Comments on: Coats of Skins

By: kris

kris — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Steve, very nice post. I love the idea that our garments will “protect” us from the barbs and weariness that we face in our daily lives, not just sensational dramatic events like fire, car accidents, etc. (as alluded to by Willard Mariott in the 60 Minutes special several years ago.)

By: Steve Evans

Steve Evans — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I must admit Kris that I don’t know what to do with miraculous garment stories. Of course I won’t try to debate their veracity, but on the other hand is the shield of the garment a physical one? Is that where the priority should be? I don’t think so. Instead, I think about Heavenly Father outfitting us for the world.

By: kris

kris — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I agree. While I’m sure that such miracles are possible, I think focusing on the daily protection of the garment is more beneficial for all of us.

By: Rusty

Rusty — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I love this post, Steve. I, as well, have always felt uncomfortable with the idea that they offered physical protection or were magical in some way.

I once learned an incredibly profound insight about the garment: We understand that the word “Atonement” means to cover (covering our sins). Lucifer gave Adam and Eve fig leaves to cover themselves (a false atonement). Christ made coats of skin which required the shedding of blood, a first for the Garden of Eden (a true, lasting Atonement). The garment (the Atonement) protects us from the elements (sin). It’s a constant reminder of Christ’s sacrifice.

By: Jonathan Max Wilson

Jonathan Max Wilson — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Wow, Rusty. Great Comment. You beat me to the punch. I just put up a post on that very topic, inspired by Steve’s post, over at the M*.

By: Steve Evans

Steve Evans — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Thanks Rusty — I like that symbolism as well. A part of me wonders about how those first clothes were made, and what they really mean. Sometimes I think about them the way a parent would put their child in a raincoat before sending them off to school.

By: Miranda PJ

Miranda PJ — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The full name of our “temple garment” is “The Garment of the Holy Priesthood.” Why do women receive them in a ceremony which includes no visible display of priesthood authority? And I’m not asking about the practical reasons for excluding men from the women’s locker room.

By: Steve Evans

Steve Evans — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Miranda, I sense that you’re trying to draw some important gender lines here, but that’s a bit of a threadjack, don’t you think?

By: danithew

danithew — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Rusty, you must have heard the highcouncilman talk we had a month or two ago. It was incredible. It was also unusual because he had the word “naked” written on a large piece of paper and held it up for everyone to see. That’s the kind of thing that keeps everyone in sacrament meeting awake. He also spoke of the atonement as a real authentic covering.

It had never occurred to me previous to that, that Satan was being mean-spirited in telling them to make clothes out of fig leaves. What kind of instruction is that to give someone? Clearly he was setting them up to fail and to embarass themselves.

By: Miranda PJ

Miranda PJ — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Steve, You can’t very well start a conversation about underwear and then pretend to be surprised when gender issues come up. And besides, you’re being condescending.