Mormon Garments: Sacred and Secret (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780252089190)

An insider's view of a misunderstood symbol of faith

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints requires that adult members wear garments under their clothes day and night. Though a central practice, the wearing of garments exists behind a wall of silence, as Church authorities and LDS culture discourage discussion of such a sacred matter.

Nancy Ross, Jessica Finnigan, and Larissa Kanno Kindred draw on a survey of over 4,500 Church members and their own backgrounds to explore the multifaceted meanings and experiences of Mormon garments. As the authors show, garments also function as a tool of social control that shapes behavior and reinforces conformity around sexuality. The diverse lived experiences of Latter-day Saints reveal how belief and gender intersect with feelings of secrecy, shame, and obedience while creating complexities for LDS members as they navigate questions of faith, identity, and agency. In addition, the authors call for greater understanding of the people grappling with tensions between personal customs and religious expectation.

Insightful and rich with detail, Mormon Garments sheds light on an intimate practice in the lives of Latter-day Saints.

Author: Nancy Ross,Jessica Finnigan,Larissa Kanno Kindred
ISBN-10: 0252089197
ISBN-13: 9780252089190
Publisher: University of Illinois Press
Language: English
Published: 02/24/2026
Pages: 216
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.00lbs