They’re officially known as Temple Garments – or Mormon Temple Garments. Or maybe even Mormon Temple Undergarments.
But you might know them as Mormon Holy Underwear – and maybe that’s the search term you used to find this post.
Or you might even have searched for them as Mormon Magic Underwear, which might not be the kindest term to use.
Out of respect for our Mormon friends, I will generally refer to them as Temple Garments–same as they do.
And remember, these folks are officially known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or LDS. Or even Saints, for short.
Temple garments have a story to tell, and their story goes along with the story of the LDS Temple. The Temple is used by LDS people only for certain ceremonies and special occasions.
LDS folks don’t usually go to the temple every week. Instead, they go to their local Ward (church) on Sundays.
But if they went to the Temple just one time for the sealing ceremony, they wear their garments most of the time.
We are talking 24/7/365. Or very nearly that.
Not all Saints undergo the Temple Sealing Ceremony, and not all Saints wear the garments.
What are Temple Garments?
Temple garments are a kind of old-fashioned-looking underwear dating back to around the year 1840.
They originally had some vaguely Masonic-looking symbols on them.
Or maybe not so vaguely Masonic.
They still have the symbols today, but they are barely visible.
The original Temple Endowment Ceremony was a copy of the ceremony from Blue Lodge Freemasonry for new initiates. Why the connection to Freemasonry? Joseph Smith himself was a new initiate into Freemasonry and underwent the same ceremony at the Masonic Temple. He began putting his LDS Saints through the very same rituals as the Freemasons only weeks afterward -including secret handshakes. Some big changes were made in 1990 to tone down the Masonic overtones of the ceremony –especially the most pagan and Luciferian parts- but it still retains the overall structure.
In the 1920’s (and later modifications) the garments were updated, but they still look sort of old-fashioned. They are a bit like the old-time “union” underwear of yesteryear.
They are designed so that the wearer has to wear modest clothing over them to conceal them.
There’s nothing wrong with wearing modest clothing. In fact, modesty is a good thing.
But what does a special set of undies really do for you? Surely no harm is done by wearing Temple Garments, right?
The answer’s coming right up.
Why Do Latter Day Saints Wear Temple Garments?
Only Latter Day Saints who have attended the Temple Endowment ceremony wear temple garments.
These ceremonies were originally instituted by Joseph Smith after he joined the Masonic lodge his brother Hyrum was already going to.
Smith took much of the Masonic symbolism and integrated it into Temple rituals.
Some of the temple architecture is inspired by the practice of Freemasonry.
And Freemasonry denies the Lordship of Jesus Christ by equating Jesus –who is God incarnate and who created all things- with religious figures from other faiths, such as Muhammad and Buddha.
Many -if not most Christian denominations -both Catholic and Protestant- explain to their adherents the contradiction it is to call themselves Christians while attending an anti-Christian organization like the Freemasons.
Latter Day Saints who wear temple garments have gone through the sealing ceremony where they have been promised an extra-special place in the afterlife.
The problem is, where we spend the afterlife is a matter of a personal commitment to follow Jesus Christ. It’s not something a church or a temple can promise or “seal.”
And there is no Biblical basis for such a sealing. In fact, salvation is only found through no one else but Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12) and we should look only to him.
LDS folks who wear temple garments say it reminds them of their commitment to follow Christ. This seems very admirable, but it’s not very Biblical.
Some even think their temple garments give them special protection. Like Bill Marriott in this interview with Mike Wallace on 60 Minutes:
We Don’t Need Temple Garments to be Saved
Now that we know that Mormons wear special holy undergarments, we need to tackle the logical question: do we need to wear temple garments to receive eternal life with the Lord?
No, not by any means.
This is nothing more than a ritualistic pagan practice courtesy of Joseph Smith (a Freemason) and early LDS church members.
Apparently, Smith regarded himself as self-qualified to “seal” people. Don’t believe me?
This is found in the Doctrine and Covenants 132:48-50, a compilation of revelations that were supposedly given to Smith back in 1843. He thought that he was anointed by the Lord.
And D&C is regarded by LDS folks as scripture. But it contradicts the clear teaching of the Bible in many ways.
But do we ever see such a sealing ceremony in the Bible?
Judging by the rituals and practices he borrowed from the Freemasons, it seems probable that Joseph Smith’s revelations came from a spirit other than the Holy Spirit.
This is a man-made ritual that is completely against the Living Word of God found in the Holy Bible.
The Lord wants us to stay in the truth (His word) and not be involved in pagan rituals and practices.
It’s crystal clear that this is the deception of man-made teachings like those of Joseph Smith.
Don’t be deceived – forget about temple garments and focus on your relationship with Christ.
What do Temple Garments Look Like?
Temple garments look at lot like pajamas – they’re loose, soft and white.
Think of your grandma’s old school undergarments in pure white. That’s what LDS temple garments really look like.
These undergarments are made of two separate pieces:
- Top piece – A white undershirt.
- Bottom piece – White boxers.
However, keep in mind that LDS temple members who wear temple garments also wear clothes on top.
Basically, you can think of temple garments as underwear. That’s what they basically are!
But that’s not the real problem with this old-fashioned outfit.
The real issue at hand is that temple garments obviously have Freemason roots.
Why?
Because Joseph Smith, the founder of the LDS church and Mormonism, was a Freemason himself.
In fact, Smith introduced freemason practices to the Latter Day Saints church after he became a part of Freemasonry in 1842 in Nauvoo lodge.
Clearly, Masonic practices and ritual crept into Smith’s worldview, which translated into certain Freemason-like practices that sprung up in the LDS.
Temple Garments have Masonic Symbols on Them
Temple garments have several Masonic symbols on them. They were obviously inspired by Smith’s ties with Freemasonry.
These were the symbols used and their supposed meanings:
- Reverse L-shaped symbol on the right breast – At first this was described as “the square.” Apparently, the square meant “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.” according to early LDS church fathers. But remember, salvation is a free gift earned for us by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And it cannot be earned!
- The letter V on the left breast – This was referred to as “the compass.” This compass supposedly refers to the North Star which gives us True North. This might seem OK, but Christians are supposed to use the Bible –the Holy and Living Word of God- as our True North.
- Horizontal mark over the right knee – This mark represents the fact “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11 ESV). It’s great to know LDS members acknowledge the Bible from the Book of Philippians. But this horizontal level’s roots go back to Freemasonry, too! The horizontal mark is based on the Masonic Level that recognizes that all men are created equal without recognizing that this equality comes only from Jesus Christ in whom “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
Isn’t it ironic that Smith and the other early LDS church leaders claimed that these temple garments could never be changed? But later Apostles went ahead and changed them anyway.
Even if they’d never had Masonic symbols, the whole thing is simply a ritual with very clear pagan influences.
As Bible-believing Christians, we’re to abstain from such things and expose them.
Why Masonic Symbols are Such a Problem
Arguably the biggest problem that a genuine born-again believer in Christ should have with the temple garments is the history of Masonic symbolism.
This special underclothing had adopted blatantly Masonic symbols such as the compass and square.
Talk about a huge red flag!
They claim there is a religious meaning to these symbols. But these symbols have a Masonic origin that is totally opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
These symbols are not Bible-based. And Freemasonry depicts a Deistic god that is completely out of character with the True God of the Bible.
This leads to a works-based religion that minimizes God’s grace -especially the work Jesus Christ did at the cross to pay the price for all of our sins and shortcomings.
And they dropped the most egregious and blatant parts of the Masonic ritualistic chants that went along with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd degrees of Freemasonry.
And with it the blatantly anti-Christian, anti-Bible blood oaths about throat-slitting. And worse.
They waited until 1990 to do it, but better late than never, right?
But since it was important and Joseph Smith and Brigham Young declared it unchangeable, what do you think they will change next?
Let’s not forget what Apostle Paul wrote regarding this:
“Abstain from every form of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:22 ESV
Do you think that Latter Day Saints church leaders and members read this verse before deciding to use Freemason symbols for their temple garments?
We as genuine Christians cannot serve two masters. We’re either on the Lord’s side or we’re siding with Satan. There’s no middle ground.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ put it perfectly in the first Gospel:
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:24, ESV
That’s why we should steer clear of any forms of evil and shady symbolism found in Freemasonry and anything else that would exalt itself above the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
And pray for our LDS friends to come into the true knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ and His work at the cross that delivers us from our sins.
Do All Mormons Wear Temple Garments?
Not all Mormons wear temple garments – only those who are members of the LDS church and have been endowed in an LDS temple.
These are typically the most-committed members of the LDS who have done the most in service to the church.
On top of that, they have to be at least 18 years old and have successfully graduated from high school.
But before all of this, you need a temple recommend from your bishop. Basically, he needs to give the green light that your lifestyle is in accordance with the LDS teachings.
Again, it’s all about legalism and rituals.
But the true God of the Bible doesn’t call us to a life of ritual. Rituals do nothing to turn a heart of stone into a heart of flesh. Nope. This requires the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
It reminds me of the Pharisees in Jesus’ time.
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You need to do this and that in order to get to the temple, where you wear your temple garments.
That’s not all though – hold on!
Apart from that you need to donate 10% of your income as a tithe. Now there’s nothing wrong with giving a tithe. Many Christians tithe. And they do so willingly.
But the tithe is not a requirement.
If it comes out of the clean conscience of a pure heart, it is received by the Lord as a sweet offering. But be careful of the tithe that comes as a church requirement overseen by the bishop.
But the tithe is just one of the legalistic requirements for earning a place in the Temple so you can get your temple garments.
Only to enter LDS’ temple.
Of course, the Living Word of God does encourage us to gather with fellow believers:
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
But it also lets us know that our bodies are the temple of God:
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV
Thus, you don’t need any kind of garments to have an active relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
You don’t need to give 10% of your earnings, you don’t need a temple recommendation or anything of the sort.
All that you need is to “confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 ESV
Mormon Underwear Rules
The Latter Day Saints are kind of sensitive about the Temple Garments and they have a few rules about their usage. These are pretty common sense rules.
Since they are regarded as sacred, these garments should be treated with the utmost respect.
-The garments should always be covered up by other clothing and never exposed in public where they could be seen by someone who doesn’t understand their importance
-Do not wear them casually in a way where they could get dirty such as while performing household chores or
-Do not hang them up to dry in a place where they can be seen in public.
-If a Saint goes without them due to athletics or swimming or other activities, they should be put back on as soon as possible after the conclusion of the event.
-Saints must not make their own Temple Garments as they did in the past. The garments are not sold in general commercial stores. They are only available from authorized LDS retailers like Deseret, Beehive Clothing or the local LDS Distribution Stores.
Of course, they are also available online at the LDS Church website. And members of military and law enforcement can get their government-issued undergarments marked here.
Final Thoughts
It’s pretty clear that the whole temple garments practice that’s found in the LDS church stems from Freemasonry.
On one hand, the founder of LDS and Mormonism (Joseph Smith) was a Mason himself. He was the one that implemented such rituals involving temple underwear and such.
This also explains why Mormon temple garments have Masonic symbols on them such as the compass and the square and the letter V.
And long story short, Freemasons don’t believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.
The temple endowment ceremony itself is very anti-Biblical as it promises certain things related to the afterlife for those who partake in it.
All of this is Masonic and completely against our Heavenly Father and His word.
It’s based on pagan rituals that have nothing to do with the Living God.
Our Creator is against paganism, idolatry, rituals, witchcraft and anything related to such evil practices.
Let’s remember this:
“Go out of the midst of her, my people! Let every one save his life from the fierce anger of the Lord!”
Jeremiah 51:45, ESV
Get out of these rituals brother and sisters.
As Apostle Paul puts it, focus on the Lord Jesus Christ and your relationship with him. These rituals and false teachings are simply rubbish:
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”
Philippians 3:8 ESV
Is your Faith Founded on Fact? Have you committed to follow Jesus?