Is Nothing Sacred? Thoughts on Mormon Undergarments

RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE
By Robert A. Rees, Ph.D.

Mormon undergarments. Image courtesy of Dr. Mike Dash's Blog

It is not uncommon for Latter-day Saints to hear jokes, ridicule and derisive remarks about the sacred underclothing Mormons wear. Because Mormons tend to be regarded as square rather than as simply quaint, media commentators have less compunction in mocking their sacred clothing than they would a Jewish yarmulke, a Sikh turban, or the mitre worn by Catholic bishops. That is, every religion has liturgical practices, rituals, ceremonies, or rites of passage that they see as sacred but which others might see as strange or even aberrant. And so it is with sacred undergarments worn by Latter-day Saints. [link]

Additional thoughts on Sacred Apparel, including underclothing:

• Genesis speaks of “coats of skins” made by God for Adam and Eve 
• Exodus speaks of “holy garments” worn by Aaron and other priests
• Orthodox or Hasidic Jews wear an undergarment called a tallit katan (see Numbers 15:39-40)
• Sikhs wear Katchera, cotton underwear signifying their commitment to purity