I was in the Salt Lake Airport today (October 19th 2010). In the VIP line for security was Elder Richard Hinckley with another man and two women. They were apparently traveling together. The other man accompanying him looked like a general authority, but one that I did not recognize. He reminded me a little of Bishop Burton, but was not. Both men had on dark suit coats and white shirts and ties. The young couple in front of us in our line also recognized Elder Hinckley and we said that we did not recognize the other man.
I then asked the couple to look at both men and tell me why the other man was not a general authority. They could not say. I asked them to look at how they were dressed. They said the other man’s pants did not match his jacket.
Although at first glance both men stood out from the rest of the passengers because of the way that they were dressed, when one looked closely one was dressed in a navy colored sport coat and dark brown pants.
The way we dress indicates what we think of ourselves and allows others to judge us. I was dressed in a suit, but did not have a tie or a white shirt. To some people, I would be considered dressed up, but I was casual. No white shirt! No tie! I was not dressed like a priesthood holder. I would feel uncomfortable going to church, to the temple, or performing a blessing or other priesthood ordinance dressed that way.
It is not necessarily the suit, tie, white shirt or polished shoes that are important, but how one feels about himself in the attire. Abraham and Christ did not dress that way. The times and the culture dictate how our external appearance should be.
We sing the song “Follow The Prophet”. We should do that in our dress as well. Casual dress leads to casual attitudes. We cannot be casual about our commitment to Christ and His gospel. We should not be casual in our dress when we attend church or go to the temple or do anything for the Lord.
Love,
Grandpa
