What are Latter-day Saint temple garments?
Temple garments are simple, sacred undergarments that Latter-day Saints wear under their everyday clothes after they make promises with God in a temple.Members say the garment is a daily reminder of those promises. Like a nun’s habit or a Jewish prayer shawl, it is religious clothing, and members ask that it be treated with respect.
1 · MindWhat it is
The church calls it the temple garment or the garment of the holy priesthood. Members first receive it in the temple as part of a ceremony called the endowment, and from then on they wear it under their regular clothes every day for the rest of their lives.
According to the church, the garment:
- Is a reminder. It serves as a daily physical reminder of a member’s covenants (sacred promises) with God and of God’s promises to them.
- Encourages modesty, though the church says its meaning goes much deeper than that.
- Is not magic. A church-produced video says there is nothing magical or mystical about it, and calls the phrase “magic underwear” inaccurate and offensive to members.
In 2014, the church released a short video that pointed to religious clothing in other faiths, such as a nun’s habit, a priest’s cassock and a Jewish prayer shawl. It asked people to give garments the same respect and sensitivity they would give any other faith.
What each tradition or community says
Members describe the garment as personal and sacred, a daily reminder of their promises to God and to follow Jesus Christ. Because it is worn under clothing, it isn’t meant for public display.
Many religions have sacred clothing, some worn openly and some worn underneath. Seeing garments in that light helps many neighbors understand why members ask for respect.
2 · HeartWhat it feels like
Imagine something you hold sacred becoming a punchline in movies, on social media or at work. For many Latter-day Saints, that’s what jokes about garments feel like. Religion News Service has described garments as long mocked and misunderstood by outsiders.
If you’ve laughed at a joke about them before, you’re not a bad person. You just didn’t know. Now you do.
Something can be private without being strange. Most of what we hold sacred is.Neighbor Radio
3 · HandsHow to be a good neighbor
Don’t joke about garments. Skip the “magic underwear” line, even if it’s going around online.
Don’t display them or ask to see them. They’re worn under clothes for a reason. Don’t share photos of them or use them as a costume or prop.
Don’t ask about someone’s underwear. It’s awkward for anyone. If you’re curious, “What does your faith mean to you?” is a better question.
If someone else mocks them, a simple “That’s sacred to them” is enough.
This weekThink of a piece of clothing or jewelry that means something deep to you. Would you want it passed around as a joke?
Plain wordsWhat do these words mean?
Four questions to take with you
From the story of the Good Samaritan, the stranger who stopped to help. We call it the Good Neighbor Test.
- Did they see? Or look right past?
- Did they stop? Even when it was inconvenient?
- Did it cost them? Time, money, comfort, reputation?
- Did they treat the person like a person? Not like a label?
Try it on: something sacred to you that others don’t understand. What would you want them to do with that curiosity?
Quick questions
Do all Latter-day Saints wear garments?
No. Members wear them after receiving the endowment in a temple. Children and members who haven’t made those temple promises don’t.
Is it OK to call them “magic underwear”?
No. The church says that phrase is inaccurate and offensive to members.
Are garments secret?
The church has explained them publicly, including in a 2014 video. Members treat them as sacred and private, not secret.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Garments (Gospel Topics)
- Church News (2014): Church-produced video explains purpose, sacred nature of temple garments
- Religion News Service (2014): Mormons try to demystify temple garments
Fact-checked October 13, 2026 against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Religion News Service. Written in plain words by the Neighbor Radio team. Every fact is checked against what each community says about itself, in its own official sources, plus a neutral reference. Part of this community and something doesn't sound like you, or spot a mistake? Tell us. We read every note and fix mistakes.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.