Mormon Underwear

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Those who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints often question the strange underwear that members of the Mormon Church wear. The official name of the Mormon underwear is the "temple garment" and is referred to by members as garments.Not every member of the Mormon Church wears the special underwear. Only adults who have been to a Mormon temple and have received their Endowments wear the Mormon underwear. When in a Mormon temple members make certain covenants with God part of the covenant is the promise to wear the Mormon underwear. "Endowed members of the Church wear the garment as a reminder of the sacred covenants they have made with the Lord and also as a protection against temptation and evil. How it is worn is an outward expression of an inward commitment to follow the Savior.”1 Mormon beliefs teach that the Mormon underwear is designed to remind the wearer of the covenants they have made. "Garments bear several simple marks of orientation toward the gospel principles of obedience, truth, life, and discipleship in Christ."2 Members are taught to wear the Mormon underwear as underclothing both day and night. Members are allowed to remove the garment for certain functions such as athletics or bathing. But the Mormon Church teaches, "The fundamental principle ought to be to wear the garment and not to find occasions to remove it. … When the garment must be removed, … it should be restored as soon as possible." 3 During the time of the prophet Joseph Smith the garment covered from ankle to wrist, but alterations have been made to the Mormon underwear to accommodate changes in clothing style. Yet the garment does not allow for all current fashions to be worn. Those who wear the Mormon underwear or garment are required to maintain certain modesty in dress. Nothing too low cut, sleeveless, or above the knees can be worn without altering the garment. The First Presidency of the Mormon Church states, "The principles of modesty and keeping the body appropriately covered are implicit in the covenant and should govern the nature of all clothing worn." 4 Members of the Mormon Church wear the Mormon underwear as an outward expression of their devotion to God. (1) First Presidency letter, 10 Oct. 1988.(2) Ludlow, Daniel H. Encyclopedia of Mormonism. 1992. (3) First Presidency letter, 10 Oct. 1988. (4) First Presidency letter, 10 Oct. 1988.