The Power of Garments

[Mahone]

Originally Posted by OneEternalSonata

Could it be that the garment being protective physically isn't taught because the impossibility thereof, but the important knowledge is its spiritual attributes? Surely, the garment saving a life would be important, however, the simple act of wearing it doesn't grant even spiritual protection without faith. When we teach priests about the key of the ministering of angels we don't tell them every possibility this authority holds. Some may have sufficient faith and expedience to see the physical manifestation of angelic hosts, while others may not, even though they be encircled round about. Personal revelation can teach us doctrine that isn't mainstream, yet the exception doesn't refute the rule. Although, exceptions will never break eternal law as much as it may bend policy.

Until it is confirmed that it is doctrine of the church, stories like this are best kept out of lessons, talks, activities and anything else church related, otherwise it's exactly the same as spreading myths and rumours which is a dangerous practice.

As I said before, there has been no confirmation that this is doctrine other than stories popping up from members of the church here and there, who hold no official capacity within the church to claim it as doctrine.

Also as I said before, I do not claim to be able to disprove the potential for physical protection by divine intervention due to the wearing of the garments. However, there are hundreds of thousands of rumours spreading around the church, usually caused by some random members "personal revelation" which ends up getting so wide spread that a letter sometimes gets sent out by the first presidency refuting these rumours being church doctrine. We would all be much better off if we had a healthy sense of skepticism. At least it's better than being gullible. This applies to the church just as it does to the world.

[MormonMama]

I don't think OES was trying to state this as doctrine. I took it as they were simply throwing it out there as one possibility. And I agree with them. We have many examples of people being able to do great things with ordinary items or situations because of their faith. I don't think it is too far-fetched to apply that logic to the garments as well.

That certainly doesn't mean that faith will always protect us from the negative things in life. There are plenty of examples of that in scriptures and church history, too. But I don't think that there is anything dangerous about considering the possibility that faith can provide protection, regarding the garments or otherwise, because we know it CAN and many times HAS.

[OneEternalSonata]

I actually agree, Mahone. Personal revelation should stay exactly that, personal. While I won't say I believe or disbelieve this particular incident, I think we should always remember that inference without confirmation by the Spirit can be very misleading.

[Soul_Searcher]

Originally Posted by Hemidakota

To answer the question, what was said in the temple 'washing and anointing'?

I do not disbelieve anyone who believes their temple garments are not only spiritual protection but added physical protection. There are too many accounts in different wars where garments had a major play in protecting the righteous Saints.

In which case, how do you explain people who have not been protected by them? Did they not deserve it?

[MormonMama]

There could be many reasons why someone is or isn't protected by the garments (or by their faith, as the case may be).

Job was a righteous man, yet look what God allowed to happen to him.

We are commanded to "be fruitful and multiply". Does that mean that infertile couples are somehow being punished by God?

Why do some people experience a miraculous healing when they are being prayed for, whether they know they're being prayed for or not, but other people don't?

For that matter, how come some people with cancer have it go into remission and stay there, while others with the same cancer aren't so lucky?

Who can answer these questions? I don't think questions like these can ever be answered with complete certainty in this life, and I feel the same way regarding questions about whether the garments can provide physical protection or not.