StandingWater Creations

I was in class the other day and the professor got up and asked a question. I don’t remember what the question was or why we’d gotten off on talking about how one lives their religion, but it seemed to me that the conversation quickly delved into appropriate dress for church, meetings, and (for men) Priesthood responsibilities.

Then the topic of white shirts came up and someone said, “I think that you wear a white shirt to set yourself apart from how you dress the rest of the week.”

The professor asked, “What about seminary teachers? They wear white shirts everyday.”

There are other professions that do the same thing. I said, “I don’t wear a white shirt, in part, because of my mission. I don’t think that makes me any less of an individual because I choose not to wear white shirts.”

NOTE: I do wear white when I go to the temple; I own a white shirt for that express purpose.

Anyway, it was then talked about how traditionally people wear certain things. Men wear white shirts and women wear pantyhose. I pointed out that I knew someone who doesn’t wear pantyhose anymore because of her mission. I’d imagine I probably know many people who fall into that category; that’s really not the point. Rather, sometimes we get caught in the trap of tradition placing it ahead of other elements in our lives that might be more important. Especially the element of choosing to live your religion.

As I sat there the thought occurred to me: We should be living our religion in such a way that it shouldn’t matter what we wear on any day of the week because the people around us should be able to tell that, as an individual, I am somehow different. Meaning, a white shirt shouldn’t have to be my uniform if I am living my religion properly. Often, though, it is the way we choose to show that we are going to church or are doing something different with our lives; by putting on a white shirt and tie.

Tradition isn’t a bad thing. It is through tradition that we have the Standard Works. It is through tradition that much of our religious dogma (Catholic, meaning pure and Protestant) has been handed down for two-thousand years. We gather our practices because of what was kept for us by other authors and religionists and that, in part, is a direct result of tradition. The practice of tradition isn’t bad; but it can be misguided.

Wearing white shirts is not required. I am sure that for a 70 or an Apostle within the LDS church it is probably required. I know that when I applied for a job at the MTC (missionary training center) they required that I show up for work everyday in a white shirt and tie even though I would have no direct contact with the missionaries within the center. I know that various other church related jobs require that the individual wear white shirts and ties to work (like seminary teacher). And I know that when it comes to proper Sunday worship, a white shirt and tie is not necessary or required.

And yet, I sit in church on Sunday and watch twelve members of the Aaronic Priesthood pass the sacrament in white shirts, ties, and coats. It is amazing to see. I was a Deacon’s Quorum President and having six boys show up dressed in white was an amazing feat; especially since I didn’t feel it (always) necessary to dress in white back then either. It was more likely, but that doesn’t mean it was always going to happen.

My father taught, “White shirts and ties are the uniform of the priesthood,” and I don’t disagree with him. But what uniform is it? Is it the uniform of every priesthood brother. Of every bishop? Stake President? Elder’s Quorum President? Priest? Teacher? Deacon? And Elder? I really don’t think so. I do think that it is required for Missionaries, the Elders, and for General Authorities and is probably encouraged for Stake Presidents and Bishops, but in the latter two cases I am also pretty certain that it is not required just encouraged.

Just because my father taught me something doesn’t make it right. I’d share other examples of what might not be right, but that’s not going to happen. It’s not my place to show the faults or follies of that man. I believe that what (and how) he taught me was for my benefit and learning and as an adult as I choose to apply those teachings I only benefit from his experience, teachings, wisdom, and opinions.

But it is tradition to wear white. Some people claim that it represents purity. The professor in class pointed out that with white shirts often come black pants. So, with a pair of black slacks does that mean you are representing impurity and that the dress is a metaphor for the battle between dark and light, good and evil. It’s not.

Ties were, initially, bibs that protected clothing from food. And yet, they’ve become a part of fashion. Traditionally, when dressing up, you wear a tie. It actually distracts the eye from a stark image. It also accentuates the clothing and colors being worn. But, ties are, in essence, a long-term fad.

Being clean shaved is a long term fad. I know that, again, it is current tradition to not have facial hair; and I know that I hate facial hair so my personal preferences and tradition go hand in hand here; but when the church was organized and for a lot of years afterward the leadership all had beards. Times change. People change. And now we don’t have facial hair. But it is still tradition. Again, there are a few callings (and jobs) that require you to shave (see list above), but outside of those it is encouraged not required.

Living your religion, ultimately, is something that you have to do for you. What you wear may be an aspect of that; but, if you are truly living your religion in a way that exemplifies God you will stand out from the crowd. There will be no need for Sunday attire because your everyday attire is probably good enough. This does mean that you might choose to have something slightly nicer, or absolutely nicer, than your work-a-day clothing that you would wear to church and that is appropriate; but the outcome is also that chances are you won’t of necessity or requirement need to wear white because some people think it is the only color you as a priesthood holder should wear. (NOTE: this argument can also work for sisters and pantyhose.) Rather, you will be living your religion every day and the need to put on something special won’t matter because you don’t need that reminder of who and what you are.

White is nice, in its place, and I believe that it is an appropriate color to wear. However, I choose not to and I also believe that, at this point in my life, that is also okay.

John Hattaway | smokingpen | Alicia Grey | Zach Johnson | Bond. James Bond