Mormon Church Confronts ‘Magical Mormon Underwear’ Myth Head-On

The Mormon church and its followers, which number around 15 million worldwide, have addressed the mystery — and the myths — that have surrounded the practice of special undergarments worn by its followers.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released a four-minute video on its website which declares that the two-piece, white cotton “temple garments” are similar to holy vestments worn in other religions. As the Church of Latter-day Saints website states,

“To those outside a particular faith, the rituals and clothing may seem unfamiliar. But for the participants they can stir the deepest feelings of the soul, motivate them to do good, even shape the course of a whole life of service.”

“The nun’s habit. The priest’s cassock. The Jewish prayer shawl. The Muslim’s skullcap. The saffron robes of the Buddhist monk. All are part of a rich tapestry of human devotion to God.”

“Not all such religious vestments are on public display. Some are seen only in places of worship. Temple robes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known as the robes of the holy priesthood, are worn only inside Mormon temples and reserved for the highest sacraments of the faith. White symbolizes purity. There is no insignia or rank.”

The Church further asks that the media treat the subject with the same respect given to other religions and their own vestments.

The video — featured in full below — and accompanying text is the Mormon church’s attempt to dispel the myth that its followers wear the undergarments because they believe the garments have special protective power. This myth has been perpetuated both through the internet and popular culture through the use of such phrases as “magical Mormon underwear.”

“These words are not only inaccurate but also offensive to members,” the video says. “There is nothing magical or mystical about temple garments, and church members ask for the same degree of respect and sensitivity that would be afforded to any other faith by people of goodwill.”

In short, the video explains, the garments are worn daily by the devout as a reminder of their commitment to God to live good, honorable lives.

The video contains far more detailed features about the temple garments than has ever before been made public and was created, says church spokesman Eric Hawkins, to fill a void on the internet that has little to no actual accurate information about the temple garments.

The video contained footage of actual garments as well, giving a rare glimpse at clothing that is not only just worn underneath regular clothing but is also normally hidden from non-church members. In fact, members of the church are taught not to display their garments or even hang them up outside to dry, in order to keep them out of view from people “who do not understand their significance.” The garments resemble a T-shirt and shorts, made of unbleached cotton.

The video could have been a little more timely, considering that two years ago the Republican presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, as an openly Mormon candidate, dealt with plenty of jabs regarding the myth of magical Mormon undergarments. At one point, after Romney spoke out about the country’s rate of out-of-wedlock births, New York Times columnist Charles Blow tweeted, “I’m a single parent and my kids are amazing! Stick that in your magic underwear.”

The video is part of an on-going effort by the Church of Latter-day Saints to dispel some of the more common misconceptions surrounding their faith.

To see which celebrities practice the Mormon faith, click here — it may surprise you!