Summer is officially upon us tomorrow (June 21st), and with it comes all the glorious benefits of warm weather (except for you saints in Alaska…sorry). The questions is often asked about how we can be modest wearing swimsuits when we go out swimming or boating or being in the water. We at LDSWHY recommend that we all go back to the old fashion swimsuits that made us modest but not actually able to swim very well:
Actually, what we would truly recommend is that you read (or re-read) some of Sister Elaine Dalton and the general Young Women’s Presidency’s comments on this very question. The following is a portion of the transcript of a discussion between Sister Dalton, Sister Dibb, and Sister Cook on the subject of swimsuits (you can read the entire talk at www.byub.org/talks/Download.aspx?id=1663&md=pdf ). We would invite you to consider the principles they discuss and find your answer to which swim suit is or is not modest:
We want to share with you a journey
that a group of young women recently took to
find answers to a question in their life. They
learned the power of personal revelation
through the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
Last summer, the swimming season was
in full tilt. Seeing the variety of swimming suits
at the pools, questions arose about what
constituted a modest swimsuit. They
approached their Young Women leaders to find
out the Church’s official policy on swimsuits.
They wanted to be obedient. Rather than giving
them the answer, the leaders determined that
the youth could learn from Joseph Smith’s
example; each could ask God to help them find
their answer to their question.
SISTER DALTON: These leaders were
very wise. They knew the doctrine and led the
young women on a journey to discover the
process of finding their own answers. They had
high expectations, giving the girls assignments
to independently search in the scriptures for
the doctrines on modesty, the body, and
chastity. The girls found conference talks on
modesty. They were encouraged to listen to
general conference and the words of the living
prophets with their question in mind. They
processed together what they were feeling and
learning.
SISTER DIBB: The leaders provided a
safe environment and had faith in the girls that
they’d find the answer. They provided the tools,
then “got out of the way,” avoiding giving
answers and personal opinions. Rather, they
gathered them, formally and informally, to
discuss what they’d learned from study. They
encouraged the girls to pray about their
question and their answers. They asked the
young women to record their feelings and
thoughts in a journal.
SISTER COOK: It was interesting to hear
the words of the prophets woven into their
conversation. One girl said, “I liked what Elder
Oaks said at general conference. I think that
thinking in terms of ‘good, better, best’ can help
us make the best choices, not just the ones that
aren’t too bad.” Another said, “Remember what
Elder Holland said? He said that modesty is
always in style. I like that.”
SISTER DIBB: From their study of the
scriptures, they identified principles of
modesty. The one I really liked that the girls
came up with was “representation.” They were
reminded that as members of the Church, they
were disciples of Jesus Christ, and as such they
had a responsibility to be His representatives.
SISTER COOK: As they shared their
thoughts and feelings on things of eternal value,
something wonderful happened in their
relationships. The meaningful, honest
conversations brought them together spirit‐tospirit
and stripped away the adolescent
competition that can complicate friendships.
They listened and learned—to the Spirit and to
each other.
SISTER DALTON: They reported their
findings to us a few months into their journey. I
remember them talking about how they wanted
to be perceived by others. They said that the
going term at the high school for a cute girl was
“hot.” They thought that term degrading, so
they came up with their own term: “adorable.”
When they would see each other at school
dressed modestly, they would go up to each
other and whisper, “You look so adorable.”
They were united and bonded in a cause. They
found there was strength in numbers as they
banded together.
SISTER DIBB: And we can band together
as mothers to encourage our sons to invite
these adorable girls to the prom.
SISTER COOK: Sisters, as we band
together and support one other in living these
standards, think of the powerful influence we
will have upon the world!
SISTER DIBB: The question wasn’t
answered for the girls. That’s because they
individually came to their own answer about
swimsuits. They were at different places on the
path, but they were on the path!
A practical idea–they make duo dry shirts that are cute colors, with sleeves or tank tops that have high neck and come low at the waist. I found duo dry shorts too that are similar to bike shorts. They are great wet or dry and do not hamper swimming. I feel so much more comfortable and modest than in any one piece that I have found. I don’t have to concern myself with a cover up, use so much sun screen or feel like I am revealing more than I feel comfortable or should reveal.