Backroads Posted October 26, 2011 Author Report Posted October 26, 2011 For LDS members, is wearing "Sunday best" to the temple a cultural standard?I would dare say so. I know we are encouraged to go. I remember being a teenager and arguing about whether or not to wear panythose (it irritated my legs) when we went to do baptisms. As a cultural standard, it's a good one. It shows respect.
james12 Posted October 26, 2011 Report Posted October 26, 2011 What type of clothing (according to you) would reflect the commitment to follow Christ? So let's say a sister chooses to go with pants next Sunday to Church. Does it mean (in your opinion) that she is not committed enough to follow the Savior? I'm interested in your thoughts, thanks.. As if commitment could be pigeonholed into a certain type of clothing! It, of course, cannot. But can commitment be seen from a change in a persons outward appearance including clothing? Very often, "yes". Who could say all the ways this might happen. A shirt may be ironed where it was not before. A man may now put on a tie or a woman may add a neckless or earrings. I have seen it over and over again. Should I judge commitment based on this change in appearance? No. But it is none the less true, when a person changes on the inside they often change on the outside. Garments are attached to serious and sacred covenants we make in the Temple. Wearing pants, a skirt or a tie on Sundays is not what I would consider a "sacred" privilege, IMO. Agreed. My point in giving that quote was really in regards to the second portion of the statement. I added this first portion just to provide context. My point is that our outward dress should reflect our inner commitment.
Suzie Posted October 26, 2011 Report Posted October 26, 2011 As if commitment could be pigeonholed into a certain type of clothing! It, of course, cannot.Oh okay because you said that our commitment to Christ ultimately does reflect in our dress so I was wondering what type of dress "qualifies" as a reflection of our commitment to Christ. Thanks for clarifying.But can commitment be seen from a change in a persons outward appearance including clothing? Very often, "yes". Who could say all the ways this might happen. A shirt may be ironed where it was not before. A man may now put on a tie or a woman may add a neckless or earrings. I have seen it over and over again.I guess I have a hard time linking outward clothing with commitment to the Savior. I understand new members may want to fit in or look nice for Church, etc but I am not sure if I agree or see the connection between clothing and commitment to Christ.
Windseeker Posted October 26, 2011 Report Posted October 26, 2011 Story 2: I was visiting St. George one summer and my mother went to the temple to do a session. I was at my grandmother's house watching my little brother when I got a phone call that my mother had become severely light headed and nearly passed out during the session. She would need a ride home. I went to the temple as soon as I could to pick her up. I was wearing shorts and a Hawaiian shirt, and sandals. I felt a little apprehensive about entering the temple in such loud clothing, but knew that there wasn't much to be done. When I came in the door, the worker at the desk stood, smiled at me, and welcomed me to the temple. I handed him my recommend and before I could explain why I had come, he--having noticed I wasn't carrying a bag with me--kindly pointed out where the clothing rental was. I declined and stated my purpose and he immediately called for someone to take me back to where my mother was waiting. The attitude and kindness of the man was very comforting. I couldn't detect the slightest hint of any evaluation of what I was wearing. Instead, I felt like I was welcomed in full fellowship to worship the Lord.This was my experience when visiting the Portland Temple. I took an old roommate of mine (non-member from France) on a camping and surfing trip to the Oregon Coast. Along the way we talked allot about religion. We decided on our way back to show him the temple. All of us were fairly salty and grungy and me and another LDS surfer put what nice cloths we had together so he at least looked half-way decent and I called my little sister who lived near by. She came dressed up and showed him into the temple and he had a great experience. I was waiting by the entrance and was greeted by all I met as if I completely belonged there. I even met some old friends of my parents. I definitely felt out of place but the spirit was so strong and I was so grateful for the acceptance of those we encountered that day.
annewandering Posted October 26, 2011 Report Posted October 26, 2011 She came dressed up and showed him into the temple and he had a great experience. I was waiting by the entrance and was greeted by all I met as if I completely belonged there. I even met some old friends of my parents. I definitely felt out of place but the spirit was so strong and I was so grateful for the acceptance of those we encountered that day.? Your non LDS friend went into the temple and had a good experience? I am confused to say the least.
MarginOfError Posted October 26, 2011 Report Posted October 26, 2011 ? Your non LDS friend went into the temple and had a good experience? I am confused to say the least.It's quite simple. You just loan the non-member friend your recommend and they go right in!That happened in Boston while I was working there. A non-LDS woman wanted to see what the temple was like, so her LDS friend let her borrow her recommend. She went in, looked around, went down to the cafeteria and asked where she could find a cup of coffee. The details of how she came into the temple were soon found out.
Dravin Posted October 26, 2011 Report Posted October 26, 2011 ? Your non LDS friend went into the temple and had a good experience? I am confused to say the least.Well there is the foyer/waiting room area that those without temple recommends are welcome to enter, but I'd probably not consider that a good time. Switching in for around would make sense too, but I have not clue if such a mix-up is at play.Dang it, now you've got me wondering. :-/
annewandering Posted October 26, 2011 Report Posted October 26, 2011 Dang it, now you've got me wondering. :-/oops......
RMGuy Posted October 26, 2011 Report Posted October 26, 2011 I think there is a huge difference between a "righteous" member and a self-righteous member. Righteous people have strong values they wish to live by. Self-righteous people have strong values they wish YOU would live by. --RM
Dravin Posted October 26, 2011 Report Posted October 26, 2011 (edited) I think there is a huge difference between a "righteous" member and a self-righteous member. Righteous people have strong values they wish to live by. Self-righteous people have strong values they wish YOU would live by.--RMThere is a little more to it than that, else Christ, and every dedicated Church leader, and parents fall under that net. Heck ideally everyone would fall under that, because I would hope, for example, everyone has strong values about not murdering people for kicks and wants everyone to live by them. I'm guessing it's the implied hypocrisy (in the definition) that's the key. Edited October 26, 2011 by Dravin
Suzie Posted October 26, 2011 Report Posted October 26, 2011 I think there is a huge difference between a "righteous" member and a self-righteous member. Righteous people have strong values they wish to live by. Self-righteous people have strong values they wish YOU would live by.--RMI don't think self righteous people wish you to live by their standards. I think they are so assured of their own knowledge, morality and perceived spirituality that they judge others (unrighteously) who behave and conduct differently than them and most importantly, lose the ability to self-examine because they're too busy pointing out the perceived immorality or bad behavior of others. A righteous person by the other hand is quietly living the commandments and not making himself/herself the center of it all.
mrmarklin Posted October 26, 2011 Report Posted October 26, 2011 (edited) Obviously clothing is cultural. I've notice that on this discussion none of you can seem to get away from your North American roots.In Latin American LDS services it's very common for many if not most male members not to wear ties because of economics, or climate or social status.I live near Silicon Valley, and wearing a tie at work is now almost a non-event unless one is in sales, or in court! That does not mean everyone wears cheap Wal-Mart clothing. People in Silicon Valley I daresay are among the most expensively dressed in the nation. Witness the price of casual clothing at Saks or Nordstrom.I haven't worn a tie since 2000 and I'm a CPA. I gave away all my suits, and had to buy one when my daughter married a couple of years ago!I generally go to church wearing a shirt and tie (never a white shirt I hate them!) without any jacket. The leather soled shoes are almost history as well, I only have two pair left, and when they're gone they're gone.Most guys wear jackets and ties, but not everyone any more. Some women come occasionally in pantsuits.But all in all I would say everyone is well-dressed in California style.No one has showed up wearing a Burka. Some of the Polynesian men wear a skirt (called a Lava lava) with their shirt and ties. I wouldn't consider them underdressed by any means.I think most of you are making too big a deal of this. The tie did not become common until the early 1800s, and was popularized by a fashion dandy named Beau Brummel. Women's fashions have been all over the lot since then. A white wedding dress was worn and popularized by Queen Victoria. Before that they could be of any color and were.My point is that all this stuff is a passing fancy. Wear what you want, with all due respect! Edited October 26, 2011 by mrmarklin
annewandering Posted October 26, 2011 Report Posted October 26, 2011 Wear what you want, with all due respect!Agreed. For church anyway. :) Oh and hey walmart is my fashion boutique!
spamlds Posted October 26, 2011 Report Posted October 26, 2011 Where I live--below the Mason-Dixon Line--you see a pretty wide spread of denominations and how they dress for their services. Older people in the white Protestant churches usually dress conservatively (shirt, tie and jacket for the men, dresses for the ladies). The churches that attract a younger crowd are getting ever more casual. I've seen people going to church in shorts and sandals. Some of those churches have a "coffee house" ambience to them. The casual worship and dress contribute to casual observance of religion, IMHO. The African-American churches are usually all decked out in the best they have. They consider it disrespectful not to dress up--and the ladies all wear hats! They do this based on a literal rendering of 1 Corinthians 11:5. We are taught to go with our Sunday best, but in a way that doesn't draw attention to ourselves. Priesthood holders who are doing gospel ordinances like passing the sacrament should strive to be generic and "invisible." We don't want anyone to be distracted away from the ordinance by ourselves. That's why we don't wear earrings, nose rings, flashy hair styles, flashy ties, etc. when we pass the sacrament. At least, that's the intent. It's not about us. It's about the Lord and the covenant represented by the ordinance. It's an unfortunate thing if we get in the way of that happening by our dress and appearance.
Windseeker Posted October 26, 2011 Report Posted October 26, 2011 ? Your non LDS friend went into the temple and had a good experience? I am confused to say the least.No he was only allowed into the foyer and the Portland Temple has a beautiful atrium.
annewandering Posted October 26, 2011 Report Posted October 26, 2011 Nice! ty for answering because I really was confused. cool emotes by the way!
Windseeker Posted October 26, 2011 Report Posted October 26, 2011 I went shopping last week with my 14 and 16 year old daughters and spent 1/2 the day in the mall and came out with only one dress. I couldn't find any skirts or dresses for their age that were below the knee. Looks like our next step is try to find something on 6pm.com I have a ton of respect for women who dress modestly. It's allot of work!
annewandering Posted October 26, 2011 Report Posted October 26, 2011 I went shopping last week with my 14 and 16 year old daughters and spent 1/2 the day in the mall and came out with only one dress. I couldn't find any skirts or dresses for their age that were below the knee. Looks like our next step is try to find something on 6pm.comI have a ton of respect for women who dress modestly. It's allot of work!I have been looking for a dress lately. Beginning to think I need to get out the sewing machine.
john doe Posted October 26, 2011 Report Posted October 26, 2011 I think there is a huge difference between a "righteous" member and a self-righteous member. Righteous people have strong values they wish to live by. Self-righteous people have strong values they wish YOU would live by.--RMBy self-righteous, you mean people who disagree with your interpretation of things, right? Since Jesus has asked us to live a certain way and do certain things in certain ways, I guess he would fall into your definition of self-righteous. But as long as we all accept and see things your way it's okay, right?
annewandering Posted October 26, 2011 Report Posted October 26, 2011 Definition of SELF-RIGHTEOUS : convinced of one's own righteousness especially in contrast with the actions and beliefs of others : narrow-mindedly moralistic Just thought this might be useful. Its from websters online dictionary.
Backroads Posted October 27, 2011 Author Report Posted October 27, 2011 I have been looking for a dress lately. Beginning to think I need to get out the sewing machine.Yet in Utah it seems so easy.When I went to buy my wedding dress, the shop owner even asked if I wanted showy or modest. Her shop served both tastes.But, seriously, I hear this trouble with a lot of people. Tragic what fashion is these days.
Leah Posted October 27, 2011 Report Posted October 27, 2011 Well there is the foyer/waiting room area that those without temple recommends are welcome to enter, but I'd probably not consider that a good time. Switching in for around would make sense too, but I have not clue if such a mix-up is at play.Dang it, now you've got me wondering. :-/I've spent many an hour in the foyer, the atrium, and on the Temple grounds at the Portland Temple. I'd say every minute qualified as a "good time". That is, if you consider spending time in prayer and contemplation and drawing closer to Heavenly Father a "good time".
Mamas_Girl Posted October 27, 2011 Report Posted October 27, 2011 What I find humorous is the only mention of the Mormons I saw in the article was the following: After all, Mormon temples have dress codes, It's just strange to see outsiders mention the temple when we have an everyday dress code that basically says we should keep our legs covered to the knee, nothing less than cap sleeves, and keep our belly covered. For church I'd say wear your best, which for LDS usually will fall into the above category.
pooter1 Posted October 27, 2011 Report Posted October 27, 2011 Its all about respect for our heavenly father for me.I would NEVER wear pants to church but I don't judge others that do. I want to wear my very best for the the lord.Its his day,its his home and I want him to know know how much I respect him and love him so I want to look my very best.I may be wrong but I feel when we are at church on sunday that of all days to not be part of the world this is the day especially is the day to not be part of the world.I feel different during the week but on sunday its a different feeling.I want to dress my best.
Dravin Posted October 27, 2011 Report Posted October 27, 2011 (edited) I've spent many an hour in the foyer, the atrium, and on the Temple grounds at the Portland Temple. I'd say every minute qualified as a "good time". That is, if you consider spending time in prayer and contemplation and drawing closer to Heavenly Father a "good time".I don't consider a tour of the foyer a good time, if the non-member spent his time in the foyer in prayer and contemplation more power to him. Edited October 27, 2011 by Dravin
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