Close Topic Options

Mormon Doctrine: Nakedness

I am sure you were wondering what this thread was/is about? Our Branch President gave a talk today in which he made the statement (Not exact words)

"In the beginning man did not need clothes, only when they transgressed did the Lord see fit to make a grament for them"

He then went off on a tangent not realted to this thread, however, my mind began to dwell on what he said... Here is a case for analysis...

- Why was Adam and Eve in the Garden naked? Even if they were innocent, wouldn't they be naked to everyone else including Satan?

- Is nakedness natural then? Are robes and garments only for a show of authority?

Something to ponder, it may be nothing, but who knows...

Nakedness Doctrine Mormon

Interesting JB. Yes, Adam and Eve were naked in the Garden of Eden and it was the natural course of things. If you think about it, when a baby is born he doesn't born with socks and a hat or pants but naked. Nakedness is a natural thing in my opinion and every part of our bodies should be treated sacredly. In the temple we learn so much more about the meaning of 'nakedness'.

"And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons". (Genesis 3:7). If we analyze this scripture closely we will see that the key word here is that they knew that they were naked, they didn't think nakedness was something wrong, but they saw that nakedness was not necessarily appropiate all the time (modesty?).

Making a search about this topic I found an interesting insight:

"The "apron," or "girdle" worn by Adam and Eve was most likely a loincloth type covering (much like you see Tarzan wearing) made from leaves. As a loincloth style garment, it served as a "shield" against immodesty.

In addition to being a symbol of modesty, the girdle is also a symbol of righteousness to the Lord. "And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins." (Isaiah 11:5) The Lord has even commanded some to wear an apron, or girdle.

THUS saith the LORD unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water. So I got a girdle according to the word of the LORD, and put it on my loins. (Jeremiah 13:1-2)

Evidently, even the Lord wears a girdle apron (or will in the future) as part of His holy garments.

Besides being a symbol for modesty and righteousness for the Lord, there is yet another symbol for the girdle (apron). It has to do with Priesthood authority. The book of Exodus is very detailed about the dress of "holy garments" for those in authority, and the girdle was part of that.

"And they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen. And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work. It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together. And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen." (Exodus 28:4-8)

The apron, or girdle, is a symbol of righteousness to the Lord, and of Priesthood authority.

https://www.fairlds.org

Mormon Doctrine: Nakedness Studies Doctrine Mormon

Interesting topic. First, Adam & Eve were as little children when they were first created. They had no idea about needing to be clothed. My grandson thinks nothing of running around the house totally naked. In fact, he seems to enjoy it! In the summer months, when he comes out of the bath he loves to run away from me before he is dressed. So, yes, it was certainly the natural thing.

Now, as to why the Lord didn't clothe them, I don't know, but maybe it just wasn't necessary in their innocence to be clothed. What need for modesty is there if the people involved really don't understand things of a more mature perhaps sexual nature? What is the purpose of modesty? Doesn't it in the end have something to do with sexual messages and feelings? If not, then why is it o.k. for men to share a shower or use a urinal when other men are around. Same for women, it is acceptable for us to dress in a locker room at a health club for example with other women, but not with other men. At my health club it is o.k. for boys up to 5 to be in the women's dressing room. After 5 they must either go to the family dressing area or the men's dressing room. Why? Perhaps because at 3 my grandson is innocent, but at some point after 5 he will start to recognize that there are differences and his interest in those differences might not be appropriate.

Who, besides Satan, was there in the garden? I didn't realize there was anyone else. Only thing I can think of here is that Satan doesn't really have a mortal, physical body, so maybe that means he doesn't have those physical lusts either? If that were the case, it wouldn't matter if they were naked in front of him just like it doesn't matter to a child.

Edited: tenaheff on 13th Jan, 2004 - 9:23pm

Nakedness Doctrine Mormon

Tenaheff

All those who follow Satan. More than a billion I estimate. It is also interesting to note that the Garden was Terrestial, yet Satan was able to move through it.

JB

I would like to note the importance of coverings. They do seem to have special gestures, many of which I cannot discuss here. Maybe we should all plan a visit to the temple one day where we can be in the Celestial room and discuss all these things without restriction. Can you imagine?

Nakedness Doctrine Mormon

A visit together in the Temple would be awesome! I vote for the Boston Temple. It was the 100th Temple dedicated and is supposed to hold special significance for all the early Church leaders. Not to mention I live 40 minutes from it.

I didn't realize all those who followed were also in the Garden. Can I find that in the scriptures?

I think some of the importance of coverings which we learn of in the Temple, only becomes necessary and or relevant after the fall. Until the fall, there was no real growth of any kind, spiritually and intellectually. No procreation either, no sin (other than Satan), etc.

Edited: tenaheff on 13th Jan, 2004 - 9:57pm

Mormon Doctrine: Nakedness

I am using the sequence of events to give that answer.
1. Satan and followers cast out of heaven to earth.
2. Satan and followers look at their new dwelling place --> earth
3. Satan finds upon 'his' new world two beings --> Adam and Eve
4. Where are the rest of the spirits that followed Satan
I wish I could say more here, but not everything we learn comes just from the written scriptures (like the temple). Now how Satan was able to browse the Garden I am not sure, maybe it was by special permission. however Satan does take on a different tone when Adam and Eve are cast out of the Garden. I cannot say more less I be striked down.

Mormon Doctrine Nakedness

You know, online there is so many people with so many different opinions however I noticed that several folks seem to believe that in the next life we will all be naked and they compare it to Adam and Eve in the Garden (Because they were naked). What's the scriptural basis for this? Do you believe it?

Mormon Doctrine Nakedness Mormon Doctrine Studies

Name: Deseret
Country:

Comments: I never heard about it but thinking about it it makes sense. Adam and Eve were naked in the Garden of Eden however, we're not them and our understanding of things is different so I believe we will be wearing robes in the next life.