Mormons’ “special underwear” has been a point of curiosity for some people and of ridicule for others. The underwear is properly called “garments,” to keep them distinguished and separate from normal underwear. Garments are not seen as an eccentricity, but as something very sacred indeed. Not all Mormons wear garments, and the guidelines to wearing them correctly are very specific. That the Mormon Church has such specific guidelines, traditions, and rituals may seem out of place in today’s world. But those that wear Mormon underwear, wear these garments, to wear them is an act of devotion and faith, a privilege and an honor. Religious clothing is common to many other faiths and often serves a similar purpose, to show worship. Garments are worn daily to show exactly that.
Beyond sacred properties, the Mormon garments are made similarly to other underwear and are found in cotton, polyester, and nylon. They are always white (excepting only colored garments made for the active-duty military members of the Church). Each set of garments comes in two pieces, top and bottom. The top is similar to a T-shirt. It hangs below the waist and covers the shoulders. The bottom is like boxer brief, save it extends to the knee. Most of a Mormon’s body is covered by the garments to promote modesty. Outer clothing should always completely cover the garment. Also, garments are worn against the skin, directly and underwear is not worn underneath it. Bras go on top of the garment and all other forms of underwear are simply replaced by the garment.
In a few situations, Mormons can remove their garments, such as when they bathe, swim, exercise heavily, or have intercourse with their spouse. There is not, however, an official list made by the Mormon religion describing exactly when to wear garments and when it is all right not to. The Church will not police garment use. It is a private matter. Mormon leaders counsel members that the garments ought to be worn at all times, save when activities don’t permit it. Members are also counseled not to look for reasons or excuses to take them off.
Garments are only worn by Mormons after they’ve been endowed in a Mormon temple. They receive and wear the sacred garments at the beginning of the endowment ceremony and will wear them from then on. The garments are symbols of the covenants made with God and are treated with great reverence, as they also symbolize the reverence Mormons give to those sacred covenants. And the symbolism is so powerful, so sacred, and so precious that it is never discussed outside the temple. The garments themselves are treated with lightness and even contempt by the world. In Mormons’ beliefs, sacred beliefs are best not exposed to those who do not have the knowledge or desire to understand. The beliefs will only be misunderstood and used as a point of mockery. Mormon ceremonies are often called “secret,” when they but wish to keep their sacred things sacred.
But some of the garments’ symbolism is in scripture known to all Christians. The Lord dresses Adam and Eve in coats of skin in Genesis, to cover their nakedness, after the partaking of the fruit. Moses is commanded to make “holy garments” for Aaron in Exodus 28. Holy clothing is a part of divine teaching and part of covenants with God and Mormons who wear the garments faithfully are promised protection. This does not mean that, in the beliefs of Mormonism, the garments act as some kind of invincible physical armor. The protection is spiritual.
In conclusion, Mormon underwear is sacred, not magic or secret. Mormons have nothing to hide. But they would like this symbol of their covenants of God to be treated with respect.