The origin of Latter-day Saint temple garments traces back to a vision given to Joseph Smith and serves as a sacred reminder of covenants made in temples. Temple garments symbolize deep spiritual commitments and point believers to Christ. Early Saints, such as Elizabeth Allred, Emma Smith, and Eliza R. Snow, shaped the first versions, which later evolved into shorter, two-piece, and even military styles—although the symbols and covenants have remained unchanged. In this interview, Seth G. Soha explores the introduction of temple garments, their evolution, and their ongoing significance today.
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Introduction and Symbolism of Temple Garments
What are Latter-day Saint temple garments?
The priesthood garments are a type of symbolic clothing in conjunction with sacred covenants made in holy temples. The garments not only symbolize Jesus Christ (Heb. 10:20), but are reminders of those sacred covenants made in the House of the Lord. They are also a constant reminder to the wearers of the special relationship they entered into with their Savior, and the blessings offered to them as they strive to become like Him, keep His commandments, and endure to the end.
What are examples of religious garments in other faiths?
While many religions have symbolic clothing, one of my favorite examples is the undergarment worn by practicing Zoroastrians. Called the “sudreh,” it is a white undershirt that has a pocket on the front, located at the neckline. The sudreh is a reminder to the wearer to metaphorically fill the pocket (sometimes called the “purse of righteousness”) with good thoughts, good works, and good deeds each day.
Although the garment worn by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not have a pocket, I think this Zoroastrian practice is a wonderful concept that can be applied by Latter-day Saint Christians to their own wearing of the garment, as they strive to follow the example of Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Revelation and the First Temple Garments
Did Joseph Smith receive the design of temple garments in a vision?
Several 19th-century accounts state that a heavenly visitor or angel revealed what the garment should look like to Joseph Smith. One account, reported by George A. Smith, states that Moroni actually drew aside his robe and showed Joseph the pattern of the garment.
The Prophet was also told that it was to be called “the Garment of the Holy Priesthood,” and those who received their temple endowment would be expected to wear it “all through life.”
How were the first temple garments created?
After learning the details of the garment from the vision, Joseph Smith commissioned Elizabeth Allred to help him create the first holy garment of this dispensation. They took unbleached muslin, a lightweight, loosely woven cotton fabric, and Joseph explained to Allred how he wanted her to cut it out. (The Prophet wanted there to be as few seams as possible.)
Joseph supervised the garment creation process to recreate as closely as possible what was shown to him during Moroni’s visitation. They went through several iterations before the garment was ready to present to the Church.
What early changes did Emma Smith and Eliza R. Snow make to the garment?
Emma Smith felt like the prototype appeared unfinished, so she suggested adding a collar. This initial collar was not visible, as it was worn underneath the clothing. Eliza R. Snow added a different, more formal collar, which the women wore on the outside, over the top of the neck of their dresses.
They also added three sets of tie strings down the front of the garment that were tied in double knots.
Debates About Change and Design Flexibility
Why did some early Saints resist changes to the temple garment?
Several early members and Church leaders felt that the original garment, created under the supervision of the Prophet Joseph Smith, should not be altered since it was revealed by a heavenly messenger. Since so much effort went into trying to re-create exactly what was shown to the Prophet, some saw any alterations as inappropriate.
I personally respect those early members’ feelings, as I think it shows their commitment to their faith and their covenants. What they might not have known is the history of how it came to be, and the number of alterations that were made before a final pattern was presented to the Saints.
Did Joseph Smith allow flexibility in the garment’s design?
The fact that Joseph accepted the recommended changes of Emma Smith and Eliza R. Snow (such as the addition of a collar) suggests that he felt that there was some flexibility in the design of the temple garment.
Also, as I previously noted, Joseph Smith originally wanted the garment to be made with as few seams as possible, since that is how the garment Moroni wore appeared to be made. However, that component was not retained. The first garment was made of muslin, but when winter came, garments made of wool started to be worn.
While Joseph wanted to try to create the garment as close to the one Moroni showed him, he ran up against the obvious mortal limitations in replicating something from the celestial world. While mortal artisans can create some beautiful things, how can imperfect people, in an imperfect world, ever perfectly replicate something divinely sent from the Celestial world?
Historical Evolution
How have temple garments changed since Joseph Smith’s time?
There have been several modifications since the initial vision of the garment. For example:
- 1920s: The garment sleeves and legs were shortened. The collar was removed, and buttons replaced the original tie strings down the front.
- 1979: Two-piece garments were introduced, initially for those with physical disabilities.
- 1980s: Military garments became available (in drab brown or olive color), and were exclusively for active service members.
- 2025: A tank-top design became available.
What aspects of temple garments have remained consistent?
The most important aspect of the garments—irrespective of material, length, or design—would be the incorporated symbols and the associated covenants. Those have been consistent throughout the history of the Church.
While there will likely be more styles and new fabrics introduced in the years to come, the connection to the temple and the associated covenants will never change.
Revelation, Meaning, and Lasting Purpose
What did Church leaders mean when they said garments were ‘revealed from heaven’?
As far as we can ascertain, Joseph Smith did not record the details of the vision where Moroni appeared to him, revealing the priesthood garment. This is also true of the temple endowment and other rites and doctrinal truths of the restored gospel.
I want to emphasize—like the First Vision and so many other revealed truths—prayer was most often what provoked Joseph’s heavenly encounters. And this was what provoked the vision that revealed the pattern for the priesthood garment.
When members of the First Presidency made the statement that the pattern for the garment was “revealed from heaven,” it is my opinion that they were speaking of this process of communion with the divine via prayer. I also think they were testifying to the fact that the revelation of the garment was revealed to Joseph in a visionary experience.
What should readers take away from your chapter about the sacred purpose of temple garments?
My hope is that readers will gain a deeper understanding of the garment’s history and sense that it is a sacred piece of covenantal clothing, revealed from heaven.
I also hope they learn—if they didn’t already know—that other faiths also have sacred clothing like our garment of the holy priesthood, and that all should be spoken of with the kind of respect and reverence that is deserved by something sacred to the believers who wear them.
It is also my hope that Elizabeth Allred, who made the first garment, will receive the recognition and gratitude that she deserves. Of course, Emma Smith and the other sisters mentioned are part of that, but they are already well known and respected.
And finally, I hope readers will come away with a sense that the pattern of the garment was restored to Joseph Smith through prayer, just as many other truths were revealed, and that Moroni (whom Joseph knew well) restored the pattern of the garment to the Prophet. I hope this knowledge will be beneficial to all who wear the garment, and that understanding its history will help them focus on the covenants made and what the garment ultimately represents.
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About the Scholar
Seth G. Soha is a graduate of Brigham Young University and serves as an independent scholar with a focus on Latter-day Saint history and temple theology. He contributed the chapter “Joseph, Moroni, and the ‘Priesthood Garment’: A Latter-day Restoration of ‘Covenantal Clothing’” to Joseph Smith as a Visionary, where he argues that the original design of the temple garment was received through a revelatory experience. His scholarly work reflects a thoughtful blending of historical research and devotional insight, illuminating the significance of sacred symbols and covenantal clothing in the early Church.
Further Reading
- How Was the St. George Temple Built?
- What Is the Law of the Gospel?
- How Did Temple Doctrine Evolve During Wilford Woodruff’s Life?
- How Did Freemasonry Influence Joseph Smith?
- What Did “Shake the Dust Off Your Feet” Mean to Early Latter-day Saints?
History of Temple Garments
- Endowed with Power (Religious Educator)
- Garments (Topics and Questions)
- Greg Prince’s Research Excerpts: Temples & Mormonism – 1906 (University of Virginia)
- Joseph Smith as a Visionary: Heavenly Manifestations in the Latter-days (BYU Religious Studies Center)
- The Garment of the Holy Priesthood: Its Principle, Purpose, and Power (Public Square)
