Proper attire for Sunday meetings

[Maureen]

...Do you believe I will receive a "lessor degree of glory" because I do not wear a white shirt and tie business suit to church?

...whether it be wearing a pair of dressy slacks, nice shoes, and a nice top(nice pants, good shoes and shirt for men)...or a dress/skirt (suit,etc for men).

I can't help myself. :) I've got to point out these lovely typo's.

M.

Edited August 18, 2009 by Maureen
To let everyone know John Doe fixed typo #1. :(

[Maureen]

The uniform of the PH is a white shirt and tie. The Brethren have stated this time and again, and yet it seems that this discussion happens every 6-8 weeks. The sisters should dress as they would if they were in the presence of the Savior. That means a dress.

The problem with these statements is that they imply that being respectful to God only happens on a Sunday. From Monday to Saturday the PH is in limbo for some members because they're not in proper uniform. If Christ was to return on a Wednesday, many women would be doomed to the Telestial Kingdom just because they chose to wear something other than a dress for whatever reason.

I couldn't help myself again; I had to comment. :)

M.

[beefche]

Or tartan plaid. I have always liked tartan plaid. This is Celtic reverential.

http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/cabelas/s7_943598_renderset_01?$main-Large$

Why do I keep singing the Lumberjack Song when I see this?

I'm a lumberjack and I'm ok

I sleep all night and I work all day

[pam]

Wow I go to work for 10 hours and there are 78 posts. You all haven't figured out the answer to the question yet?

[Justice]

The problem with these statements is that they imply that being respectful to God only happens on a Sunday. From Monday to Saturday the PH is in limbo for some members because they're not in proper uniform. If Christ was to return on a Wednesday, many women would be doomed to the Telestial Kingdom just because they chose to wear something other than a dress for whatever reason.

I see no such implication.

The topic is what is the proper Sunday dress for men at church.

There is an answer, and it doesn't have anything to do with who is doomed when Christ returns.

[sixpacktr]

The problem with these statements is that they imply that being respectful to God only happens on a Sunday. From Monday to Saturday the PH is in limbo for some members because they're not in proper uniform. If Christ was to return on a Wednesday, many women would be doomed to the Telestial Kingdom just because they chose to wear something other than a dress for whatever reason.

I couldn't help myself again; I had to comment. :)

M.

Thanks Maureen, I know you said it with love.....

Personally, I hope Christ returns on a Saturday. Then I'm in my shorts, t-shirt and flip flops, and I will be COMFORTABLE! If he comes on a Sunday I'll be stuck in my white shirt, tie, and sport coat (IOW, the attire of Babylon!)

(It's a JOKE, Believer, so pls don't go off on me!).

[sixpacktr]

Why do I keep singing the Lumberjack Song when I see this?

I'm a lumberjack and I'm ok

I sleep all night and I work all day

suspendies and a brar....

I wished I'd been a girlie, just like my dear papar!!

[funkenheimer]

I apologize for any hard feelings that have come about as a result of this post. I am a new member and I had no idea this would be such a heated duscussion. This was really not my intent.

I honestly posted this mostly out of curiosity. If I am to be honest I also wanted, to a lesser extent, validation for my point of view. I expected there would be opposing opinions on the subject, but I had no idea to what extent. I was hoping for something doctrinally grounded and maybe some spirited discussion. Clearly I am not going to find that here.

[pam]

Funkenheimer, unfortunately this is a subject that brings up a variety of opinions. There is no reason to apologize.

I've been in the Church for 52 years. All my life. All my life I have been taught that men wear a suit, or a shirt and tie and nice pants. That women wear dresses to Church. That's what I've been taught and that's what I still believe. Perhaps the varying opinions come from a generation difference..I don't know.

I said this on another thread concerning this subject and I'll say it here. If someone's Sunday best is a polo shirt and khaki pants for men or a pair of dress slacks for women..I would much prefer to see them in Church wearing those than not coming at all.

[Danite]

Funkenheimer, No worries ,ok Unfortunately it seems that many people have been judged by there appearance (including me ) at different times in there lives these judgements are usually wrong and very hurtful. This lack of chartiy is something we all have to guard against.

[lattelady]

I think that the varying opinions don't come from a generation difference alone, but from a multitude of differences; and the very reason that if a standard isn't based on scriptural truth, then men/women will leave it up to their own opinions and judgements to decide what is right and wrong. It's why a post like this (over clothing) ends up with nine whole pages with some disunity; while there are other questions (not MORE important--but just as important to the writer of the question) from people who are struggling with their faith or with temptation or with their failures, and very few will speak to them--even though there is scriptural truth and encouragement available to them. It's easier to lend one's opinion.

[Maureen]

I see no such implication. The topic is what is the proper Sunday dress for men at church. There is an answer, and it doesn't have anything to do with who is doomed when Christ returns.

My intent, with the use of some smilies, was to happily pick on sixpacktr, since he's been feeling picked on. At least he understood my intent, which is what matters. :)

[Lilac]

Just to lighten up this thread...

My husband I visited our local ward for a Sunday meeting. He was wearing his white shirt, tie and dark pants. I was wearing a long skirt and a long sleeve blouse (in the hot weather).

We walked in and everyone greeted us, shook our hands and asked us from what part of the country we were visiting from.

I told them we were not visiting, we were VISITING the LDS, they all grabbed some hand outs for me, introduced themselves, offered to answer any questions etc.

When my husband and I finally sat in the pew, we laughed. We fooled the Mormon missionaries who greeted us. They thought we were one of them.

We took that as a compliment.

It's a nice thing to be able to identify fellow Christians etc. by their clothing.

Edited August 18, 2009 by Lilac

[sixpacktr]

My intent, with the use of some smilies, was to happily pick on sixpacktr, since he's been feeling picked on. At least he understood my intent, which is what matters. :)

Yup. Maureen is good people. She and I have had disagreements in the past, but I don't think I've ever seen her mean spirited.

That is why I knew she was taking a gentle jab at me...

And I wasn't feeling picked on-_-...just misunderstood!

[beefche]

Ha! Lilac, I had the opposite experience. I was visiting from out of town, but didn't bring any dresses with me (didn't think I'd have time to go to church, but found I could at the last minute). So I wore a nice pair of slacks and when I walked in, the missionaries had this gleam in their eye. The gleam faded when I greeted them, "Hello Elders! Nice to see you at sacrament meeting."

Everyone thought I was an investigator and not a member.

[MobyMule]

I think that the varying opinions don't come from a generation difference alone, but from a multitude of differences; and the very reason that if a standard isn't based on scriptural truth, then men/women will leave it up to their own opinions and judgements to decide what is right and wrong. It's why a post like this (over clothing) ends up with nine whole pages with some disunity; while there are other questions (not MORE important--but just as important to the writer of the question) from people who are struggling with their faith or with temptation or with their failures, and very few will speak to them--even though there is scriptural truth and encouragement available to them. It's easier to lend one's opinion.

That is why I said it isn't the congregations job to judge or police a dress code. A Bishop or PH leader only under direction of the spirit should talk privately with an indivdual if there is an issue with dress.

PH holders should always wear their best when called upon to perform PH duties when possible. Emergencies happen that may preclude that.

[Vort]

I can't help myself. :) I've got to point out these lovely typo's.

#1 was funny (before it was fixed). I don't get #2.

[Maureen]

#1 was funny (before it was fixed).

I thought so too, John Doe is such a party-pooper.

I don't get #2.

Originally Posted by eternalpromise516 ...whether it be wearing a pair of dressy slacks, nice shoes, and a nice top(nice pants, good shoes and shirt for men)...or a dress/skirt (suit,etc for men).

You notice how the first half is describing what the men would wear and then the 2nd half says dress/skirt but also says for a men. I'm assuming she really meant to say women but eternalpromise516 hasn't said anything yet. Although I could be wrong and maybe what's written is correct and I'm misinterpreting.

[Vort]

...whether it be wearing a pair of dressy slacks, nice shoes, and a nice top(nice pants, good shoes and shirt for men)...or a dress/skirt (suit,etc for men).

You notice how the first half is describing what the men would wear and then the 2nd half says dress/skirt but also says for a men. I'm assuming she really meant to say women but eternalpromise516 hasn't said anything yet. Although I could be wrong and maybe what's written is correct and I'm misinterpreting.

Here's how I interpreted it:

People wear nice slacks and a blouse (or for men, nice pants and shirt)...or they wear a dress or skirt (or for men, a suit).

Fwiw...

[Maureen]

Vort, you're probably right. :)

[mnn727]

The uniform of the PH is a white shirt and tie.

The Brethren have constantly stated there is No uniform. The closest they have come is to say "Where possible" those administerinmg and passing the sacrament 'should' wear white shirts. And said nothing about ties

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said “May I suggest that wherever possible a white shirt be worn by the deacons, teachers, and priests who handle the sacrament. (“This Do in Remembrance of Me,” Ensign, Nov. 1995.

[mnn727]

Not micromanaging, teaching doctrine..

No you are not, as I pointed out in the above post with a direct quote.

I get so tired of people claiming their opinions or pet peeves are doctrine, everyone, not just sixpacktr although he's is catching the brunt of my ire today.

You think this thread is bad? try one on the Word of Wisdom.

Edited August 18, 2009 by mnn727

[Moksha]

Personally, I hope Christ returns on a Saturday. Then I'm in my shorts, t-shirt and flip flops, and I will be COMFORTABLE! If he comes on a Sunday I'll be stuck in my white shirt, tie, and sport coat (IOW, the attire of Babylon!)

Babylon sounds potentially judgmental. What if we changed it to the attire of cogs in the corporate wheel? Now, doesn't that sound so much better? You better believe those cogs are way reverential!

:)

[Saguaro]

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said “May I suggest that wherever possible a white shirt be worn by the deacons, teachers, and priests who handle the sacrament. (“This Do in Remembrance of Me,” Ensign, Nov. 1995.

The Church Handbook of Instructions states that wearing a white shirt and tie to pass the sacrament is recommended, but not requried, no priesthood holder should be denied the opportunity to perform his duty because he doesn't have a white shirt and tie.

[sixpacktr]

What it says is that the PH holder SHOULD wear a white shirt and tie.

We need to remember we are a world wide church. There are those that, due to indigent circumstances, cannot fulfill this requirement, and yet somehow it seems that those that can least afford it, somehow manage to get a white shirt.

Those of you that are familiar with the ISO standards in business know that when the standard says 'should' it is to be taken as a 'must'. I'm not suggesting that the church is using 'business language', but again, there are very few PH holders in this country (the US) that cannot dress appropriately. It is simply a matter of pride that they refuse to.