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by Anonymous on January 31st, 2006

Anonymous

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What do Mormon garments signify?

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Answers. 8 helpful answers below.

  • by enidana on December 4th, 2006

    enidana

    "Is it true they can't take them off, even when they wash?"

    No, that isn't true, and if you think about it, it would be pretty gross and not an appropriate way to treat something sacred. The garments are to be worn in a respectful manner, meaning we don't show them. We also don't wear them for things like, swimming, showering and sex. We are counseled to put them back on as soon as possible after these activities.

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  • by PramodSNair on February 1st, 2006

    PramodSNair

    They signify the vows and pledges the wearer made in the temple. It is a representation of the promises made by the follower to the God of the Temple.

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  • by onkponk on December 13th, 2006

    onkponk

    President Boyd K. Packer, acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, once compared the holy garment to the vestements of Priests and Habits of Nuns. The main difference is that in the Mormon church the leaders and Priesthood holders have other occupations - Firefighters, Police Officers and nearly all othes, many that need have uniforms in other life callings. The holy garment is a way for Mormons to remember their covenants by wearing them on the inside of their clothing in all appropriate stations of life.

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  • by enidana on December 4th, 2006

    enidana

    Close.... The garment is a symbol of the wearers covenant made to God in the temple. There is no God of the Temple, just God.

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  • by edndori on February 14th, 2009

    edndori

    They are a symbolic of covenants we have made with God in the temple. And that is about as much as we are willing to say outside the temple.

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  • by wade into the ocean on May 14th, 2007

    wade into the ocean

    The LDS Temple Garments are mentioned here:

    http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/mormon/underwear/

    http://www.i4m.com/think/temples/mormon-garments.htm

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  • by Mister IT is trying to Liahona outta here on February 24th, 2009

    Mister IT is trying to Liahona outta here

    SHORT ANSWER:
    In addition to being a reminder of the Covenants and Vows that were taken during the LDS Endowment ceremony, the garment contain symbols: " ... reverse-L-shaped symbol on the right breast, a V-shaped symbol on the left breast, and horizontal marks at the navel and over the right knee." (Wikipedia see below) that some Mormons believe have sacred or divine power.

    Mormon folk lore is filled with stories about miracles that occurred due to the wearing of LDS Temple garments.

    LONG ANSWER:
    ===================
    From WikiPedia:
    ===================
    In the 19th century, the temple garment was a one-piece undergarment extending to the ankles and the wrists, resembling a union suit, with an open crotch and a collar. It was made of unbleached cotton, and was held together with ties in a double knot. The garment had four marks that were snipped into the cloth as part of the original Nauvoo Endowment ceremony (Buerger 1987, p. 56; Beadle 1870, p. 497; Bennett 1842, pp. 247-48). These marks were a reverse-L-shaped symbol on the right breast, a V-shaped symbol on the left breast, and horizontal marks at the navel and over the right knee. These cuts were later replaced by embroidered symbols. According to generally-accepted Mormon doctrine, the marks in the garments are sacred symbols (Buerger 2002, p. 58). One proposed element of the symbolism, according to early Mormon leaders, was a link to the Square and Compass, the symbols of freemasonry (Morgan 1827, pp. 22-23), to which Joseph Smith had been initiated about seven weeks prior to his introduction of the Endowment ceremony.[3] Thus, the V-shaped symbol on the left breast was referred to as "The Compasses", while the reverse-L-shaped symbol on the right breast was referred to by early church leaders as "The Square" (Buerger 2002, p. 145).[4]

    According to an explanation by LDS Church President John Taylor in 1883, the "Square" represents "the justice and fairness of our Heavenly Father, that we will receive all the good that is coming to us or all that we earn, on a square deal", and the "Compasses" represents "the North Star" (Buerger 2002, p. 145). In addition to the Square and Compasses, Taylor described the other symbols as follows: the collar represented the idea that the Lord's "yoke is easy and [his] burden is light", or the "Crown of the Priesthood"; the double-knotted strings represented "the Trinity" and "the marriage covenant"; the navel mark represents "strength in the navel and marrow in the bones"; and the knee mark represents "that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ" (Buerger 2002, p. 145).

    An alternative explanation was given in 1936 by then-LDS Church apostle David O. McKay, whose explanation was incorporated into the LDS Endowment ceremony (Buerger 2002, p. 153). According to McKay's explanation of the ceremony, the "mark of the Compass" represents "an undeviating course leading to eternal life; a constant reminder that desires, appetites, and passions are to be kept within the bounds the Lord has set; and that all truth may be circumscribed into one great whole"; the "mark of the Square" represents "exactness and honor" in keeping the commandments and covenants of God; the navel mark represents "the need of constant nourishment to body and spirit"; and the "knee mark" represents "that every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is the Christ" (Buerger 2002, p. 153). Unlike Taylor, McKay did not describe the symbolism of the collar or the tie-strings because those elements of the garment had been eliminated in 1922 (Buerger 2002, p. 138).
    Post-1979 two-piece temple garments end just above the knee for both sexes. Women's garment have a rounded or sweetheart neckline with cap sleeves. Male tops are available in tee-shirt styles.[5]

    [3] ^ Smith was initiated into freemasonry on March 15, 1842 (Roberts 1908, pp. 4:550–52), and he introduced the temple ceremony to close associates on May 4, 1842 (Roberts 1910, p. 5:1)

    [4] ^ According to the Masonic rite to which Smith was initiated, "the Square [is given to us] to square our actions, and the Compass to keep us in due bounds with all mankind" (Morgan 1827, pp. 22-23).

    [5] ^ Arthur (1999, p. 44).

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_garment

    ATTACHED VIDEOS:
    A) A public reenactment of the LDS Temple Ceremony
    B) An ExMormon discusses LDS Temple Garments

    ATTACHED PHOTOGRAPHS:
    1) Scene from an LDS Temple Ceremony
    2) Men modeling LDS Temple Robes
    3) Evolution of LDS Temple Garments
    4) 1879 Temple Garments
    5) Modern Temple Garments

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  • by Anonymous on February 14th, 2009

    Anonymous

    They signify a covenant between a person and God. It is a sacred covenant so, likewise, the garments should be treated with the same sacredness. Many times, God gives his children symbols to remember the covenants we make with him, so we, being mortal, can remember them often. We need constant reminders of His gospel to keep faithfull. The garments, when worn correctly, help anyone to remember their promises made to God. A covenant is a promise made to God, and He promises to help us in return. What help, you ask? These promises are made in the temple and are sacred, but you can ask any missionary or priesthood holder. If you truly desire to grow closer to God, not just curiosity, I urge you to seek Him. I have grown closer to him through His church; the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. (LDS church)

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