What does modesty have to do with missionary work, you ask? During the summer months, we always run into the problem of underdressing. But those of us who have gone to the temple, to make important covenants with the Lord, walk out of the temple with an important, and constant, reminder: our temple garments. And we have been taught to wear our garments always because we need that constant reminder.

Anyone who knows anything about “the Mormons” knows we wear “magic underwear.” So, what are they going to think when they meet a Latter-day Saint in skimpy clothes?

I brought this up in a Relief Society class a while ago, as we discussed missionary work, and I was a little surprised at the response. First of all, I began by saying I wasn’t saying this to judge anyone, but to remind them. That didn’t seem to help. We all need reminders pretty much all the time though, right?

The consensus in the room was that we have the agency to do what we want. Where that is absolutely true, it lacks a visual understanding of the importance of wearing our garments.

Having someone “remind” you of something you’re not doing is never fun. But believe me, feeling like I need to do the reminding isn’t fun either. And, admittedly, I would never have said anything if I hadn’t felt that inner push from beyond.

In the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet, it teaches: “Young women should avoid short shorts and short skirts, shirts that do not cover the stomach, and clothing that does not cover the shoulders or is low-cut in the front or the back.” It’s very difficult to teach this when married and temple-going women struggle to honor this directive themselves.

So, yes, modesty is a problem, especially during the summer months. Of course, everyone has their agency to do what they feel is best for them. But as member missionaries of our church, we ought to look the part when we “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9). Our agency in choosing membership obligates us to keep our covenants safe and secure.

Years ago, Ardeth G. Kapp, at that time a counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, answered a question about Young Women making the choice to dress modestly before going to the temple. Her answer teaches us truth and understanding:

It is well to consider, however, that the clothes we choose to wear often reflect where we are headed. For example, the destination of one who is wearing a ski outfit, a swimsuit, or a formal dress would seem rather obvious. And while regular clothing is not quite so obvious, you can still by your choice remind yourself daily and suggest to others who are observant and interested where it is you are headed. And now concerning the responsibility for those who have been through the temple. May I quote:

“The ordinances of the endowment embody certain obligations on the part of the individual, such as covenant and promise to observe the law of strict virtue and chastity. … With the taking of each covenant and the assuming of each obligation, a promised blessing is pronounced contingent (dependent) upon the faithful observance of the conditions.” (James E. Talmage, The House of the Lord).

It is an understanding of the commitments made and a knowledge of promised blessings for those who keep their covenants that make the standard of modesty so very, very important.

Until you have chosen to accept the temple endowment and the blessings that come with it of wearing the appropriate clothing, the responsibility of keeping that part of the body clothed which is covered by the garment is not the same as it is before having accepted the responsibility. But at all ages we are counseled to dress modestly and appropriately. And so it seems clear that there should be a certain consistency about appropriate clothing whether or not you have been to the temple and received the commandment.

‘Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness. For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward. But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.’ (D&C 58:27–29)

Of course, all of us are just trying to do our best. But can you see the missionary moment here? First of all, whether we like it or not, people judge us by what we wear. If we covenant with the Lord and honor Him by wearing His garments always, people are going to notice our modest appearance and ask us why we choose this lifestyle.

Secondly, we are obligated to warn one another and then let the spirit work so everyone can become better people. Hopefully, I’ve invited the spirit to work in some sister’s lives to rethink some things. It certainly invited me to reread the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet, and other guidelines from our church.

“And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day” (Jacob 1:19).

“Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor. Therefore, they are left without excuse, and their sins are upon their own heads” (D&C 88:81).

Even though it wasn’t received very well, I meant well. If we are to be lights unto the world, even peculiar people, and invite people (and one another) to know God, it’s a good idea to dress the part.