In some denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement, the temple garment (or the Garment of the Holy Priesthood, or informally, the garment or garments) is a set of sacred underclothing worn by adult adherents who have taken part in a ritual ceremony known as washing and anointing ordinance, usually in a temple as part of the Endowment ceremony. In modern times, the temple garment is worn primarily by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) along with several small religious groups who separated from the LDS Church. Adherents consider them to be sacred and may be offended by public discussion of the garments. Anti-Mormon activists have publicly displayed or defaced temple garments to show their opposition to the LDS Church. The Latter Day Saint movement is a religious movement that can be said to have been founded primarily by Joseph Smith, Jr. ... One of ten full-size tubs used for washings and anointings in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints circa 1912. ... In Mormonism, an ordinance is a religious ritual of special significance, often involving a covenant with God. ... The Salt Lake Temple, operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the best-known Mormon temple. ... In the Latter Day Saint movement, the Endowment is a gift of power from on high that has several meanings in various contexts of Latter Day Saint theology. ... The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest attraction in the citys Temple Square. ...

The garment is thought to symbolize the "coats of skins" which Jehovah (Yahweh) made for Adam and Eve before casting them out of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:21). It is worn, in part, to remind adherents that they have made special oaths and covenants to God. Members of the LDS Church today are commonly clothed in the garments, together with outer temple clothing, for burial. The garment is believed to be a spiritual "shield and protection" against the powers of evil (and against physical harm, according to some adherents). Tetragrammaton redirects here. ... Michelangelos Creation of Adam, from the Sistine Chapel. ... The Fall of Man by Lucas Cranach, a 16th century German depiction of Eden The Garden of Eden (from Hebrew גַּן עֵדֶן ) is described in the Book of Genesis as being the place where the first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve, lived after they were created by God. ...

Construction and symbolism of the garment

Temple garment circa 1879 (GSR 1879).

In the 19th century, the temple garment was a one-piece undergarment resembling a union suit, with an open crotch and a collar, extending to the ankles and the wrists. 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. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... A union suit from the 1902 Sears, Roebuck catalog. ... , There is also a Nauvoo, Alabama, and a Nauvoo, Pennsylvania Nauvoo (נָאווּ to be beautiful, Sephardi Hebrew Nåvu, Tiberian Hebrew Nâwû) is a city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. ... In Mormonism, the Endowment is a heavenly gift of priesthood power, connected with the construction and use of the Mormon temple. ... Gold Embroidery Cross-stitch embroidery, Hungary, mid-20th century Phulkari from Punjab region, India 15th century embroidered cope, Ghent, Belgium Elizabethan embroidery styles include blackwork on linen and dense patterns worked in colored silk and metallic threads on velvet or other rich fabrics Embroidery is the art or handicraft of...

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 "Compass and the Square", 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.^[1] Thus, the V-shaped symbol on the left breast was referred to as "The Compass", while the reverse-L-shaped symbol on the right breast was referred to by early church leaders as "The Square" (Buerger 2002, p. 145).^[2] While The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints uses many scriptural and ceremonial symbols in its theology, its leaders teach that as the Apostle Paul taught, the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. ... The Masonic Square and Compasses. ... In the Latter Day Saint movement, the Endowment is a gift of power from on high that has several meanings in various contexts of Latter Day Saint theology. ...

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 "Compass" represents "the North Star" (Buerger 2002, p. 145). In addition to the Square and Compass, 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). In the Latter Day Saint movement, the President of the Church is generally considered to be the highest office of the church. ... John Taylor (November 1, 1808 – July 25, 1887) was the third President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1880 to 1887. ...

An alternate 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). David Oman McKay (September 8, 1873 – January 18, 1970) was the ninth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church; see also Mormon), serving from 1951 until his death in 1970. ... In the Latter Day Saint movement, the Endowment is a gift of power from on high that has several meanings in various contexts of Latter Day Saint theology. ...

Illustration of symbols on the temple garment

While the original pattern of the garment is still in use by some Mormon fundamentalists, over the years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has somewhat modernized the original pattern. In 1893, the church expressed an official preference for the color white. In 1923, a letter from Heber J. Grant to Stake and Temple Presidents, stated that after careful and prayerful consideration it was unanimously decided by the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve of the LDS Church, that the following modifications would be permitted to the garments: Image File history File links Size of this preview: 415 × 600 pixels Full resolution (800 × 1156 pixel, file size: 30 KB, MIME type: image/gif) This image has been (or is hereby) released into the public domain by its creator, Norvy. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 415 × 600 pixels Full resolution (800 × 1156 pixel, file size: 30 KB, MIME type: image/gif) This image has been (or is hereby) released into the public domain by its creator, Norvy. ... Teens From Polygamous Families protested on August 19, 2006 In Salt Lake City Mormon fundamentalism most often describes splinter movements of Mormonism that believe or practice what its adherents consider the fundamental aspects of Mormonism. ... The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest attraction in the citys Temple Square. ... Year 1893 (MDCCCXCIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

1. Sleeve to elbow.
2. Leg just below knee.
3. Buttons instead of strings.
4. Collar eliminated.
5. Crotch closed (Buerger 2002, p. 138).

Other changes were made after 1923 which shortened the sleeves and legs more and eliminated buttons.

One style of post-1979 two-piece temple garments.

The most recent major change took place in 1979, when the Church offered a two-piece garment. While most often white, the garment is also made in brown for regulation military use. Today, many styles of garments may be purchased at a church-subsidized cost at a location near each temple or at special distribution centers. One must show the clerk a current temple recommend as part of the transaction. Garments can also now be purchased online from the Church's Distribution Center by members who have to provide the date of their birth, the date of their Endowment ceremony and their membership record number. Image File history File links Garment. ... Image File history File links Garment. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Nauvoo Illinois Temple, dedicated in 2002, is one of the newest LDS temples. ... In Mormonism, the Endowment is a heavenly gift of priesthood power, connected with the construction and use of the Mormon temple. ...

LDS members use their garments as a standard for what attire they wear to maintain a modest dress standard. The top garment covers the shoulders and has a cap-sleeve, extending two to three inches down the arm. The neckline of the garment rests just below the collar bone, covering women's cleavage. The bottom garment extends to just above the knee.

Latter-day Saint views as to the garment's sacredness

This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. (help, get involved!) Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. This article has been tagged since January 2007. Image File history File links Information. ...

To members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the temple garment represents the sacred and personal aspects of their relationship with God. For this reason, Church leaders discourage members from discussing the garment in a casual or disrespectful manner. One church leader has compared the garment to the clerical vestments worn by clergy of other churches.^[3] The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest attraction in the citys Temple Square. ...

Church leaders have publicly discussed the above principles and beliefs since the mid-1840s, however, because of the sacredness surrounding temple rites and the garment to many Latter-day Saints, some outspoken people have utilized it as a source of humor and parody. Due to the considerable number of temple garments in existence, there have been several cases where people (including some ex-Mormons) have distributed photographs of models wearing temple garments in a manner contrary to accepted LDS practice. // Events and Trends Technology First use of general anesthesia in an operation, by Crawford Long The first electrical telegraph sent by Samuel Morse on May 24, 1844 from Baltimore to Washington, D.C.. War, peace and politics First signing of the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi) on February... Look up Humour in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... In contemporary usage, a parody (or lampoon) is a work that imitates another work in order to ridicule, ironically comment on, or poke some affectionate fun at the work itself, the subject of the work, the author or fictional voice of the parody, or another subject. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Photograph of the once famous model Dovima A model is a person who poses or displays for purposes of art, fashion, or other products and advertising. ...

Garments are featured in a book about undergarments published in the 1990s, and also in various anti-Mormon books during the 1980s. In 2004, photos which hinted at people engaged in sexual acts dressed as Mormon missionaries wearing garments were showcased in a Salt Lake area art display, which incited considerable protest by college students who were returned missionaries. The four photos in question were moved to a room apart from the public display. They were subsequently stolen. A book is a set or collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of paper, parchment, or other material, usually fastened together to hinge at one side. ... For the band, see 1990s (band). ... An anti-Mormon political cartoon from the late nineteenth century. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sexual behavior is a form of physical intimacy that may be directed to reproduction (one possible goal of sexual intercourse) and/or to the enjoyment of activity involving sexual gratification. ... The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Salt Lake Citys top tourist draw. ... The Bath, a painting by Mary Cassatt (1844–1926). ...

With the advent of the Internet, there are additional sites that publish photographs of garments for educational, parody or other use. A more recent controversy surrounds the open sales of temple garments on the eBay auction web site multiple times since 2000. Typically the garments are removed for a violation of eBay policy unrelated to its religious context. Several other internet sites claim to sell garments, but these are usually just normal underwear. This article is about online auction centre. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... A website, Web site or WWW site (often shortened to just site) is a collection of webpages, that is, HTML/XHTML documents accessible via HTTP on the Internet; all publicly accessible websites in existence comprise the World Wide Web. ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

During the October 2003 General Conference of the Church, some anti-Mormon demonstrators outside the LDS Conference Center wore garments around their necks and defaced them in ways that were offensive to Mormons in attendance. A scuffle broke out between a protestor and two members of the church. To avoid a repeat of the conflict, the municipality of Salt Lake City planned stronger enforcement of fighting words and hate speech laws for the April 2004 Conference in Salt Lake City with new protest buffer zones.^{[citation needed]} 2003 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December A timeline of events in the news for October, 2003. ... View of Conference Center spire taken from south of the Center on North Temple St. ... A human neck. ... A municipality is an administrative entity composed of a clearly defined territory and its population and commonly referring to a city, town, or village, or a small grouping of them. ... The fighting words doctrine, in United States constitutional law, is a limitation to freedom of speech as granted in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution In its 9-0 decision, Chaplinsky v. ... Hate speech is a controversial term for speech intended to degrade, intimidate, or incite violence or prejudicial action against a person or group of people based on their race, gender, age, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, language ability, moral or political views, socioeconomic class, occupation or appearance... Lady Justice or Justitia is a personification of the moral force that underlies the legal system (particularly in Western art). ... 2004 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December Deaths in April • 18 Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara • 19 Norris McWhirter • 22 Pat Tillman • 24 Estée Lauder Other recent deaths Ongoing events EU Enlargement Exploration of Mars: Rovers Haiti Rebellion Reconstruction of Iraq – Occupation & Resistance Israeli...

Notes

The Masonic Square and Compasses. ... is the 74th day of the year (75th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1842 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... is the 124th day of the year (125th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1842 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

References

1. Asay, Carlos E. (August 1997), "The Temple Garment: “An Outward Expression of an Inward Commitment", Ensign: 19.
2. Beadle, John Hanson (1870), Life in Utah, Philadelphia: National Publishing, LCC BX8645 .B4 1870, LCCN 30005377.
3. Bennett, John C. (1842), The History of the Saints; or, an Exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism, Boston: Leland & Whiting.
4. Buerger, David John (1987), "The Development of the Mormon Temple Endowment Ceremony", Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 20 (4): 33–76.
5. Buerger, David John (2002), The Mysteries of Godliness: A History of Mormon Temple Worship (2nd ed.), Salt Lake City: Signature Books, ISBN 1560851767.
6. GSR, Mrs. (September 28, 1879), "Lifting the Vail: The Endowment House Mysteries Fully Exposed", Salt Lake Daily Tribune 17 (139): 4.
7. McDannell, Colleen (1995), "Mormon Garments: Sacred Clothing and the Body", Material Christianity: Religion and Popular Culture in America, Yale University Press, ISBN 0-300-07499-9, at 198–221.
8. Morgan, William (1827), Illustrations of Masonry by One of the Fraternity Who has devoted Thirty Years to the Subject: "God said, Let there be Light, and there was light", Batavia, N.Y.: David C. Miller.
9. Roberts, B. H., ed. (1902), History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, vol. 1, LDS Church.
10. Roberts, B. H., ed. (1930), A Comprehensive History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Century I, Brigham Young University Press, ISBN 0842504826.

Ensign is an official magazine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... Engraving of John C. Bennett in a Napoleon-like pose as General of the Nauvoo Legion. ... is the 271st day of the year (272nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1879 (MDCCCLXXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... William Morgan (c. ... Brigham Henry Roberts Brigham Henry Roberts (March 13, 1857–September 27, 1933) (commonly known as B. H. Roberts) was a leader, historian, and defender of the faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest attraction in the citys Temple Square. ... Brigham Henry Roberts Brigham Henry Roberts (March 13, 1857–September 27, 1933) (commonly known as B. H. Roberts) was a leader, historian, and defender of the faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ...

External links

• Mormon Underwear - Information from OnlyMormon.com
• Mormon Underwear - An explanation from LightPlanet.com
• Mormon Garments - Article at Mormon wiki about the temple garment.
• Mormon Garments - Information on how garments relate to temple worship.
• History of Mormon Garments - Historical background on mormon garments.
• Mormon Underwear - An informational site about mormon garments.
• Picture of garments through the years