The Garment of the Holy Priesthood: Its Principle, Purpose, and Power

As is well known, endowed members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wear a sacred undergarment which, among other things, serves as a reminder of the commitments they made to God in the Holy Temple. By covenant or sacred promise, they wear this symbolic article of clothing night and day, with the exception of when engaging in “activities that [cannot] reasonably be done while wearing the garment.” During the process of receiving one’s endowment, the patron is reminded that he or she is entering into covenants “of their own free will and choice” and not by constraint. Nonetheless, implied is the clear assumption is that, if one chooses to enter sacred temple covenants, it is his or her intent to strive to keep those covenants, including the promise to wear the holy garment.

Sacred Symbols

There is a measure of duality associated with the garment and what it is commonly understood to represent. The alternate interpretations are not at odds with each other but, rather, are two sides of the same proverbial “coin.” They are complementary symbols, each rooted in the truth that the temple is entirely Christocentric.

The most obvious interpretation of the garment’s symbolic meaning is that it represents Jesus. Because the Hebrew word for “atonement” (kpr or kaphar) means to “cover,” just as the garment “covers” our flesh, Christ “covers” or pays for the sins of those who sincerely repent. In our failings, He is there to “cover” our shortcomings and redeem us from our “fallenness.” Thus, we wear the garment as a constant reminder of our covenants and, more particularly, of Jesus’ willingness to aid the sincere practitioner in keeping those covenants.

To read more: Public Square Magazine