a post to women everywhere... [part 4]

at church on sunday we had a lesson on modesty.
and for some reason, i found it a little odd.
"this doesn't seem to be that big of a problem..." i thought.
but, we were told by leaders we needed this lesson.
and i really appreciated it.

i want to share some things i learned.
as our relief society presidency spoke they said some things that really touched me.
some things that they were apprehensive to say, but because they did my desire to be more modest grew.

"we don't drink or smoke because it's a commandment.
we dress modestly because it's a commandment."

"if you truly love the Lord you will have the desire to dress modestly.
because you love the body He gave you and desire to keep it clean and pure."

modesty has always been part of my life.
growing up my mom always encouraged me to dress modestly.
i knew i'd be in big trouble if i came home from shopping with something that was too short or too tight.
it was hard to find dresses and skirts that were long enough. it still is. but because of the example of my mom i knew that it was important to be modest, no matter how hard it was.

last summer at efy i had the opportunity to teach the importance of modesty.
i loved having all my kids dressing modestly all week.
when they got there i told them "i'll be strictly enforcing modesty".
but i never had problems because they had the desire to be modest.  they would help each other out. and if they had problems they knew where to come for safety pins, or a longer skirt, or maybe just a tank top for underneath.  
i loved them telling me that they were going to go home and make a change.
they helped me want to change.
we helped each other understand this.

"For you to fully claim Heavenly Father's blessings and protection, we ask you to stay true to the standards of the gospel of Jesus Christ and not slavishly follow the whims of fads and fashion...In the gospel of Jesus Christ, modesty in appearance is always in fashion. Our standards are not socially negotiable."
-Elder Jeffrey R. Holland


i challenge you to try a little harder to be modest in your dress.
especially as the sun comes out and the weather gets warm. 
i'll be doing the same.
as we strive to do the things our leaders have asked, Heavenly Father will pour out His blessings upon us.
your sacrifice means so much to Him.
He loves you, you are His daughter.