[SINGING]
From ancient times, men and women
have embraced sacred music, different forms of prayer,
religious clothing full of symbolism,
gestures, and ceremonies to express
their innermost feelings of devotion to God.
The variety of these forms of expression
is as wide and diverse as the human family.
Yet all have the same ultimate purpose:
to connect the believer with the object of their devotion
in the most personal way--to draw close to God.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
To those outside a particular faith,
the ceremonies and clothing may seem unfamiliar.
But for the participants, they can
stir the deepest feelings of the soul, motivate them to do good,
and even shape the course of a whole life of service.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
The nun's habit.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
The priest's cassock.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
The Jewish prayer shawl.
The Muslim skullcap.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
The saffron robes of the Buddhist monk.
All are part of a rich tapestry of human devotion to God.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Not all such religious clothing is on public display.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Some clothing is seen only in special places of worship.
For example, temple robes of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
known as the robes of the holy priesthood,
are worn only inside Latter-day Saint temples
and reserved for the most sacred ceremonies of their faith.
Simple white clothing symbolizes purity and equality.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
The most senior Church leader and the newest member
are indistinguishable when dressed in the same way.
Men and women wear similar clothing
which evokes religious symbolism reminiscent of temple practices
described in the Old Testament.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
there is no special outer religious clothing
in regular Sunday worship services.
However, many faithful Latter-day Saints
wear a garment under their clothing
that has deep religious significance.
This modest underclothing comes in two pieces
and is usually referred to as the temple garment.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Some people incorrectly refer to temple garments as "magical"
or as "magic underwear."
These words are not only inaccurate
but also offensive to members of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints.
There is nothing magical or mystical about temple garments.
And Church members ask for the same degree
of respect and sensitivity that would
be afforded to any other faith by people of goodwill.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Temple garments are worn by adult members of the Church who
have made sacred promises in the temple
to keep God's commandments and live
the gospel of Jesus Christ.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
To Church members, the modest temple garment
worn under normal clothing and the symbolic robes worn
during temple worship represent a sacred and personal aspect
of their relationship with God and their commitment
to live good, honorable lives.
[MUSIC PLAYING]