As LDS men and women, our attitude toward our bodies is different than many peoples’. We believe that our bodies are sacred—even temples—given to us as a gift from God. How we choose to clothe and take care of our bodies through our dress standards is an outer expression of our devotion to God and our respect for His gift to us.
Dress standards are important in youth, but they’re just as important in adulthood. Modesty in dress is not antiquated or outdated, nor does it make you seem odd. The pamphlet outlines that immodest clothing includes: short shorts and skirts, tight clothing, shirts that do not cover the stomach, and other revealing attire like things that are low cut or sleeveless. This type of clothing may be more tempting in some climates, but remembering why you choose to dress modestly and how it shows respect to Heavenly Father can help you make modest clothing choices.
It may also be tempting to abandon modesty for special occasions. Prom and high school dances turn into Christmas parties and formal dinners when you get older, but keeping your dress standards on these rare occasions says just as much about your attitude toward your body as what you choose to wear every day.
There are also standards for grooming. If you’ve ever seen a missionary around town, you know exactly who they are not only by their nametags, but by their dress and grooming. They’re clean cut, shaved, and well taken care of.
Avoiding extremes is also advised in the pamphlet. This includes extreme clothing, appearance, and hairstyles. Are you too casual in your appearance or manners? This can be an extreme as well. President Hinckley once advised against wearing flip flops to church since coming to church in your best doesn’t usually include beach attire.
And lastly, the pamphlet warns against disfiguring your body with tattoos or body piercings. Women are encouraged to only wear one pair of earrings (if desired) while the men should not have any piercings. Avoiding these disfigurements shows respect to our bodies and to the Lord. When we realize that our bodies are sacred and should be treated as such, we are strengthened in our resolve to live the standards given to us because we understand why we have them.
Related Blogs:
For the Strength of Youth Series
For the Strength of Youth Series: Agency and Accountability
For the Strength of Youth Series: Gratitude
For the Strength of Youth Series: Education
For the Strength of Youth Series: Family
For the Strength of Youth Series: Friends