Choose Modesty

                Parents can strengthen their families, communities, and nations by teaching and modeling modesty to the rising generation.   We live in a world where modesty is not always appreciated or respected.  If we do not teach our children and grandchildren to be modest, no one will.  It is important that parents teach the doctrine of modesty and set positive examples of it.  This teaching must take place in the home by the parents for it to do the most good.

                Modesty has been defined as “An Attitude of humility and decency in dress, grooming, language, and behavior” (True to the Faith:  A Gospel Reference (2204), 106).  Modesty applies to both men and women, to both boys and girls.

                Carol F. McConkie, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency recently shared some of her thoughts on modesty.  “Why is modesty important?  We live in a world of good and evil, and the physical body can be used for either righteous or wicked purposes.  But we know that our precious bodies are a gift from God to each of us.  They are sacred.  Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught, `To those who know and understand the plan of salvation, defiling the body is an act of rebellion [see Mosiah 2:36-37] and a denial of our true identity as sons and daughters of God.’  [“We Believe in Being Chaste,” Ensign, May 2013, 43).  We choose to care for and protect our bodies so that we may be instruments in the hands of God to bring about His glorious purposes (see Alma 26:3).  If we desire to stand for the Savior and do His work, we must ask ourselves, If the Savior stood beside us, would we feel comfortable in the clothing we wear?”

                Sister McConkie listed and explained three blessings one receives from being “modest in thought, word, appearance, and behavior.”

(1) “Modesty invites the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.”  (2) “We can Teach our sons and daughters that modest appearance and behavior helps protect us from the destructive influences of the world.”  (3) “Modesty enables us to `stand as witnesses of God at all times’ (Mosiah 18:9).”  (See “Courage to Choose Modesty,” Ensign, October 2014, pp. 40-43.)

                I suggest that you study Sister McConkie’s article to learn more about why we should be modest.  She quoted Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:  “Modesty is at the center of being pure and chaste, both in thought and deed.  Thus, because it guides and influences our thoughts, behavior, and decisions, modesty is at the core of our character” (“Modesty:  Reverence for the Lord,”  Ensign, August 2008, 35).