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Unfading Beauty, October 18
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair
and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of
your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of
great worth in God’s sight.
1 Peter 3:3, 4
, NIV.
The pure religion of Jesus requires of its followers the simplicity of natural
beauty and the polish of natural refinement and elevated purity, rather than the
artificial and false....
The religion of the Bible has nothing in it which would jar upon the finest
feelings. It is, in all its precepts and requirements, as pure as the character of God
and as elevated as His throne.
The Redeemer of the world has warned us against the pride of life, but not
against its grace and natural beauty. He pointed to all the glowing beauty of the
flowers of the field and to the lily reposing in its spotless purity upon the bosom of
the lake....
A disposition in you to dress according to the fashion, and to wear lace and gold
and artificials for display, will not recommend to others your religion or the truth
that you profess.... Simple, plain, unpretending dress will be a recommendation to
my youthful sisters. In no better way can you let your light shine to others than in
your simplicity of dress and deportment. You may show to all that, in comparison
with eternal things, you place a proper estimate upon the things of this life.
Now is your golden opportunity to form pure and holy characters for heaven.
You cannot afford to devote these precious moments to ... beautifying the external
to the neglect of the inward adorning....
God, who created everything lovely and beautiful that the eye rests upon, is a
lover of the beautiful. He shows you how He estimates true beauty. The ornament
of a meek and quiet spirit is in His sight of
great price
. Shall we not seek earnestly
to gain that which God estimates as more valuable than costly dress or pearls or
gold? The inward adorning, the grace of meekness, a spirit in harmony with the
heavenly angels, will not lessen true dignity of character or make us less lovely here
in this world.
Religion, pure and undefiled, ennobles its possessor. You will ever find with the
true Christian a marked cheerfulness, a holy, happy confidence in God, a submission
to His providences, that is refreshing to the soul. By the Christian, God’s love and
benevolence can be seen in every bounty he receives. The beauties in nature are
a theme for contemplation. In studying the natural loveliness surrounding us, the
mind is carried up through nature to the Author of all that is lovely. All the works
of God are speaking to our senses, magnifying His power, exalting His wisdom.
Every created thing has in it charms which interest the child of God and mold his
taste to regard these precious evidences of God’s love above the work of human
skill (
Testimonies for the Church 3:375-377
).
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