# Does Mitt Romney wear \[temple garments\]? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 3, 2011, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mitt-romney-wear-temple-garments/591359 "2011-08-03T19:47:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mitt-romney-wear-temple-garments/591359/1 "2011-08-03T19:47:15Z")
Factual question: does Mitt Romney wear the [temple garments](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_underwear) associated with the Mormon faith? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mitt-romney-wear-temple-garments/591359/2 "2011-08-03T19:50:33Z")
[Mod note] **Machine Elf** , religious jabs are not allowed in GQ. I have edited the title accordingly. No warning issued. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mitt-romney-wear-temple-garments/591359/3 "2011-08-03T19:54:12Z")
Almost certainly yes. So do Harry Reid, Orrin Hatch, Gov. Huntsman, etc. ETA: You used to be able to tell for sure because of the distinctive scoop neck that was often visible under a translucent white dress shirt. However, now there are several styles and the scoop-neck is no longer the only choice. ---
**Author:** ![SeldomSeen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@SeldomSeen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeldomSeen)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mitt-romney-wear-temple-garments/591359/4 "2011-08-03T22:08:29Z")
Well, this certainly trumps the “[boxers or briefs](http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1963569_1963568_1963528,00.html)” question for presidential candidates… ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mitt-romney-wear-temple-garments/591359/5 "2011-08-03T22:14:17Z")
> [@SeldomSeen](#): > > Well, this certainly trumps the “[boxers or briefs](http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1963569_1963568_1963528,00.html)” question for presidential candidates… If the Republican nomination comes down to Huntsman and Romney, you could ask what style of garments they wear, as well as which fabric. The many varieties they come in include: one-piece and two-piece, scoop-neck or regular t-shirt, boxer-brief or boxer. The fabric ranges from cotton, cotton/poly, to a light mesh-type thing for hotter climates. There is also olive colored for certain active duty U.S. service members. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mitt-romney-wear-temple-garments/591359/6 "2011-08-03T22:15:44Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > Almost certainly yes. So do Harry Reid, Orrin Hatch, Gov. Huntsman, etc. Apparently Jon Huntsman Jr. is now openly claiming to be semi-inactive in the LDS Church at this point in his life (pissing off a lot of faithful, active Mormons, while not placating any of the rabidly anti-Mormon Republican voters who might be out there) so I wouldn’t bet the farm on it. ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mitt-romney-wear-temple-garments/591359/7 "2011-08-03T22:25:06Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > Apparently Jon Huntsman Jr. is now openly claiming to be semi-inactive in the LDS Church at this point in his life (pissing off a lot of faithful, active Mormons, while not placating any of the rabidly anti-Mormon Republican voters who might be out there) so I wouldn’t bet the farm on it. Huh, [you are right](http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=960&sid=15513461). I didn’t realize this, although the cynical side of me finds his squirrely answers and timing to be highly suspicious. It’s awfully convenient to lose your Mormon bona fides after stepping down as governor and before shilling yourself to hardcore southern evangelicals. This might complicate his Mormon fundraising, but the lack of definite answers leaves plenty of room for faithful Mormons to read between the lines. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mitt-romney-wear-temple-garments/591359/8 "2011-08-03T22:30:16Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > This might complicate his Mormon fundraising, but the lack of definite answers leaves plenty of room for faithful Mormons to read between the lines. Many hardcore, faithful Mormons around here are pissed off at Jon Huntsman’s pathetic attempt at distancing himself from the flock, and are putting all of their eggs in Righteous Romney’s basket. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mitt-romney-wear-temple-garments/591359/9 "2011-08-04T12:24:59Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > [Mod note] > > **Machine Elf** , religious jabs are not allowed in GQ. I have edited the title accordingly. No warning issued. > > Colibri > General Questions Moderator Sorry. Done for comedic effect, but I can see how some might be offended; I will toe the line in the future. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mitt-romney-wear-temple-garments/591359/10 "2011-08-04T13:00:05Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > Huh, [you are right](http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=960&sid=15513461). I didn’t realize this, although the cynical side of me finds his squirrely answers and timing to be highly suspicious. It’s awfully convenient to lose your Mormon bona fides after stepping down as governor and before shilling yourself to hardcore southern evangelicals. This might complicate his Mormon fundraising, but the lack of definite answers leaves plenty of room for faithful Mormons to read between the lines. Maybe the timing is not political. Maybe Huntsman saw “The Book of Mormon” on Broadway and that made him pause to rethink things. Just a thought. Back to the OP. It used to be that you could spot the “garments” by the band-aid flaps over the nipples. Are those still in use and obvious? ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mitt-romney-wear-temple-garments/591359/11 "2011-08-04T14:12:23Z")
> [@R.P.McMurphy](#): > > Back to the OP. It used to be that you could spot the “garments” by the band-aid flaps over the nipples. Are those still in use and obvious? Presumably as with necklines and fabrics the garments have also evolved to take care of this characteristic. Or we can expect the candidate to be wearing very heavily starched shirts. [Y’know, I would have imagined that most candidates’ image consultants would advise on a manner of dress that minimizes visibility of nipples, evidence of right or left dangle (for the gentlemen), or VPL or cameltoe (for the ladies), whatever the candidate’s faith.] ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mitt-romney-wear-temple-garments/591359/12 "2011-08-04T15:01:26Z")
> [@R.P.McMurphy](#): > > Back to the OP. It used to be that you could spot the “garments” by the band-aid flaps over the nipples. Are those still in use and obvious? Huh? Band-aid flaps? What are you talking about? I’ve seen a lot of garments in my time and I have no idea what you’re talking about. There is a right-angle mark and a V over the respective nipples, but no flaps. The marks are slightly raised, but rarely visible unless you are wearing the thinnest of thin dress shirts. Growing up, the way to spot who was wearing their garments was the “celestial smile” which was just the scoop neck that I mentioned earlier. Supposedly, some freshmen at BYU (who wouldn’t yet be old enough to wear garments) would buy regular scoop neck undershirts to deceive women into thinking that they were older than they were. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mitt-romney-wear-temple-garments/591359/13 "2011-08-04T17:25:10Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > Huh? Band-aid flaps? What are you talking about? I’ve seen a lot of garments in my time and I have no idea what you’re talking about. There is a right-angle mark and a V over the respective nipples, but no flaps. The marks are slightly raised, but rarely visible unless you are wearing the thinnest of thin dress shirts. I have no idea what they are. It used to be that you could spot Mormon men because, when they were wearing a dress shirt it looked like they had a band-aid or something over their nipples. Seemed weird to me. If there’s a name for them tell me what the proper term is then ignorance will have been fought and I won’t call them band-aid flaps. If you are aware of a “right-angle mark and a V over the respective nipples” then you know exactly what I’m talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mitt-romney-wear-temple-garments/591359/14 "2011-08-04T18:08:25Z")
> [@R.P.McMurphy](#): > > I have no idea what they are. It used to be that you could spot Mormon men because, when they were wearing a dress shirt it looked like they had a band-aid or something over their nipples. Seemed weird to me. If there’s a name for them tell me what the proper term is then ignorance will have been fought and I won’t call them band-aid flaps. > > If you are aware of a “right-angle mark and a V over the respective nipples” then you know exactly what I’m talking about. I’ve purchased and worn Mormon garments. I wish I’d kept some just so I could post a pic every time this topic comes up. Seriously, there is no flap or band-aid, or anything like that. There is a raised right-angle mark (sewn out of thread) about 2 cm by 2 cm over the right nipple. There is a V, again, 2 cm by 2 cm, over the left nipple. There is a horizontal 2 cm mark over the naval. There is a 2 cm long horizontal mark over the right knee. Full stop. That’s it. Other than that, it’s just normal-ish underwear (although the one-piece version looks pretty odd for 2011). The wiki [picture of the garments](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_garment) is kind of worthless because you can’t see the detail of the marks. ---
**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mitt-romney-wear-temple-garments/591359/15 "2011-08-04T20:57:34Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > I’ve purchased and worn Mormon garments. I wish I’d kept some just so I could post a pic every time this topic comes up. Seriously, there is no flap or band-aid, or anything like that. There is a raised right-angle mark (sewn out of thread) about 2 cm by 2 cm over the right nipple. There is a V, again, 2 cm by 2 cm, over the left nipple. There is a horizontal 2 cm mark over the naval. There is a 2 cm long horizontal mark over the right knee. Full stop. That’s it. The symbols sewn into the nipple area of the garments **must** be what **R. P. McMurphy** was seeing. Unless all the Mormon men he used to know were long-distance runners … The symbols are meant to be a square and compass, IIRC, and are supposed to remind the wearer of things learned in the temple. There is another mark over the navel and another over one knee. The knee mark, for instance, symbolizes that “every knee shall bow,” and every tongue confess, that Jesus is the savior. ---
**Author:** ![kaltkalt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bb73d2/32.png) [@kaltkalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaltkalt)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mitt-romney-wear-temple-garments/591359/16 "2011-08-05T01:20:56Z")
_shudder_ so creepy. ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mitt-romney-wear-temple-garments/591359/17 "2011-08-05T06:04:06Z")
Growing up in southeastern Idaho I could spot garments a mile away just by the cut of the neck scoop. When I took my wife on a tour of my old stomping grounds she was amazed (and didn’t believe me at first) that I could spot garments on men driving past us in the oncoming lane of traffic. She also made me visit the Mormon Temple Visitor’s Center in my home town. Somehow, I survived. To answer the OP’s question, though: if Romney was married in the temple and is a practicing Mormon, it is almost certain that he wears them. ---
**Author:** ![Shmendrik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shmendrik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shmendrik)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mitt-romney-wear-temple-garments/591359/18 "2011-08-05T13:12:01Z")
> [@kaltkalt](#): > > _shudder_ > > so creepy. What is?