Question
Gramps,
For the past 20 years, we have been read a letter about the proper wearing of the temple garments during the temple recommend interviews. We have been told not to alter them in any way to accommodate any clothing. Could you help me understand why these changes are being made?
Rodney
Answer
Rodney,
Temple garments are a distinctive feature of endowed members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To the initiated, they symbolize covenants made in holy temples—promises of fidelity, faithfulness, and protection. However, what many may not realize is just how much these garments have changed in their construction, materials, and even their visibility under everyday clothes.
This evolution has often mirrored broader shifts culturally while always maintaining core religious symbolism. Understanding why these changes were made—and how they balance tradition with modernity—opens a window into how the Church navigates personal spirituality alongside practical realities.
One of the earliest recorded changes to temple garments dates back to 1923, when the Church approved shortening the previously ankle- and wrist-length garments to knee-length with short sleeves. This change was eagerly embraced by many younger members as more “liberal and acceptable.” This shift marked a turning point, showing the Church’s responsiveness to the lived experiences of its members. While in prior years modifications had been minor, this moment showed a willingness to make substantial adjustments for comfort and changing dress norms.
Over the following decades, even more attention turned to practical details. In 1938, the First Presidency offered further allowances: collars could be removed, buttons could replace ties, sleeves could be shortened, and new closure methods and openings were permitted, streamlining the garment’s design for everyday wear.
The most significant structural change came in December 1979. The Church announced—in a move echoing mainstream fashion trends—the replacement of traditional one-piece garments with a two-piece style. More closely matching the underwear most people were already accustomed to, the two-piece garment allowed for far greater comfort and facilitated layering with modern dress.
Throughout the early 21st century, a series of additional updates followed. Fabric options shifted towards soft, breathable blends, and stretch cotton was introduced in 2018 to improve comfort, airflow, and fit. Styles continued to broaden, with options designed for maternity needs and different climate conditions, including sleeveless tops and skirt bottoms, as of 2024.
Each change reveals a pragmatic adaptability, maintaining the sacred core of the garment while helping members comfortably and confidently wear them alongside modern clothing.
One central reason behind these changes has been simple practicality. As Church membership has expanded globally, garment designers and church leaders have considered an ever-wider array of climates, body types, and cultural traditions. The changes have been made in response to member feedback and to address concerns about comfort and hygiene. For example, members in regions with hot, humid weather now have garment options made from lighter, more breathable fabrics, as well as new styles such as sleeveless tops and one-piece shift dresses.
Modernization efforts have also focused on addressing feedback about the everyday practicality of garment wear. In 2015, the Church actively sought input from members through surveys about what styles, fabrics, and construction details could be improved, questioning everything from labels to fabric blends. This open approach displays an ongoing commitment to acknowledge and address the lived experiences and sincere opinions of Church members.
The introduction of stretch cotton fabrics with mesh panels in 2018, along with the expansion of women’s options the following year, reflected widespread member requests. New tags were printed rather than sewn in—an upgrade readily welcomed by many members who openly described discomfort with older fabric and itchy labels. These decisions demonstrate how the Church has balanced the stewardship of sacred tradition with genuine care for members’ physical comfort and daily routines.
This adaptability is not accidental but reflects an ongoing, thoughtful dialogue within the faith, supporting millions of people of every age, background, and geography.
Despite these adaptations, one core element has always remained unchanged: the sacred symbols incorporated into the garment’s design. The First Presidency declared in 1912 that the pattern for the garment’s symbols “comes from heaven and that they will not be altered.” Subsequent design upgrades—whether for functionality, comfort, or style—have carefully preserved these symbols as the unchanging heart of the garment’s meaning.
Whether worn as a one-piece or two-piece garment, in cotton or mesh, with printed or sewn-in labels, the symbolic elements remain constant. Members are thus reassured that even as the fit and fabrics evolve, the spiritual commitments represented by the garment—their covenants made with God in the temple—remain unchanged.
Even when formal ceremonial temple attire was updated in 2020 to include more durable, cost-effective, and easy-care fabrics, the directive was clear: previous styles were still permitted, and the modifications were to help make temple worship “more simple, comfortable, and accessible,” not to overturn core symbolism.
This delicate balance between adaptation and reverence threads through every choice the Church makes regarding garments. The physical articles may evolve, but the sacred commitment endures.
The Church’s willingness to continually adapt reflects more than a simple response to shifting fashion trends. Instead, it embodies an ongoing commitment to help members live their faith in practical, meaningful ways. Adjustments typically occur only after careful consideration, international experience, and, increasingly, direct feedback from members themselves.
The process is neither capricious nor trivial; proposals for new styles or modifications are generally studied at length, often for many years, to consider their implications for sacred covenants, practicality, and the global diversity of Church membership. Requests for custom garment sizing also demonstrate sensitivity to the diverse needs of members, allowing individuals to maintain their dignity and ease while fulfilling their sacred obligations.
Significantly, while comfort and practicality have been primary drivers, the Church leadership’s approach signals openness to further adaptation, as “differences in lifestyle, climate, and technology call for new solutions.” Each innovation—whether it be closures, fabrics, or sizing—serves to remove barriers, so that the sacred core of garment-wearing remains vibrant in the lives of members everywhere.
Gramps
