Things Changed When Shirt Color Began to Matter

[_just me]

This nation was founded on bucking authority. It's tradition!!!

Mormonism was founded on bucking authority too. We're each entitled to communiques from god, was the notion. But JSJr then realized early on that he could not have power over others that way, so then he declared that god would only speak through him. It was a revolution, having come full circle, 360 degrees, only leaving JSJr atop a religious pile instead of at the bottom of it. Ever since, it's been an anathema to LDS hierarchy that anyone buck authority. So even though Mormonism was founded on bucking authority it has become one of the most ardent proponents against authority-bucking.

Crazy, ain't it???

[_DarkHelmet]

This nation was founded on bucking authority. It's tradition!!!

True. I suspect if Droopy, BC Space, LDSfaqs, et al were around in 1776, they would have been loyalists.

[_Bob Loblaw]

When the prophet speaks the dumbing down has been done.

Think about it. For Droopy questioning arbitrary rules from our leaders is evidence of arrested development. Obedience, however--even when we believe obeying would be wrong--must be absolute.

[_Bob Loblaw]

True maturity is the ability to determine what choices are important and to have the courage to make the right choices, no matter the consequences.

We were taught to obey unconditionally and that if what we were being asked seemed wrong, we need to trust our leaders. Add to that the insistence that leaders are above any sort of criticism, even (especially?) if the criticism is true. Church history is an object lesson as to what can happen when absolute obedience and sacrifice of conscience are required. Women become property of the leaders (Joseph Smith, notoriously), and lives are to be taken with little thought (Brigham Young).

And yet we're being lectured about how childish we are being. It is childish to abdicate your choices to someone else without question. And it's damned scary.

[Guest]

I would say it's fundamentally adolescent of the church and its leaders to put such a high premium on what people wear and how they groom themselves. I find the subject fascinating and it has nothing to do with any supposed problem with authority. I just wonder how a religion that started off so intent to change the world turned into one in which wearing the wrong color shirt is taboo.

Resistance to this kind of utter stupefaction is futile. Hence, I will not resist, but just leave the scene of the crime.

[_Bob Loblaw]

Resistance to this kind of utter stupefaction is futile. Hence, I will not resist, but just leave the scene of the crime.

In other words after mocking us for being adolescent and immature you have no response other than to hurl an adolescent insult at me. Beautiful.

What do you think, Droopy? Why does God care so much about ties and shirts and facial hair? Are these important to him, or not?

[_DarkHelmet]

Resistance to this kind of utter stupefaction is futile. Hence, I will not resist, but just leave the scene of the crime.

In other words after mocking us for being adolescent and immature you have no response other than to hurl an adolescent insult at me. Beautiful.

What do you think, Droopy? Why does God care so much about ties and shirts and facial hair? Are these important to him, or not?

They aren't important to God, but they are important to the church leaders, and that's all that matters.

[_Bob Loblaw]

They aren't important to God, but they are important to the church leaders, and that's all that matters.

My question to Droopy still stands: why has conformity become an end in itself in the church?

[_Madison54]

....the requirement that priesthood bearers wear white shirts and ties when they pass the sacrament.

It's not just a requirement for passing the sacrament and you know it, Droopy.

All members of bishoprics and stake presidencies wouldn't even think of showing up for a meeting without wearing a white shirt and tie. They want all priesthood holders to always wear a white shirt and tie when performing any priesthood blessing or ordinance.

I even had a bishop in my area tell me that when he sees a man sitting in the audience wearing a striped or colored shirt, he assumes they are not worthy to bless the sacrament or perform or be asked to assist in a blessing, etc.

So don't pretend there's nothing to this.

[_Droopy]

In other words after mocking us for being adolescent and immature you have no response other than to hurl an adolescent insult at me. Beautiful.

It was no adolescent insult, but a well considered observation. That's what you folks around here just don't get.

What do you think, Droopy? Why does God care so much about ties and shirts and facial hair? Are these important to him, or not?

Personal appearance, grooming, and the "personal culture" one carries with him or her - clothes, body adornment, make-up, etc. implies and indicates a great deal regarding self concept as well as one's values and view of oneself in relation to others and the surrounding social environment. The Church recognizes that and adapts those principles to gospel standards.

The gospel and the purifying power and influence of the Holy Spirit are understood to polish and refine us as well as increase and expand our higher sensitivities, sensibilities, feelings, desires, and perceptions. It continues, in other words, to civilize us, but not just with respect to the higher things of this world, but with respect to an even higher Zion, or Celestial culture. That refining process involves interior spiritual change, but that change, if it is real, eventually manifests itself in outward appearance; in the "culture" one carries with oneself and expresses through, not only dress and appearance, but speech, attitude, mannerisms (and manners), body language, and general affect.