I am a nursing student and I was wondering about the mormon sacred garments?

Question

We have done cultural presentations in school that dealt with special healthcare considerations for those of a different culture (Chinese, Korean, American Indian, etc.) but did not focus at all on cultural practices based on religion. My question is, according to my understanding, the sacred garments cannot be taken off by anyone who is not at the same level in the church as the person wearing them (not sure what this means either), but in the event of a medical emergency when no such person was present, what would the best course of action be if the person needed a procedure done that required removing the garments? Also, how would the average person know the significance of the garments, is there some way of notifying other people that they are not to remove the garments?

Answer 1

We are counselled to wear the garment "appropriately" night and day. So this implies that there are times (such as hospitalization) when wearing a garment is inappropriate and impractical.

As a nurse (and thank you for your sensitivity!) you would simply remove the garment from your patient and then help them dress in a robe. We appreciate if you don't drop it on the floor, rather place it in a bag for their family to collect. If you need to cut them off your patient, that's okay too, but please give the pieces back to the family, don't just throw them out. I know, it sounds strange, but that's what you should do.

But sure, it can be removed by medical professionals in the case of unconciousness. It is sacred, but it is a symbol of a covenant..not like we're wearing cotton armour or like that. We try to wear them so that people don't generally realize that we're wearing them...so don't feel bad that you don't realize that it's a Mormon patient when you first see him/her.

That is really, really nice of you to be concerned and sensitive. You are going to be a great nurse!

Answer 2

I've never heard about that belief, but let's assume it's true.
Most Mormon's are not radicals. In a medical emergency, the would rather have them removed than die. So, remove.
There is no way of notifying, per say. They just look like old-fashioned underwear. It's just an assumption that nobody will see your gametes unless you are in a position to do so (doctor, spouse, etc). So don't worry too much. If you do have to care for a Mormon who wears their garments, ask them. Most will be grateful for the consideration and respect.
P.S. Garments are received after a sacred ordinance is made in an LDS temple. So that's what the "same level of the church" means, people who have also made this covenant.

Answer 3

Treat them with a bit of respect, but like any other piece of underwear.

I don't know where you got your information about "same level of the church" taking them off.

If someone's taking off my underwear, it should either be a doctor, nurse, or my wife.

If there is a wound that you need to get to, cut them off like you would anything else. If you need to take them off, do so, but save them for the person like you would any other underwear.

I could see some Mormons wanting to wear them earlier than other patients might want to put on underwear again. That's the only thing that I can think of that would be very different.

Hope that helps.

Answer 4

some are a single garment, whilst others are divided right into a blouse and shorts. they are obtainable in a brilliant variety of fabric and varieties. maximum are white, yet there are particular militia version is is the common olive eco-friendly (in basic terms obtainable to those serving contained in the militia). Temple clothing are synthetic with the help of Beehive clothing that's owned with the help of the Church. they are sewn using machines. committed Latter-day Saints get carry of their clothing in a ceremony contained in the temple wherein they are instructed they characterize the floor robes Jesus gave Adam and Eve. In yet another ceremony the magnitude is defined in better factor. in short, the clothing themselves are actually not particular, yet they remind us of the covenants we've made with the Lord. as quickly as a Latter-day Saint has been "endowed" they are envisioned to placed on the temple garment day and night for the remainder of their lives. There are clever exceptions, alongside with swimming, taking part in activities, or while donning the garment might draw too plenty interest. There are 2 significant motives for not discussing the temple clothing plenty with outsiders. at first, that is our undies. Even earlier entering into the process the temple i did not pass around discussing my undies with relative strangers. Secondly, the symbolism of the clothing can (and does) draw mockery. the finished theory became something to remind ourselves of our religious vows without making it an argument with different persons.

Answer 5

Dear friend,

Let me start by saying how impressed I am with your cultural sensitivity. I'm a medical student. Hope we get to work together some time! :)

In case of emergency, you should remove your patient's garment without a second thought. There are no rules as to who can and cannot remove a garment, and, even if there were, the emergency would take precidence.

Here's some more information about the Mormon garment I've written elsewhere:

Garments, often called “Mormon underwear” by those unfamiliar with our beliefs, are a form of religious clothing used by some Mormons. In early adulthood, prepared Mormon men and women typically participate in the higher ordinances of the Mormon temple for the first time. During these ceremonies, they make sacred promises to God, including the promise to dedicate themselves to Him. The day these promises are first made is one of the most important days in the life of a faithful Mormon. From that day forward, Mormons wear their religious clothing underneath their “street closes” as a quite, inner reminder of the sacred promises made. Mormons don’t think of their garments as “underwear,” but rather a sacred reminder of their renewed dedication to God.

Mormonism is by no means the only religion that uses religious clothing as a symbol. Catholic 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, 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

Answer 6

Reminds me of a funny story. At one time the garments were 1 piece. My gramma was an ER nurse and she had a guy come in who had chest pain. She tried to pull off his T-shirt to put the EKG leads on and the guy yelled "Lady, they don't come off that way!" She had given the poor man, who was already in a ton of pain the ultimate wedgie. She was really embarrassed. It's good that they are 2 piece now.

Answer 7

Yours is a good question. For the sake of the patient's life, and in such an emergency, you should remove the temple garments and store them--regardless how shredded or torn they may be--and return them to the wearer upon recovery. The owner will then dispose of them properly.

Equally as important, someone should call the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--the bishop, if possible--and ask for two elders to visit the patient as soon as possible to give a priesthood blessing of health.

Answer 8

I don't know where you heard that you can't take off someones garments but if they need them off for medical issues, feel free to remove them. I was an EMT in Utah for years and then people needed them off, I cut them off with trauma sheers in a second to gain access to the body for medical procedures during emergencies.

Answer 9

Thanks for asking this so respectfully.

I've had a nurse help me remove them when I was having a medical emergency, and it was greatly appreciated. Medical needs are totally an appropriate reason to remove them. I know that in the most dire emergencies clothes are often just cut off - if it were me, I'd want that done - whatever is needed to save my skin.

I think the most appropriate thing to do with them once removed (whole or cut) is just place them in one of those clothes bags that hospital provides. The patient or person closest to the patient will know what do with them from there.

Best wishes

Answer 10

That's very thoughtful of you. I don't know. But you are correct about the garments. Still there may be a mdeical exception.

I know Jehovah's Witnesses can NEVER have blood transfusions and have to fight for that right.