The Importance of White Suits in Mormonism
- The white garment helps symbolizes that Mormons are different from the rest of the world. They tend to view the lifestyles of non-Mormons as lacking morality and modesty. They also consider some of the clothes worn by non-Mormons to be too revealing. As a result, the temple garment signifies that Mormons adhere to a higher moral code, keeping the garment next to their skin at all times to represent their closeness to God.
- Other than specially colored temple garments worn by Mormons in the armed services, the two-piece outfit is always white. This symbolizes both physical purity, keeping their body from committing immoral acts, as well as spiritual purity, remaining in a mindset that's always obedient to God. Mormons believe the garment helps the wearer to focus his life on Jesus Christ and therefore receive all the blessings of doing so.
- There are no professional clergy in the Mormon religion. As a result, all members of the Mormon community are called to act as lay clergy, fulfilling the roles of priests and pastors themselves. Since all of them wear identical white garments, it signifies the equality among all Mormons, and the shared responsibility of priesthood among them. The garment emphasizes that there are no hierarchies of importance in the congregation, but each member is equally valued in God's eyes.
- The Mormon faith points out that scripture suggests Adam and Eve wore special clothing God made for them before they left the Garden of Eden. The Mormons view the temple garment as part of their religious instruction, much like it was for Adam and Eve. As a result, the temple endowment is an important occasion for a Mormon beginning his walk of faith. Once he receives the garment, there are only a few instances when it can ever be taken off.