FAQ #5 You wear what? The magic undies.

Garments. Temple Garments specifically.


Sexy, eh?
Ok, so for those of you looking at that and saying wtf, there is an explanation! (I can't promise the explanation won't also make you go "wtf?") Do you remember Adam and Eve? Garden, Apple, Snake? Well, in that story, after they ate the apple and became aware of their nakedness, they made aprons of fig leaves, and then after hiding from god, when he found them, he told them to make coats of animal skins. The derivative of those coats of skins are the delightful polyester and poly-cotton confections you see before you.

When an adult goes through the temple for the first time, they are given garments to wear, as a representation of the clothing given to Adam and Eve in the Garden. It is meant to be protective, and worn always next to the skin, a constant reminder of god in their lives.

First I'll talk about the rules, and then the protection.

You wear these garments day and night. in all your activities except things where they would be seen and mocked, like a swimming pool, or a doctors office. They are to be worn in bed. You may remove them for sex, but should put them back on as soon as possible. They are not to be rolled up at the knees to be shorter, not are the sleeves to be rolled up. Clothing should be modest enough to cover the garments up completely. They are to be worn against the skin . . . that's right ladies, bras go over these babies! It's not all bad though, you do save a lot not shopping at Victoria's secret . . . because would you really put one of those sexy numbers over that? If you doubt my understanding of this, here is the official church guidelines on the wearing and care of the garments.

The protections is a little fuzzier. There are some mormons who will swear up and down that the garments give an actual physical protection from physical harm. And you do find those sort of apocryphal "a friend of a friend . . ." type tales about protection from fire, even bullets. But on the whole mormons are taught that the protection is spiritual, not physical. They help you stay modest and chaste. They remind you of god all the time, and that will help you make better choices. As for physical protection . . . well . . . they do prevent chafing.

Here is a 1997 conference talk on the garments, fully charged with all of it's holy glory and power.

Curious about something? Have a question for me, or something to add? stick it in the comments or send your questions to askanexmormon@gmail.com