Occasionally I run across interesting articles from our old Church magazines. This one is found in The Young Woman’s Journal, March 1890 edition. Even then they struggled with putting too much concern for their looks and growing old. This advice, from a 19th Century reverend, is still timely.
“Young women are often led to depend for happiness on personal charms. Do not be beguiled into such a belief. Beauty is such a subtle thing, it does not seem to depend upon facial proportions, or upon the sparkle of the eye or upon the flush of the cheek. You sometimes find it among irregular features. It is the soul shining through the face that makes one beautiful. But alas for those who depend upon mere personal charms. They will come to disappointment and to a great fret. There are so many different opinions about what are personal charms; and then sickness and trouble, and age do make such ravages. The poorest good that a woman ever worships is her own
face. The saddest sight in all the world is a woman who has built everything on good looks, when the charms begin to vanish. Oh, how they try to cover the wrinkles and hide the ravages of time! When Time, with iron-shod feet, steps on a face, the hoof-marks remain and you cannot hide them. It is silly to try to hide them. I think the most repulsive fool in all the world is an old fool!
I never could understand why a woman should be ashamed about getting old. It is a sign, it is prima facie evidence, that you have behaved tolerably well, or you would not have lived to this time. The grandest thing I think, is eternity, and that is made up of countless years. When the Book of Books would set forth the attractiveness of Jesus Christ, it says: “His hair was as white as snow.” But when the color goes from the cheek, and the luster from the eye, and the spring from the step, and the gracefulness from the gait, alas! For those who have built their time and eternity upon good looks. But all the passage of years cannot take out of one’s face benignity, and kindness, and compassion, and faith. Culture your heart and you culture your face.”—Rev. T. DeWitt Talmage in March Ladies’ Home Journal.
There are too many commercials and billboards convincing women to seek the Fountain of Youth. Having the perfect body image, for any enjoyable length of time, is not possible in this world. And if that is what you want to work at your whole life, you are sadly missing the point of your part in the Plan of Salvation.
Yes, I wish I were thinner. Yes, I wish I had thick, curly, gorgeous hair. But, you know, I would rather spend my time reading my scriptures than exercising. I would also rather make someone’s day than spend several hours at a day spa.
If my life is worth anything, I hope I can give it away rather than hoard it.
