First Presidency Approves Redesigned Temple Apparel – Church News

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is testing redesigned options for sacred temple clothing worn by members who live in hot, humid areas.

“Believing Latter-day Saints value the privilege of wearing the temple garment. Some of these members live in hot and humid areas,” church spokesman Doug Andersen said in a statement released Thursday, Oct. 17.

“The First Presidency has approved changes to the garment to bless those members and others who may benefit from the changes. Furthermore, the Church does not comment on temple matters, which are considered sacred.”

Earlier this year, the First Presidency emphasized the importance of the sacred priesthood vestment in an April 12 letter, in which it also alerted general and local church leaders to changes to temple recommend interview questions and the accompanying statement on wearing the vestment.

“The vestment of the holy priesthood is a sacred symbol of Jesus Christ and a reminder of our covenant relationship with Him and our Heavenly Father,” President Russell M. Nelson and his advisors, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring, wrote in a letter entitled “The Garment of the Holy Priesthood,” sent to General Authorities and General Officers; Area Seventy; stake mission and temple presidents; and bishops and branch presidents.

“As endowment members keep the covenants they have made, including the sacred privilege of wearing the garment, they have greater access to the Savior’s mercy, protection, strength, and power.”

The letter also mentions changes to two questions in the temple recommend interview—questions 13 and 14—and to the explanation about wearing the temple robe. This statement will be read to gifted members during the commendation meeting by local leaders and is intended to help everyone “better understand the importance of wearing the temple robe as directed in the initiation ordinances,” the letter states.

In a September 2024 Liahona magazine article entitled “The Garment of the Holy Priesthood,” President Jeffrey R. Holland—acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—explained the remembrance and symbolism of the garment of the Savior when worn during the day will and night.

Since the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, wearing the vestment of the holy priesthood has been “a sacred physical reminder of (our) covenants—a symbol of the Savior Himself,” President Holland wrote.

As they left the Garden of Eden and the presence of God, “how comforting it must have been for Adam and Eve to remember one thing: That (covenants) had been made.”…But how would these mortals remember that what they had promised? “How would they stay conscious… all the time, day and night?” President Holland wrote.

In remembrance, Heavenly Father gave them “cloaks of skins” (Genesis 3:21). President Holland said, “As with the fur coats then, and with various garments since, in his mercy…he has clothed the obedient in a 'robe of righteousness,' a reminder of our promises and covenants.”

Today, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also make covenants with God. “As part of the temple endowment, we have been given a sacred physical reminder of these covenants—a symbol of the Savior Himself. In our dispensation it is called the vestment of the holy priesthood,” President Holland wrote.

Temple recommendation questions

The temple recommendation questions and statements about wearing the garment are open to the public. They can also be found online in Chapter 26 of the Church's General Manual: Ministry in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

And in his closing address to general conference in October 2019, President Nelson listed the temple recommend interview questions—including some recently edited for clarity—that Latter-day Saints are asked by local leaders to assess their worthiness and readiness to enter to confirm the temple temple.

The updated two questions that are omitted when a leader interviews a non-endowed member are:

• “Do you keep the covenants you made in the temple?”
• “Are you honoring your sacred privilege of wearing the garment as required by the initiation regulations?”

After these two questions, leaders are directed to read the statement “Wearing the Temple Garment,” which, as revised, reads:

“The vestment of the holy priesthood reminds us of the veil in the temple, and that veil is a symbol of Jesus Christ. When you put on your garment, you are wearing a sacred symbol of Jesus Christ. Wearing it is an outward expression of your inner commitment to follow Him. The garment is also a reminder of your temple covenants. You should wear the garment day and night throughout your life. If it needs to be removed for activities that cannot be meaningfully performed while wearing the garment, try to restore it as quickly as possible. As you keep your covenants, including the sacred privilege of wearing the garment as directed in the Initiation Ordinances, you will have greater access to the Savior’s mercy, protection, strength, and power.”

Wear the garment

President Holland addressed Church members who were wondering about details about wearing the sacred temple garment. “Some of you may be reading this article hoping that I can answer a specific question about the garment. Perhaps you are hoping for a “Thus saith the Lord”—or even a “Thus saith His servants”—on a matter close to your heart. Your question could arise from a personal circumstance related to employment, exercise, hygiene, climate, modesty, sanitation, or even illness.”

Some answers can be found online at temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org, in section 38.5 of the General Manual, and in the instructions of the Initiation Ordinance. And answers through the Holy Spirit can be sought through prayer to Heavenly Father, President Holland taught.

“Please don’t misunderstand. As you seek divine guidance, the Spirit will not inspire you to do anything less than follow the instructions received in the temple and the prophetic counsel of the First Presidency. …A loving Father will not help you rationalize and do less than you can in order to conform to His standards of devotion and humility that will bless you now and forever. …Will it help you receive the blessings that come from respecting the garment and keeping your covenants? Yes. Should you also consult competent doctors and health experts if necessary? Naturally. Should you ignore common sense or think outside the box? I pray you don’t.”

President Holland concluded: “I cannot answer every question you have. I can't even answer every question I have. But as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I can promise you the help of a loving God who will seek your success and blessing in ways you cannot now imagine or foresee as you keep the covenants with which you are You have entered into Him.”