5 Comments

  1. Gary Batt

    Your comments regarding Emerson Chase is well taken. However, we also need to be careful how one speaks about evangelical attire or even Sunday dress attire. In the same fashion, one could construed that a person wearing a white shirt and tie on Sunday is letting the public know their commitment to God. In addition, we have to be careful not to insinuate that there is a correlation between how clothing is worn public vs private as being “personal and sacred” or not. One could also conclude that the missionary attire is a form of public recognition. Temples being built along freeway’s for public display and recognition could also be questioned. I don’t necessarily agree with my own arguments. The point is, the explanation of how and why the garment is worn should end in your article at “between that person and God.” To continue to say “and the opinions of others don’t count. There is no show-and-tell” does two things. It engages an arguement with other religion’s symbols of faith and can paint itself into a corner. Does that mean anything that is displayed publicly is not personal or sacred? Perhaps shorter statements and less explanations will draw less attention and minimize counter arguments?

  2. Josiah

    I think, from the standpoint of an interested evangelical protestant, that what has fueled the fire of detraction among non-LDS as to this subject is the purported protective properties. To quote the apostle Boyd K. Packer:

    “The garment […] becomes a shield and protection to the wearer.” – The Holy Temple (1980), 75.

    Stories of faithful, garment-clad Mormons escaping from house fires and auto accidents unscathed abound in LDS folklore. Now, as an evangelical, I will never deny that the Lord can and does place His hand of protection upon His beloved in perilous moments. I have seen this happen. I also understand that, according to modern LDS ecclesiology, the garment itself is powerless outside of faithful covenant relationship with God. However, I think that the great colloquial mischaracterization of the garments as “magic” or something of the like is almost solely responsible for the stigma. Explicitly addressing this aspect of the issue can often calm qualms and foster an opportunity for a longer, in-depth, mutually-edifying dialogue about the issues that truly divide Mormonism and Evangelicalism (worldview, nature of God, the Godhead, plan of salvation, revelation, etc).

  3. Josiah,

    Thank you for your objective and humble response to this topic! It is very refreshing to (virtually) meet people of other faiths who are observant, respectful, and considerate enough to engage in thoughtful dialogue about doctrines, instead of resorting to the easy and popular route of sensationalism and attacks. Thanks!

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