tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post1735587896379165553..comments2023-03-27T04:59:07.801-06:00Comments on My Soul Delighteth: Of Action Groups and Sunday PantsBeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667724269493668949noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-14109864068366505132012-12-20T22:54:15.543-07:002012-12-20T22:54:15.543-07:00This was really well written Becca! Wow! Thank you...This was really well written Becca! Wow! Thank you! :D I may have to write a post on this topic (directing people over here, of course :o) after having my mind stimulated here tonight... :) Thanks again! Very enlightening!!!Corine Moorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05353150427363546277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-76037024102416544582012-12-16T18:59:19.418-07:002012-12-16T18:59:19.418-07:00Becca, I swear we are best friends from afar. ;) L...Becca, I swear we are best friends from afar. ;) Love everything about this post. You have echoed everything my husband & I have been discussing all week. We have talked a LOT about the difference between culture & doctrine, and how especially here in Utah there's such a tendency to merge the two together. <br />The Gospel is simple. Culture is what gets everything so convoluted. <br />The anger from both sides makes me so disheartened. The church isn't a place where perfect people come to worship. It's a place for everyone to come to the Master Healer and let him make us whole. I wish everyone could look past the masks and realize we're all just struggling to find the same things. Peace. Love. Forgiveness.Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14297857709446601733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-10450899261023770392012-12-16T18:17:04.664-07:002012-12-16T18:17:04.664-07:00I do not doubt that your grandfather was scolded f...I do not doubt that your grandfather was scolded for wearing casual clothes to Church. People (not limited to Mormons) can be <i>very</i> judgmental, and it doesn't matter if the scolding came from a member of the ward or from the bishop himself, it was probably inappropriate, even if it was before 1971. I don't know that the Church <i>officially</i> required skirts/dresses for women prior to 1971 (other than at Church schools, such as BYU). I haven't been able to find any supporting evidence that suggests there was some kind of "dress code" prior to 1971, only that in 1971 the Church officially stated that there <i>wasn't</i> a dress code (<a href="http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=59&sourceId=90b7630f0869b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=024644f8f206c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD" rel="nofollow">you can find the reference here</a>)<br /><br />So, I don't think the <i>official</i> dress standards were ever stricter - only that I think the Church was a little more tolerant of people <i>believing</i> that the dress code was stricter. I have seen the Church move farther and farther away from policies that dictate our lives.<br /><br />"I know the Church is true" would be, in my opinion, a personal perspective thing, not a cultural thing. There are a lot of things that I feel as if I "know". But that is a philosophical discussion for another day, eh? ;)Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01667724269493668949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-73244350022916858232012-12-16T16:08:49.874-07:002012-12-16T16:08:49.874-07:00I enjoyed reading your post which I found through ...I enjoyed reading your post which I found through Facebook. I was raised LDS, but gradually lost faith in the church throughout my late teens and early 20s. The thing that surprised me the most about your message is that the clothing standards are cultural, rather than policy or doctrine. Although, one of my friends stated that the phrase "I know the church is true" is also cultural. I can remember one time (not sure if I was a teacher or priest) when I was not wearing a tie but was asked to pass the sacrament. Someone (perhaps a missionary?) loaned me a tie so I could perform the task. My grandfather passed away before I was born, but my dad told me about an incident where he wore casual clothes to church one Sunday and was scolded for it. It's possible that this occurred before 1971 when the dress standards were stricter. The protestant church that I attend now does not have a set requirement in clothing (cultural or policy). I noticed today that all of the women were wearing pants. Most people still dress up nice to attend church though. One of my peers, who describes herself as a feminist and supports this cause, said that the LDS Church already allows women to wear pants. The other thing that surprised about your post was that the original pants group mentioned Jesus Christ. I was worried about their poor timing during this Christmas season.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-2234319875435407462012-12-16T15:15:28.453-07:002012-12-16T15:15:28.453-07:00Lindsey, you sound like me :) I was skeptical of t...Lindsey, you sound like me :) I was skeptical of the statement (especially when I couldn't find it on the LDS Newsroom - which is where I usually go for official statements). It looks like this statement is more like a "prepared" media statement for when the media contacts the Church about the issue. Several news outlets cited this as the response when they contact the Church. Here are a few sources:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ktvb.com/news/Mormon-feminists-push-for-pants-in-church-183481921.html" rel="nofollow">KTVB (Boise, ID)</a><br /><a href="http://www.ksl.com/?sid=23355976&nid=1016" rel="nofollow">KSL (Utah - and a Church-owned station)</a><br /><br />The Idaho station said they received their response from Media Manager Dale Jones. The KSL says they received the statement from Church Spokesman Scott Trotter. (which is why I say it sounds like a prepared statement for media inquiries)<br /><br />Hope that helps :)Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01667724269493668949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-23968303991478175522012-12-16T12:55:33.647-07:002012-12-16T12:55:33.647-07:00Could you provide a reference for the church offic...Could you provide a reference for the church official statement on 12-12-12? I looked everywhere, but it's not on lds.org's newsroom. It sounds right, but I'd like to see the source.Lindseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04752629742454240225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-32209186376661046832012-12-16T06:59:55.326-07:002012-12-16T06:59:55.326-07:00Nail on the head!! Love it :)Nail on the head!! Love it :)Mormon Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09360602702463216641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-42760344017447143962012-12-16T06:59:24.359-07:002012-12-16T06:59:24.359-07:00Nail on the head!! Love it :)Nail on the head!! Love it :)Mormon Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09360602702463216641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-34374449775268689242012-12-16T02:44:39.644-07:002012-12-16T02:44:39.644-07:00thank you so much for expressing, both in your ori...thank you so much for expressing, both in your original post and in your replies to comments, what i have been thinking and feeling for the past several days. <br /><br />i live in abu dhabi (the united arab emirates) and we have many members of our ward who are african and filipino workers. now, when i visit my husband's home ward in uganda, the men are wearing suits and the women are dressed in lovely dresses--despite their lack of monetary wealth. but here in abu dhabi, these african and filipino workers are here with very few of their belongings--meaning many of them don't have their nice suits or lovely dresses. and shopping in abu dhabi is EXPENSIVE, so the idea of going shopping for something nice to wear to church on friday (that's the sabbath in this country) is just out. so we have many women who come to church wearing pants and we have many men who come to church in jeans and the best shirt they can find. and they are loved and welcomed regardless. it's not about what they are wearing to church--it's just the fact that they actually CAME to church, and we're all just so happy to see each other at church every week.<br /><br />i do believe that how i dress for church every week shows my reverence and respect for my Savior. but i also believe that ATTENDING church shows my reverence and respect for my Savior. if i didn't have a closet-full of dresses, if all i had was a pair of pants, i know that Jesus is more concerned about me coming to church, regardless of what i am wearing. He just wants us there. <br /><br />president hinckley always told us to "do your best." i heard him in one conference talk ammend that statement to "do your VERY best." and as the story of the widow's mite tells us, our "very best" is different for each and every person. and there are only 2 people who know if i am doing my very best--me and my Savior. <br /><br />i don't think leading a protest against the Church--regardless of how benign it may seem--is ever doing one's "very best". i know that i am incredibly far from perfect. i know that i have been hurt by the judgments of others at church, and i also know that i am guilty of hurting others by my own judgmental comments, for which i am deeply sorry. <br /><br />if i am truly doing my "very best", i will work harder to be a better visiting teacher. if i am doing my "very best", i will really get to know the others in my ward. if i am truly doing my "very best", i will be like my dear friend in my ward who totally out of the blue brought me homemade chicken soup because she knew i was having difficulty with my first pregnancy. i am truly doing my "very best", i will do as the primary song teaches us and "love one another as Jesus loves you. try to show kindness in all that you do. be gentle and loving in deed and in thought, for these are the things Jesus taught." and i know that i need to work on that. <br /><br />i know that i need to rededicate myself to the glorious organization of relief society. as lucy mack smith said at the meeting when the relief society was formed (and this is paraphrasing), if we live up to our promise then the very angels will be our companions. imagine what we can do for women, for the Church, for the entire world, if we can fulfill those words of sister smith! <br /><br />amen and amen to everything that you have reminded me of. God bless His Relief Society.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06543683553622722222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-58502583879821101362012-12-15T19:10:11.732-07:002012-12-15T19:10:11.732-07:00I don't disagree with anything you said here: ...I don't disagree with anything you said here: "I would argue that the inequalities many women in the Church feel are based on cultural myths, so while the paragraph you quote does refer specifically to the cultural myth that women must wear dresses, there are many others which are also being addressed." so maybe you did misunderstand the part about the bait-and-switch ;)<br /><br />The bait and switch part was because at first glance, the event looked like it was trying to break down the cultural myth, which is something I could <i>completely</i> get behind. In fact, when I thought it was just about the cultural myth part, I was thinking "I wish I had some nice dress pants I could wear to church on Sunday!"<br /><br />The switch was when they went from talking about cultural myths to Church policy and "doctrinal inequality" - I just don't believe there is any doctrinal inequality in the gospel of Jesus Christ. And I would never protest Church policy, and I don't want to appear as if I am. I raise my hand several times a year to sustain men and women who make Church policy, and I think publicly protesting Church policy is a dangerous thing, and violates the promise you make when you raise your hand to sustain your leaders. I think questions, I think writing letters, etc are all appropriate. That was the bait and switch, which turned me off to the event. The move from talking about debunking a cultural myth to talking about showing "the Church" (which I take to mean the administration/leadership/etc) how wrong it is. <br /><br />But I believe in asking questions, especially hard questions. I believe in confronting cultural issues and standing up for truth. I believe that there is a lot of pain and hurt and ignorance and unnecessary judgment, and I am all for taking that down - which I believe is a grassroots movement (a lot like wearing pants to church, which I think is a really clever way to debunk a rotten myth that only perpetuates judgment - if only we were doing it to debunk the myth and not to prove a point... proving a point = judgment, in my opinion). I think a much more effective grassroots movement can be found in actually doing what we are supposed to do (and honestly, what many of us, including myself, fail miserably at doing) as Relief Society sisters.Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01667724269493668949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-2202323327632242452012-12-15T17:31:17.764-07:002012-12-15T17:31:17.764-07:00But even with what you have to say about wearing y...But even with what you have to say about wearing your best...there is and should be a limit, a personal judgment call, and sensitivity. It still needs to be appropriate. (Maybe my prom dress, when I was in my youth, was my "best," but is it appropriate for church? My wedding dress may have been my "best" once upon a time, but is it appropriate for church? Extremes, yes, but there has to be a cut-off point somewhere.) Maybe one's best is not necessarily only her collection of nice dresses, but perhaps it includes a collection of nice slacks and blouses as well, and perhaps she feels just as reverent in each. And perhaps I would scale down my selection of church attire depending on where I was attending church. If I had the privilege of wealth, for example, it might seem like I was looking down my nose at others if I were visiting another ward with a strong contingent of poverty-level-income families while wearing my $800 suede. And there is the part of "fine twined linen" to consider.Miekanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-24288726078587537632012-12-15T17:03:06.447-07:002012-12-15T17:03:06.447-07:00That was great. Thanks for the post. It articula...That was great. Thanks for the post. It articulated so well what I have thought surrounding this issue. Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08774138114705555836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-39497510942950093892012-12-15T14:49:20.633-07:002012-12-15T14:49:20.633-07:00The Sisterhood of the Relief Society!! :DThe Sisterhood of the Relief Society!! :DCarol Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05945277409187677641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-37376323701501566952012-12-14T23:46:06.162-07:002012-12-14T23:46:06.162-07:00I have never even heard of this blog before, but a...I have never even heard of this blog before, but a friend posted a link to here on Facebook, and I have to say that I absolutely loved this post. Thank you so much. I, unfortunately, ignited a firestorm on my Facebook page by posting that I would be participating in this event and wearing pants to church this Sunday. I had no idea it would be such a charged topic. I posted on my own blog my reasons for participating, which are remarkably similar to your statements about the Relief Society.<br /><br />The only part of your post I might disagree with (and that is only if I clearly understood what you were saying, and it's late and I'm tired, so it's possible I didn't) is the "bait-and-switch" section. I wish I had the original Facebook page to refer to, but it's disappeared. However, I would argue that the inequalities many women in the Church feel are based on cultural myths, so while the paragraph you quote does refer specifically to the cultural myth that women must wear dresses, there are many others which are also being addressed.<br /><br />Thank you again for such a well-reasoned, well thought out post. It's like a breath of fresh air after all the drama.Allisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05270819130380590113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-3097783749972354192012-12-14T08:44:57.030-07:002012-12-14T08:44:57.030-07:00Thank-you, Malina, for your lovely invitation to r...Thank-you, Malina, for your lovely invitation to renew our commitment to the purposes of Relief Society membership - I'm most definitely with you. And how appropriate to the season - Merry Christmas!Nhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06215248940949883907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-7303677969060725322012-12-14T08:40:09.597-07:002012-12-14T08:40:09.597-07:00I lived in France for a year, and alas, they are n...I lived in France for a year, and alas, they are not judgement-free: I got to hear the American sisters quietly criticizing the French sisters for wearing pants, but I also got to hear the French sisters criticizing the American sisters for wearing denim - dresses, mind you, but denim, a fabric that the French felt had no business in a place of worship. A real eye-opener to the sources and effects of being judgmental.Nhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06215248940949883907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-25095425902636245832012-12-14T08:03:30.576-07:002012-12-14T08:03:30.576-07:00Thanks Becca
When I was growing up,the motto of th...Thanks Becca<br />When I was growing up,the motto of the day was to "Question Authority", and most did in an anarchist kind of way. Usually people got hurt. So I guess my question concerning the "Wear Pants to Church day" is "To what End?". Will there be some sort of declaration of Equality if we all partake? I thought about the record in 1&2 Samuel, the "children" wanted a king, just like all the other nations. The prophet Samuel was grieved and prayed about it, and God told him; Why are you upset, it's not you they are rejecting, it is me.". So give them a king, but make sure they know what they are getting them selves into.<br />See for me, this is where our agency flashes "On" and we are able to discern "what is really going on here". Will wearing pants to sacrament constitute as my duty to God? Nothing wavering is my motto. Ramona Gordyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-82788921967897649692012-12-14T07:05:35.491-07:002012-12-14T07:05:35.491-07:00"it's essential to help others remember t..."it's essential to help others remember to come unto Christ"<br /><br />Again, this is where the Relief Society comes into play - this is <i>exactly</i> our job as visiting teachers - the job our RS presidencies have been <i>begging</i> us to do a better job at. But how can you help someone come unto Christ if you do not know them?<br /><br />"the key to true cultural change will only be when people are individually converted."<br /><br />I love this statement - individual conversion does seem to be the key. I think it is hard for people to become individually converted when <i>what</i> they are supposed to be converted to is obscured by the culture of those who <i>think</i> they know what people are supposed to be converted to. For example, this situation with the pants vs dresses. How can I be truly converted to the principle of reverence in dress when so many people are telling me that I am <i>not</i> reverent when I wear dress pants, but I <i>feel</i> more reverent in pants? (obviously wearing pants in protest isn't going to help you feel reverent, so I am not talking about the protest, I am talking specifically about many of the women I have spoken to who <i>do</i> feel more reverent in dress pants, and have been called out by women who don't <i>think</i> they are being reverent). <br /><br />When we put the emphasis in the wrong place (on wearing pants vs a dress - <i>especially</i> when there is no <i>doctrine</i> that says one is better than the other) we can obscure the principle for people who may not know to dig beyond the culture. We should be helping people see the <i>principle</i> not the culture.<br /><br />It was <a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2004/04/do-not-fear?lang=eng" rel="nofollow">President Packer who said</a>, "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior." Such a true statement, and one I think applies here.<br /><br />Let us teach each other the doctrine of reverence, and help each other really understand that. But our teaching will <i>not</i> be effective if the student does not feel our <i>love</i> first, and it is hard to feel someone's love when they are criticizing your choices of dress.<br />Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01667724269493668949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-77239239234454416602012-12-14T06:55:54.521-07:002012-12-14T06:55:54.521-07:00I understand (and appreciate) your comments. And I...I understand (and appreciate) your comments. And I agree with your sentiment - that we should wear our best. I am curious to know where we have been counseled to wear dresses and skirts (rather than a nice pant suit). I assume you have lots of references. I haven't heard any from General Authorities, and I've been doing quite a bit of research in the last few days. The closest thing I could find was <a href="http://www.lds.org/ensign/1980/03/give-the-lord-your-loyalty?lang=eng" rel="nofollow">a reference from President Kimball</a> who said, "If we dress like the opposite sex, we tend to lose our sexual identity or some of the characteristics that distinguish the eternal mission of our sex." But that only <i>implies</i> that women should wear dresses - and only back in the 80's (when the talk was given). Today, a woman wearing a pants suit it not at all looked upon as trying to be a man. I don't think cultural changes are all bad, and certainly, women wearing pants suits or dress pants is not women trying to be like men. A dress is not <i>always</i> dressier than pants. I think it depends a lot on the dress, and a lot on the pants. A pants suit is <i>much</i> dressier than a jean skirt, in my opinion.<br /><br />"What about those who are 100% capable of wearing white shirts/dresses, but choose not to because our standards have lowered so much (over time) to the "who cares" level?"<br /><br />I'll repeat what I said in my post: <b>It is not our responsibility to figuratively stone people for their sins.</b><br /><br />If someone does <i>not</i> wear their Sunday best out of rebellion, or for a protest, or for any other reason, it is <i>not</i> our place to "stone" them, so-to-speak. That is what I see happening when women I know (whose Sunday best IS a pants suit, or dress pants) are "called out" by women in the ward for wearing pants rather than a skirt. A figurative "stoning" is what I see when people say hateful things about the women who organized the Wear Pants to Church Day. Isn't it <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/7.5?lang=eng#3" rel="nofollow">the Savior who said</a> "First cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye."?<br /><br />We have no right, no place, and cannot begin to judge women who wish to wear pants to Church.<br /><br />But that's where the Relief Society comes in.<br /><br />If you <i>know intimately</i> the sisters in your ward - if you have taken the time to really listen to and understand the sister who is wearing pants, maybe you <i>will</i> know whether or not they are wearing pants for the right reasons. And <i>maybe</i> as their <i>friend</i> and <i>sister</i> in the gospel, you will be inspired to touch their life in a way that will help them change their motives, change their attitudes. <br /><br />Calling them out - whether in person, or online in a public forum - does <i>nothing</i> to help them feel the love of Christ. Christ would not corner them and tell them why it is "wrong" for them to be wearing pants rather than a skirt/dress. Christ would get to know them, and if He <i>knew</i> they were being rebellious, He might bear His testimony to them about the sacred nature of sacrament meetings, and He might teach them about reverence, and respect, and He would definitely teach them about abandoning our will to God's. But He also might know that this sister works in a professional line of work where she wears pants suits every day of the week, and to this sister, wearing a pants suit <i>is</i> dressier, and more respectful. There is nothing wrong with that.<br /><br />You cannot possibly know the attitude of every sister who wears pants to Church. <br /><br />"We just need to be careful on all sides. Each of us must do what is our best within our hearts. God will judge our hearts and intentions. Not each other."<br /><br />I completely agree :)<br /><br />And this comment has practically become it's own post.Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01667724269493668949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-54547404585740824202012-12-14T06:55:04.961-07:002012-12-14T06:55:04.961-07:00So well said. Bravo!So well said. Bravo!Rachaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14795447408970968681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-21245161179523746212012-12-14T03:08:38.263-07:002012-12-14T03:08:38.263-07:00Thanks for the post.
I would add one thing to the...Thanks for the post.<br /><br />I would add one thing to then come as you are thought.... I think that it's essential to help others remember to come unto Christ. One concern I have about all of this is the notion that somehow people are so dependent on what others think or do that they will leave and never come back. I get that there is pain, I really do. But ultimately, the key to true cultural change will only be when people are individually converted. Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08215431222961203620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-87259856427433234702012-12-14T00:28:24.053-07:002012-12-14T00:28:24.053-07:00My brother has attended church with us and being a...My brother has attended church with us and being an alcoholic and all sorts of other "olics", all he had was an old pair of jeans and and an old faded, torn shirt. That's what he wore. His attitude/heart? Humility. Reverence. Shame to recognize what he'd done with his life. but REVERENCE. It was the best he had, and that instigated the best attitude he had too.Believe it or not, our clothes do influence our attitudes and behaviors. (those of others towards us too!)<br /><br />Just throwing out there the words "it doesn't matter" ends up attracting those who SHOULD and CAN show better reverence, but who won't just because they see the "modern culture" as one that says "who cares, it's just about love and live and let live." That attitude is one that ultimately leads to corruption of some sort. It's another "bate-and-switch". I don't think that's what you're saying in your post - but I think that's what some will read into posts like these. Maybe.<br /><br />Our church leaders have been telling the members these things for decades. Each generation needs to be retaught - evidently the parents aren't passing down the info. If it is spoken from the pulpit at General Conference it is taken as official, unless the speaker states otherwise. When they say it anywhere else, it is taken as not-official, unless the speaker states otherwise. <br /><br />The church has ENCOURAGED us to wear our best. If I own a dress, that IS better (dressier) than pants. So then that's what I wear. Yes, I can choose otherwise. But that's a teeny-tiny slip away from "doing my best". And as we all know, when human nature is involved, a teeny-tiny slip, can many times, unknowingly, lead to a huge slippery slope. We just need to be careful on all sides. Each of us must do what is our best within our hearts. God will judge our hearts and intentions. Not each other. <3Terihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00242975354535506702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-68906438669842112502012-12-14T00:28:00.968-07:002012-12-14T00:28:00.968-07:00I like this. And I agree with it. I have a concern...I like this. And I agree with it. I have a concern though. Let me see if I can adequately express it. (it all makes sense in my head, until it comes out my fingers!)<br /><br />That concern would be people who would take advantage of this attitude - possibly all of us if given enough time. Which apostle was it that said, at General Conference, "just because you can doesn't mean you should." That is how I feel about the whole issue. We have been "encouraged" (that's as strong language as any leader will use, because they do not command us - so when we hear that word, we'd be wise to heed it) to wear white shirts while passing the Sacrament, dresses/skirts for Sunday worship, and it is correct that if we choose not to, then we should not be judged for it. Neither should we judge others who do it.<br /><br />But let's dig a little deeper. What about those who are 100% capable of wearing white shirts/dresses, but choose not to because our standards have lowered so much (over time) to the "who cares" level? I've seen that happen in all other churches, and frankly have been waiting for the day I'd hear it in our Church - and here it is upon us. And then, as human nature dictates, our attitudes lower as well. It reminds me of the studies done on diets that found when a person dresses up to eat, even at home, they will eat slower, smaller portions, with better manners, and thereby it helps them lose weight. Yet when they lay around in sweat and eat, they eat worse food, they eat larger amounts, and they have worse manners and gain weight.<br /><br />I guess for me what it boils down to is this: it's not about the policy, it's not about following the letter or spirit of the "law". It's about our individual love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Our LEVEL of clothing will show our LEVEL of respect for them. Notice I said "LEVEL of clothing", not "TYPE of clothing". Meaning: "wear your best". Is your best a pair of torn up jeans? Then that's what you wear, and it'll show your heart toward God and His Son,so long as your attitude is one of humble love and reverence. If your best a fancy Easter dress? Then that's what you wear, and it'll show your heart toward God and His Son, so long as your attitude is one of humble love and reverence. The converse is usually true though: If you have the better clothing, and you choose to not wear it, you attitude does eventually lessens to the point where it no longer matters how much you show reverence to the Lord. So long as you are wearing your best, it helps buoy up your attitude. Make sense?<br />(Continued)...Terihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00242975354535506702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-61488048562509146882012-12-13T23:45:30.253-07:002012-12-13T23:45:30.253-07:00I really enjoyed this post so much I shared it. :)...I really enjoyed this post so much I shared it. :) Very well written.KMDuffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15192746631875517201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-63487186834901382492012-12-13T22:25:33.616-07:002012-12-13T22:25:33.616-07:00"at the same time they are missing the point ..."at the same time they are missing the point and behaving just like the people that they are not agreeing with"<br /><br />Too true :(<br /><br />"Do you think that if people ... made more of an effort to learn about other cultures ... that some of this would dissipate" <b><i>Absolutely</i></b><br /><br />I think getting people out of their "bubble" is important, and the more we can learn to do that, the better. But honestly, it doesn't even have to be learning about other cultures - it's really as simple as people making more of an effort to learn about <i>other people</i> - meaning, the other people in their wards. Which is where Relief Society comes in. If we're doing our duty as Relief Society sisters, then we <i>are</i> learning about the lives of the sisters in our ward. We should put ourselves in a position to get to know them intimately, so that we <i>know</i> their fears, their perspectives, their pain - we know it and we <i>care</i> about it, and we work hard to help them feel accepted and loved. Not rejected or judged.<br /><br />It's something I don't think I have been very good at, which is why I have made a renewed pledge to be a good Relief Society sister and <i>start</i> caring and working harder to really <i>know</i> the sisters in my ward. To <i>know</i> them and to <i>love</i> them!Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01667724269493668949noreply@blogger.com