Episode Details

Bill & RFM take a look at Mormonism’s Holy Garments. We look at the history, doctrine, and disavowed theories and spiritual speculation around them. Are they a magical spiritual protection? Were they allowed to have their design changed? Must they be worn all day every day? What super secret sacred details will Bill and RFM uncover?

A.) How Garments came to be

1. According to two accounts ( Eliza Mariah A. Munson, “Early Pioneer History” n.d.; see also H. Kimball Diary, ), the original temple garment was made of unbleached muslin with markings bound in turkey red, fashioned by Nauvoo seamstress Elizabeth Warren Allred under Joseph Smith’s direction. Joseph’s reported intention was to have a one-piece garment covering the arms, legs and torso, having “as few seams as possible. Ceremonial markings on the garment were originally snipped into the cloth in the temple during an initiate’s first visit.

2. Strange Rumor about how original markings were placed – “”‘A man behind the veil examined us, as to the passwords and grips Brigham had given us, and to whom we gave our “new name,” received at the first anointing. Holes through the veil enabled him to see us when we could not see him, and also, to cut with a small pair of scissors, certain marks, beside others, the Masonic square and compass, upon the right and left breast of our ‘garments,’ and upon the right knee, a gash, deep enough to make a scar, by which we were to be recognized as Mormons. This gash upon the right knee is now often omitted, because many of the women object to it.’ “(Green, Kelson Winch, ‘Fifteen Years Among the Mormons: Being the Narrative of Mrs. Mary Ettie V. Smith,…,’ Chapter IV, ‘Endowments,’ pp. 48-49

B.) They can not be altered and yet were altered

1. Joseph Smith taught “Ordinances instituted in the heavens before the foundation of the world, in the priesthood, for the salvation of men, are not to be altered or changed. All must be saved on the same principles.” (Teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith)
   
2. The Saints should know that the pattern of endowment garments was revealed from Heaven and that the blessings promised in connection with wearing them will not be realized if any unauthorized change is made in their form or in the manner of wearing them.” – President Joseph F. Smith; 28 June 1906.
   
3. “The Lord has given unto us garments of the holy priesthood, and you know what that means. And yet there are those of us who mutilate them, in order that we may follow the foolish, vain and (permit me to say) indecent practices of the world. In order that such persons may imitate the fashions, they will not hesitate to mutilate that which should be held by them the most sacred