Young adults, not just women, struggle with Mormon garments
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently adjusted its temple recommend questions to clarify expectations regarding the wearing of temple garments. The revised wording reinforces the requirement for endowed members to wear the garment “day and night throughout your life.” This change echoes the language used prior to 2019, emphasizing continuous wearing except for specific activities where it is impractical.
Speculation about the reasons behind this change often centers on younger women, with assumptions that they are the primary demographic neglecting garment-wearing duties. However, data from the Next Mormons Survey suggests a more nuanced reality. While there is a slight difference in compliance between genders, it is not significant enough to support the theory that young women are the main culprits.
Instead, the survey reveals that garment compliance is more strongly correlated with generational differences. Baby boomers and older respondents exhibit higher rates of daily garment wearing compared to Generation X, millennials, and Generation Z. This trend suggests that younger members, regardless of gender, are less consistent in adhering to the practice of wearing temple garments regularly.
Among millennials, in particular, garment compliance appears to be notably low. This discrepancy may reflect broader generational shifts in attitudes towards religious practices and traditions. Younger members may prioritize personal autonomy and adaptability over strict adherence to institutional guidelines.
The church’s decision to revise temple recommend questions likely reflects a desire to reinforce adherence to traditional practices among its younger membership. By emphasizing the importance of wearing temple garments, church leaders aim to encourage greater compliance and commitment to religious observance.
However, singling out young women as the primary cause of non-compliance overlooks the broader demographic trends revealed by the survey data. Rather than attributing neglect of garment-wearing solely to gender, it is essential to consider the complex interplay of generational attitudes and cultural shifts within the LDS community.
Ultimately, the temple garment serves as a visible symbol of religious devotion and commitment for Latter-day Saints. The church’s efforts to reaffirm its significance through revised language in temple recommend interviews reflect its ongoing commitment to preserving religious traditions and practices among its members, particularly younger generations.
Re-reported from the article originally published in Religion News Service.
