Can I?

[Elrond]

Can I walk into an LDS church wearing jeans and a sweatshirt and a winter jacket..... somewhat dirty from work?

Will I be judged?

I don't own a suit and tie and will not wear one due to both physical reasons and my own opinion.

If I went to an LDS church unannounced and had only jeans and a sweatshirt, would I be cast out?

[Misshalfway]

Cast out??? No. Judged??? I doubt it. You might get a look or two as it might be obvious that you are new. Most likely you will receive a warm welcome.

But.....for future reference, you might want to dress it up a bit for your own comfort.

I know guys that have to come from work and who attend in army fatigues or police uniform.

[Guest DeborahC]

No, nobody will say a word to you at all.

And they'll treat you very nicely.

But to me, it might be nice to show some respect to God by cleaning up a little.

If you are keeping the Sabbath then you aren't working, right?

If you're a farmer, and MUST work on the Sabbath, and the only way you can arrive dressed to Church is as you've described, then by all means go... but my grandfather was a farmer and he carried his church clothes in the truck and changed before going in, out of respect, if he HAD to work on Sunday.

[applepansy]

My husband and I are currently picking up an investigator at a local Alcoholics Camps (we live in a rural area). He comes to church in jeans, sneakers and a sweatshirt this week, a colored colored shirt last week. He's very welcome.

applepansy

[Palerider]

you can wear that....if anyone judges you....its their problem not yours....my wife and I recently went to Nauvoo and I forgot to bring my suit. We attended Church on Sunday morning and I wore a pair of jeans and a t shirt and a sweatshirt with tennis shoes......I don't care what anyone thought of me there. I know I was where I was suppose to be....that it....attending Sacrament Meeting and partaking of the Sacrament....:)

[Wingnut]

Can I walk into an LDS church wearing jeans and a sweatshirt and a winter jacket..... somewhat dirty from work?

Yes.

Will I be judged?

Possibly.

If I went to an LDS church unannounced and had only jeans and a sweatshirt, would I be cast out?

Absolutely not.

[hordak]

My mother attended church in stirrup pants and sequined sweaters. Some of the ladies used to talk behind her back but she didn't go to church to impress others and let it roll of her back.

Dress to impress is for job interviews and first dates, and has nothing to do with salvation.

[kona0197]

I've been judged for not wearing a tie at meetings. It does happen.

[Palerider]

My mother attended church in stirrup pants and sequined sweaters. Some of the ladies used to talk behind her back but she didn't go to church to impress others and let it roll of her back.

Dress to impress is for job interviews and first dates, and has nothing to do with salvation.

I agree with that.....let em judge all they want

[mightynancy]

Yeah, people do judge. But they're outnumbered by good folks who look on the heart and not on the outward appearance.

I used to teach Gospel Doctrine, and there was a fellow who came to our class in sweatpants and a t-shirt with an obvious lack of grooming. However, he really really needed love and reassurance, and that's just what he got within our group of worshippers. He participated in class and was always treated lovingly.

[kona0197]

Yeah, people do judge. But they're outnumbered by good folks who look on the heart and not on the outward appearance.

You would think twice about saying that should you visit my ward.

[mightynancy]

Wow, Kona, that's too bad. I believe it, but it's a shame. I have been in wards like that - it either drives one away completely, or it drives them to appreciate the pure gospel and worship in spite of others' attitudes and behavior.

[kona0197]

It helped to drive me away for 18 weeks now. Tempted to visit my old ward a town over.

[Elgama]

Can You? Yes, Will You Be Cast Out? No

Will You be Judged? Depends on the ward

I have attended sacrament just how you have described in various places (nature of my work) and have had different responses its been mostly good noone has said anything more offensive than Hello my name is Sister___ or Brother ____

-Charley

[Elrond]

Sounds like any run of the mill protestant churches, to be honest.

I guess individual leaders each have their own conception of what is worthy or not.

Several years ago I had attended a service at a Baptist church. After the service the pastor came out on the front steps and was saying something to in judgement. I was getting into my car when suddenly I stood up, pointed my finger at the pastor and prophesied. The scripture was from Zechariah.. but I forget what. The pastor shut his mouth and froze. There were some people still in the parking lot and they looked awestruck. Mind you, Baptists are not accustomed to manifestations of the gifts of the spirit! But they could not deny what had happened either.

After that the pastor and I became friends and he never judged me again. He was very understanding when we talked. He would give his opinions even if they disagreed with mine, but he never did that judgment thing again. Actually I think we BOTH gained a measure of maturity from the experience. I learned again how powerful God could be, since I hadn't planned the event, nor did I act of my own accord. Speaking through me God silenced a church leader on his own front steps in front of members of his congregation. That pastor learned that God could put him in check through whatever vessel he chose...

Church leaders are not above rebuke, but it must come from God....

[hordak]

Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

[Hemidakota]

Can I walk into an LDS church wearing jeans and a sweatshirt and a winter jacket..... somewhat dirty from work?

Will I be judged?

I don't own a suit and tie and will not wear one due to both physical reasons and my own opinion.

If I went to an LDS church unannounced and had only jeans and a sweatshirt, would I be cast out?

What is the point of this thread? Just go to church.

[Elrond]

What is the point of this thread? Just go to church.

Because I have known of churches where they will turn you away at the door if you aren't wearing a suit or a woman isn't wearing a dress.

By the way I hope no one gets the idea I go around publically rebuking preachers all the time. That's happened twice in my nearly 24 years as Christian and both times were about 10 to 11 years ago.

Hemidakota, part of my testimony is that I was cast out of churches. Not due to a dress code, but due to a relationship. I had been engaged to someone who was divorced and I was divorced. The preachers believed that you could not remarry if you were divorced. I was litterally hunted in 3 states by one preacher. He would find out what church I was attending and call the pastor and tell him I was a witch and an adulterer. Actually I guess he stalked me, not hunted me. There was also the deacon of a church that pulled a gun on me and pointed it at my head. This guy had different motives, he believed God had told him that he should have my fiance! I calmly looked at the man and told him "if it's Gods will for me to die then pull the trigger. If it isn't Gods will you can do nothing!"

Funny to see an armed man back away shaking and almost dropping his gun at the mention of mere words!

I was also judged for dress though never cast out... For example: "He wears those Indian shirts. That proves he's in the occult!" or, "He has a dream catcher in his car. That's witchcraft. He's using it to put a spell on our church!"

I mean, you have to be kidding me! A dream catcher is a little wheel native Moms made to hang over their baby so the baby could look at it and pretend it caught bad dreams away. It wasn't ever used for 'spells."

One time I walked into my fiances former church and sat down quietly in the back row. I wanted to hear the new preacher and see what he was all about. He had sort of done a hostile takeover from the former pastor. No sooner had I sat down the preacher stopped the song service and looked at me telling me I was not welcome in his congregation. I humbly got up and walked out, shaking the dust off my feet. He later called other local churches and claimed all kinds of demons had jumped out of me when he confronted me in his church and he had cast the devil out! WHAT? Wow. This is the other pastor I rebuked publically later on in front of his deacons and a few church members.

So the point of this thread was because I wondered if anything like this has ever been an issue in LDS churches.

Hordaks comment from Samuel sums up my own feelings on the matter: "Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. "

Edited December 9, 2008 by Elrond

[Guest ceeboo]

I was litterally hunted in 3 states by one preacher. He would find out what church I was attending and call the pastor and tell him I was a witch and an adulterer. Actually I guess he stalked me, not hunted me. There was also the deacon of a church that pulled a gun on me and pointed it at my head. This guy had different motives, he believed God had told him that he should have my fiance! I calmly looked at the man and told him "if it's Gods will for me to die then pull the trigger. If it isn't Gods will you can do nothing!"

Hello Elrond,

And I thought us Catholics had some great camp fire stories.:):)

I would suggest, in regard to the " dirty Harry " deacon, you might want to find another place of worship!!!:lol:

Peace,

Carl

[Hemidakota]

Because I have known of churches where they will turn you away at the door if you aren't wearing a suit or a woman isn't wearing a dress.

By the way I hope no one gets the idea I go around publically rebuking preachers all the time. That's happened twice in my nearly 24 years as Christian and both times were about 10 to 11 years ago.

Hemidakota, part of my testimony is that I was cast out of churches. Not due to a dress code, but due to a relationship. I had been engaged to someone who was divorced and I was divorced. The preachers believed that you could not remarry if you were divorced. I was litterally hunted in 3 states by one preacher. He would find out what church I was attending and call the pastor and tell him I was a witch and an adulterer. Actually I guess he stalked me, not hunted me. There was also the deacon of a church that pulled a gun on me and pointed it at my head. This guy had different motives, he believed God had told him that he should have my fiance! I calmly looked at the man and told him "if it's Gods will for me to die then pull the trigger. If it isn't Gods will you can do nothing!"

Funny to see an armed man back away shaking and almost dropping his gun at the mention of mere words!

I was also judged for dress though never cast out... For example: "He wears those Indian shirts. That proves he's in the occult!" or, "He has a dream catcher in his car. That's witchcraft. He's using it to put a spell on our church!"

I mean, you have to be kidding me! A dream catcher is a little wheel native Moms made to hang over their baby so the baby could look at it and pretend it caught bad dreams away. It wasn't ever used for 'spells."

One time I walked into my fiances former church and sat down quietly in the back row. I wanted to hear the new preacher and see what he was all about. He had sort of done a hostile takeover from the former pastor. No sooner had I sat down the preacher stopped the song service and looked at me telling me I was not welcome in his congregation. I humbly got up and walked out, shaking the dust off my feet. He later called other local churches and claimed all kinds of demons had jumped out of me when he confronted me in his church and he had cast the devil out! WHAT? Wow. This is the other pastor I rebuked publically later on in front of his deacons and a few church members.

So the point of this thread was because I wondered if anything like this has ever been an issue in LDS churches.

Hordaks comment from Samuel sums up my own feelings on the matter: "Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. "

Yes but remember something I come to learn years ago, if we do go to church or even the Temple and you know that the Savior will be there, what would be your attire? Would you dress in something less than what is in your closet? Would you bring your dirty torn clothes vice something that reside in your closet to the portals of a Temple of GOD? "Our inner vessel should be a reflection of our outer vessel."

We should attend in our best attire for Him and do not worry what others may feel or do. If a pair of clean jeans and polo shirt was your best attire, then come to church in that attire.

[Wingnut]

One of my first posts on this board was a story of a man I knew who rode his bike (as in Harley) to the temple, in full leathers. When he got to the temple, he went in to the bathroom and changed into his white shirt and tie. His short sleeved shirt showed off the tattoos up and down his arms (he was a convert). Someone at the temple saw his tattoos and made a snap judgment about him, asking him "Are you sure you belong here?" He answered back to the person "Are you sure you do?"

On the flip side, there is a story about my husband. He was visiting his grandmother with his mom one time. His mom was at the temple, and he was hanging out at his grandmother's house with her and a friend. He was wearing shorts, a Hawaiian print shirt, and sandals. He received a phone call from the temple that his mom had fainted, and she needed him to come pick her up because she wasn't comfortable driving home. He jumped in the car and drove to the temple dressed as he was. He presented his recommend at the desk, and the temple worker checked it, smiled at him, and said "Welcome to the temple, Brother ________." No comment on his dress whatsoever. At that point, my husband volunteered that he wasn't attending the temple, just there to pick up his sick mom.

[Hemidakota]

Is that was in Hawaii or the Islands, those who served do know that is common dress for temple attire and church chapel.

I have a friend who was a convert to the church who wore earrings and had tattoos up and down his arms. Married and had three children, after a couple years, his demeanor changed and so did his attire. He now serves in the Bishopric. One of the greatest members of the church.

[Wingnut]

Nope, it was in St. George.

[Hemidakota]

Interesting....however, I do commend her in listening to the Spirit. Thanks

[WillowTheWhisp]

Can I walk into an LDS church wearing jeans and a sweatshirt and a winter jacket..... somewhat dirty from work?

Will I be judged?

I don't own a suit and tie and will not wear one due to both physical reasons and my own opinion.

If I went to an LDS church unannounced and had only jeans and a sweatshirt, would I be cast out?

You can walk into a chapel wearing whatever you have to wear but it is only respectful that you do not dirty the floor or the furnishings. Remember that if you dirty the upholstery on the pews then someone else will be sitting in your dirt afterwards wearing their best clothes.

Will you be judged? Quite possibly but not on the 'poshness' of your clothing as much as the perceived lack of consideration for others if you seem to be spreading dirt around the place.

I can't help being curious about what physical reason you can have for not wearing a suit. My husband can't stand to wear a tie and as soon as he comes out of the chapel off it comes but he always wears one in church and for other formal occasions. If you do not own a suit you will not be turned away. If you cannot afford a suit you will not be refused church membership because of that.

You will not be cast out for what is on the outside. However, remember that God judges what is on the inside.