This is the quote I'm assuming you are talking about:
May I suggest that wherever possible a white shirt be worn by the deacons, teachers, and priests who handle the sacrament. For sacred ordinances in the Church we often use ceremonial clothing, and a white shirt could be seen as a gentle reminder of the white clothing you wore in the baptismal font and an anticipation of the white shirt you will soon wear into the temple and onto your missions.
May I suggest that wherever possible a white shirt be worn by the deacons, teachers, and priests who handle the sacrament. For sacred ordinances in the Church we often use ceremonial clothing, and a white shirt could be seen as a gentle reminder of the white clothing you wore in the baptismal font and an anticipation of the white shirt you will soon wear into the temple and onto your missions.
That simple suggestion is not intended to be pharisaic or formalistic. We do not want deacons or priests in uniforms or unduly concerned about anything but the purity of their lives. But how our young people dress can teach a holy principle to us all, and it certainly can convey sanctity. As President David O. McKay taught, a white shirt contributes to the sacredness of the holy sacrament (see Conference Report, Oct. 1956, p. 89).. We do not want deacons or priests in uniforms or unduly concerned about anything but the purity of their lives. But how our young people dress can teach a holy principle to us all, and it certainly can convey sanctity. As President David O. McKay taught, a white shirt contributes to the sacredness of the holy sacrament (see Conference Report, Oct. 1956, p. 89).
First of all he said "whenever possible". For most that is really possible even if they need help from the ward to buy one. He also said, "That simple suggestion is not intended to be pharisaic or formalistic." So in context I don't see the suggestion as a bad one -- it should be easy to comply with. Even now most Catholic and Protestant ministers wear vestments of perhaps a suit because they believe what they are doing is sacred. I don't see anything wrong with Holland's advice although I can see something wrong with judging someone about whether or not he's wearing a white shirt. It looks like this goes back a lot longer than Holland if President McKay was teaching it.
BartBurk wrote:This is the quote I'm assuming you are talking about:
May I suggest that wherever possible a white shirt be worn by the deacons, teachers, and priests who handle the sacrament. For sacred ordinances in the Church we often use ceremonial clothing, and a white shirt could be seen as a gentle reminder of the white clothing you wore in the baptismal font and an anticipation of the white shirt you will soon wear into the temple and onto your missions.
May I suggest that wherever possible a white shirt be worn by the deacons, teachers, and priests who handle the sacrament. For sacred ordinances in the Church we often use ceremonial clothing, and a white shirt could be seen as a gentle reminder of the white clothing you wore in the baptismal font and an anticipation of the white shirt you will soon wear into the temple and onto your missions.
That simple suggestion is not intended to be pharisaic or formalistic. We do not want deacons or priests in uniforms or unduly concerned about anything but the purity of their lives. But how our young people dress can teach a holy principle to us all, and it certainly can convey sanctity. As President David O. McKay taught, a white shirt contributes to the sacredness of the holy sacrament (see Conference Report, Oct. 1956, p. 89).. We do not want deacons or priests in uniforms or unduly concerned about anything but the purity of their lives. But how our young people dress can teach a holy principle to us all, and it certainly can convey sanctity. As President David O. McKay taught, a white shirt contributes to the sacredness of the holy sacrament (see Conference Report, Oct. 1956, p. 89).
First of all he said "whenever possible". For most that is really possible even if they need help from the ward to buy one. He also said, "That simple suggestion is not intended to be pharisaic or formalistic." So in context I don't see the suggestion as a bad one -- it should be easy to comply with. Even now most Catholic and Protestant ministers wear vestments of perhaps a suit because they believe what they are doing is sacred. I don't see anything wrong with Holland's advice although I can see something wrong with judging someone about whether or not he's wearing a white shirt. It looks like this goes back a lot longer than Holland if President McKay was teaching it.
It doesn't matter that Holland said "whenever possible"...that is beside the point....because it has not been interpreted by the church as "whenever possible" nor has it been put into practice as "whenever possible" ... it has been set up as policy and is being practiced as an absolute....and it has taken on an almost (dare I say) cult like standard by which every male is judged since Hollands talk...prior to that time...it was something missionaries and GA's did...but the average male member could wear what ever they wished without consequence
"...The official doctrine of the LDS Church is a Global Flood" - BCSpace
"...What many people call sin is not sin." - Joseph Smith
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away" - Phillip K. Dick
“The meaning of life is that it ends" - Franz Kafka
bcspace wrote:Not at all. First of all, nothing I said made that connection. Second, some of the staunchest conservative TBM's I know wear non white shirts on Sunday including myself. I rotate with a mix two white and four color shirts (that match various ties). Yet another stereotypical error in correlation on your part.
Rotate? Really? Ever on the spur of the moment went out of order? Did it feel like you were sinning?
Craig Paxton wrote:It used to be that a person was judged on the content of their character and not on the color of their shirt...but then something changed. A conference talk was given and all of a sudden, shirt color mattered.
Something significant changed in the church with this talk...all of a sudden...obedience became a semi annual subject in general conference...but not just any obedience talk but obedience to priesthood authority talks and what was the easiest way to confirm compliance? Shirt color.
No longer did church authorities have to wait for reports of the tell-tell smell of cigarette smoke or the sound of a lawn mower running on the sabbath to judge fellow ward members...now they could do a quick glance over the congregation and know immediately who was and who wasn't obedient to priesthood authority.
But I believe that that one talk and the resulting consequences have done more damage to the church and it's male members than nearly any other policy. Like limiting the number of earrings, banning flip-flops, tatoos and judging the female members on whether or not their shoulders where covered...white shirts have bled the church of that human quality prized everywhere except within Mormonism....individuality.
The church lost something very valuable the day that talk was given and set into motion a bevy of steps that have quashed individuality and free expression...and the suppression continues to this day.
If u can imagine this...there once was a day when even church office employees had a choice of shirt color...but alias...those days are mere distant memories of the very old...whose children even question the stories of such a time when members actually had a choice
What unendurable, juvenile drek.
Why would I ever want to leave this place?
Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father [in Heaven] and how familiar his face is to us
- President Ezra Taft Benson
I am so old that I can remember when most of the people promoting race hate were white.
It would be awesome if Monson announced that priesthood holders should wear 3 Stooges t-shirts instead of white shirts and ties. With a suit coat, it's a classic look.
"It doesn't seem fair, does it Norm--that I should have so much knowledge when there are people in the world that have to go to bed stupid every night." -- Clifford C. Clavin, USPS
"¡No contaban con mi astucia!" -- El Chapulin Colorado
Arn't you glad that you live in a country that allows free speech and where you can regard my posts as juvenile drek...and with that same freedom I can tell you to kiss my ass.
"...The official doctrine of the LDS Church is a Global Flood" - BCSpace
"...What many people call sin is not sin." - Joseph Smith
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away" - Phillip K. Dick
“The meaning of life is that it ends" - Franz Kafka
Arn't you glad that you live in a country that allows free speech and where you can regard my posts as juvenile drek...and with that same freedom I can tell you to kiss my ass.
My comment stands.
Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father [in Heaven] and how familiar his face is to us
- President Ezra Taft Benson
I am so old that I can remember when most of the people promoting race hate were white.
As does my ass.... Oh and welcome to a web sight that still allows freedom of expression irrespective of belief standards...Unlike your echo-chamber over at M D & D...from which I was banned for merely expressing my opinion
"...The official doctrine of the LDS Church is a Global Flood" - BCSpace
"...What many people call sin is not sin." - Joseph Smith
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away" - Phillip K. Dick
“The meaning of life is that it ends" - Franz Kafka
