My Magic Underwear

[KevinG]

In response to a magic underwear crack by a friend on Facebook discussing the Romney campaign...

"Bear with me here... I don't usually discuss my underwear in public but I've noticed a few "magic underwear" comments in reference to Mormons and the current political campaign.

For the record: I wear my "magic underwear" also known as a sacred temple garment to Mormons day and night. My first pair was placed on me the day I married my wife in the holy temple and serves as a reminder of my covenants to God and my wife. Things like chastity, honesty, sacrifice, faith in Christ and obedience to the gospel.

The garment is roughly analogous to a yarmulke or prayer shawl but worn privately under my clothing. I have not experienced any magical effects, other than being a very good reminder of modesty.

If anyone is interested in their own pair of temple garments I would be happy to send you missionaries to teach you the gospel of Jesus Christ as understood by the Latter-day Saints. After a year of faithful membership including no drinking, smoking or extramarital sex plus service, tithing, living honestly and regular attendance at church you could go to the temple and make covenants with the Lord, at which time you would be asked to wear the garment as a reminder of your covenants.

www.mormon.org is a good place to start learning.

In short: Please leave my underwear out of your politics."

Edited August 11, 2012 by KevinG

[halconero]

I believe that the glove was very much thrown down.

(should've included a link to mormon.org) jk

Also, other interesting fact is that Sikhs wear sacred garments as well under their clothes. I found this out from the Punjabi family I live with. It is a reminder of chastity and marital fidelity, as well as purity and commitment before God

Edited August 11, 2012 by halconero

[KevinG]

I believe that the glove was very much thrown down.

(should've included a link to mormon.org) jk

Oooh. Good idea.

Changes made!

Edited August 11, 2012 by KevinG

[why me]

In response to a magic underwear crack by a friend on Facebook discussing the Romney campaign...

"Bear with me here... I don't usually discuss my underwear in public but I've noticed a few "magic underwear" comments in reference to Mormons and the current political campaign.

For the record: I wear my "magic underwear" also known as a sacred temple garment to Mormons day and night. My first pair was placed on me the day I married my wife in the holy temple and serves as a reminder of my covenants to God and my wife. Things like chastity, honesty, sacrifice, faith in Christ and obedience to the gospel.

The garment is roughly analogous to a yarmulke or prayer shawl but worn privately under my clothing. I have not experienced any magical effects, other than being a very good reminder of modesty.

If anyone is interested in their own pair of temple garments I would be happy to send you missionaries to teach you the gospel of Jesus Christ as understood by the Latter-day Saints. After a year of faithful membership including no drinking, smoking or extramarital sex plus service, tithing, living honestly and regular attendance at church you could go to the temple and make covenants with the Lord, at which time you would be asked to wear the garment as a reminder of your covenants.

www.mormon.org is a good place to start learning.

In short: Please leave my underwear out of your politics."

I tend to give nonmembers a break when it comes to their comments on garments. However, former members are different. I find that with nonmembers, a peaceful explanation of the purpose of garments and why a member chooses to wear them is often the way to go.

[mfbukowski]

I believe that the glove was very much thrown down.

(should've included a link to mormon.org) jk

Also, other interesting fact is that Sikhs wear sacred garments as well under their clothes. I found this out from the Punjabi family I live with. It is a reminder of chastity and marital fidelity, as well as purity and commitment before God

Zoroastrians as well, now known mostly as Parsis. Note the other sacred robes as well.

http://www.avesta.or...ual/navjote.htm

The Magi who came to visit Jesus were arguably Zoroastrians.

Edited August 12, 2012 by mfbukowski

[blueadept]

As a non-LDS member who was married to a temple-worthy person, this is definitely a private matter which should remain private. If you have issues with what LDS wear privately, than don't join them but I believe you will be obviously missing the point IMHO.

[mfbukowski]

Zoroastrians as well, now known mostly as Parsis. Note the other sacred robes as well.

http://www.avesta.or...ual/navjote.htm

The Magi who came to visit Jesus were arguably Zoroastrians.

In describing the sacred shirt Parsis take upon during their initiation ceremonies, I was fascinated by some of the symbolism described:

The Giriban of the shirt.

The most important part of the shirt is the Giriban (lit. that which preserves the knot) which signifies loyalty to or faith in the religion. The Giriban is also called the kisseh-i kerfeh i.e. the purse or the bag of righteousness. It is put up, in the form of a bag or a purse a little below the portion of the shirt which covers the part of the body below the throat. It indicates symbolically that a man has to be industrious and has not only to fill his bag or purse with money but has to fill it up with righteousness.

Thus the sudre is symbolic of purity of life and action of righteousness.

Kusti, Meaning of the word.

The Avesta word for the sacred thread is "aiwyaongana." Kusti is its later Pahlavi rendering.

It is variously derived.

(a) Some derive it from Pahlavi kosht meaning direction. So, the word may mean "that which points out to us the proper direction or path." Sudre (the sacred shirt) indicates "advantageous path" and kusti indicates the proper direction of that path.

(b) Some derive the word from kosht i.e. waist, and say that it is so called because it is put on, on the waist.

© Some take this word to be Persian 'kishti' i.e. a ship, and say that it symbolizes the way that carries us to the safe harbor of righteousness.

(d) But the probable derivation seems to be kost i.e. limit or boundary. Kusti then is that which keeps us, or reminds us to keep ourselves within proper limits or boundaries. Sudre or the sacred shirt symbolizes, "the path of righteousness" and kusti symbolizes one's duty to confine himself within the proper limit of the path of righteousness. It indicates a direction in the path of morality. The Avesta word for kusti is, as said above, "aiwiyaonghana", which literally means "to sit round about or to limit." This word then suggests that this last one is the probable derivation of the word 'kusti'.

[Scott Lloyd]

I tend to give nonmembers a break when it comes to their comments on garments. However, former members are different. I find that with nonmembers, a peaceful explanation of the purpose of garments and why a member chooses to wear them is often the way to go.

Your advice is good.

That said, in deciding whether somebody should be given a break, I often find it helpful to do a mental role reversal. Would I be inclined to publicly deride the sacred vestments (or other customs, for that matter) of a religious faith I neither believe in nor understand very well? I have more class than that.

It's a matter of civility.

Edited August 12, 2012 by Scott Lloyd

[KevinG]

The original jokester apologized publicly so I told him no worries. I love his sense of humor and if I'm occasionally lampooned that is part of the package.

Of course someone else came along and asked me if we believe in works based salvation. I told him to "go to www.mormon.org and stay away from the counter-cult sites. I won't debate religion on someones Facebook page."

[Scott Lloyd]

The original jokester apologized publicly so I told him no worries. I love his sense of humor and if I'm occasionally lampooned that is part of the package.

Of course someone else came along and asked me if we believe in works based salvation. I told him to "go to www.mormon.org and stay away from the counter-cult sites. I won't debate religion on someones Facebook page."

Your forebearance and thick skin are commendable.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

In response to a magic underwear crack by a friend on Facebook discussing the Romney campaign...

In short: Please leave my underwear out of your politics."

Where did that derogatory remark begin since we have never called it this? Does that mean that other's have magic crosses or statues? I have never know another Christian faith than ours that has some comment like maalox moment attached to our every cherished belief. Edited August 13, 2012 by Bill “Papa” Lee

[Hawkmoon]

In response to a magic underwear crack by a friend on Facebook discussing the Romney campaign...

"Bear with me here... I don't usually discuss my underwear in public but I've noticed a few "magic underwear" comments in reference to Mormons and the current political campaign.

For the record: I wear my "magic underwear" also known as a sacred temple garment to Mormons day and night. My first pair was placed on me the day I married my wife in the holy temple and serves as a reminder of my covenants to God and my wife. Things like chastity, honesty, sacrifice, faith in Christ and obedience to the gospel.

The garment is roughly analogous to a yarmulke or prayer shawl but worn privately under my clothing. I have not experienced any magical effects, other than being a very good reminder of modesty.

If anyone is interested in their own pair of temple garments I would be happy to send you missionaries to teach you the gospel of Jesus Christ as understood by the Latter-day Saints. After a year of faithful membership including no drinking, smoking or extramarital sex plus service, tithing, living honestly and regular attendance at church you could go to the temple and make covenants with the Lord, at which time you would be asked to wear the garment as a reminder of your covenants.

www.mormon.org is a good place to start learning.

In short: Please leave my underwear out of your politics."

Not sure what temple you were married in, but I certainly do not recall this during my wedding ceremony.

[mtomm]

He didn't say it happened during the marriage ceremony, only that it happened the same day. I think that is the case for millions of Mormons.

[DH]

Isn't it customary for entertainers like Letterman and Leno to ask presidential candidates the question "Boxers or briefs?" Looks like they'll have to add a third option, now!

[cursor]

"Boxers, briefs ... or not-so-briefs?"

[KevinG]

Not sure what temple you were married in, but I certainly do not recall this during my wedding ceremony.

I took out my endowments and got sealed to my wife the same day. A lengthy explanation of the endowment was not appropriate to my response. I guess the critics can now claim I lie to protect the church.

[mfbukowski]

I took out my endowments and got sealed to my wife the same day. A lengthy explanation of the endowment was not appropriate to my response. I guess the critics can now claim I lie to protect the church.

What you meant was fairly clear to everyone else so I wouldn't worry about it. I dont know what his problem was

[Calm]

What you meant was fairly clear to everyone else so I wouldn't worry about it. I dont know what his problem was

Maybe he was just teasing...used a smiley after all.

[mfbukowski]

Maybe he was just teasing...used a smiley after all.

You are probably right as always.

I'm just being grumpy I guess!

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

You are probably right as always.

I'm just being grumpy Gus!

I fixed it for you... Edited August 13, 2012 by Bill “Papa” Lee

[Hawkmoon]

Come now... does one have to spell it out... the way he phased it was amusing-- people need to relax. After all, I thought emoticons make any comment okay no matter how egregious.

See, don't you feel better already?

[mtomm]

Hmm, I just thought, even with the smiley, that it was being nit-picky. I've certainly done the same as you so I should have been more forgiving!