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The "no" answers are wrong. A Melchizedek Priesthood holder who has abandoned his temple covenants through adultery is most certainly subject to excommunication. Whether that actually happens or not is at the discretion of the stake president, and it may seem an unlikely outcome. But possible? Oh, yes.

You don't have to support something you don't agree with.

It seems to me Sarah that your struggle with garments is a fundamental question of agency. "Will we do all the Lord commands?" The nature of this life is to test us on that question. We should expect such test to be difficult. I would wager that you didn't expect your test to include something so simple as to what kind of underwear to wear. :) Maybe you expected it to be about the Law of Chasity, or the Word of Wisdom, or keeping the Sabbath Day holy or being honest or some other Commandment of God. But that is the nature of this life, the Lord knows us and he is going to challenge us in areas we are weak. This is to help us become greater in faith and obedience. Each person is going to have there own set of challenges. This means for some people the wearing of the garment is not a challenge for them. They wear it for the same reason Adam offered sacrifices, because the Lord told them to, and they are exercising their agency. This is the fundamental reason why we are here. Their struggles will be with other aspects of the Gospel. Now admittedly those that don't struggle with the garment might lack some empathy for those that do struggle. But to call their honest and heartfelt answer of "Because God said" so lemming like behavior is an offense to the very point of our existence. Most likely this offense comes from your frustrations, because this is your struggle (one of them anyways) and the reason we struggle is because we lose sight of the larger picture. So let try to refocus you on the larger picture. The Lord has commanded you to wear the garment. This commandment enables your agency and the purpose of why we are here. You need, and this is going to sound very simple, because it is, to make a choice. You need to choose to wear the garment or not. Right now you are halting between two opinions, and you can not move forward until you choose a side and press forward with that choice. Its hard because you want it to be an easy choice, (like wearing the garment is for others to whom God has ordained different tests) but that is not your trial. Your trial is this. I can promise you from my own experience with trials, that once you make that leap of faith. Once you make that choice to follow God's command in this matter no matter how much you think you might suffer for it that then, you get the promised miracles, then you get your burdens lighten, then the Lord blesses you with the strength and endurance you need. Choose wisely

Here is the cold hard truth: You made temple covenants. The law of chastity does not differentiate between married or single people. You served a mission. You taught people the law of chastity. Your covenants are binding, recommend or not. You have clearly and unmistakably broken those covenants and mocked that which is most holy. This isn't sin like having a coffee, not paying tithing, or even watching some porn. It is serious, grievous sin. Excommunication is a very real possibility. My brother, with all that being said, fear not and repent. Call your Bishop. Don't give a darn about what other people might think or what they might say. If they think less of you because of this then they have committed the greater sin, not you! Expect your friends and other members to be helpful, kind, and nothing but supportive. If they are not, then ignore them. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isaiah 1:18 Do you want that relationship and testimony of Christ and the Holy Ghost? Jesus Christ is right next to you with his arms outstretched. Swallow your pride and call your Bishop right now. I mean right now. I don't care if it's 3 am where you're at. This can't wait. The sooner repentance is started the sooner you will begin to heal. It will be humbling, painful, and difficult, but your bishop, stake president, and most importantly, your elder brother Jesus Christ will help you and comfort you. If you choose to be willing and obedient, then great things await. As you progress through repentance, remember to forgive yourself!! Move ahead and don't dwell on the past. If you exercise humble faith you can still achieve the highest glory of the Celestial Kingdom. From Paul to the Philippians: this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Get this behind you. So you slipped up. Everyone does in all different ways. Take the Lord's outstretched hand, get up off the ground, dust yourself off, smile, and move on. Put this in your past. Call your Bishop. If you do not have a desire to change (repent), then there is nothing anyone can do for you. Nothing.

I've been through the immigration process from your cousins spouses perspective. Firstly, it's been a couple of years since I had to deal with it, but I'm pretty sure there is no mechanism for transferring from a tourist visa to a marriage visa while in the country - it has to be applied for outside of the USA. It's different if he is here on a fiancee visa transferring to a marriage visa, but I'm pretty sure what they are doing is illegal, whether they know it or not. I'd caution them to check this with USCIS. If he is here illegally, its grounds for a denial and a ban when it comes to applying for a visa in the future. These bans can last from 10 years to a lifetime and believe me when I say USCIS have no sympathy. It's also worth noting that a courthouse wedding with no real wedding photos or guests won't look good when the application for his visa is made, and he wouldn't be the first to be denied on this issue alone. Secondly, I have a great deal of empathy for them both. When I got engaged to my wife, I was accused of using her for a green card by members of her family and members of my family were mocking and taunting my wife both behind my back and in front of me, despite having never met her. I think much of it was -because- they had never met her and our relationship was fairly unusual due to the long distance involved. So I understand why they made the decisions they did, but I suspect they did it under a misunderstanding and no real experience of going through the visa process.

How does the church taking a survey or offer different types or makes of garment change the fact that wearing the garment is (or suppose to be) an act of faith and obedience? As it has been testified to in this very thread those who make the choice to follow the commandments are blessed with finding a way to make it work. This is true of all commandments, just because this one deal with underwear does not some how make it an exception to how God expects us to handle the challenges we face. If someone struggles with wearing the garment, should they show a total lack of faith by waiting until the church 'changes' things enough so that it is no longer a struggle? That would be an act of agency, but I think you can see why its not the recommended one.

Sarah...I would suggest that you do whatever you like and let the Lord be your judge, he is after all going to be anyways. Many of us will have much more to worry about than whether we chose to not wear garments on a particularly hot and humid day or..... Once upon a time, I actually mowed the yard...(gulp) shirtless. Oh...and ran shirtless and went to the gym in a tank top. Before the flaming begins, I do wear my G's 99.9% of the time and of course we all should, but,in the end that really is between you and the Lord.

That was my practical response to practical problems of garment wearing. In short, undergarments beyond tiny bras and thongs are far from uncommon in the fashion world (Leah mentioned Spanx and similar items are oft recommend) so I suppose I see, in a pure sense of just underwear, garments aren't really different from all the other things out there. Now, testimony and insight Basic answer: I wear my garments because I've been endowed and it's part of the covenant. Insight: I like the idea of a spiritual article of clothing, a physical reminder of God. True, it's my job to remember God, but I appreciate the religious item. I suppose I see it as a special token. I feel connected to other cultures and faiths who wear other spiritual tokens. I do indeed have to apply personal meaning, but when that's done, it's nice.

Awesome ...... ROAD TRIP !!!!

I dunno. Family is important, but when you find THE one (assuming it's not some childish romantic flight of fancy)--IMHO that person (and God) should trump extended family in the unfortunate and hopefully-unlikely event that one is compelled to prioritize one over the other. At least, that's what we tell all these converts whose non-member families have to wait outside while they get married in LDS temples.

Thus far for the year I have done: 2,557 PUSHUPS 3,225 LEG LIFTS 1,039 CURLS I need to get on my bike and do more cardiovascular. Air quality is horrible though from all the fires.

I have wondered if such predictions are not just concerning the record in question but perhaps something to say about individuals present at the conference. I wonder if the prophesy is more about someone being translated than a specific time based on normal life expectancy. BTW – Jesus made a similar prediction about “this generation” not all passing away before the fulfillment of the last days – perhaps he was talking about the Apostle John and not a standard lifetime.

I guess my testimony of my wearing the garments because I made a covenant to do so isn't helpful. And the suggestions of contacting the Distribution Center to customize your garments at no additional cost is not a practical solution. And we are called a rodent for trying to help. Oh well. I do try to follow Adam's example that was suggested earlier in the thread: And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me. So, if that makes Adam a lemming, then I'm happy to be a rodent. Hope you find whatever it is you are looking for. Good luck, signed Lenny, the lemming aka Sherry, the sheep

I'll be the grouchy old man (hopefully with some kindness :-). I'm not sure what you are looking for except as an outlet to complain and moan about the garments. You've said: It's very obvious to me-it's not the garment that you don't have a testimony of-it's the temple you don't have a testimony of. God has given us many commandments-some of them we can pretty immediately see the blessings of; others of them we cannot. For example, without a testimony of Christ's sacrifice, the sacrament is completely meaningless. I can say the exact same thing you say about the garment. "There are plenty of other ways to remember Christ, sacrament doesn't do anything for me". Why do I need to be baptized? What real tangible effect does it have on my life? I have learned in my life that yes, sometimes-in fact many times in fact God just says DO IT, and he doesn't give reasons why. Look at Abraham and Isaac- Abraham could have complained all the way up the mountain. "God, this is unfair" "God, this isn't right-he is my only son", "God, there are plenty of other ways for me to be obedient, I don't need to do this". But he did not, because he trusted His Maker that He knew what was best and when God commands-Abraham would obey. Why do you need to wear the garment? To be perfectly blunt, because God said so. You can wrap it up in a bunch of pretty bows and come up with reasons why God says so, but the ultimate truth boils down to, we wear the garment because we made a covenant with God in his Holy Temples. As part of the condition of that covenant (with blessings)-God instructed us to wear a holy garment; therefore we wear it. Period. End of story. If you want to understand the blessings the garment brings to us-then you need to go to the temple and listen quietly and carefully to the instructions that are given there. It is only there that you will find out what the garment means. If you do not want to wear the garment, that is fine-no one will force you to do so; but remember you are disregarding part of the covenant you made to God when you do that. The blessings that the garment brings to my life; I am fulfilling a part of the covenant that I made with God. Therefore, I can rest assured that no matter the screw-ups that I make in my life as long as I am mindful of the covenants I made at the temple I will have a place at the table in God's kingdom when my days on this Earth are finished. That to me is worth more gold, silver, more physical discomfort than anything else to me; it is most precious and as such the garment does provide a very real emotional and spiritual "shield and protection".

Sarah, I am sincerely sorry that you have had a bad experience on this thread. (Also sorry about your garment woes.) Without meaning to pick a fight or criticize, I urge you to review your responses on this thread from the viewpoint of those who wrote in to answer you. You asked for input, people gave you input. As a general rule, if you write to a group asking for advice and you get advice, it's best not to criticize the advice or those who gave it -- after all, you asked for it, and they are doing (or trying to do) you a favor. If you don't like what they write, just don't respond. Honest advice, meant compassionately. I am sure you're a decent and kind person, and I hate to see you feel like you're getting beaten up.

A big part of why you are getting what you feel are non-responses is because the garment is sacred and we ought not discuss it so publicly. The temple is the best place to learn, so that is why that had been suggested to you. There is very little anyone can say on the matter beyond expressing their faith that obedience will make things work out in the end, and wearing the garment is an act of obedience.

Darn, I moved from a sheep to a lemming. I don't like rodents, so I'm sad about my demotion.

As my old New Testament Theology teacher would say, you missed the 4th, Pan-millenialism, which teaches that it will all pan out in the end!

It just boggles my mind that some people think that the church is completely clueless and unaware when it comes to garment design. And so insensitive and evil because they never think to ask real people for input. SMH. Just in the three years I have been wearing garments, there have been a number of changes in design and fabrics. But, nooooo, there was never any thought given to design or feedback welcomed. SMH again.

I always find it ironic and hypocritical when someone declares someone else judgmental (thus making a judgment themselves) just because that someone disagreed with them. You don't want to wear your garments. You have made that abundantly clear. You feel very put out and would rather have a temper tantrum about it than listen to any advice. So why did you start a thread? Did you expect everyone to jump up and applaud you and tell you that you're right and that the wearing of garments you covenanted to wear is just plain mean and evil and that you're just soooo much smarter than church leaders about the whole subject of garment wearing? Did you expect to somehow get "permission" from strangers on the internet to abandon garment wearing? Did you expect pity for the horrible suffering of having to wear thin pieces of cloth? I mean, you are clearly not interested in any advice. Millions of people wear garments successfully every day for years and years and years. People in all shapes and sizes. People in all kinds of climates. People with medical issues that make them susceptible to over-heating. Young people, old people, people in all stages of life and physical ability or disability. Wearing garments hasn't killed anyone yet. Nor - let's be honest here - has it "hampered" the "quality" of their lives. As long as you maintain a selfish focus (yep, I said selfish) regarding garment wearing, you're never going to move past the point where you are at now. But it seems you don't want to give up the complaining. So, again, what is the point of coming here and starting a thread about garments when you are not interested in humbling yourself and changing your attitude. Are you going to add the comments here to litany of excuses of why wearing garments is such a horrible thing to be asked to do? And while you're at it, why don't you expand your campaign to all of those women outside of the church who wear those danged Spanx. Surely you are concerned that their quality of life not be hampered, either, right? If you think it's more important to be "comfortable" than to honor your covenants, you certainly don't need anyone's permission to exercise your free agency and toss your garments aside. I feel sorry for anyone who feels that some simple bits of cloth "hampers" the "quality" of their life. Having been endowed in 2012, a year after I joined the church, I simply cannot imagine NOT wearing the garment.

Hi Sarah, I can empathize with your position. I too like to know what blessings go along with what commandments/covenants/behaviours as per the promise "when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." However, I think we limit ourselves if we believe there is only a one to one blessing reward in this context. For instance I firmly believe that while the physical health blessings of the word of wisdom are indeed clear, the spiritual health blessings exceed those. If we want to look for simple blessings one could easily postulate that a blessing of wearing garments is that it reduces one's risk of skin cancer because less skin is exposed to UV rays, and while that may even be true it's not the sole purpose. My point being that I believe there are many blessings predicated on wearing the garments worthily. I don't believe anyone can categorically claim that xyz are the benefits of wearing the garments. I totally understand that they can seem like a nuisance at times - I hate getting new ones because they always change the sizes and then they don't fit right and by the time I get the right ones figured out they have new sizing and fits... but i also find going to church every Sunday inconvenient and paying tithing inconvenient and going home teaching inconvenient and I don't always see the blessings directly. Sometimes I think it's because I'm used to doing the things I've covenanted to and end up taking the blessings for granted. Perhaps if I just stopped I would miss the blessings and no longer take them for granted, but I'd also run the risk of not realizing what went wrong and not correcting the things that matter most to get the blessings back. So in my long-winded way I'm saying I think the blessings are there for any of us to see and be grateful for, but sometimes we are blind to them and need to look harder. I'd suggest specifically paying attention during initiatory to see if you can't find some specific blessings to wearing the garment. As for the promised protection from the garment, it likely takes on many forms and is adaptable to the protective needs of different individuals. For some it protects covenants and builds faith by serving as a reminder, while for others it is a symbol of purity that is worn daily, others may think deeply on the symbolism that is learned about and draw strength and protection from it. I wish you all the best, but I can't give you your answer.

Wow! I wish the Preston Temple was only 45 minutes away, would be there several times a week if it was!

Any bishop who did this would face a serious interview with his Stake President. Ward funds are NOT allowed to be used for FOS.

Man from U.N.C.L.E.