Article of Faith 13–”We believe in being honest, true, chaste, ^benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Song: “Choose the Right”

Lesson: (from, Jan Pinborough, “Everything Good and Beautiful,” Ensign, Mar 2003, 62) “On a few special days, we pay particular attention to our children’s clothing. We carefully dress a precious infant to receive a name and a blessing. We prepare a treasured child to be baptized in white baptismal clothing. And on one of life’s crowning days, we may be privileged to watch a loved daughter or son make eternal covenants in beautiful temple robes. On each of these special days, we recognize that the way our children dress adds to the reverence and sacred significance of gospel ordinances.

But we may not realize that the way our children dress on ordinary days also has great significance. Indeed, our children’s everyday dress can either bring them closer to or take them farther from the ordinances and blessings of the gospel. How can we help our children dress in ways that will lead them from the sacred moment of a blessing or a baptism to the sacred covenants of the house of the Lord?

Lessons alone are not the most effective way to teach modesty. Here are some ways we can create a family culture that supports our children in dressing modestly:

• Set a family standard by always dressing appropriately yourself. If you have been to the temple, wear clothing that completely covers the garment. Even if you have not yet been to the temple, wear clothing that is appropriate to wear once you have.

• Eliminate from your home any entertainment that dulls children’s sense of what is appropriate and what isn’t. Every visual medium—movies, computer games, television shows, music videos—carries a message about clothing. If a child’s favorite pop star dresses provocatively, a young child may want to copy him or her and may begin to think these styles are not so bad.

• If you cannot find appropriate clothing, sew or have someone else sew for your children if possible.

• Write to or visit stores to let them know that you want wholesome styles for your children.

• Even when you or your children are participating in athletics, your clothing can be modest and tasteful as well as appropriate for the activity. If your child is required to wear an immodest uniform or costume for a school or an extracurricular activity, work with the coach, teacher, or principal to find a more appropriate style. You may even need to help your child consider giving up an activity that requires inappropriate dress.

• Don’t buy clothing that looks unwholesome or “borderline” simply to help children fit in with or be popular with peers. Help them feel comfortable with looking different by explaining that this kind of “differentness” is one way they can affirm their faith and be a light to others.

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) encouraged us to create a culture of modesty different from the one that may exist outside of our homes: “We can create a style of our own. … We must be different. We need not do anything we do not wish to do. We can create our own style and standards. We can influence the patterns among our own people, and we can also help to develop proper community patterns.

The Church’s basic guidelines on what not to wear are contained in For the Strength of Youth:

“Immodest clothing includes short shorts and skirts, tight clothing, shirts that do not cover the stomach, and other revealing attire. Young women should wear clothing that covers the shoulder and avoid clothing that is low-cut in the front or the back or revealing in any other manner. Young men should also maintain modesty in their appearance. All should avoid extremes in clothing, appearance, and hairstyle. …

“… If you are not sure what is appropriate, ask your parents or leaders for help.”

The task of countering the world’s standards can be daunting—especially when children grow older and want to fit in with their peers. But by starting in their earliest years, we can give our children a firm foundation for dressing modestly throughout their lives. What key concepts will put this foundation in place? Consider the following gospel truths and how understanding them will affect the clothing choices we make:

• I am a child of God. He gave me the sacred gift of my body for a specific purpose—to do His work.

• God wants me to dress modestly. Dressing modestly reflects my divine origin and purpose.

• Dressing modestly helps me focus on God’s purpose for me, and it helps others treat me with respect.

Activity: Have a family fashion show of what is modest and immodest. You might get a good laugh out of this one. Also, teach the children to look in the mirror and ask themselves if they could stand next to the Savior in what they were wearing. Remind children that you can be modest and still be in fashion. There are many companies now that make modest clothing for a reasonable price.

Treat: Bake cutout gingerbread-shaped sugar cookies of boys and girls and decorate them with frosting in modest clothing. Judge who had the best design.

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