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I was asking myself this question….do you find that wearing the garment improves your character in any way? What spiritual impact does garment-wearing have on you? For me, it was something I had to do to get through a TR interview, and to feel compliant. But I would like to hear the perspectives of others. Simply put … No. I can honestly say that my wearing the garment has absolutely no impact on my personality or behaviours. Although, I am sure that there are those who would argue that this means that I am not giving the proper amount of sacred respect that the garment requires.
When I get dressed in the mornings, I think about them and what they mean. I don’t know that they’ve made me any better of a person but at least I start the day thinking about the person I should be. Garments became such a distraction and symbol of Pharisacial practice, that I had to quit wearing them for my spiritual well being. Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Quote:When I get dressed in the mornings, I think about them and what they mean. I don’t know that they’ve made me any better of a person but at least I start the day thinking about the person I should be.
This is exactly my response.
It works for those for whom it works; it doesn’t work for those for whom it doesn’t work.
For me it’s similar to going to church. The repetition of it, the familiarity of it, acts as a sort of touch stone. Beyond that, on a given day it can be good or incredibly frustrating. At this point in my life, I find that when I do wear them, I experience a lot of anxiety and negativity in my thoughts. I’ve never been able to really feel any spiritual connection to them, even when I was a TBM. For me, not wearing them actually makes me feel more free and positive. On a final test in Psychology I remember the question “What value is there in the same stimulus repeated over and over again?” The answer was “None, because the stimulus will simply blend into the environment. To be effective to change or reinforce a behavior, a stimulus must be closely associated with the desired behavior. If it isn’t, any meaning becomes lost.” I feel with wearing G’s 24x7x365, with the possible exception of baths, intimasy with your spouce, or some limted sports can easily loose their significance. IMO a person must be consciously aware of their significance to them, and whatever it takes to bring them to your conscience awareness is fine. Not wearing them sometimes around the house, doing yard work, not putting them on the moment you come out of the pool, etc. can IMO help increase conscious awareness of their significance. Your experience may vary.
I don’t wear my garments all the time. But at ALL times, I have: – been faithful to my husband
– tried to be a good wife and mother
– prayed
– attended the temple
– read my scriptures
– paid my tithing
– kept the Word of Wisdom
– attended my meetings
– fulfilled my callings
– done my visiting teaching
– honored my mother
I only make the checklist because people who tsk-tsk about garments tend to focus on the checklist. They act like choosing when to wear garments is a “gateway drug” to all kinds of instability and unfaithfulness. Well, it IS if we MAKE it that way. If the simple act of
choosingwhen to wear garments IS wickedness, I am at an impasse. I’ll just be a wicked wife, mother, visiting teacher and tithe-payer. Does wearing or not wearing a pair of underwear with symbols on them make me or not make me a good person? If I don’t wear the symbolic clothing, does that make me a bad or unworthy person, excluded from grace or a higher degree of happiness? I have a hard time believing this. I agree with what the symbols represent in of themselves and to each of us as a person trying to be a good or better person. I just don’t know that my not wearing them on my underwear reminds me enough to change my behavior unless I am on the cusp of engaging in immoral behavior (read adultery or fornication) and I have to go through the “reminders” to commit the improper act. Otherwise, I think my desire to be a “good” person is just as strong if I don’t feel a piece of clothing against my skin that is supposed to make me remember to be “good” all the time by virtue of my wearing it but only seeing it when I get dressed or undressed. Is my promise or personal commitment to be good not as strong if I don’t wear the articles of clothing defined by my religion to show an outward-yet-inward display of my faithfulness? Interesting questions to ponder.
Old-Timer wrote:Quote:When I get dressed in the mornings, I think about them and what they mean. I don’t know that they’ve made me any better of a person but at least I start the day thinking about the person I should be.
This is exactly my response.
It works for those for whom it works; it doesn’t work for those for whom it doesn’t work.
I think Ray is right. I think it’s effect or not is largely like other symbols. Does a flag improve your life or character in your nation etc? I think the answer depends on only on your view of symbols, but also if those particular symbols resonate with you. Even if they do they might be such a part of you already that there is no need. But for some people there is a need, it helps them remember what isn’t automatic to them that they desire to achieve. For others it’s just going to be negative because it doesn’t represent the symbols that help them. It helps if it came naturally to your mind more then trying to teach what a certain symbol means from someone else’s head. Since the symbols have no real meaning in and of themselves, they mean exactly what you want them to mean or perhaps nothing at all.Personally I don’t get symbols at all, but the ones I do get aren’t a drawing symbol, it’s a personal meaning from an event in life, not a token. Varies widely from person to person.
Simply – No I am who I am, not underwear will change that. Pre church I was modest anyway, it certainly didn’t change that.
It is like my pre church days, my sister said to me that she likes wearing sexy, matching underwear because it makes her feel better. It never did to me. So we are all different.
I don’t wear garments, and haven’t done since I no longer have my TR. For me, they are just impractical. When I did wear them I felt uncomfortable and even grumpy. One of the issues was wearing an extra layer of clothes in 40+ heat, or the whole putting them on and off to go to the beach or for a swim, or even just working around the house. In the winter they weren’t warm enough to make a difference and just meant another layer to twist up under my thermals. I am overweight with a bad back, and having supportive underwear around my mid section made activities a lot more comfortable – there’s no support in garments.
Maybe I just have a bad attitude? Maybe I didn’t get them fitting right (not that I had a choice, they were sold to me as “they will fit you, we know”? I don’t know but it certainly wasn’t a spiritual experience!
I have no issue wearing them to church or out for the evening, but the thought of wearing them constantly and I start to get agitated all over again.
I have been trying to respond to this question for the past ten minutes, and have erased each response I have written. I have been attempting to explain how great I have felt since taking my garments off, something I never would have imagined myself doing, ever. Up until a couple of months ago, I had worn them faithfully since taking out my endowments in 1979 in preparation for my mission.
Looking back over the years, I have made my share of mistakes while wearing my garments. I have also done many great things while wearing them. I have sinned. I have been kind, angry, obedient, disobedient, loving, charitable, etc.
In my unexpected journey, perhaps one of the greatest joys I have discovered is the fact that I am still me without wearing my garments. I still seek for and feel the spirit.
So, no, I don’t think garment wearing made me a better person.
I’ve never felt that wearing garments offered me any type of protection or had an affect on weather I was a good person or not. I’ve been wearing them for 12 years and just recently, as my faith crisis came to a pinnacle, decided that I would give my self permission to not wear the tops ( or both) when it is just too dang hot to be comfortable with an extra sticky layer. It was doing me no favors to be overheated. Just giving myself a say made me more comfortable with the idea of continuing to wear them. I’m still trying to figure out a way to let them have a spiritual meaning and be a reminder of my savior. But I’m so in the habit of wearing them that I rarely think about it, unless they are making me uncomfortable. Before my faith crisis, I used to think…if I ever find out the church isn’t true, this awful underwear will be the first thing to go. Now, even though I’m struggling, I find myself hanging on to them a little…maybe because once they are off,everyone will know somethings up. Or maybe I’m holding out hope that I can infuse them with meaning and be comfortable with them since I am striving to make the church work for me. Whatever it is, I would be totally o.k if the church decided to get out of the underwear business. I personally see my garments just as I see my wedding ring. I don’t always wear it but wear it 99% of the time. It’s just a symbol nothing else but it has great meaning for me and I made certain promises that I will try my best to keep. I actually think the symbolism is beatiful. To actually wear a promise that you made. But maybe that’s just me:)
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