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SpencerMarsh (talk | contribs) (→Specific Questions about Modesty in Dress from Women) |
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Later I noticed her playing with her favorite toy – a Barbie doll. The doll's wardrobe included many immodest articles of clothing, including a bikini bathing suit. Following the promptings of the Spirit, I sat down with my daughter and sorted her doll's wardrobe. She helped to decide which items were modest and those which were not. We discarded the immodest clothing and now her Barbie dresses modestly too. We must be more aware of where our children find their role models. It may be in the toy box.<ref>"[https://www.thechurchnews.com/archives/1996-01-20/how-to-help-young-people-want-to-dress-modestly-and-with-dignity-134791 How to help young people want to dress modestly and with dignity]," ''Church News'', January 20, 1996.</ref></blockquote> | Later I noticed her playing with her favorite toy – a Barbie doll. The doll's wardrobe included many immodest articles of clothing, including a bikini bathing suit. Following the promptings of the Spirit, I sat down with my daughter and sorted her doll's wardrobe. She helped to decide which items were modest and those which were not. We discarded the immodest clothing and now her Barbie dresses modestly too. We must be more aware of where our children find their role models. It may be in the toy box.<ref>"[https://www.thechurchnews.com/archives/1996-01-20/how-to-help-young-people-want-to-dress-modestly-and-with-dignity-134791 How to help young people want to dress modestly and with dignity]," ''Church News'', January 20, 1996.</ref></blockquote> | ||
− | So besides this, there have been no explicit mentions of bikinis in General Conference or other published writings of Church leaders. That said, there's still a question about why this attitude prevails so strongly among many members of the Church. The answer to that question probably comes from the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet and its comments about modesty and how modesty prepares us to wear the temple garment in the future. | + | :So besides this, there have been no explicit mentions of bikinis in General Conference or other published writings of Church leaders. That said, there's still a question about why this attitude prevails so strongly among many members of the Church. The answer to that question probably comes from the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet and its comments about modesty and how modesty prepares us to wear the temple garment in the future. |
− | :The pamphlet states that "[y]our dress and appearance now will help you prepare for the time when you will go to the | + | :The pamphlet states that "[y]our dress and appearance now will help you prepare for the time when you will go to the temple to make sacred covenants with God. Ask yourself, 'Would I feel comfortable with my appearance if I were in the Lord’s presence?'”<ref>''For the Strength of Youth'', 8.</ref> |
− | temple to make sacred covenants with God. Ask yourself, 'Would I feel comfortable with my appearance if I were in the Lord’s presence?'”<ref>''For the Strength of Youth'', 8.</ref> | ||
====Are Church Standards About Modesty in Dress Sexist?==== | ====Are Church Standards About Modesty in Dress Sexist?==== |
This page is still under construction. We welcome any suggestions for improving the content of this FAIR Answers Wiki page. |
Questions about the Church’s standard of modesty have arisen in recent years. This article seeks to be an exposition of everything we should know about modesty and the reasons for practicing it as well as a response to certain criticisms that have arisen about it.
It will first be important to define what modesty is. The Church defines modesty on their website as "an attitude of propriety and decency in dress, grooming, language, and behavior. If we are modest, we do not draw undue attention to ourselves. Instead, we seek to “glorify God in [our] body, and in [our] spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:20; see also 1 Corinthians 6:19)." This definition is echoed True to the Faith: the doctrinal reference for all Church members approved by the First Presidency.[1]
Two important things jump out at us as we examine this definition of modesty:
This definition is important for our discussion moving forward. We're going to turn our attention specifically to modesty in dress, but that should not be taken as an indication that the author believes that modesty in dress is all there is to modesty. The author will also discuss complaints from women about the Church's standards of modesty. But that should not be taken as indication that the author means to single them out in discussion of modesty.
The scriptures are the law to govern the behavior and beliefs of the whole Church.[2] The scriptures include injunctions for modesty in dress that are more direct and some that are more indirect.
Book of Mormon prophets see "costly apparel" very negatively—always framing it as a manifestation of pride.[3] In contrast to costly apparel, the prophet Alma looks positively on those that dress and groom themselves in a way that is "neat and comely."[4] The author of Timothy directs women to "adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided [meaning "braided"] hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; [b]ut (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works."[5] A nearly identical injunction is found in 1 Peter 3:3-4.[6] A revelation given to Joseph Smith in 1831 known as "The Law" commands members to "let all [their] garments be plain, and [the garments'] beauty the work of [their] own hands[.]"[7] A revelation given to Joseph Smith in 1830 told missionaries to “[cry] repentance, saying: Save yourselves from this untoward generation, and come forth out of the fire, hating even the garments spotted with the flesh.”[8] That revelation echoes the words of Jude who similarly argues that evangelists should "others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."[9]
Other scriptural injunctions that support practicing the virtue of modesty in dress include being a peculiar people so as to encourage interest in the Church and thus success in missionary work,[10] keeping unspotted from the world,[11] abstaining from all appearance of evil,[12] practicing meekness/lowliness of heart/easiness to be entreated before the prophets who have asked us to practice modesty,[13] following the commandment to receive all the words and commandments of the prophet as if from the mouth of God in all patience and faith,[14] and being anxiously engaged in a good cause without God compelling you to do something by explicit revelation.[15]
The scriptures also contain a constellation of words that give us injunctions—some more direct and others more indirect—to practice modesty in dress but also in other facets of life such as grooming, language, and behavior mentioned above. These words (including their derivatives) include those such as "humility," "temperateness," "lasciviousness," "lewdness,” and “sobriety.” Modesty falls under the definition of these words or otherwise overlaps significantly with it. We are obligated to follow those injunctions to practice these virtues. An exhaustive concordance of these words will be placed in the appendix to this article.
So why should we be modest? What are the principles behind it? Let's review the main principles.
True to the Faith, approved by top general leaders of the Church and intended for a general audience, defines modesty in dress this way:
Prophets have always counseled us to dress modestly. This counsel is founded on the truth that the human body is God’s sacred creation. Respect your body as a gift from God. Through your dress and appearance, you can show the Lord that you know how precious your body is. Your clothing expresses who you are. It sends messages about you, and it influences the way you and others act. When you are well groomed and modestly dressed, you can invite the companionship of the Spirit and exercise a good influence on those around you. Central to the command to be modest is an understanding of the sacred power of procreation, the ability to bring children into the world. This power is to be used only between husband and wife. Revealing and sexually suggestive clothing, which includes short shorts and skirts, tight clothing, and shirts that do not cover the stomach, can stimulate desires and actions that violate the Lord’s law of chastity. In addition to avoiding clothing that is revealing, you should avoid extremes in clothing, appearance, and hairstyle. In dress, grooming, and manners, always be neat and clean, never sloppy or inappropriately casual. Do not disfigure yourself with tattoos or body piercings. If you are a woman and you desire to have your ears pierced, wear only one pair of modest earrings. Maintain high standards of modesty for all occasions. Do not lower your standards to draw attention to your body or to seek approval from others. True disciples of Jesus Christ maintain the Lord’s standard regardless of current fashions or pressure from others.[16]
This standard focuses more on behavior rather than the principles behind modesty. But this behavior does prepare one to wear the temple garment in the future. The garment is designed to be covered by clothing that is consistent with standards listed here in the pamphlet. Indeed, as the pamphlet itself teaches, "[y]our dress and appearance now will help you prepare for the time when you will go to the temple to make sacred covenants with God."[17]
In recent years there has been much discussion among women about modesty in dress as it pertains to certain items of clothing.
It is important to stress the concept of modesty with children at a young age.They may notice that they are dressing differently than their friends. My 6-year-old daughter wanted to know why she could not wear a bikini bathing suit like her friend. I reviewed with her the reasons for being modest.
Later I noticed her playing with her favorite toy – a Barbie doll. The doll's wardrobe included many immodest articles of clothing, including a bikini bathing suit. Following the promptings of the Spirit, I sat down with my daughter and sorted her doll's wardrobe. She helped to decide which items were modest and those which were not. We discarded the immodest clothing and now her Barbie dresses modestly too. We must be more aware of where our children find their role models. It may be in the toy box.[19]
Some criticism has arisen against specifically the Church's standards of modesty in dress outlined in recent, official Church publications.
[Discussion:
[Discussion:
Notes
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