Sisters: Latter-Day Voices
Hi! We are sisters, Candice and Clare, and we are active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who are looking forward to connecting with like-minded people about how to strengthen our testimonies of Jesus Christ and follow Him better.
We do not claim to be scholars or perfect members and Latter-Day Voices acknowledges that not every journey looks the same. By having honest conversations about our trials and triumphs, sharing and learning from life experiences, we can hopefully find the joy in this journey of life. This podcast is a place for connection, understanding, and strengthening faith through our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Sisters: Latter-Day Voices
Why I wear my Garments
In this week's mini-episode, Candice shares her reasons for wearing temple garments as a covenant-keeping member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She offers compassion and understanding for differing choices while expressing the spiritual strength and blessings she receives through this sacred practice. Drawing from scripture, personal experience, and teachings from Elder Bednar and Emily Belle Freeman, this episode is a reminder of the quiet power found in honoring covenants—even when it’s not easy.
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This podcast episode may include brief quotes from external sources, used in a positive and respectful manner for discussion, education, and commentary. These references fall under fair use as they are not used for commercial gain, do not replace the original works, and are presented with proper context and attribution.
The views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and those of our guests. They do not necessarily reflect the official doctrine, beliefs, or positions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Shownotes (clickable links)
Elder Bednar 2022 Put on Thy Strenth, O Zion
Emily Bell Freeman Walking in Covenant Relationship with Christ
Hi. Welcome to the Sisters Latter-day Voices podcast.
During the summer, we’re going to be doing mini episodes, and then starting in the fall, we’ll go back to alternating: one week will be a mini episode or a full-length episode with just Riss and me, and the next week we’ll have an interview with a guest.
Today, I want to talk about why I wear my garments.
It seems to be an increasing trend among some women in our religion to not wear their garments regularly. I just want to give my two cents on why I do wear mine.
But first, I want to be really clear—I’m not judging those women for not wearing theirs. I’m not judging anyone. I even understand the pull to wear cute, fun things—especially when it’s hot outside. At least for me, it can be a challenge to wear modest clothes when it’s super hot.
People are allowed to make their own choices, and no one needs unsolicited judgment. So again, this isn’t to put anyone to shame. I just want to explain why—for me—it’s worth it. It’s worth it to wear my garments, even when it’s 100 degrees and it would be so much easier and more fun to wear a breezy summer dress.
I think the blessings are valuable—and they’re worth it.
The main reason I wear my garments every day is because I truly believe they’re a blessing in my life. I believe they offer protection—not just physical protection, but spiritual protection.
That doesn’t mean that if I wear my garments I’ll be protected from all harm. But I do believe that I’ll receive blessings in some way. Maybe some are seen, maybe some are unseen. I don’t think we’re always aware of the blessings we receive, but I believe that any time we make covenants with God and keep them, we are blessed.
We face a lot of trials in our day, and many of those are spiritual. Some are physical, sure—but I think more often they’re spiritual. And I believe wearing garments offers a spiritual protection that’s incredibly valuable to me.
I have a few friends who’ve lost their testimonies of the gospel, and I think choosing to stop wearing garments can be one of the first steps down that path. Not because garments are magic, but because choosing not to wear them can start to distance us from the temple.
I think it’s a mistake to believe that not wearing garments is a small thing. When we choose not to wear them, we’re not only forgoing the blessings tied to them—we’re also often choosing not to go to the temple, and missing out on all of those blessings too. Wearing the garment is a prerequisite to temple attendance.
I wear my garments because they remind me of my commitment to follow Jesus Christ.
Going to the temple brings blessings. Our grandpa was a sealer in the Jordan River Temple, and he would always say, “When you go to the temple, the blessings follow you home.” I absolutely believe that’s true in my life. Every time I go to the temple, I feel a difference.
I can’t speak for anyone else—but man, do I need those blessings.
In the October 2022 General Conference, Elder Bednar gave a great talk that speaks to the importance of the temple and of wearing garments. He reviewed a parable from Matthew, where Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a wedding a king held for his son. The invited guests didn’t come, so the king sent servants out into the highways and invited everyone.
The people who came were given wedding garments. Elder Bednar explained that this was customary at the time, because people wouldn’t have had time to prepare or buy special clothes. So the king offered a garment, most likely a robe, to everyone.
But then the parable mentions one guest who wasn’t wearing the wedding garment—not because they didn’t have one, but because they chose not to wear it. The king asks, “How did you come in here not wearing the garment?”
One thing I love about the temple is that, because everyone wears the same clothing, there are no markers of wealth. No one is fancier or shabbier than anyone else. We are all equal in God’s eyes—and that’s so clear in the temple.
Everyone who is worthy is welcome in the temple. Anyone who wants to come can, if they are worthy and have taken the proper steps. There aren’t just a few “special” people who are called. All are called—but few are chosen. And the ones who are chosen are the ones who choose to come.
A couple quick thoughts from the scriptures:
In Genesis 35, Jacob was taking his family back to Bethel—which means “House of God.” It says they buried their idols and put on clean garments. Later, it talks about how Jacob received a new name, was anointed, and recommitted himself to the Lord.
In the book of Moses, Satan tells Adam and Eve to make fig leaves for themselves when they realize they’re naked. Later, God makes coats of skins to cover them. These coats likely came from an animal sacrifice, which was symbolic of Christ’s sacrifice. Those coverings, made from skins, were symbolic of how our Savior covers our sins.
Just some things to think about.
In Elder Bednar’s talk, he encourages us to sincerely evaluate our lives—both in temporal and spiritual matters. He said we should prayerfully identify anything that might be blocking us from receiving the blessings God wants to give us.
He said, quote:
“Surely the Holy Ghost will help us to see ourselves as we really are. As we appropriately seek for the spiritual gift of eyes to see and ears to hear, I promise that we will be blessed with the capacity and judgment to strengthen our covenant relationship with the living Lord. We also will receive the power of godliness in our lives, and ultimately we will be both called and chosen for the Lord’s feast.” End quote.
Another great talk on this topic was by Emily Belle Freeman. She spoke in conference a couple of years ago and gave a talk titled Walking in Covenant Relationship with Christ.
Some of you might remember the story she shared about traveling to Israel to walk the Jesus Trail, which is believed to be the path Jesus took from Nazareth to Capernaum.
One month before her trip, she broke her ankle. But she still went. When she got there, the guide didn’t think she could do it with a broken ankle. Her response was, quote:
“Maybe not. But there’s nothing that prevents me from trying.” End quote.
Later, the guide tied a rope to her scooter and helped her through the rest of the trail. She expressed deep gratitude for that guide who helped her do something she couldn’t have done on her own.
She compared that to the Savior helping us on our own journey. I love this quote from her:
“No matter the heaviness of our story or the current course of our path, He will invite us to walk with Him.” End quote.
For me, I know that if I allow God to help me on my path—no matter what I’m facing—life doesn’t have to be so overwhelming. I don’t need to do it alone, and I’m so grateful for that.
In Isaiah, it says: “Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion.”
For me, I absolutely believe that wearing my garments strengthens me. Life can be really hard, and I want all the help I can get to face the challenges ahead.
It also just reminds me of my relationship with God.
I’m sorry it’s just me today. Riss was having microphone problems, so we decided I would record this one on my own.
I’ll end with a scripture from Doctrine and Covenants:
“For Zion must increase in beauty and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened. Yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments.”
I’m thankful for any of the tools and helps God gives me to draw closer to Him—and I believe garments are one of those tools.
That’s just how I feel about it. I hope you guys are doing well, and as always, I hope you know that God loves you.
Until next time.