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Difference between revisions of "Question: What does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teach about modesty and what is its importance?"
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SpencerMarsh (talk | contribs) (→Question: What does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teach about modesty and what is its importance?) |
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The scriptures include injunctions for modesty in dress that are more direct and some that are more indirect. | 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.<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/1.6,27,32?lang=eng&clang=eng#p6,27,32 Alma 1:6, 27, 32]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/4.6?lang=eng&clang=eng#p6 4:6]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.53?lang=eng&clang=eng#p53 5:53]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/31.28?lang=eng&clang=eng#p28 31:28]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/hel/13.28?lang=eng&clang=eng#p28 Helaman 13:28]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/4-ne/1.24?lang=eng&clang=eng#p24 4 Nephi 1:24]</ref> 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."<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/1.27?lang=eng&clang=eng#p27 Alma 1:27]</ref> 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."<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/1-tim/2.9?lang=eng 1 Timothy 2:9]. The author says "the author" of Timothy because modern biblical scholarship is united in affirming that Paul did not write Timothy. See Raymond F. Collins, ''1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: A Commentary'' (Nashville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004), 4.</ref> A nearly identical injunction is found in 1 Peter 3:3-4.<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/1-pet/3.3-4?lang=eng#p3 1 Peter 3:3-4]</ref> 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[.]"<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/42.40?lang=eng Doctrine and Covenants 42:40]</ref> 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.”<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/36.6 Doctrine and Covenants 36:6]</ref> 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."<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/jude/1.23?lang=eng Jude 1:23]</ref> | + | Book of Mormon prophets see "costly apparel" very negatively—always framing it as a manifestation of pride.<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/1.6,27,32?lang=eng&clang=eng#p6,27,32 Alma 1:6, 27, 32]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/4.6?lang=eng&clang=eng#p6 4:6]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/5.53?lang=eng&clang=eng#p53 5:53]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/31.28?lang=eng&clang=eng#p28 31:28]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/hel/13.28?lang=eng&clang=eng#p28 Helaman 13:28]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/4-ne/1.24?lang=eng&clang=eng#p24 4 Nephi 1:24]</ref> 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."<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/1.27?lang=eng&clang=eng#p27 Alma 1:27]</ref> 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."<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/1-tim/2.9?lang=eng 1 Timothy 2:9]. The author says "the author" of Timothy because modern biblical scholarship is united in affirming that Paul did not write Timothy. See Raymond F. Collins, ''1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: A Commentary'' (Nashville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004), 4.</ref> A nearly identical injunction is found in 1 Peter 3:3-4.<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/1-pet/3.3-4?lang=eng#p3 1 Peter 3:3-4]</ref> 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[.]"<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/42.40?lang=eng Doctrine and Covenants 42:40]</ref> 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.”<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/36.6 Doctrine and Covenants 36:6]</ref> 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."<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/jude/1.23?lang=eng Jude 1:23]</ref> The Pauline epistles contain |
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,<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/deut/14.2?lang=eng&clang=eng#p2 Deuteronomy 14:2]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/deut/26.18?lang=eng&clang=eng#p2 26:18]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ps/135.4?lang=eng Psalms 135:4]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/titus/2.14?lang=eng Titus 2:14]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/1-pet/2.9?lang=eng 1 Peter 2:9]</ref> keeping unspotted from the world,<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/james/1.27?lang=eng James 1:27]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/59.9?lang=eng Doctrine and Covenants 59:9]</ref> abstaining from all appearance of evil,<ref>[https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/1-thes/5.22?lang=eng&clang=eng#p22 1 Thessalonians 5:22]</ref> practicing meekness/lowliness of heart/easiness to be entreated before the prophets who have asked us to practice modesty,<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/moro/7.44?lang=eng Moroni 7:44]</ref> 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,<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/21.4-5?lang=eng&clang=eng#p27 Doctrine and Covenants 21:4–5]</ref> and being anxiously engaged in a good cause without God compelling you to do something by explicit revelation.<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/58.27-29?lang=eng&clang=eng#p27 Doctrine and Covenants 58:27–29]</ref> | 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,<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/deut/14.2?lang=eng&clang=eng#p2 Deuteronomy 14:2]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/deut/26.18?lang=eng&clang=eng#p2 26:18]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ps/135.4?lang=eng Psalms 135:4]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/titus/2.14?lang=eng Titus 2:14]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/1-pet/2.9?lang=eng 1 Peter 2:9]</ref> keeping unspotted from the world,<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/james/1.27?lang=eng James 1:27]; [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/59.9?lang=eng Doctrine and Covenants 59:9]</ref> abstaining from all appearance of evil,<ref>[https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/1-thes/5.22?lang=eng&clang=eng#p22 1 Thessalonians 5:22]</ref> practicing meekness/lowliness of heart/easiness to be entreated before the prophets who have asked us to practice modesty,<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/moro/7.44?lang=eng Moroni 7:44]</ref> 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,<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/21.4-5?lang=eng&clang=eng#p27 Doctrine and Covenants 21:4–5]</ref> and being anxiously engaged in a good cause without God compelling you to do something by explicit revelation.<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/58.27-29?lang=eng&clang=eng#p27 Doctrine and Covenants 58:27–29]</ref> | ||
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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, other published writings of Church leaders, or other Church publications. 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 current 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, other published writings of Church leaders, or other Church publications. 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 current ''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 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> Similarly, on the Church's website in a discussion about temple garments, it is stated that "[i]n our day the garment encourages modesty[.]"<ref>"Garments," The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, accessed March 13, 2022, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/garments?lang=eng.</ref> So the garment, in the thought of the Church, seems to have a role in indicating what parts of the body must be covered in order to meet a more specific/objective standard of modesty in how we dress. | :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> Similarly, on the Church's website in a discussion about temple garments, it is stated that "[i]n our day the garment encourages modesty[.]"<ref>"Garments," The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, accessed March 13, 2022, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/garments?lang=eng.</ref> So the garment, in the thought of the Church, seems to have a role in indicating what parts of the body must be covered in order to meet a more specific/objective standard of modesty in how we dress. | ||
====Are Church Standards About Modesty in Dress Sexist?==== | ====Are Church Standards About Modesty in Dress Sexist?==== | ||
| − | Some criticism has arisen against specifically the Church's standards of modesty in dress outlined in recent, official Church publications. These critics argue that the Church's teachings about modesty in dress are sexist. It will be helpful to include discussion about this. | + | Some criticism has arisen against specifically the Church's standards of modesty in dress outlined in recent, official Church publications. These critics argue that the Church's teachings about modesty in dress are sexist. It will be helpful to include discussion about this. We have an article dedicated to exploring sexism philosophically that can be seen at the link below. We advise readers to read that and then return to this section. |
First we should talk about justice because sexism can be easily defined as injustice inflicted on the basis of sex. To know what is just or unjust, we should define it. We're going to consider a few different potential definitions of justice. It might be frustrating to worry this much about a definition of sexism, but we want to be dealing with the best definition of sexism to review the Church's standards and also to evaluate sexism in the future. We want to be sharp moral thinkers. | First we should talk about justice because sexism can be easily defined as injustice inflicted on the basis of sex. To know what is just or unjust, we should define it. We're going to consider a few different potential definitions of justice. It might be frustrating to worry this much about a definition of sexism, but we want to be dealing with the best definition of sexism to review the Church's standards and also to evaluate sexism in the future. We want to be sharp moral thinkers. | ||
Revision as of 19:45, 11 April 2022
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Question: What does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teach about modesty and what is its importance?
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Introduction to Question
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.
Notes