The Temple clothing is hardly common clothing for our day; frankly it’s a little weird. This is I believe intentional, because it leads to our asking questions, and ultimately receiving answers and knowing the great truths the symbols stand for. However most of us don’t ask why we wear a green apron when all the other clothing is white (yes this is ok people are buried every day in these cloths and can be seen by anyone at the viewing). Why there are 9 leaves and not 7 or 12, why they are fig leaves and not olive, why is the cap the men wear flat, why is the bow positioned where it is, why does it tie to the robe? Btw, I’m just getting started as to the possibilities. The moral of the story is ASK, again and again till you get the answers you seek. I challenge you to make a list of questions, which you can begin to ponder over and seek revelation.
When I go to the Temple from the way I lay the clothes out when I take them out of the small bag, to the speed at which I dress, reflects the deep personal meaning the clothing has come to take in my life. The way I fold my worn and dirty garments rather than toss them or wad them up in the hamper, shows how I feel about them. They aren’t underclothes, it is the Garment of the Holy Priesthood. Daily when I put on the garment I mentally renew my covenants rather than just get dressed. I’m not recommending that every one dress slowly in a busy session, just that you do it meaningfully.
If you haven’t any idea where to start, or how to figure these symbols out by having revealed to you what they mean, try harder then ask someone to point you in the right direction. Telling you what they mean is not helpful, if you don’t struggle to figure it out means less. Having someone to point you to the path can be helpful, and if you don’t have such a person send me an email, or post a reply to this or send me a Facebook message, or post something on the discussion board on Facebook. I’ll respond if you leave a way to contact you. You will find many people who are willing to give you a push start just ask specific questions so they can share what they might know. If I were curious about the meaning of the apron, I would ask questions like what does the color green mean to you? Can you think of any spiritual, or scriptural significance to the number 9? Most people will not give you any help, in spite of answering your question, just know you’ll throw away most of what other people tell you, and then ponder over their answers. I also wouldn’t say something like do you have any idea what the apron means? I prefer to be much more specific and not really divulge the reason for my question unless I’m asked why, it seems to skew the answers people give, although my evidence for this is purely anecdotal.
A note to the unendowed
If you begin to study the scriptures, struggling with the symbols, you can learn the pattern for understanding these symbols. You will catch on so much more quickly when the time comes for you to receive your endowment. Study the armor of God, since it is clothing, and even the clothing warn by the Priests, and High Priests in the Tabernacle in the wilderness from the book of Exodus. You will really get a jump-start, if you’re interested. The general symbol of Temple worship in our dispensation is similar to that of the Tabernacle, and the ordinances reflect much of the same symbolism, with different symbols, but, you can still learn a lot. In ages past it was only the Priests who saw the inner-workings of the Temple however since it was all in the scriptures, the people could know exactly what was going on, and receive the same benefits the Priests would have.
