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but avoiding anything like extravagance and trimmings, even if not
expensive; for these things tell to our disadvantage. We should educate
the youth to simplicity of dress, plainness with neatness. Let the extra
trimmings be left out, even though the cost be but a trifle.—
Testimonies
to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 180
.
Women in the public eye should not feel too poor to provide
themselves suitable clothing—Fannie, wherever you go, wherever
you may be, you need to study that the colors and material and style of
your dress should be adapted to, and correspond with, your age and to
the faith you profess. You remember I made the remark to Elder Olsen
that when at Preston you were destitute of suitable clothing and felt too
poor to supply yourself with what you should have. The remarks you
made showed that you did not understand me. I want to be understood
now. You need comfortable underclothing, which you must have in
order to have health. But I certainly do not, in all respects, approve
of your style of dress. I felt rather sad and ashamed when you stood
upon the platform before the large crowd under the tent, with that
light, large-figured dress. It was not appropriate for the occasion. Your
judgment in the matter of dress may be much improved, and I hope
you will not consult your dressmaker but those who are of sensible
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minds and who will not flatter you or have any guile in their mouths as
to suitable clothing that will make a proper impression upon the minds
of both believers and unbelievers. We who claim to be in the light, and
who take prominent positions to instruct others in children’s meetings,
need to be severely plain, yet tidy and tasteful, in dress; we should
not give a semblance of excuse to any for patterning after the worldly,
changing fashions of this corrupt age. Those who dress after the order
given in the Bible can, with appropriate words, help others to reach a
proper standard. Do not come to me to ask how you shall dress. If our
sisters have the Spirit of God abiding as a living principle in the heart,
they will not in a single instance give occasion for any to turn aside the
counsels of God by quoting the ministers’ wives or those engaged in
giving Bible-readings. Ever have your dress of good, durable material,
and modest colors; let it be made plainly, without adornment. You
certainly need to improve in your style of dress.—
Letter 7, 1894
.
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