenant we have made. It is very personal to remind us that the covenant is between us and God. No one else is really privy to it...just like no one needs to see what kind of underwear I'm wearing.
Beyond this, they remind me to be modest in dress and action. They remind me that modesty is not just what I'm wearing on my body, but what's in my heart.
They are a symbol of something much bigger...as is much of the whole world.
2007-04-07 12:36:24 · answer #2 · answered by Fotomama 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very similar to some masonic symbols, but to protect LDS interests, I won't say exactly what those are. Suffice it to say that one of them is a quadrangular shape and the other a tool for drawing circles.
There is a high moral code of behavior associated with the Temple Garment (holy underwear). It is such that if the mormon lets a 'non-mormon' know about all of the secrets, it is seen as casting their pearls before swine (don't take that as an insult, they don't really think you're pigs; it's in the biblical sense). This is true in terms of the oaths they take with the garment, as well as physically showing the garment to people who 'wouldn't understand it'. Because the members are so afraid of the punishments that God will inflict on them if they break their temple covenants, many members are basically scared into following Temple guidelines line by line and word for word. It keeps people active in the Church and paying their tithing.
2007-04-06 17:21:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
The person with all the links probably already answered your queutions, but you could go to www.saintsalive.com to for info or the 411. as an ex-mormon, they are a symbol of going to the temple and also a part of the masonic portion (freemason rituals) of their religion (theology). They are freemasons that wear their robes all the time. They think the sheild will actually stop a bullet, but real christians know that we fight against principlaities and that our weapons are invisible, like putting on the helmet of salvation ect.
2007-04-06 17:38:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is symbolic of covenants we make with God while in the temple. It also serves a reminder of those covenants that we make there. An added benefit is that it helps us to follow the dress code of modesty that we are encouraged to live as well, but the most important part is the symbolism.
2007-04-06 17:19:31 · answer #5 · answered by moonman 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
the garments we wear under our clothes are given to us in the temple to remind us of the covenants we make with God. IMHO, that's all anyone really needs to know.
2007-04-07 01:49:09 · answer #6 · answered by mormon_4_jesus 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Temple garments. Church members get when they go though the temple.
2007-04-06 19:09:35 · answer #7 · answered by Tinkerbelle2007 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
They receive these after going through the temple, they are suppose to protect the wearer from all harm. I prefer to call them angel chaps myself.
2007-04-06 17:18:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
temple garments...not holy underwear.
2007-04-06 17:17:16 · answer #9 · answered by glitterkittyy 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I figure that it can't be any sillier than Judiasm's Tzitzis.
2007-04-06 17:21:00 · answer #10 · answered by Morey000 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋