Why Lds Members Are Swamping Stores: Inside the Historic Rush for New Sacred Garments
By Maya Lin-Takahashi
On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, the online store run by church distribution services buckled under peak server loads. Users attempting to purchase the new tops, priced accessibly at roughly $5 each, saw browser screens freeze during checkout. The sudden run on inventory caused order queues to stretch into early 2026, catching logistical planners unprepared.
Physical locations did not fare much better. Outside Deseret Book retail stores and dedicated distribution hubs from Rexburg to Salt Lake City, lines snaked through parking corridors before opening hours. Store managers instituted strict per-person purchase limits, restricting buyers to two or three tops each. Shelves cleared out within forty-five minutes.
The immediate supply shortage quickly spilled onto secondary marketplaces. Within weeks of the late-October release, unendowed curiosity seekers and frustrated church members began noticing third-party resales on unregulated web platforms. Independent reporting from outlets like Fortune and The Sun documented marked-up listings on eBay and Poshmark, where opportunistic sellers listed the $5 church items for upwards of $40 to $70. This gray market sparked outrage among members who view the items as sacred religious articles rather than retail commodities.
Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.
