A review of the doctrines and principles that influence what is modest as well as an overview of the modesty standards in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet.

1. Modesty in Principle and Practice
A review of the doctrines and principles that influence what is modest as well as an
overview of the modesty standards in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet
www.MormonMissionPrep.com

2. 2
What is Modesty?
Dress, Grooming, Language, and Behavior
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints defines
modesty as so:
“Modesty is an attitude of propriety and decency in dress,
grooming, language, and behavior. If we are modest, we
do not draw undue attention to ourselves. Instead, we
seek to “glorify God in [our] body, and in [our] spirit” (1
Corinthians 6:20).”
See https://www.lds.org/topics/modesty?lang=eng
Dress
Grooming
Language
Behavior

3. 3
What is “propriety” in dress and behavior?
Appropriate for the situation
• Propriety is the “state of being proper or suitable :
appropriateness.”
• To be modest is to be proper and appropriate in dress,
grooming, language, and all behavior.
• What is appropriate in one situation, may not be
appropriate in another situation.
• For example, wearing a swim suit at a swimming pool is
appropriate, but wearing a swim suit to school is not
appropriate and would therefore not be modest.
a
X

4. 4
Other context factors influence what is
modest
• Contexts such as the country you live in, the year you live in, etc.
• For example, we would consider it immodest if someone…
• showed up at a Church meeting in Joseph Smith’s day wearing 21st century
clothing because it would be a futuristic, extreme style
• attended a modern Church meeting wearing a robe and sandals from New
Testament times because it would be distracting

5. 5
Jesus is Our Example of Bringing Glory to
God rather than Attention on Ourselves
• Modesty means that we should not draw undue attention
to ourselves, but rather, we should bring attention to God
• This principle of bringing glory to God gets to the heart of
modesty
• In the council in Heaven, Satan came before God and said:
“Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will
redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and
surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.”
• But God’s Beloved Son Jesus Christ said: “Father, thy will
be done, and the glory be thine forever.” (Moses 4:1-2)
• Jesus was dedicated to bringing glory to God and he did
that by honoring God’s will

6. 6
Your Body is a Temple, therefore
Glorify God
• Most youth in the Church have heard that the
physical body is a temple because it houses the spirit
of God
• This relates to modesty because, taught Paul, like a
temple we should use our body to glorify God
• “Know ye not that your body is the temple of the
Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and
ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price:
therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit,
which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

7. 7
Inward vs Outward
• In a perfect world, the outward would always be an expression of the
inward
• But in this world, Jesus taught, “Beware of false prophets, which come to
you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matt 7:15)
• Conversely, the Savior taught that there are people who may appear bad
on the outside, but on the inside, they are disciples of Christ
• The “scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat
and drink with publicans and sinners?” (Luke 5:30)
• There are many people who are modest in dress and behavior, but inwardly
still need to improve the way they glory and honor God
• Conversely, there are many people who inwardly glorify God, but their
dress and actions still needs some improvement to reflect that

8. 8
A Tale of Two Trees
• A friend bought a home with two large, beautiful oak trees he thought would stand for
many years
• When a storm came through, though, one of the trees came crashing down
• The friend discovered the fallen tree was infected with insects and rotting on the inside
• While it looked strong outwardly, inwardly it was damaged and dying
• If modesty standards are outward only, they will not help you withstand storms
• If modesty is an expression of our inward glory to God, then we will be strong, inside and
out, and be able to withstand the storms of life like the tree that stood firm.

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10. 10
For the Strength of Youth Standards
• The Holy Spirit will teach you ALL things that are modest
• The prophets have provided a basic list of modesty
standards that will help us look and act appropriate, and
become people inside and out that bring glory to God
• “The standards in this booklet will help you with the
important choices you are making now and will yet make in
the future. We promise that as you keep the covenants you
have made and these standards, you will be blessed. …It is
our fervent prayer that you will remain steadfast and
valiant throughout your lives and that you will trust in the
Savior and His promises.”

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Appropriate Dress and Appearance
• “Immodest clothing is any clothing that is tight, sheer, or revealing in
any other manner. 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. Young
men should also maintain modesty in their appearance. Young men
and young women should be neat and clean and avoid being extreme
or inappropriately casual in clothing, hairstyle, and behavior.” (FTSOY)
• “Will ye still persist in the wearing of costly
apparel and setting your hearts upon the
vain things of the world, upon your riches?”
(Alma 5:53)

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Appropriate Language
• “How you communicate should reflect who you are as a son or
daughter of God. Clean and intelligent language is evidence of a
bright and wholesome mind. Good language that uplifts, encourages,
and compliments others invites the Spirit to be with you. …Speak
kindly and positively about others. Choose not to insult others or put
them down, even in joking. Avoid gossip of any kind, and avoid
speaking in anger. …Do not use profane, vulgar, or crude language or
gestures, and do not tell jokes or stories about immoral actions.”
(FTSOY)
• “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that
which is good.” (Ephesians 4:29)

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Appropriate Behavior: No Bullying
• “To have good friends, be a good friend.
Show genuine interest in others; smile and
let them know you care about them. Treat
everyone with kindness and respect, and
refrain from judging and criticizing those
around you. Do not participate in any form
of bullying. Make a special effort to be a
friend to those who are shy or lonely, have
special needs, or do not feel included.”
(FTSOY)

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Appropriate Behavior: Honesty and Integrity
• “Closely associated with honesty is integrity. Integrity means thinking
and doing what is right at all times, no matter what the
consequences. When you have integrity, you are willing to live by
your standards and beliefs even when no one is watching. Choose to
live so that your thoughts and behavior are always in harmony with
the gospel.” (FTSOY)

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Appropriate Behavior: Music
• “Music has a profound effect on your mind, spirit, and behavior.
Choose carefully the music you listen to. Pay attention to how you
feel when you are listening. Some music can carry evil and destructive
messages. Do not listen to music that encourages immorality or
glorifies violence through its lyrics, beat, or intensity. Do not listen to
music that uses vulgar or offensive language or promotes evil
practices. Such music can dull your spiritual sensitivity.” (FTSOY)

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Appropriate Behavior: Dancing
• “Dancing can be fun and can provide an
opportunity to meet new people. However, it
too can be misused. When dancing, avoid full
body contact with your partner. Do not use
positions or moves that are suggestive of
sexual or violent behavior or are otherwise
inappropriate. Attend only those dances
where dress, grooming, lighting, lyrics,
music, and entertainment contribute to a
wholesome atmosphere where the Spirit
may be present.” (FTSOY)

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Appropriate Behavior: Dating
• “In cultures where dating is acceptable, it can
help you learn and practice social skills,
develop friendships, have wholesome fun,
and eventually find an eternal companion.
You should not date until you are at least 16
years old. When you begin dating, go with one
or more additional couples. Avoid going on
frequent dates with the same person.
…Choose to date only those who have high
moral standards and in whose company you
can maintain your standards.” (FTSOY)

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Appropriate Behavior: Sexual Purity
• “Do not have any sexual relations before marriage. …Never do anything
that could lead to sexual transgression. Treat others with respect, not as
objects used to satisfy lustful and selfish desires. Before marriage, do not
participate in passionate kissing, lie on top of another person, or touch the
private, sacred parts of another person’s body, with or without clothing. Do
not do anything else that arouses sexual feelings. Do not arouse those
emotions in your own body…Do not participate in any type of pornography.
…Make a personal commitment to be sexually pure.” (FTSOY)

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In Conclusion
• Be intentional in dress and grooming choices and
try to convey reverence for God and ourselves in
all our behavior.
• “The Lord needs you to look like, sound like, act
like, and dress like a true disciple of Jesus Christ”
(President Russell M. Nelson, “Hope of Israel”, worldwide
youth devotional, June 3, 2018)
• As you do so, “you will be blessed with the
companionship of the Holy Ghost, your faith and
testimony will grow stronger, and you will enjoy
increasing happiness.” (FTSOY)

20. 20
Kahoot Quiz
• Below is a link to a Kahoot quiz I built about the standards from the
For the Strength of Youth pamphlet that goes along with this lesson
• https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/32d46af0-fa06-40f0-8aae-5e084d5e1797