As a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I’ve found that one of the most frequently asked questions from those outside our faith revolves around temple garments. These Garments of the Holy Priesthood hold deep symbolic meaning and teach us more about our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately, there is lots of false, misleading, and disrespectful information out there about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their practice of wearing garments. I wanted to put together this resource for those who want to learn more, without having to weed through all the noise.

temple garments

Understanding Latter-day Saint Garments

Jeffrey R. Holland, Acting President of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, “Given this separation and loneliness in a cold, dreary world, how comforting it must have been for Adam and Eve to remember one thing: that promises had been made—something sacred and eternal called covenants. They had promised they would obey Father all the days of their life, and He had promised to provide a Savior, who would relieve their pain and sorrow, atone for their mistakes, and bring them safely back into His presence. But how would these mortals remember what they had promised?” 

… the answer to that was a “coat of skins,” or a holy garment. See Moses 4:27 (or Genesis 3:21), “Unto Adam, and also unto his wife, did I, the Lord God, make coats of skins, and clothed them.” By the way, if you haven’t read The Book of Moses in The Pearl of Great Price, I highly recommend it. It’s fascinating!

It is important to God that we REMEMBER Him. Just like the Sabbath Day, the Passover, or the sacrament, garments are a God-given way to help us remember and learn about Him.

Garments Are a Reminder of Covenants Made

Like Adam and Eve, we too have been separated from God and live in a fallen world. Thankfully, the Savior is here for us, like He was for them, to bring us back to His presence. That is done through making covenants with Him in His holy temples on earth. Covenants are often referred to as two-way promise.

Temple garments are not “magic underwear.” They serve as a personal, physical reminder of the sacred covenants made with God in the temple. These covenants involve promises of obedience, service, chastity, and dedication to living a Christ-centered life. Members often say it is an outward expression (outward, to one’s SELF) of an inner commitment.

This world can easily distract us from our eternal goal of living with our families forever and in the presence of our Heavenly Father and Mother. We get busy, stressed, confused, etc. and if we don’t actively remember and realign our lives with the covenants we made, we can quickly find ourselves off the chosen path. President Holland said, “In the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ, the ways of the world must be modified to align with our covenants, not the other way around.”

This is a great introductory video about garments and the covenants made in temples:

Garments Are a Visual Reminder of Christ and The Atonement

One of the beautiful layers of symbolism within the temple garment is its connection to the Atonement of Jesus Christ. For Latter-day Saints, the Atonement is the central act of love and sacrifice, where Jesus Christ voluntarily suffered for the sins and pains of all mankind. The garment, in its simplicity and purity, can be seen as a symbol of Christ’s pure and spotless life, offered as a sacrifice.

Adam and Eve exchanged their apron of fig leaves for God’s coat of skins. It’s important to recognize that a coat of skins could not be given without animal sacrifice taking place. That animal was likely a lamb, representing our Savior, who sacrificed for us. Putting on the garment is putting on Christ and being wrapped in His protection and love.

Furthermore, the act of wearing the garment and the markings on them are to be a daily reminder of the need for personal repentance and the cleansing power of Christ’s Atonement. Just as the garment covers the body, Christ’s Atonement covers our sins and imperfections, allowing us to become clean and worthy to return to God’s presence. In this sense, the garment serves as a constant, tangible reminder of the Savior’s grace and mercy, and the transformative power of His sacrifice in our lives. It encourages a daily striving to be more like Him, to live a life worthy of the sacrifice He made.

This is one of my favorite explanations of the holy garment and it’s connection to the Atonement of Jesus Christ:

Garments Are Based in Ancient Temple History

In ancient Israel, the priests, particularly the High Priest, wore very specific and sacred clothing when performing their duties in the Tabernacle and later, the Temple in Jerusalem. These garments were not just ordinary clothing; they were rich in symbolic meaning and represented the priest’s consecrated role as a mediator between God and the people.

The Bible contains many references to the wearing of sacred clothing. For example, the Israelites are asked to turn their garments into personal reminders of their covenants with God (Numbers 15:37-41).

The ancient High Priest’s attire was particularly elaborate. It included:

  • The Ephod: A richly decorated, apron-like garment made of fine linen, gold, and various colored threads. It symbolized the glory and majesty of God.
  • The Breastplate: Containing twelve precious stones, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel, it was worn over the heart, signifying the priest’s role in bearing the burdens of the people before God.
  • The Robe of the Ephod: A blue robe with pomegranates and bells along the hem, symbolizing the need for purity and the sound of the priest’s service.
  • The Tunic: A white linen undergarment, representing purity and cleanliness.
  • The Mitre: A turban-like head covering, with a gold plate inscribed with “Holiness to the Lord,” signifying the priest’s dedication to God.

These garments served multiple purposes: they distinguished the priests from others, they symbolized their sacred role, and they reminded them of the holiness of God and their commitment to Him. While the specific garments and their details differ, the underlying principle of using sacred clothing to signify a covenant relationship with God is the same.

Of course, it’s not just anciently that religious garments have been worn. Besides Latter-day Saints, you will also find religious clothing on Catholics, Jews, Muslims, and others. This video gives excellent examples of that and explains the holy garment further:

Favorite Resources for Learning More About Temple Garments

God’s Calling – YouTube Channel

Understanding the Symbols, Covenants and Ordinances of the Temple by Amy Hardison

TempleLight – YouTube Channel

Ancient Sacred Vestments by Donald Parry

Temples of the Ancient World: Ritual and Symbolism by Donald Parry

Understanding Your Endowment by Cory Jensen

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