Temple Garments

167 Primary Sources

Date
Summary
800 BC - 600 BC

God gives coats of skins to Adam and Eve.

1350 - 1400

An unknown authored poem, appropriated by Freemasons, uses "so mote it be."

1833

John Quincy Adams recorded the Masonic oath.

Oct 1, 1835

Oliver Cowdery described how Joseph, Oliver, and W.W. Phelps worked on the Egytpian alphabet and unfolded a system of astronomy.

Dec 29, 1835

Joseph used language associated with Masonry in his journal.

Jun 18, 1840

Joseph expressed plans to dedicate himself to translation between 1835 and 1842.

May 1841

Joseph referenced Abraham's record post-1835 and pre-1842.

Sep 1, 1841

Joseph commented on how he wishes to be translating Egyptian documents more pre-1842.

Oct 15, 1841

John C. Bennett provides copy of dispensation by Abraham Jonas authorizing establishment of the Nauvoo Masonic Lodge.

Nov 22, 1841

Joseph Fielding identifies Freemasonry as a stepping stone to higher understanding of priesthood.

Dec 30, 1841

John C. Bennett's minutes record that Joseph et al. request initiation into Freemasonry.

Dec 30, 1841

William Clayton recorded the minutes of the December 30, 1841 Nauvoo Masonic Lodge meeting.

Jan 1842 - Mar 1842

Joseph offers temple-related explanations of Egyptian characters in his explanation of facsimile 2.

Mar 1, 1842

Times and Seasons publishes a facsimile from the Book of Abraham.

Mar 15, 1842

Times and Seasons publishes temple-related explanations of hieroglyphics.

Mar 15, 1842

WC records AJ dispensation for Joseph's initiation in secondary copy of Nauvoo Masonic Lodge minutes.

Mar 15, 1842

Willard Richards scribes for Joseph's journal where Joseph indicates that he was admitted to the Masonic lodge.

Mar 15, 1842

JCB records AJ dispensation for Joseph's initiation in earliest version of Nauvoo Masonic Lodge minutes.

Mar 15, 1842

Abraham Jonas writes letter providing dispensation for Joseph's initiation into Freemasonry.

Mar 17, 1842

Eliza Snow uses Masonic language to describe the mission of the Relief Society in their minute book.

Mar 31, 1842

Joseph urges women to follow Masonry in keeping a secret in a letter to Emma Smith.

Mar 31, 1842

Eliza Snow records Joseph using Masonic language to describe the Relief Society's progress.

Apr 1, 1842

W.W. Phelps highlights importance of knowledge of natural laws in Times and Seasons.

May 4, 1842

Willard Richards summarizes details of the first endowment ceremony in Joseph's manuscript history of the Church.

Jun 17, 1842

Heber C. Kimball notes that Joseph considered masonry to be an offshoot of priesthood.

Jul 2, 1842

John C. Bennett charges Joseph Smith with "the actual seduction of several Master Masons' wives, sisters, and daughters."

Jul 7, 1842

WC records JCB being expelled from the Masonic Lodge.

Jul 30, 1842

Abraham Jonas issues injunction for "irregularities" in Nauvoo Lodge.

Aug 8, 1842

Robinson describes what might be temple garments.

Nov 2, 1842

The Nauvoo Masonic Lodge minutes reports that Abraham Jonas lifts injunction against lodge.

Jun 11, 1843

Joseph maintains that ordinances of salvation, "instituted in the heavens before the foundation of the World," should not be altered.

Oct 15, 1843

JS uses Mason language to tell fellow leaders to "keep a secret."

Jul 15, 1844

Times and Seasons comments on Joseph and Hyrum Smith as Masonic status.

Dec 16, 1845

William Clayton comments on early production of garments.

Dec 16, 1845

William Clayton comments on early production of garments.

Dec 21, 1845

William Clayton records Heber C. Kimball alluding to garment description.

Dec 21, 1845

Miller claims that the marks the Apostle Paul referenced are the marks on the temple garments.

Dec 21, 1845

William Clayton records George Miller speaking of garment providing protection.

Dec 21, 1845

William Clayton records conversation about Joseph and Hyrum not wearing their garments at Carthage.

Dec 21, 1845

Heber C. Kimball refers to Willard Richards being not shot at Carthage because of garments.

Jan 13, 1846

Brigham wants to stop production of garments.

1854

Benjamin G. Ferris provides description of garments.

Dec 31, 1856

Official martyrdom account highlighting protection for Richards through garment.

1857

Church critic John Hyde ridicules Church's use of Freemasonry.

1858

Mary Ettie V. Smith maintains that Mormonism has no relationship with Masonry.

Feb 17, 1858

FamilySearch documents Berry as being endowed.

Nov 13, 1858

HCK attributes Freemasonry to Solomon and David and Church possesses true Masonry.

1862

Richard Burton traces Mormonism to freemasonry.

Feb 9, 1862

Kimball said Jesus, apostles wore garments.

1867

George A. Smith said that Frederick Williams saw Jesus dressed "in his vesture without seam" at the dedication of the Kirtland temple.

Feb 10, 1867

Brigham roots Freemasonry in Solomon's Temple.

Feb 10, 1867

Brigham attributes endowment to Solomon's Temple.

May 23, 1870

FamilySearch identifies John Henry Biggs as endowed at the time of his death.

Sep 3, 1870

CP condemns Mormonism for using Masonic symbols.

1873

T. B. H. Stenhouse notes that Church leaders saw Freemasonry as degenerate version of priesthood.

Nov 17, 1873

JT describes temple attire at burial.

1876

Ann Eliza Young quotes Brigham as describing the endowment as "Celestial Masonry."

Feb 7, 1877

BY describes first endowment, use of garments.

1878

Young denies Masonry has any relationship with the Endowment House.

Jan 6, 1879

John Taylor comments on spiritual power of garments.

1884

Heber C. Kimball said that Jesus wore garments like Joseph Smith did.

Jan 2, 1884

Lucius N. Scovil recalls endowment in Nauvoo.

Apr 9, 1884

Abraham H. Cannon offers description of appropriate temple garments.

1886

William Wyl notes that JS saw Freemasonry as holding the "key" of his endowment.

Mar 15, 1886

JI identifies Christ as the "chief and master Mason."

Jul 17, 1889

Sarah G. Richards comments on description of garments being shibboleth.

Mar 30, 1891

John D.T. McAllister asks about garment style; George Q. Cannon describes proposed garment style.

1892

The Bodley Lodge wrote letters complaining of irregularities in the initiation of Joseph Smith by Abraham Jonas.

1893

Johnson remembers Joseph speaking on the origin of temple garments.

Apr 26, 1895

Brother Earl describes his garments.

Apr 4, 1899

Rudger Clawson cites Franklin D. Richards as saying that Joseph Smith sought to know missing keys of Masonry.

1900

Benjamin Franklin LeBaron says his mother said Joseph presented the garments to the Church.

Nov 17, 1900

Joseph F. Smith condemns "secret organizations."

1900

Oliver B. Huntington provides account of garments at martyrdom.

Apr 21, 1902

Woodward recalls temple clothing and garments used in the time of Joseph Smith in Nauvoo.

May 12, 1903

David H. Cannon reports on standards for garments.

Aug 31, 1904

David H. Cannon comments on acceptable design of garments.

Dec 13, 1904

WT includes photo of man in garments, says Mormons "Never Wholly" remove it.

Sep 14, 1905

Anonymous observer has conversation with Marian Ronsail on description of garments.

Dec 31, 1906

Joseph F. Smith describes garments as unchanged.

Dec 1907

Louis Bertrand, a former Mason, rejects relationship between Masonic lodge and Endowment.

Nov 12, 1908

1908 RR newspaper advertisement for temple garments.

Jun 15, 1910

SLHR reports on establishment of BCH.

Dec 31, 1912

First Presidency offers instructions on making of endowment.

Mar 10, 1915

FP comments on timing of original temple garment design.

May 21, 1915

Mary E. Hanks writes poem dealing with garments.

Oct 8, 1916

Walter P. Monson associates garments with service, warning, and work.

Jun 1, 1917

Advertisement re: temple garments.

Dec 14, 1918

Church critic LLS describes what garments look like and call them "the secret garment."

Aug 1921

B. H. Roberts maintains Joseph's endowment rooted in Abraham.

Oct 12, 1921

George F. Richards comments on physical power of garments.

Nov 30, 1921

Improvement Era offers advertisement for Temple Garment production.

Jun 4, 1923

Salt Lake Telegram reports on temple garment changes by Heber J. Grant.

Jun 22, 1923

DC reports on how youth respond to temple garment use and design.

Dec 31, 1923

Reed Rasband asks whether he should wear old or new style garments.

Dec 2, 1924

HGR tells RR that he may choose which garments to wear.

Aug 1929

Horace C. Cummings maintains that his grandparents conducted JS through masonry for the first time.

1934

John A. Widstoe asserted that the Church did not take anything from the Masons.

1934

Anthony Ivins comments on lack of need for Freemasons.

1934

Anthony Ivins dismisses claims of antique roots for Freemasonry.

Mar 25, 1938

First Presidency offers comments on proper design of garments.

Jul 20, 1938

First Presidency comments on the proper design of garments.

Oct 14, 1938

Bingham Bulletin carries advertisement for garments.

May 31, 1950

Te Karere provides account of Sister Akiano.

1951

Chiniwalla describes the sacred clothing including underclothing of Zoroastrians.

Nov 4, 1955

First Presidency requests proper markings be placed on approved articles of underwear due to difficulty importing garments to Europe.

1962

Wilson K. Andersen prints William E. Berrett's statement saying protection comes from God, not garments.

Feb 24, 1965

JZ reports that GH has a old LDS temple garments for sale.

1968

The Church condemns "oath-bound" organizations.

1974

Reed C. Durham assures readers that he believes temple endowment inspired, in spite of Masonic influence.

Apr 20, 1974

Reed C. Durham argues that Freemasonry deeply influenced Joseph's life.

Oct 3, 1975

Temple Clothing Program offers instructions re: when garments are no longer useful.

Mar 1977

In New Era, Barbra Smith comments on who has rights to distribute garments.

Jan 1980 - Feb 1980

Sunstone announces temple garment change to two-piece.

Nov 11, 1981

RP offers physical description of current temple garments.

May 1985

Allen D. Roberts offers summary of use of Masonic symbols in Church iconography.

Sep 18, 1985

USDC offers summary of past non-LDS garment manufacturers.

1987

Armand L. Mauss maintains that the endowment developed out of a Masonic cultural context, concludes it is not a "big issue."

Oct 10, 1988

First Presidency offers advice urging for members to wear garments more often than not.

1995

Lavinia Cohn-Sherbok and Dan Cohn-Sherbok define a Tallit Katan as a sacred undergarment for Orthodox Jews.

1997

Robert T. Francoeur records joke about garments as "Mormon contraceptives."

2000

Dan Vogel summarizes evidence relating to Smith family involvement in Freemasonry in New York.

2002

BKP speaks of moral significance of garments.

2002

The Jewish Encyclopedia defines sheitel as a type of headcovering that Jewish women may wear.

2005

Devery Anderson and Gary J. Bergera offer estimate total number of Nauvoo Temple Endowments at 5,583.

Mar 30, 2005

The Sikhi Wiki describes how Sikhs wear sacred underclothing to control their sexual desires.

Feb 2007

Ensign article explaining why there are symbols in the temple.

Mar 6, 2007

Jana describes why she stopped wearing garments including finding them uncomfortable.

2010

The 2010 edition of the Church handbook states "Endowed members should wear the temple garment both day and night."

2011

Devery Anderson transcribes account of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles report containing symbolism and significance of the marks on temple garments.

2011

Patrick Q. Mason offers description massacre at Cane Creek, with missionaries wearing garments.

2011

The Church released their guidelines on dress and appearance in the For Strength of Youth.

2012

Austin E. Fife and Alta Stephens Fife record folklore about protective value of garments.

Jan 25, 2012

Coppins answers questions that people may have about garments because of Romney's election.

Sep 24, 2012

Cartoonist makes fun of Romney and his garments.

Oct 19, 2014

CN releases article explaining garments.

Feb 9, 2015

The Catholic diocese of Denver explains the types of habits nuns wear.

2018

The Encyclopedia Britannica describes how religions have different clothes.

Mar 14, 2018

Jana Riess praises updated temple garments for women.

Apr 9, 2018

The Church announces new garment styles and fabrics for men and women.

Oct 2018

Russell M. Nelson comments on temple rites being of ancient origin.

Oct 18, 2018

New World Encyclopedia defines a cassock as an outer robe that monks wear.

Dec 18, 2018

The Church releases video explaining garments.

2019

The Church says garments "will serve as a protection against temptation and evil."

Jan 18, 2019

O'Brien describes the different components to Buddhist robes.

Feb 11, 2019

Diane Evans replied to a Quora post saying she finds garments comfortable.

Feb 19, 2019

The Church announces expansion of the stretch cotton garment line.

Mar 3, 2019

Mamie expresses that temple garments make her feel uncomfortable.

Aug 6, 2019

Weglarz says that Latter-day Saints wear garments during sex.

Oct 6, 2019

"Wearing the Garment" Statement from Temple Recommend Questions.

Jan 2020

Church Newsroom provides the updated 2020 temple recommend interview questions.

2020

The Church publishes the list of covenants that are made in the temple.

May 8, 2021

LDS-Mormon blog published the Temple Recommend Questions from 1991 – 1995.

May 21, 2021

Scott Taylor provides account of missionaries, who were almost certainly wearing garments, dying.

Jul 21, 2021

Sasha Piton urges the Church to provide more comfortable garments.

Dec 3, 2021

New World Encyclopedia defines what a yarmulke is.

Dec 3, 2021

Merriam-Webster defines "sheitel" as a head covering for Orthodox Jewish women.

Dec 3, 2021

Merriam-Webster indicates that nuns wear habits.

Dec 3, 2021

Merriam-Webster defines cassock as a garment worn by Catholic and Anglican priests and laypersons.

2022

Jeffrey Bradshaw quotes Freemason Jacob Strong who said that the square and compass are presented differently in the Endowment.

2022

The Church publishes a list of temple garment fabrics.

2022

In the latest handbook, the Church stated that wearing the garment will serve as a protection.

2022

The Church said that garments will serve as a protection if properly worn.

Aug 2, 2022

Jeffrey Bradshaw described the square and compass as ancient symbols while acknowledging that Masonry also has these symbols.

Aug 8, 2022

Church issues statements on Military/ Colored Garments.

Oct 2022

The Church said that the Lord's modesty standard to honor the sacredness of your body.

Nov 17, 2022

Utah Area Presidency issues statement on "casual and inconsistent wearing of the temple garment" during an Area Broadcast.

2023

Zebedee Coltrin recalled seeing Jesus wearing "white garments" in the Kirtland temple.