Garments.

[Az Dubs]

This may not be allowed here, and if not then go ahead and delete this post.
My question is about my garments. It's hot where I live, even with A/C and fans and I don't sleep well at all. Until I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I've not worn a top, when sleeping. Can I not wear my top, so I can sleep comfortably? I'm on meds to prevent seizures (which were caused in part by sleep deprivation) and I'm nervous about my sleep/lack of....

[Dusty52]

You ask a very good question
I'm sorry to hear of your struggles with your health
It is my understanding that we wear our garments to help us to remember, the special and sacred covenants we have made with the lord in the temple. When I was at the MTC I was told every time you put your garments say to yourself "I am a covenant making person". Garments are there as a reminder of the commitments and obligations we have made. We are instructed to wear them 24/7. If you have a medical condition speak to your bishop and he will advise accordingly. Remember it is an outward sign of our commitment to the Lord, however the Lord is more concerned with what's in your heart. Have a look at 1 Samuel 16:7.
You've joined a very good forum, I've only just joined myself

[TrueIntent]

You can do whatever you want. The garment is a symbol of a spiritual “covering”. I personally don’t believe we should be instructing people to wear it as a “work” or as “protection” because the garment is a symbol of the “wedding garment” (endued with power, coving of the spirit, grace, the same garment found on Joseph s coat of many colors). You will never have a “sheild of protection” based on how perfectly you wear a cloth garment. It’s just a symbol like the cross. You wear the “actual” garment when you make covenants with God through the veil and then keep them. He gives you the “garment” as a dowry. This is part of what the word “endowment” means. It means gift.

So do what you want, but most people will assume you sin by how you choose or choose not to wear the garment, but most of those people don’t know what the garment means. We are not saved by “dead” works or protected either. What the garment symbolizes is the actual “sheild and protection until you have finished your work on the earth”.

In my opinion, how we have instructed individuals to wear the cloth garment falls into Pharisee territory.

[Blessed]

If you haven't tried mesh it may help.
Ultimately, you need to do what you need to do. Don't ask us, ask the person you have made covenants with.
It will either be made bearable or I am sure allowances will be made. But don;t take my word for it, take it to the Lord.

[TrueIntent]

Side note, for those who want to actually study the symbol of the garment in scripture, note that it is a full length covering like the original design by Joseph Smith with as few seams as possible. We shouldn’t alter symbols because eventually it alters meaning and the next thing you know you can’t find a short sleeve garment anywhere in scripture. See mantle, covering of hair....etc. it’s all the same symbol. It’s the symbol of the Holy Spirit that rests, or stays as a constant companionship. The second comforter. Etc.

[h_p]

Can I not wear my top, so I can sleep comfortably? I'm on meds to prevent seizures (which were caused in part by sleep deprivation) and I'm nervous about my sleep/lack of....

There's guidance given in the temple recommend interview. It ends by saying it's between you and God. I don't think you need to ask an internet forum or even your bishop what you should do in your situation. Do what you feel the Lord wants you to do, and don't let anyone make you feel guilty about your decision.

[natasha]

And besides, it's not necessary that you tell anyone your decision about it....unless asked by your Bishop in your recommend interview. At that point, just tell him what your have experienced and how you made your decision.

[TrueIntent]

And besides, it's not necessary that you tell anyone your decision about it....unless asked by your Bishop in your recommend interview. At that point, just tell him what your have experienced and how you made your decision.

I completely disagree. Galatians chapter 2 teaches that it is hypocrisy to live in spirit while outwardly professing to walk in the ordinances (how do we root out false cultural teachings otherwise and separate cultural understanding from actual scriptural patterns). You can not participate in “ritual” and then secretly live in “spirit” like a gentile but act like a Jew when you are with the Jews (Mormons). You openly profess what you believe. And you will be persecuted for it “depending” on the knowledge your bishop or leaders have. Or you will be warmly receive depending on the knowledge they have. The apostle Paul taught this. He calls the apostle Peter a hypocrite for doing just this.

[downaletter]

Currently, it's 110 out all week. I am currently not wearing garments for this reason, and many other reasons. Say what you will, but this is a covenant between you and God...no one else. If you are cool with it, and he his too, then it doesn't matter what we say here.

[Jesef]

I agree with Natasha. It’s between each and God. Not everything needs to be “confessed” openly. Plus, there is no specific covenant made to wear the garment 24/7/365 - it just says “which you should wear throughout your life”. There’s no Yes with that and throughout can have many meanings. Joseph & his Brethren didn’t wear their garments all the time - that practice started due to physical safety concerns in pioneer days.

[TrueIntent]

Currently, it's 110 out all week. I am currently not wearing garments for this reason, and many other reasons. Say what you will, but this is a covenant between you and God...no one else. If you are cool with it, and he his too, then it doesn't matter what we say here.

This is not directed totally at you but cultural teachings so please don’t be offended. You’re correct. But we are held accountable for what we allow others to perceive. This is why John the Baptist wore a covering of “hair”. It mattered that he wore it openly. It matters that we profess this knowledge openly. Because we cause others to dwell in sin if we don’t. This isn’t a gospel of secret combinations and secret oaths. It’s a public declaration of good news. If we are living as God would have us to, what’s the big deal with being open about it. Be not ashamed. By the way, some of us who have lived openly, have already fallen on the sword for some of you who don’t. This is how the church progresses. It won’t be long be for the church will change policy and everyone will forget what others have suffered to clear the path before them. God gives these people witnesses of the spirit to strengthen them. You want to be a witness of God....then you must BE a witness of him at all times, in all things, and in all places.

[Alaris]

I agree with Natasha. It’s between each and God. Not everything needs to be “confessed” openly. Plus, there is no specific covenant made to wear the garment 24/7/365 - it just says “which you should wear throughout your life”. There’s no Yes with that and throughout can have many meanings. Joseph & his Brethren didn’t wear their garments all the time - that practice started due to physical safety concerns in pioneer days.

I agree with the "it's between you and God" - do you have any sources on the Joseph / Brethren not wearing their garments all the time?

I think garments are a good litmus test of our relationship to God. A "letter of the law" person may wear his garments during a heat stroke. Someone who doesn't respect their garments may leave them on the floor and walk all over them. The truth is you'll need to build a relationship with the Spirit as President Nelson counseled us to do. Garments are a good starting place.

Edit: By the way, I live in Arizona as well. I'd tell you when I don't wear my garments, but that's between me and God!

[TrueIntent]

I agree with Natasha. It’s between each and God. Not everything needs to be “confessed” openly. Plus, there is no specific covenant made to wear the garment 24/7/365 - it just says “which you should wear throughout your life”. There’s no Yes with that and throughout can have many meanings. Joseph & his Brethren didn’t wear their garments all the time - that practice started due to physical safety concerns in pioneer days.

This has been altered (it used to say Day and night, ceremony has been altered many times, Brigham recommended not removing it but a leg at a time to bathe). I was also instructed to wear my bra in certain ways never to throw it on the floor only in the hamper, put it on immediately after and before, how to wash it.....so who taught me the difference between the cloth garment and the spiritual ???? No one at church did. We suffer with a yolk of bondage until we take his Yolk upon us. (Which is easy)

My point is....what happens when an individual is never properly instructed by men? What happens if they aren’t properly instructed because no one else was either? Maybe we need to make actual covenants directly with God, and not usher individuals through an endowment to make a superficial promise that they have no idea what they mean. A baptism is not a baptism without certain conditions. But it is a symbol of a baptism. You can interview a person all day long and it’s not a symbol of worthiness or reception of the spirit, or whether or not the Lord decides that that individual is “endowed”. He, God, endows. He choose who he chooses, he elects who he elects.


So, try my words. I challenge on my own witness, to go to the bishop and tell him what you believe openly to have a clear conscience before God. If you have lived the opposite of what I am teaching. Repent of it, and declare you witness openly. See if God won’t bear you up. I believe my witness so strongly, and if this is something you wrestle with, see if God won’t lift you as you try to live openly. If you do t think it’s a big deal, then this speech is not for you(Galatians ch 2).

I will tell you my personal witness, I have lots of family that are not active/and of other faiths. But they will Listen to me talk from the Book of Mormon/scriptures all day long and talk scripture with me, because they know I walk without hypocrisy. My other family member (who wears the garment when they want/don’t want secretly) they tell me privately that they think how she practices religion is a joke even though on paper this person might be considered a better Mormon that me .

We do affect others testimonies. Whether or not we realize it. This is the gentile gospel Paul preached vs the apostles to the Jews.

[Red]

I agree with Natasha. It’s between each and God. Not everything needs to be “confessed” openly. Plus, there is no specific covenant made to wear the garment 24/7/365 - it just says “which you should wear throughout your life”. There’s no Yes with that and throughout can have many meanings. Joseph & his Brethren didn’t wear their garments all the time - that practice started due to physical safety concerns in pioneer days.

Amen! I get so sick of everyone saying that the temple instructions read “day and night”. No it doesn’t.

[TrueIntent]

I agree with Natasha. It’s between each and God. Not everything needs to be “confessed” openly. Plus, there is no specific covenant made to wear the garment 24/7/365 - it just says “which you should wear throughout your life”. There’s no Yes with that and throughout can have many meanings. Joseph & his Brethren didn’t wear their garments all the time - that practice started due to physical safety concerns in pioneer days.

I agree with the "it's between you and God" - do you have any sources on the Joseph / Brethren not wearing their garments all the time?

I think garments are a good litmus test of our relationship to God. A "letter of the law" person may wear his garments during a heat stroke. Someone who doesn't respect their garments may leave them on the floor and walk all over them. The truth is you'll need to build a relationship with the Spirit as President Nelson counseled us to do. Garments are a good starting place.

Edit: By the way, I live in Arizona as well. I'd tell you when I don't wear my garments, but that's between me and God!

Different topic but same message? They asked Christ why his disciples didn’t fast oft like the rest of them? They asked why his disciple picked corn on the sabbath when it was a violation to do so? Yet it was a Jewish rule. When the woman with the issue of blood touched His garment and was healed He didn’t say who touched my garment He said who touched ME?

If you could judge someone on the outside and know their heart then why did Joseph say no man knows my heart. If you could judge someone’s righteousness on their level of obedience’s then why did Christ criticize the Pharisees for paying/counting perfect “tithes and minthe” for not “obeying” the weightier matters.

Obedience is just the beginning. Obedience to The spirit is the goal, and it’s (the spirit) like the wind....the scriptures say it moves in different directions like the wind. So, someone under the spirit, would be impossible to judge unless you yourself understood the spirit.

I used to make my own clothing to accommodate the garment (I never altered it once, NOT once). So how do you know that because I don’t wear it (the cloth) that it’s becaise I’m not an obedient person. (I’m not saying that u think that about me personally, I’m just making a point for arguments sake).

[TrueIntent]

People, this secret practice is why people suffer. I know tons of people who wear it when they want to. My point is, study Galatians chapter 2, the book of acts and teaching of Paul and then pair that with the endowment. It’s not about the fabric, never was. Let’s go forward and not back to dead works. If we claim endowment, let’s being walking, breathing, living witnesses of it. Not witnesses of our works.

[TrueIntent]

And don’t be offended because I’m asking what feels like a hard thing. You don’t have to do anything I ask. I’ve already done the hard thing for myself. I believe the “garment” found in scripture is true.

[h_p]

I agree with Natasha. It’s between each and God. Not everything needs to be “confessed” openly. Plus, there is no specific covenant made to wear the garment 24/7/365 - it just says “which you should wear throughout your life”. There’s no Yes with that and throughout can have many meanings. Joseph & his Brethren didn’t wear their garments all the time - that practice started due to physical safety concerns in pioneer days.

Amen! I get so sick of everyone saying that the temple instructions read “day and night”. No it doesn’t.

That's correct. That instruction is part of the temple recommend interview.

[TrueIntent]

I want to add, that the handbook has been read with instruction on how to wear it during the interview, while no instruction is given (just throughout ones life in the temple). Do we fault people for being confused or wearing it hypocritically? The stupidity of this thread is that we’ve all received varying degrees of instruction, what is the correct instruction? What is the pattern contained in scripture that Christ bears witness of? It doesn’t matter what our interpretation of it is, it matters what His is.

[TrueIntent]

I’m going to post in this same thread. The pattern as I understand it, found in scripture. But I will need to use my desktop. I want to share what I know. Sit tight.

[jahallem]

Try the new stretch cotton garments. They just came on the market this year. I live in 106 degree weather and have always been miserable wearing the garments in the summer but I have endured the heat because of the covenants. I love the new garments. They breath and I stay so much cooler in them. My bra stays in place as well. I even forget that I have them on. I know how you feel and I hope that the new garments will help you as they have helped me.

[Juliet]

No you don't have to wear it in extreme situations unless the spirit whispers for you to. Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother understand. This may be an issue more easily taken up with Heavenly Mother.

Our Heavenly parents are not robots, they can talk to us and we can talk to them about these types of things. There may not be a perfect answer so you do your best and they will accept it unless you get a warning in your spirit. For example maybe most nights you feel prompted to not wear it so you can sleep, but acknowledging that you are spiritually clothed still. But some nights you may feel the need to wear it so as to protect you from a nightmare or etc.

There is a reason we have court systems with actual people as judges and not robots. Because some things you need an actual person who can understand and make good judgement calls when there are needs and complications.

[David13]

Medical exception is a medical exception. This is a health/sleep issue. Isn't medical exception in the handbook in a number of places?
No issue really at all.
dc

[Hie'ing to Kolob]

People, this secret practice is why people suffer. I know tons of people who wear it when they want to. My point is, study Galatians chapter 2, the book of acts and teaching of Paul and then pair that with the endowment. It’s not about the fabric, never was. Let’s go forward and not back to dead works. If we claim endowment, let’s being walking, breathing, living witnesses of it. Not witnesses of our works.

This is perfect.

[Alaris]

Try the new stretch cotton garments. They just came on the market this year. I live in 106 degree weather and have always been miserable wearing the garments in the summer but I have endured the heat because of the covenants. I love the new garments. They breath and I stay so much cooler in them. My bra stays in place as well. I even forget that I have them on. I know how you feel and I hope that the new garments will help you as they have helped me.

This is a great point. I just got some of that silky material (can't recall the name) that feels great in the heat. The neck is super deep, which I don't like personally. I am a man by the way.