Sacred garments

[Guest Lovely12]

I was inactive for a number of years and have recently returned to church. I stopped wearing my garments during my inactivity. Do I need permission to start wearing them again? And, I just learned that now I need a current temple recommned to purchase them. When I first joined the church, this was not the case. Does this mean I can't purchase new garments? Can someone else, like the Relief society president, purchase them for me? Thanks in advance for your help.

[Winnie G]

you just see the Bishop and he will give you paper work like a recommend to purchase them.

[georgia2]

YEs, you can ask the Relief Society Pres to get them for you. Also, you can begin to wear your garments if you weren't excommunicated. If you were, then you need a Priesthood blessing to have ordinances restored.

[sensibility]

I believe you can use a driver's license to purchase garments, though ceremonial clothing does require a current temple recommend. Garment purchases do not require a recommend; they just need to be able to verify that you're an endowed member.

Or, if you're more comfortable buying your garments privately, you can buy them online at ldscatalog.com (click the Temple Clothing link on the left-hand side, then Endowed Members, then Garments). You'll need your membership number and confirmation date--you can get both of those from your ward clerk if you don't have them to hand. Hope that helps. :)

[georgia2]

I believe you can use a driver's license to purchase garments, though ceremonial clothing does require a current temple recommend. Garment purchases do not require a recommend; they just need to be able to verify that you're an endowed member.

Or, if you're more comfortable buying your garments privately, you can buy them online at ldscatalog.com (click the Temple Clothing link on the left-hand side, then Endowed Members, then Garments). You'll need your membership number and confirmation date--you can get both of those from your ward clerk if you don't have them to hand. Hope that helps. :)

When buying garments at the temple distribution store, they ask to see your recommend. When I purchased garments on line the last time I didn't have my church # and had to give my recommend # instead.

[john doe]

You do not need a recommend when purchasing garments in person. They can look you up under your name, ward, and stake to verify that you have been endowed previously.

[tubaloth]

Its not really the recommend they want or need, its your membership number that is on your recommend. You get this this # from the bishop, or somebody that works with him. I think the other poster might be right about having an actually temple recommend to buy temple clothing.

They had a problem with non-members buying garments. This was the way for the church to fix that problem.

[Guest Lovely12]

Okay, so let me make sure I have this right. I can use the membership number on my temple recommend to buy garments, even though it is expired? (or get papers from my bishop) And, I have never been ex-communicated so I can begin wearing them at any time, right?

[ReubenDunn]

Let me provide a bit of clarification here.

Concerning the original question:

"I was inactive for a number of years and have recently returned to church. I stopped wearing my garments during my inactivity. Do I need permission to start wearing them again?"

Were I in your position I would seek council from your bishop/branch president.

Garments are worn, among other reasons, as a reminder of the sacred covenants that are made in the temple.

If one has been away from the Church, and has not been keeping those covenants in mind, then I would suggest that getting ones life in suitable order would be one of the first things to do.

Second:

"And, I just learned that now I need a current temple recommned to purchase them. When I first joined the church, this was not the case. Does this mean I can't purchase new garments? Can someone else, like the Relief society president, purchase them for me? Thanks in advance for your help. "

Current Church policy is for endowed members of the Church to present a current temple recommend when buying garments. These are sad times in which we live in, and, thanks to the internet, and other reasons, the decision was made by the Brethren that those who wanted to buy, not only temple robes etc., but the garments themselves, had to present their recommends as proof of membership in the LDS Church, as well as being temple worthy.

Simply put, no recommend, no garments. Signs are clearly posted in each distribution center concerning this.

As far as getting someone else to buy them for you, then this could be done.

In your specific case however, my first suggestion is that you seek council from your bishop/branch president and let him work with you.

[applepansy]

Within the last year I've bought garments at the Distributions Centers in Salt Lake City, Ogden and Layton. All three places required a current temple recommened. In Ogden I didn't have it with me and had to go back another day. If you're buying online then they want your membership number. With the membership number they can look up to see if you have a current temple recommend.

Georgia...If you've been excommunicated you need more than a Priesthood Blessing to restore ordinances. You must be rebaptized, reconfirmed, re-endowed.

applepansy

[applepansy]

Let me provide a bit of clarification here.

Concerning the original question:

"I was inactive for a number of years and have recently returned to church. I stopped wearing my garments during my inactivity. Do I need permission to start wearing them again?"

Were I in your position I would seek council from your bishop/branch president.

Garments are worn, among other reasons, as a reminder of the sacred covenants that are made in the temple.

If one has been away from the Church, and has not been keeping those covenants in mind, then I would suggest that getting ones life in suitable order would be one of the first things to do.

Second:

"And, I just learned that now I need a current temple recommned to purchase them. When I first joined the church, this was not the case. Does this mean I can't purchase new garments? Can someone else, like the Relief society president, purchase them for me? Thanks in advance for your help. "

Current Church policy is for endowed members of the Church to present a current temple recommend when buying garments. These are sad times in which we live in, and, thanks to the internet, and other reasons, the decision was made by the Brethren that those who wanted to buy, not only temple robes etc., but the garments themselves, had to present their recommends as proof of membership in the LDS Church, as well as being temple worthy.

Simply put, no recommend, no garments. Signs are clearly posted in each distribution center concerning this.

As far as getting someone else to buy them for you, then this could be done.

In your specific case however, my first suggestion is that you seek council from your bishop/branch president and let him work with you.

I can't find the thank you button...

You are right. The OP should talk to their bishop and start the repentance process before wearing garments again or partaking of the sacrament.

[Guest Apostate]

Three weeks ago, I decided at the last minute to hop on a flight to SLC. Thinking I had plenty of G's to get through the week in my drawer up there. Alas, imagine muh shock at finding only thermals there. I hopped in my car, ran down the hill to the DC at the Timp Temple. Bought enough to fill the drawer up there. They asked for my recommend, It was in my bag in my closet in LA...NOT A PROBLEM...The sister looked my up and voila I was set.

Same thing at the DC at the LA Temple. Even though the sister who manages it, has known me since birth, I either have to produce my TR or she still looks me up....Rules is Rules.

[lestertheemt]

Ok.....................a "current" recommened is NOT needed. You can give them you name and date of birth and they will look it up to see if in fact you are an endowed member.

I was inactive for almost three years, however, I never once stopped wearing my garment. When I went to purchase new ones for me and my dh all I had to give them was my name and DOB. And I have purchased them in Idaho Falls, Logan, and Layton.

However, if you have questions and concerns in your mind, I would seek council w/ the Bishop.

[applepansy]

Ok.....................a "current" recommened is NOT needed. You can give them you name and date of birth and they will look it up to see if in fact you are an endowed member.

I was inactive for almost three years, however, I never once stopped wearing my garment. When I went to purchase new ones for me and my dh all I had to give them was my name and DOB. And I have purchased them in Idaho Falls, Logan, and Layton.

However, if you have questions and concerns in your mind, I would seek council w/ the Bishop.

Les, In the last year the rules have changed. There was a man who dressed like a missionary, walked into the downtown distribution center in SLC. He bought garments and then video taped himself with them on. He made derogatory remarks about them and posted it all on youtube.com

The rules changed.

[lestertheemt]

I bought new garment just 2 weeks ago.

[applepansy]

Ok.....................a "current" recommened is NOT needed. You can give them you name and date of birth and they will look it up to see if in fact you are an endowed member.

I was inactive for almost three years, however, I never once stopped wearing my garment. When I went to purchase new ones for me and my dh all I had to give them was my name and DOB. And I have purchased them in Idaho Falls, Logan, and Layton.

However, if you have questions and concerns in your mind, I would seek council w/ the Bishop.

Les, In the last year the rules have changed. There was a man who dressed like a missionary, walked into the downtown distribution center in SLC. He bought garments and then video taped himself with them on. He made derogatory remarks about them and posted it all on youtube.com Look it up...its still there.

The rules changed because of people like this.

[lestertheemt]

ok................final thoughts.................

Just got off the phone w/ a dist. center in Utah. Name and DOB is all that is needed if you don't have a current rec. or like me don't carry your member ID w/ you.

Edited May 16, 2009 by lestertheemt

[applepansy]

ok................final thoughts.................

Just got off the phone w/ a dist. center in Utah. Name and DOB is all that is needed if you don't have a current rec. or like me don't carry your member ID w/ you.

Thank you Les. I'm glad they changed that.

[the Ogre]

ok................final thoughts.................

Just got off the phone w/ a dist. center in Utah. Name and DOB is all that is needed if you don't have a current rec. or like me don't carry your member ID w/ you.

I love the idea of a member ID. I wonder if it too will be wrapped into the national ID when it finally rolls out.

[john doe]

Thank you Les. I'm glad they changed that.

Maybe you just don't 'look Mormon enough' to pass yourself off as LDS? I have never had to produce a recommend to buy garments. The temple packet, however, is another issue. You must show a current recommend to buy those.

[applepansy]

Maybe you just don't 'look Mormon enough' to pass yourself off as LDS? I have never had to produce a recommend to buy garments. The temple packet, however, is another issue. You must show a current recommend to buy those.

I guess not. Heaven forbid I get the over zealous clerk....that can't possibly happen.

Seriously, John...the rules changed about a year ago. Check it out. They need to access your records to verify membership and endowment to buy garments, not just the packet. If you don't have your recommend, then as lester posted, they need your name and DOB to look you up.

Edit: I hesitated to post at all. I should have listened.

Edited May 16, 2009 by applepansy

[the Ogre]

Maybe you just don't 'look Mormon enough' to pass yourself off as LDS? I have never had to produce a recommend to buy garments. The temple packet, however, is another issue. You must show a current recommend to buy those.

Yeah, I grow a beard and wear sneakers without socks. It helps when trying to avoid the uber-mormon horde.

Maybe I should stop brushing my teeth. That would probably keep everyone away.

[Mahone]

ok................final thoughts.................

Just got off the phone w/ a dist. center in Utah. Name and DOB is all that is needed if you don't have a current rec. or like me don't carry your member ID w/ you.

Wow, seeing as they are introducing bar coded temple recommends, I can't see a reason it's such lax security on garments.

I just looked on facebook and found about 20 different matching names and date of births, all who I know to hold temple recommends. I'm pretty sure you probably have to be a friend of the person to see their DOB, but it's not difficult to get someone to add you as their friend even if you don't know them.

So basically anyone who is as serious as that guy on youtube will easily find the information they need online in order to buy garments. No point in saying people wouldn't go to that much effort because I saw his videos a while back and he went to a lot of effort to do what he did to mock the church. Not to mention being dressed as a missionary oftens gets them through the checks anyway. It simply depends who is behind the till, to a lot of people a missionary badge is classed as a form of ID... which is not that much worse than a name and DOB.

Before barcodes were introduced on recommends (which has been very recently done), the only way intruders in the temple with stolen/revoked recommends were spotted was by a 20-30 A4 page long print out of all recently lost and revoked recommends at the recommend desk. The person at the desk was advised to simply listen to the spirit and if prompted to check the print out, to do so. Clearly this method didn't work, otherwise they wouldn't have changed it. This lax security on garments won't work either.

[Wingnut]

Also, you can begin to wear your garments if you weren't excommunicated. If you were, then you need a Priesthood blessing to have ordinances restored.

Georgia...If you've been excommunicated you need more than a Priesthood Blessing to restore ordinances. You must be rebaptized, reconfirmed, re-endowed.

I believe that an excommunicated member has to be re-baptized and re-confirmed, and then after the pre-requisite year-long waiting period, they can receive a "restoration of ordinances" as far as the temple covenants are concerned. But yeah, a heck of a lot more that "a Priesthood blessing."

[Iggy]

They ask for your membership number, date of baptism and confirmation. At least here in Arizona and in Oregon. Also on line. I have never had to use my temple recommend number, only membership number, date of baptism and date of confirmation.