The Church has released a video on YouTube and on its official website that is designed to explain the sacred role and purpose of temple garments and other sacred temple clothing.
The video begins by explaining that, since ancient times, men and women have worn religious clothing and vestments that are rich in symbolism and ritual. Such items are sacred — expressing a person’s innermost feeling of his or her devotion to God.
For someone unfamiliar with a particular religion or faith, such rituals or clothing may seem unfamiliar, the video explains.
“But for the participants they can stir the deepest feelings of the soul, motivate them to do good, even shape the course of a whole life of service.”
Clothing items such as the nun’s habit, the priest’s cassock, the Jewish prayer shawl, the Muslim’s skullcap and the saffron robes of the Buddhist monk are all worn as an expression of devotion to God.
“Not all such religious vestments are on public display,” notes the video’s narrator. “Some are seen only in places of worship. Temple robes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known as the robes of the holy priesthood, are worn only inside Mormon temples and reserved for the highest sacraments of the faith.”
Many faithful Latter-day Saints, the video explains, wear a two-piece underclothing — or garment — under their clothes that has deep religious significance.
“Some people incorrectly refer to temple garments as magical or ‘magic underwear.’ These words are not only inaccurate but also offensive to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is nothing magical or mystical about temple garments, and Church members ask for the same degree of respect and sensitivity that would be afforded to any other faith by people of goodwill.”
Temple garments, the video adds, are worn by adult members “who have made sacred promises of fidelity to God’s commandments and the gospel of Jesus Christ in temples.”
The video concludes by explaining that the modest temple garments and the sacred vestments worn during temple worship “represent the sacred and personal aspect of their relationship with God and their commitment to live good, honorable lives.”
The online report concludes with a request that media agencies report on the subject of temple garments “as they would religious vestments of other faiths” and without ridicule.
The video can be viewed by going to mormonnewsroom.org and using the “search” function to find the topic “temple garments.”
