Why Mormon Temple Garments Are Not Biblical

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), commonly known as the Mormon Church, teaches that after a temple endowment ceremony, faithful members must wear special undergarments—known as temple garments—daily. These garments are considered sacred and symbolic, reminding wearers of the covenants they've made and offering spiritual protection. However, while these may be meaningful within the LDS context, they do not align with biblical Christianity.

Nowhere in the New Testament does God command His people to wear religious clothing as a sign of spiritual standing. In fact, the New Testament radically shifts the focus from outward religious symbols to inward transformation. Paul writes in Romans 14:17 (NLT), “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink [or wear], but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

In the Old Testament, under the Mosaic Covenant, priests did wear symbolic garments (see Exodus 28). But even those were shadows pointing toward the coming Messiah. With Jesus’ death and resurrection, those ceremonial laws were fulfilled. Hebrews 10:1 (NLT) tells us, “The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves.” Further, Hebrews 8:13 declares that the old covenant is “obsolete and growing old.”

Perhaps most powerfully, the tearing of the temple veil at the moment of Jesus' death (see Matthew 27:51) symbolized the end of the temple system and man-made barriers between God and man. There is no longer a need for temples, veils, priests, or sacred clothing. Through Christ, we have full and direct access to the Father (see Hebrews 4:16).

In the New Covenant, the true garment of the believer is not cotton or thread—but Christ Himself. Galatians 3:27 (NLT) says, “All who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.” Similarly, Romans 13:14 commands believers to “clothe yourselves with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Mormonism’s insistence on physical garments is part of a larger system of ordinances and temple rituals that have no foundation in the gospel of Jesus Christ. By relying on secret ceremonies and physical signs, it returns to a works-based religion contrary to salvation by grace. Ephesians 2:8–9 (NLT) clearly states: “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done.”

In the end, Mormon temple garments are not biblical because they distract from the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work on the cross. They represent a return to religious legalism, while the Bible invites us to rest in Christ alone—not in rituals, clothing, or institutions—for our security and identity.

Works Cited

The Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers, 2015.

Hinckley, Gordon B. Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley. Deseret Book, 1997.

Ludlow, Daniel H., ed. Encyclopedia of Mormonism. Macmillan Publishing Company, 1992.

Tanner, Jerald and Sandra. The Changing World of Mormonism: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Changes in Mormon Doctrine. Moody Press, 1979.

Watson, Thomas. A Body of Divinity. Banner of Truth, 1958.

White, James R. Is the Mormon My Brother? Discerning the Differences Between Mormonism and Christianity. Bethany House Publishers, 2003.

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