LDS Temple Garments: Sacred Underwear Explained

What Are Temple Garments?

Temple garments, often called "sacred undergarments" by outsiders, are a two-piece white undergarment worn beneath regular clothing by adult members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have received their temple endowment. They are a central part of temple practice and covenant life. To understand them, it is helpful to know that they are not magical or superstitious talismans, but symbolic representations of sacred promises made before God.

The garments are made of various fabrics suitable for everyday wear—modern versions include moisture-wicking athletic materials for active use, cotton blends for comfort, and lighter fabrics for warm climates. They are manufactured by Beehive Clothing, a church-owned company, though members can purchase garments from approved vendors. They are changed and laundered like any other undergarment. They wear out and must be replaced, and special care is taken to respectfully dispose of old garments (burning them, never throwing them in the trash, to honor their sacred nature).

The garments cover the torso and upper thighs. The top has small marks—two on the chest and one on each knee—that are said to remind the wearer of covenants made during the Endowment ceremony. These marks are not ornate or decorative; they are simple and modest. The garment is designed to be worn next to the skin, beneath regular street clothing. They are not visible to others and are not meant to be displayed or discussed casually.

Who Wears Them and When?

Members view the garments as a symbol of their covenant relationship with God, similar to how a wedding ring symbolizes a marriage covenant. Just as a ring is a constant, physical reminder of commitment to a spouse, garments are a constant, physical reminder of the covenants made in the temple. They represent a commitment to live by Christ's principles, to serve others, and to keep sacred promises. When a member wears garments, they are making a conscious choice to align their daily life with their spiritual commitments.

What Do They Symbolize?

The garments have deep theological roots in scripture. Genesis 3:21 describes how God clothed Adam and Eve after they had sinned, providing them with coats of skin—a symbol of God's mercy and of clothes being a sign of God's protection and care. Exodus 28 describes the sacred garments worn by Hebrew priests, who had special vestments set apart for their holy work. In LDS theology, all members who have made temple covenants are considered priests before God (a concept from Revelation 1:6, "made us kings and priests unto God"), and their garments follow this biblical pattern.

The practice of wearing sacred garments is not unique to Latter-day Saints. Some other Christian traditions, Jewish groups, and other faiths have practices of wearing sacred clothing. In Islam, the hajji wears the ihram. Eastern Orthodox Christians wear prayer ropes. The underlying principle—that clothing can be a constant reminder of spiritual commitment—is ancient and cross-cultural.

Common Misconceptions

Among LDS members, garments are treated with profound respect. Removing them without good reason, or failing to wear them, is considered a breaking of covenant. Public mockery of garments is deeply offensive to members, seen as ridicule of something sacred and as an attack on the covenants they represent. This sensitivity should be understood not as superstition but as the natural human response to mockery of something one holds sacred.

Members report that wearing garments strengthens their spiritual awareness. They speak of moments when they felt tempted to do something wrong and were reminded, by the feeling of the garment, to choose rightly. They describe it as a non-verbal companion encouraging them toward virtue. Again, members understand this not as magical protection but as the power of symbols to shape behavior and thought.

The modern practice of wearing garments evolved over time. In the early church, garments were full-length underclothing. As styles and climates changed, shorter versions were developed. The church has adjusted fabric, style, and fit to meet the practical needs of members in different climates and for different activities (swimming, exercise, etc.), showing that the garment is meant to be integral to daily life, not impractical or burdensome.

In sum, garments represent a distinctive LDS commitment to keeping sacred covenants in the everyday world. They are a powerful symbol that makes the spiritual visible and tangible.