The whole dress vs. pants thing has probably played out by now, but I had an experience that made me do a double-take about what we wear to church…
Last week I had the opportunity (and obligation) to go on a youth Temple trip. I haven’t been on one in a few years, so I was excited to go.
I showed up at the church and noticed one of the young men leaders arrive in a maroon shirt and tie. Growing up in Utah, I thought this was a bit strange for going to the temple. When I was in Young Women’s in Utah I had been told stories from leaders about people being turned away from the Temple for not being dressed appropriately to enter.
Not one to avoid confrontation, and I have learned not to be one to skirt around an issue, I approached him and asked him about his lack of a white shirt. He told me that he’s gone to the Temple often in a colored shirt and has never been turned away. He told me that the standard he understood for going to the Temple is “Sunday Dress”. Since guys can wear colored shirts to church, it’s alright to wear one to the Temple.
We went to the Temple, and there was no problem with him going in. In fact, it was everything a youth Temple trip should be- it was perfectly inspiring.
In truth, I’ve always thought that if you do your best to get to the Temple, and look your best, you should be able to go in.
But this did get me thinking…
Pants to the Temple? Maybe not a big deal.
But when you consider that the Church okaying pants to Church, did you also realize they’d be okaying pants to the Temple?
Does that change your opinion on pants?
*Also I’m not looking to pick a fight with those of you who have an issue with pants to church that goes deeper than the pants. I am just talking about pants. To Church. And the Temple.
It’s my understanding that white shirts are worn to church mostly out of tradition. I ware a white long sleved shirt to the temple out of convince. Warring a colored shirt or wemen warring pants doesn’t make them less spiritual, or less worthy.
One time my husband and I met at the temple after he had been at work all day. I brought his temple clothes but forgot to bring his suit. He had nice pant and a nice polo shirt on, and they still let him enter. They were actually really nice and understanding about it. I’m pretty sure the temple workers knew that if he had to go home and change we probably wouldn’t have made the trip back that day. Im also pretty sure they want to encourage temple attendance as much as possible. Now Im not saying its ok to show up to the temple dressed casually all the time, however the Lord is more interested in whats going on in our hearts then what clothes we put on. That is my two cents. 🙂
I’m a temple worker, and the past several years we are encouraged to wear “Sunday best” (the nicer the better) to show our reverence for where we are and our Heavenly Father. We don’t, however, turn anyone away for what they wear, etc. If they are worthy of a recommend, they get in! It’s between you and the Lord.
Clothes are just that, clothes. I think it should be more about the attitude one has in approaching any sort of religiously infused activity.
I saw the first “pants to church” in our building yesterday. These were not “best dress” pants by any stretch of the imagination. Very tight, very red, and worn by a middle age woman….and she was coming out of the YW room. What are we teaching our youth by our example? Reverence is an inward feeling that we show in outward ways. If you really feel like wearing pants, then PLEASE make sure they are your best dress and appropriate.