Comments on: Mormon Garments: Explanation for Non-Mormon Friends

By: Pat

Pat — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:27:49 +0000

Good Day,

Ah, garments. Markings existed befor J. Smith, The LDS Church, brought fourth from the Masons, But stay unknown
as to their original orgin to the vast members. As for Evil to
triumph all good men must do is nothing. Would one follow as
those did Jim Jones to drinking kool aid and be as lost sheep.
Truly, where did the one who recieved the vision of these
markins originate. What is behind the secret truth of the Masons and the markings. Would one sepculate Joseph Smith as bringing these markings as his personal vision being a
Mason him self.

By: ditchu

ditchu — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:49:25 +0000

Saddly many of us LDS try to dodge direct questions about the things we hold sacred (like Temple Cermony, Covenants, and sacred Garments). His attempt to avoid breaking what he felt was part of his promise, he tried to stop all further questions with the “I don’t know” line.

I think he should have said that it is sacred to him personally and that he was not ready to discuss it with anybody at the time. Or he could have said it was complicated and he did not know how to explain, or if he should…
Many way this could have been handled better, but I am glad to see that you respect his Faith/beleifs/religious practices… ect.
I’d suggest (if you want to approach him again on this issue):
1. Make sure you are secluded – no one else will overhear. this will help to keep the mood private
2. Share with him that you respect his religion/faith, that you respect his customs.
3. let him know that in that respect you are intrested in these customs and want to understand more about them.
4. give him an out if he is not ready to share the information: “I want you to be honest with me, if you are not ready to talk about this then let me know that you are not ready…”
5. Listen and be supportive.

I hope all goes well for you,
-D

By: ama49

ama49 — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 05:58:11 +0000

Aurorajen,

I’m glad this post and the comments helped you out. I think it is definitely good to be open in a respectful way. I think the reason why many LDS people are afraid to talk about the garments are because

a. We promise not to reveal certain things when we go to the temple, the markings on the garments aren’t one of them.
b. Many people have harrassed us about the garments and other things about our faith so I think many LDS either get defensive or retreat and just don’t talk. Neither of which I agree with.

If I were you, I’d let him know that you feel that you would like things to be more open because you care about him. See if he’s up for it.

God Bless and thanks for your comments!

ama

By: aurorajen

aurorajen — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:29:38 +0000

Soy Yo and ama49,
Thank you for your willingness to share openly. I can’t tell you how many pages I visited covered in distasteful mud-slinging or confusing rhetoric before arriving at this blog. I just wanted to know the purpose and the sacred meaning behind the garments and your posts have been very helpful. You see, I have been dating a young man who is LDS. The other day I saw his garment and I asked him about the stitching on the chest. He told me, “I don’t know. That’s just how they are sewn.” Of course that answer made me even more curious because then I had to wonder if A. He doesn’t really know what he is wearing. or B. He doesn’t want me to know what he is wearing. Now I see that the likelihood was a third answer C. He didn’t feel that it was appropriate to discuss the garments at that time. I wish that he had felt that we could discuss this issue. Because I feel that relationships must begin with trust and honesty. I’ve been a Christian since childhood and I can tell you that if you ask me about my faith I might not be able to answer all your questions, but I will certainly try.

Mark 4:21 Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?
Mark 4:22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.
Mark 4:23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
- New Kings James Version

Here’s to openness, honesty, and the pursuit of God’s truth.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:49:32 +0000

When I’ve been asked (which isn’t all that often), I’ve often said something along the line that people of many religions wear some sort of distinctive clothing or other articles that symbolize their relationship with their God, and that I see the garment as a constant reminder in my faith tradition of what Jesus Christ has done for me. I’ve told them that many Christians wear a cross as a symbol of Jesus dying for them and bringing salvation to them, and that in my religion it’s much the same, except that we wear the symbols underneath our clothing. That answer has generally seemed to be satisfactory.

By: ama49

ama49 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 05:53:42 +0000

#8, Stapley,

Do you know of a specific article Kevin has written on this subject to refer people to?

By: ama49

ama49 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 05:52:36 +0000

#10 Soy Yo,

I can see your point with your comments if someone were to ask about the markings specifically. As long as it is done in a spirit of reverence and showing how it relates to Jesus, I think you would be fine.

By: ama49

ama49 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 05:46:04 +0000

#9 Eric,

The garments are worn as a reminder to commitments and covenants made to the Lord. For a good clarification, I would read the talk that I linked to and that J Stapley linked to on comment #2. This is a general authority of the LDS church talking about the purpose of the garment. It is a misconception to think that Mormons believe they can “earn” their salvation and that by wearing the garment one is “saved.” Read this talk and it makes much more sense and it comes from an authority from the LDS church.

By: ditchu

ditchu — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:56:02 +0000

Questions are not bad in themselves, it is the truth that they seek but if it is more falsehood they find, that would be bad.

By: ditchu

ditchu — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:55:03 +0000

Heather those links are placed by wordpress and can be manipluated/removed in the settings, however it is difficult to find exactly where.

I do think you are on to something as that I know one of them goes to some unfortniate site that boasts their opinion and has a lot of laughing immaturity on it.

Good day to all,
Oh yah, I think this was handled well – good post (and good luck),
-D