We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, children of God. We are each “uniquely beautiful” young women, and we need not defile our bodies in dressing immodestly. We live in a world full of temptation. Dressing immodestly contributes to temptation and vain perversion of the world.
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| from lds.org |
Modesty may seem like a minor part in our life here on earth, but it is vital to our survival on the path back to our Heavenly Father. Modesty leads to spiritual survival and security. It is vital in leading us to the temple and the blessing of receiving an eternal family. Dressing modestly can affect who we are and who we can become.
Modesty affects our identity. Dressing in something too short, too tight, or sleeveless does not show our Heavenly Father the proper respect we need to give our bodies. They are precious gifts from our loving Heavenly Father. Modesty helps us avoid diminishing our identity as a daughter of God. Sister Elaine S. Dalton has told us that “Modesty is a condition of the heart. It is an outward manifestation of an inner knowledge and commitment. It is an expression that we understand our identity as a daughter of God.”
The standards for dress and appearance are so clear and simple, yet why do we find them so hard to follow? We must have the courage to dismiss our friends when their styles do not align with Heavenly Father's. Remember the words of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: "Good friends would never embarrass or demean you or exploit you. Neither should your clothing." They fall hand in hand.
Ask yourself if you would be embarrassed in your clothing to stand before the Savior. This is why modesty is so important. This is why you dress modestly--so you don’t embarrass yourself, and so you can show your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that we will follow them and we will always remember who we are.
"Deep beauty ... is the kind of beauty that cannot be painted on, surgically created, or purchased. It is the kind of beauty that doesn’t wash off. It is spiritual attractiveness." Elaine S. DaltonSister Ann M. Dibb asked us this, “What do we want to be known for? Too much focus on outward appearance can hide all the inner beauty each woman possesses.” What do you want to be known for?
Young women, the young men worthy to someday take you to the temple will notice the virtue in us. They will recognize our inner beauty. That is the kind of beauty Sister Dalton called “deep beauty,” which she defined as “the kind of beauty that shines from the inside out. It is the kind of beauty that cannot be painted on, surgically created, or purchased. It is the kind of beauty that doesn’t wash off. It is spiritual attractiveness.”
We all glow when we dress modestly. We are full of the light of Christ. We find true happiness when we dress modestly. Please never defile your identity in dressing immodestly. From one young woman to another, I plead with you to dress modestly, to show the young men who the daughters of God are, to wear the light of Christ.
I know this gospel is true with all my heart. I know Jesus Christ is our Savior. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and that we are His daughters, His princesses. And I know that in dressing modestly I can shine, be full of the light of Christ and be worthy to one day enter the temple.
