Modesty

President Joseph Fielding Smith, Counsel to the Saints and to the World, April 1972 General Conference

“Be modest in your dress. Overcome the world, and do not be led astray by the fashions and practices of those whose interests are centered upon the things of this world.”

President Boyd K Packer, Counsel to Youth, October 2011 General Conference

“Dress modestly; talk reverently; listen to uplifting music. Avoid all immorality and personally degrading practices. Take hold of your life and order yourself to be valiant.”

1 Corinthians 8:13

13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

Silvia H. Allred, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, "Modesty: A Timeless Principle for All", Ensign July 2009"...clothing also reflects our attitudes and values. ...the way we dress demonstrates our understanding of and commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Given originally at a BYU devotional assembly, 13 February 1951, and published as "BYU Students Warned of Immodesty in Dress" in Deseret News, Church Section, 28 February 1951, 5. This speech was repeated in various forms and quoted in subsequent speeches by President Kimball; for instance, as "Immodesty in Dress" at the Portland stake quarterly conference MIA session, 9 September 1956, and as part of his devotional address at BYU 12 September 1978

 “I know I’m not going to be popular when I say this, but I am sure that the immodest dresses that are worn by our young women, and their mothers, contribute in some degree to the immorality of this age” 

"Body Piercings," True to the Faith, p. 27

"Latter-day prophets strongly discourage the piercing of the body except for medical purposes. If girls or women desire to have their ears pierced, they are encouraged to wear only one pair of modest earrings."

President Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Prophet’s Counsel and Prayer for Youth”, January 2001 Ensign

“As for the young women, you do not need to drape rings up and down your ears. One modest pair of earrings is sufficient.”

My Thoughts

{

What does “modest” mean?  What is a modest pair of earrings?  Modesty is more than just clothing.

The Savior led a modest life and gave the glory to God. Is our countenance about ourselves or about witnessing of the goodness of having God in our lives?

The Savior was not just modest in his choice of clothing, but also in conversation and behavior.

}

President N. Eldon Tanner, “Friend to Friend,” Friend, June 1971

“Modesty in dress is a quality of mind and heart, born of respect for oneself, one’s fellowmen, and the Creator of us all. Modesty reflects an attitude of humility, decency, and propriety. Consistent with these principles and guided by the Holy Spirit, let parents, teachers, and youth discuss the particulars of dress, grooming, and personal appearance, and with free agency accept responsibility and choose the right”

Elder Quentin L. Cook, “The Eternal Everyday”, October 2017 General Conference

“For generations, the religious-based virtue of humility and the civic virtues of modesty and understatement have been the predominant standard.

“In today’s world, there is an increased emphasis on pride, self-aggrandizement, and so-called “authenticity,” which sometimes leads to a lack of true humility.”

…

“The widespread deterioration of civil discourse is also a concern. The eternal principle of agency requires that we respect many choices with which we do not agree. Conflict and contention now often breach “the boundaries of common decency.” We need more modesty and humility.”

Carol F. McConkie, “Courage to Choose Modesty”, October 2014 Ensign

“Modesty in dress, appearance, thought, and behavior is evidence that we understand the covenants we have made that bless us, protect us, and empower us in our preparation to return to His presence. When we were baptized, we stepped out of the world and into the kingdom of God. Everything must be different for us.”

Elder Robert D Hales, “The Covenant of Baptism: To Be in the Kingdom and of the Kingdom”, October 2000 General Conference

“By choosing to be in His kingdom, we separate—not isolate—ourselves from the world. Our dress will be modest, our thoughts pure, our language clean. The movies and television we watch, the music we listen to, the books, magazines, and newspapers we read will be uplifting. We will choose friends who encourage our eternal goals, and we will treat others with kindness. We will shun the vices of immorality, gambling, tobacco, liquor, and illicit drugs. Our Sunday activities will reflect the commandment of God to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. We will follow the example of Jesus Christ in the way we treat others. We will live to be worthy to enter the house of the Lord.

President Margaret D Nadauld, “The Joy of Womanhood”, October 2000 General Conference

“Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.”