VIDEO: Mormon temple garment video goes viral
A woman shops for temple garments during a scene in a new video released by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which shows garments and temple clothing worn by church members during temple worship.
This image of men's temple garments is one that is seen in a video released by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints showing garments and temple clothing used in temple worship services.
SALT LAKE CITY — A video that shows garments and temple clothing worn by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been viewed by more than 500,000 people in just a few days, according to a church spokesman.
“Because there is little or no accurate information on this subject on the Internet, the church feels it is important to provide this resource,” said Dale Jones, a church spokesman said in a statement about the video. “The wearing of religious clothing reflects commitment and devotion to God. Latter-day Saints seek the same respect and sensitivity regarding our sacred clothing as shown to those of other faiths who wear religious vestments.”
The video shows other religious clothing worn by members of various faiths from around the world.
“From ancient times, men and women have embraced sacred music, different forms of prayer, religious vestments full of symbolism, gestures and rituals to express their innermost feelings of devotion to God,” says the video.
“The variety of these forms of expression is as wide and diverse as the human family. Yet all have the same ultimate purpose: to connect the believer with the object of their devotion in the most personal way — to draw close to God.”
The video was released on mormonnewsroom.org Oct. 16.
At least one local resident thinks producing and distributing the video at this time was a good idea for the church.
“It is a good time to be open and honest about issues such as this one,” said Dan Litchford of South Ogden. “I am glad to see the church take the lead and step out to discuss it and request that they be given the same respect that a person would have for any religion’s sacred clothing or religious symbols.”
“To those outside a particular faith, the rituals and clothing may seem unfamiliar,” says the video. “But for the participants they can stir the deepest feelings of the soul, motivate them to do good, even shape the course of a whole life of service.”
Following a discussion of a nun’s habit, a priest’s cassock, a Jewish prayer shawl and others, the video says that not all religious vestments are on public display.
“Temple robes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known as the robes of the holy priesthood, are worn only inside Mormon temples and reserved for the highest sacraments of the faith,” the video says while showing the robes, which are lying on a table.
“The simple vestments combine religious symbolism with echoes of antiquity reflected in ancient writings from the book of Exodus,” the video says.
The video goes on to explain temple garments, worn by some members of the church under their clothing, as having “deep religious significance.”
“Some people incorrectly refer to temple garments as magical or ‘magic underwear.’ These words are not only inaccurate but also offensive to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” says the video. “There is nothing magical or mystical about temple garments, and church members ask for the same degree of respect and sensitivity that would be afforded to any other faith by people of goodwill.”
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