Modesty: A Promised Attitude of Preparation

Wherever you go in the world, there are opinions and traditions that you may not agree with. Some differences are obvious and some differences are subtle. Sometimes even if our actions are quite similar to another's, we can feel divided or misunderstood because our reasons are quite different. Ironically, I have found that these differences often feel as big as when I openly disagree with someone.

Even in places of supposed unity (the Church, ones family) there are inevitable differences. Today I feel the need to address a subtle difference I have when it comes to the Christian attitude of modesty. If you're a member of The Church of Jesus Christ I can almost feel you eye rolling. Please take a deep breath, read the title of the post, and consider what modesty means outside the realm of dress code.

A Promised Attitude

In the temple we covenant to obey 5 laws, the fifth of which is the law of consecration. As an endowed member of The Church of Jesus Christ, I have promised God that I will use all the blessings He has given me to build up His kingdom on the earth. This promised attitude applies to my actions as well as my motivations. 

Let me explain. If I for example, help shovel snow for an hour before church meetings only to find out that the meetings were cancelled, I don't need to feel like that was wasted service because no one was around to appreciate my efforts. Instead I can be like the reformed, repentant Jean Valjean from Les Miserables. "He went about doing his good deeds as secretly as most men go about doing their evil ones." This to me is the epitome of modesty.

A scriptural example of modesty can be found in the Pearl of Great Price when reading of the grand council in Heaven where God presented His plan for the eternal salvation of man. This plan needed a savior in order for us to have a chance to return to Heaven. Two volunteered but only one demanded the Father's glory. Jesus Christ was modest and meek; he willingly volunteered to be the savior and redeemer of us all, without demanding anything in return. Of course he does receive crowning blessings of glory for his actions and for making the plan possible. His infinitely virtuous atoning sacrifice was truly an expression of love.

Sow a Thought, Reap an Action

Now I'm not going to save the world with my modesty and meekness but my humble expressions of these attitudes are also actions of love. 

Modesty affects how I think. Since my thoughts cause my feelings which lead to actions or repeated thoughts known as beliefs, there's a variety of end results from thinking modest thoughts. Thinking modestly can sound like "using clean and intelligent language [as] evidence of a bright and wholesome mind" or graciously thanking someone for a compliment while giving God the glory. It  feels like versatile comfort for me and those around me as I don't call undue attention to myself (use your imagination here because there are lots of ways to help others feel uncomfortable.) 

What does modesty look like?

Modesty is so much more than a dress code and often when it is taught in such narrow-minded application we misunderstand the eternal principles of agency and accountability as well as the gospel laws we covenant to obey in the temple and elsewhere. Modesty in action is almost invisible because it does not draw attention to itself, but think of someone you know who serves behind the scenes. This is what modesty looks like.

When my daughter wants to wear something that is deemed too revealing or otherwise inappropriate for said activity (a swimsuit in the library for example), here is how I teach and why:

Modesty is a way we prepare ourselves to make and receive sacred promises from God in His holy temples. This includes but is not at all limited to our manner of dress. So if my attitude and actions are preparing me for the temple then they're definitely "appropriate."

MORE THAN A DRESS CODE
My 7 year old told me the other day, "You know the primary song 'Reverence is More Than Just Quietly Sitting'? You should write a verse about modesty being more than just covering up."


So what attitudes have blessed your life? I'd love to hear about them! How has an attitude affected you and those around you?