So, on our program for Church yesterday, it said:
Youth Speaker .......................... Jacqueline Webster
This was Jackie's first time to speak in Sacrament Meeting, and she wanted help preparing her talk. The Bishop told her to choose a topic from the booklet, "For the Strength of Youth", so she did. I assisted her in preparing the talk, by helping to put her thoughts in order, but the ideas and words are hers. We were very proud of Jackie. Here is what she said:
Dress and Appearance
"I was asked to give a talk on a subject from “For the Strength of Youth”. The Bishop said I could choose a topic that was important to me. So I chose the section on “Dress and Appearance”. This topic is important to me because what you wear and how you take care of yourself, determines people’s first thoughts about you when they first see you. You want them to know who you are and what your standards are by your dress and appearance.
In Alma chapter 1, verse 27 it says: “And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely.”
What that says to me is that these people were living the Gospel by taking care of each other like the Lord tells us to; and it showed in their dress and appearance. It didn’t matter to them whether or not they had the most expensive or coolest clothes. What mattered was that they were neat, clean and attractive; which is actually what “comely” means. Some people think that being modest means that you have to be frumpy and just be blah. You can be modest and still have your own style.
Guys and girls both have to watch what they wear, but for different reasons. You are more likely to see a guy with low-baggy pants than a guy wearing a low-cut shirt or tank-top. But low, baggy pants that show your underwear aren’t any more modest than a girl in a low-cut top that shows more than it should.
“For the Strength of Youth” says that you shouldn’t lower your standards for any reason or occasion. That means not for trying to be popular or just because it’s hot outside. When you go to the Temple and wear garments, you are not going to cut the sleeves off or cut them into shorts because it’s hot outside.
I’ve heard people say that wearing make-up is a sign that you spend too much time on your appearance. I think that wearing makeup shows that you’re trying to look your best by bringing out your best features. But “For the Strength of Youth “says to “avoid extremes in clothing, appearance, and hairstyle”. You can wear make-up just not tons of it. Sometimes more isn’t better, it’s just more.
“For the Strength of Youth” also says: “Your body is God’s sacred creation. Respect it as a gift from God, and do not defile it in any way. Through your dress and appearance, you can show the Lord that you know how precious your body is. You can show that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ.” You can show the Lord you are His disciple by being modest with style and being your best self.
I’d like to bear my testimony that I know the things I've just said are true and that what you look like does determine what people think of you. By making Heavenly Father’s standards your standards in dress and appearance you will draw closer to Him. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
Just for the record...I have to say I'm especially proud of Jackie, because she lives the standards she spoke about. She practices what she preaches...
13th Birthday-dinner...
Starting 7th Grade...
I love how Jackie kind of coined the phrase, "Modesty, with Style"...because that's what I think of when I see how she dresses...
That's my girl:
...Modesty...with STYLE!!!
Way to go, Jackie!!
