Thursday, October 16, 2008

Garments: A Social Status in Utah

I went to this meeting (non church related) not too long ago and one of the presenters, who was wearing a white shirt and tie, had his precious temple garments on. How do I know? Coz I could see the mark showing through his shirt as clear as day. I actually felt embarrased for him. I wonder if anyone else noticed?

Garments in the LDS community have become a social status. They are supposed to be discreet, right? A personal reminder between the wearer and their temple experience...

However, almost everywhere you go in SLC, you can spot someone wearing their holy G's. They wear their white shirt and right under you can see this smile shape. You see, most male garment wearers choose the garmet top which has a very low cut, which is in the shape of a smile. I actually thought that this was the only style available until I accidentally bought a crew G top and liked it MUCH better. It was just like wearing a tee shirt.

But anyway, most men prefer the low cut and I would guess it is because they know it shows through the white shirt and everyone can see that this dude is super special. Look around at church... everyone there is proudly sporting their G's for all to see. But in SLC you don't have to be in church to spot it. Just about anywhere you go, you can usually find someone with their white shirt and tie and that discreet little smile shaped garment top showing right through their white shirt.

I really wish I had a picture, but you probably get the idea of what I mean.

So, even though garments are supposed to be hidden, they are now being exposed for everyone to see. They are supposed to be discreet and not on display. But they have become a social status and if everyone can see that you're wearing G's, then they know that you're a super cool, saved, priesthood-holding, righteous, temple worthy Mormon dude.

Garments, the temple; it's all become nothing more than a social status. If it ever was sacred, it has been lost.

Personally, wearing G's was always embarrasing for me. I felt completely embarrased putting them on in a locker room. Now, in the locker room, there are guys all around me who have them on, and I don't, and I don't feel embarrased at all. In fact, I feel normal. I don't feel like a wierdo who has to wear my special, church-approved underwear.

I can't even begin to describe how good it feels to no longer have to submit to Mormonism's 1001 commandments, demands, and expectations!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

What do the marks on garments mean? Why such a secret sounds like a cult to me

Mormon411 said...

Hey there, sorry it's taken me so long to reply.

You know, it's been so long since I've been to the temple that I don't exactly remember what they all mean.

I do remember that the mark over the right knee symbolizes the second coming of Jesus Christ and how every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is the Christ.

The navel mark represents the need for constant spiritual nourishment.

Pretty stupid really. Joseph Smith was a really creative character and his meanings for the markings are actually quite lame.