Does this sound familiar to you?
“Moreover, the Lord saith: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched-forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet—“
This certainly seems to describe the women—and the men—of today, but it was actually first said by Isaiah in chapter 3, verse 16, and was quoted in the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi 13:16.
Billions of dollars are spent to make women fit the description Isaiah offered, and he wasn’t complimenting the results. The stretched-forth neck denotes a haughtiness of attitude unbecoming a woman of God. Overly made up eyes, mincing steps, and tinkling feet all suggest a world in which shallowness has become a substitute for substance. It’s faster and easier to apply a lot of make-up and jewelry, and to dress provocatively, than it is to strengthen our minds and build our characters.
God doesn’t apply standards of dress only to women. Both men and women should dress in ways that demonstrate who they are—children of a Heavenly Father with an eternal purpose.
“We hear that some young men not only request a pair of new shoes for school, but another for sports, and another for church. But not just any athletic shoe will do. They must have special designer label or be a special advertised brand. Your jeans have to be “501s” or “Guess” or “Calvin Klein.” Have you fallen into a trap of peer pressure that requires a certain look for you to be included in the “in” crowd, whether or not your parents can afford such demands?
Do others set your standards—what you will wear and what you will do—and not do? Believing young men and women with standards and values make these decisions for themselves and let others follow. Why aren’t we, as Latter-day Saints—with our high ideals—the examples, the peer leaders setting the standards and criteria that others follow?
The brand of clothes and the shoes you wear, and the gadgetry, probably not affordable by your parents, has absolutely no bearing on what you will eventually become. Our actions, our personal behavior, and our attitude determine our character and future.” (David B. Haight, “A Time for Preparation,” Ensign, Nov 1991, 36)
When we dress modestly—both in the cost of our clothing and in what it covers—we demonstrate that we have eternal priorities. We accept that our bodies are gifts from God given to us for very specific purposes and must be treated with respect and dignity. Showing them off inappropriately in order to invite immoral thoughts is not an appropriate use of a gift from God. Nor is it appropriate to adorn them in expensive finery. It suggests our bodies, created by God, are lacking, and need more than ordinary clothing to be acceptable.
When we think of our bodies as sacred gifts from a Heavenly Father who loves us, it becomes easier to adorn them simply and respectfully, showing God that we consider His gift enough.
The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.
