Old before their time?

[_Runtu]

Every day I drive past the Missionary Training Center when I take my kids to school. Invariably, there are large groups of dark-suited boys and plainly dressed girls (and that's really what they are, boys and girls, not men and women yet) walking across the street to "see a movie up on the hill," as my roommate used to say. Another group is usually dressed in t-shirts and shorts and is playing soccer or football on the field east of the MTC. The contrast is striking: the suited kids look serious and almost grim, and those playing sports are laughing and running around, as kids their age should. And then of course we see the MTC instructors on their way to and from work, dressed in white shirts and ties or in conservative skirts. I saw a white-badged woman riding a mountain bike to the MTC this morning, and I thought how awkward that looked in her long skirt.

I guess I've never understood why the church wants its representatives to look like junior executives at IBM in the 1950s. I've seen other missionary outreach programs from other religions, and they dress, oddly enough, like normal kids.

Part of me thinks that the missionary uniform is designed intentionally to take these kids out of their comfort zone and remind them that they are the Lord's representatives. When you're 19 and riding a bike around in a dark suit, everyone knows who you are, and more importantly, you know who you are.

Also there's a certain anonymity in being a missionary. You're less an individual than you are a part of a companionship, which is in turn part of a larger organization. You don't even have a first name anymore. When I see a crowd of missionaries, really the only thing that distinguishes them from a distance is hair color.

But what is it about that uniform? Why does the church equate respectability and spirituality with the white shirt, tie, and dark suit look? To me, it just looks like they're turning these young men into old men way before their time.

[_Blixa]

I've heard the rationale for it over and over again, but I think it looks just plain cult-y. I've heard that comment from many other people too, who have no idea I have/had any connection with Mormonism. One can have a conservative dress code that projects "professionalism" without necessitating dressing completely alike in clothes not worn in any other situation.

[_The Nehor]

I'm hoping one day they'll toss the suit and tie routine. I always thought we'd reach more people dressed differently. Then again I met most of the people I baptized wearing shorts and a T-shirt playing soccer so I have some evidence to back up my claim.

[_Runtu]

I'm hoping one day they'll toss the suit and tie routine. I always thought we'd reach more people dressed differently. Then again I met most of the people I baptized wearing shorts and a T-shirt playing soccer so I have some evidence to back up my claim.

A friend of mine had a mission president who insisted that they wear their suit jackets at all times and that they wear Trilby hats.

[_Rollo Tomasi]

But what is it about that uniform? Why does the church equate respectability and spirituality with the white shirt, tie, and dark suit look? To me, it just looks like they're turning these young men into old men way before their time.

It's happening everywhere in the Church -- from deacons to local priesthood leaders. I figure it's all part of the membership's ever-growing adulation of the Brethren, including the dressing up in your best junior-GA training clothes.

[_asbestosman]

I guess I've never understood why the church wants its representatives to look like junior executives at IBM in the 1950s.

No kidding. They should dress like computer execs of today. My Microsoft friends say that jeans and t-shirts are common.

You don't even have a first name anymore.

Never really thought about that, but now that reminds me of Miyazaki's film, Spirited Away where the girl's name was an imporatant thing for her to remember. Anyhow, I never really felt bad losing my first name. I was too worried about being obedient--overly worried in fact.

[_Yoda]

What about the dress standards for the women?

Our Church is the only Christian Church I have attended where women are required to wear dresses.

When I attended a Catholic Church with one of my friends not too long ago, she said it was perfectly fine to wear dress pants.

I can understand not wearing jeans to Church, but I don't see anything irreverent or disrespectful about wearing nice dress pants. I have several Pendleton dress suits which are dressier in appearance than many of my skirts.

I hate nylons and I hate high heels. It's one of the things I absolutely dread about Sunday...particularly when you have a toddler climbing all over you, and you feel like you've been through a war half-way through Sacrament Meeting, anyway! LOL

Of course, they have loosened some of the dress requirement. When I was in Mutual, we were required to wear dresses on Wednesday night. We also had to wear dresses to the youth dances.

Now, the kids can wear nice school clothes to both.

[_The Nehor]

What about the dress standards for the women?

Our Church is the only Christian Church I have attended where women are required to wear dresses.

When I attended a Catholic Church with one of my friends not too long ago, she said it was perfectly fine to wear dress pants.

I can understand not wearing jeans to Church, but I don't see anything irreverent or disrespectful about wearing nice dress pants. I have several Pendleton dress suits which are dressier in appearance than many of my skirts.

I hate nylons and I hate high heels. It's one of the things I absolutely dread about Sunday...particularly when you have a toddler climbing all over you, and you feel like you've been through a war half-way through Sacrament Meeting, anyway! LOL

Of course, they have loosened some of the dress requirement. When I was in Mutual, we were required to wear dresses on Wednesday night. We also had to wear dresses to the youth dances.

Now, the kids can wear nice school clothes to both.

Mutual dress codes are now much more relaxed. Though when I was visiting my parents last night they still wouldn't let my sister go in her gym shorts and T-Shirt (just got done running) so she put on jeans and kept the shirt and all was well.

I hope the Church relaxes it's Sunday clothing standards mostly because I want to be able to roll out of bed Sunday morning, comb down my hair and wash my face and go. Here's hoping for the day sweats, t-shirts, and bunny slippers are the norm.

[_Ray A]

Boy. I go to work. I come home at 5am. And I take a peek at MDB, and nearly every thread and post is another negative aside against Mormonism.

When will the Mormon soup-slurping thread start?

So many of you ex-Mormons just feed, and feed, and feed, off so much negativity.

I knew Runtu would be back. Like the rest of the exmos he's addicted to criticism of his former belief. He truly can't leave it alone.

[_Runtu]

Boy. I go to work. I come home at 5am. And I take a peek at MDB, and nearly every thread and post is another negative aside against Mormonism.

When will the Mormon soup-slurping thread start?

So many of you ex-Mormons just feed, and feed, and feed, off so much negativity.

I knew Runtu would be back. Like the rest of the exmos he's addicted to criticism of his former belief. He truly can't leave it alone.

No more addicted than you are to berating exmormons, Ray. ;-)

But just out of curiosity, what was negative or critical against the church in the OP?

And when am I supposed to leave it alone? When I'm taking my kids to seminary or church? When we're having family home evening? When the kids are watching The Work and the Glory? When I'm driving past the MTC, the Provo Temple, and BYU on my way to work? When my colleagues at work want to talk about their church callings or have a philosophical discussion with me about the Atonement? Seems like the church and I are kind of addicted to each other.