How we dress says a lot about how we feel. It also affects how we feel.
When Sister Emily Belle Freeman visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem, she noticed that devout Jews arrived dressed in their best clothing. She observed, “Their choice of garment is a symbol of their devotion to their relationship with God…. I admire their devotion” (“Walking in Covenant Relationship with Christ,” General Conference, October 2023).
Elder David A. Bednar shared a story of an elderly man with severely limited mobility who painstakingly dressed himself in a suit and tie in preparation for a visit from a church leader. The leader was shocked to find this man dressed up and suggested that this effort was not necessary for a person in his condition. But the man responded forcefully, “Don’t you know that this is the only way I have left to show the Lord how much I love Him?” (“Quick to Observe,” Brigham Young University Devotional Address, 10 May 2005).
The Book of Mormon prophet Jacob quoted a passage from Isaiah which uses clothing as a metaphor for receiving God’s grace:
Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
2 Nephi 8:24, Isaiah 52:1
Jesus quoted this same passage during His post-mortal visit to the Americas, and Moroni quoted part of it in his final chapter. (See 3 Nephi 20:36, Moroni 10:31.)
Even though this reference to “beautiful clothing” is metaphorical, it may have some literal application in our lives. When we attend church meetings on Sunday, we wear clothing that represents our reverence and love for God. We may wear church clothing for other spiritual activities, such as blessing the sick or meeting with a church leader.
In temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, church members dress all in white. The white clothing symbolizes purity, and the uniform dress symbolizes our equality before God. (See John A. Widtsoe, “Looking Toward the Temple,” Improvement Era, October 1962, 710.)
For me, the white clothing not only expresses my emotions, it also changes them. Wearing clothing intended for worship helps me to achieve a worshipful state of mind and heart.
Jacob indicated that if we have been cleansed by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, then at the Final Judgment we will be “clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness” (2 Nephi 9:14).
Today, I will be mindful of my dress and grooming. I will choose clothing which enables me to express my love and devotion to God as I worship Him on the sabbath day.
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