We received this question via email this past week. It’s an important one.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland explained that Aaronic Priesthood holders can teach members powerful lessons by wearing white shirts. He said, “May I suggest that wherever possible a white shirt be worn by the deacons, teachers, and priests who handle the sacrament. For sacred ordinances in the Church we often use ceremonial clothing, and a white shirt could be seen as a gentle reminder of the white clothing you wore in the baptismal font and an anticipation of the white shirt you will soon wear into the temple and onto your missions. That simple suggestion is not intended to be pharisaic or formalistic. We do not want deacons or priests in uniforms or unduly concerned about anything but the purity of their lives. But how our young people dress can teach a holy principle to us all, and it certainly can convey sanctity. As President David O. McKay taught, a white shirt contributes to the sacredness of the holy sacrament (see Conference Report, Oct. 1956, p. 89).
Recently, Elder Oaks quoted a portion of the above statement from Elder Holland, again indicating that there is important symbolism that goes along with wearing a white shirt.
Speaking to young single adults, Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught, “It is an affront to God to come into His house, especially on His holy day, not groomed and dressed in the most careful and modest manner that our circumstances permit. Where a poor member from the hills of Peru must ford a river to get to church, the Lord surely will not be offended by the stain of muddy water on his white shirt.
But how can God not be pained at the sight of one who, with all the clothes he needs and more and with easy access to the chapel, nevertheless appears in church in rumpled cargo pants and a T-shirt? Ironically, it has been my experience as I travel around the world that members of the Church with the least means somehow find a way to arrive at Sabbath meetings neatly dressed in clean, nice clothes, the best they have, while those who have more than enough are the ones who may appear in casual, even slovenly clothing.
Some say dress and hair don’t matter—it’s what’s inside that counts. I believe that truly it is what’s inside a person that counts, but that’s what worries me. Casual dress at holy places and events is a message about what is inside a person. It may be pride or rebellion or something else, but at a minimum it says, “I don’t get it. I don’t understand the difference between the sacred and the profane.” In that condition they are easily drawn away from the Lord. They do not appreciate the value of what they have. I worry about them. Unless they can gain some understanding and capture some feeling for sacred things, they are at risk of eventually losing all that matters most. You are Saints of the great latter-day dispensation—look the part.”
Another reason why young men should wear white shirts when officiating in Sacrament ordinances has to do with the principle of non-distraction. Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught, “All who officiate in the sacrament—in preparing, administering, or passing—should be well groomed and modestly dressed, with nothing about their personal appearance that calls special attention to
themselves. In appearance as well as actions, they should avoid distracting anyone present from full attention to the worship and covenant making that is the purpose of this sacred ordinance.”
A black shirt may not be wicked, but it can be distracting, and priesthood holders would obviously not want to distract others from worshiping at the sacrament table.
Recently a seminary student said something similar to the following: “Normally I wear a red shirt to church. But this Sunday I’m going to wear a white shirt so that I can participate in blessing the Sacrament.” This young man recognized that by wearing a white shirt he was marking himself as one who wanted to officiate in the ordinance of the sacrament. When we choose to wear a white shirt to church it may send a signal to others about our desire to administer the sacrament.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this question too!
I was just wondering though, Why not a colored shirt, I find that I don’t liek to wear white dress shirts, and yet colored ones are not acceptable. I completly understand the need to compose yourself in a well groomed manner, but shirt and tie is well dressed is it not? What is wrong with blue, or green dress shirts. Is it not showing more care when one makes the time to dress that way? Instead of being alike a uniform?
Thomas
Priesthood holders should wear a white shirt whether passing the sacrament or not. The white shirt and tie is the uniform of the priesthood, and if the men of the church are not prepared to participate in things such as the sacrament or blessings at church, then how can they expect to be ready outside of church? Sunday best does not mean nicest looking clothes, it means the most respectful, and the white shirt is the most respectful. The brethren constantly refer to it as such. Purity should also be emanating from each of us as we attend the meetings. You wouldn’t see President Monson in a colored shirt at church.
Bryce said ” The white shirt and tie is the uniform of the priesthood,”. WHERE is that doctrine written? I would like to see that scource. I have an old deacons quorum lesson manual and have underlined in it. “There is no official uniform of the priesthood. But every young man should be dressed in his clean Sunday Best while performing the sacred ordinance of passing the sacrament.” PLEASE I truely want to see this and am not trying to stir up trouble.
@ David: I think Bryce is simply referring to the statements of Elder Holland and Elder Oaks made in this post. Elder Holland stated: “May I suggest that wherever possible a white shirt be worn by the deacons, teachers, and priests who handle the sacrament. For sacred ordinances in the Church we often use ceremonial clothing, and a white shirt could be seen as a gentle reminder of the white clothing you wore in the baptismal font and an anticipation of the white shirt you will soon wear into the temple and onto your missions. That simple suggestion is not intended to be pharisaic or formalistic. We do not want deacons or priests in uniforms or unduly concerned about anything but the purity of their lives. But how our young people dress can teach a holy principle to us all, and it certainly can convey sanctity. As President David O. McKay taught, a white shirt contributes to the sacredness of the holy sacrament (see Conference Report, Oct. 1956, p. 89).”
I have to say that I have much the same question David does. I do not seek to be instructed in all things. With that said, I am in a YSA ward and a priesthood leader recently approached me about wearing a blue shirt to church. He did it in a very loving manner but I was caught a little off guard. I have always heard that to officiate in the ordinances of the Priesthood (such as the sacrament) or to represent the Priesthood (such as a missionary or Priesthood leader), a white shirt should be worn when possible. I have never known that this makes a colored shirt less appropriate attire for Sunday worship. Like David, I do not seek to stir the pot or anything. I also do not seek to be instructed in all things, but when a Priesthood leader makes comment about it, I have to wonder if it is part of the “Unwritten Order of Things” (refer to President Packer) or if it is really just his own view of what is appropriate.
Lance,
I am certain this Priesthood leader was teaching you a principle in obedience. This leader recognized the words of the Apostles as a way to “follow a prophet’s voice” Elder Christofferson noted in Sense of the sacred how important it is to dress appropriately. In the aricle referenced above many sources have been cited as an explanation to the counsel provided by your Priesthood leader. The simple act of obedience provides a foundation for growth in our responsibilities as members of the church. If wearing a white shirt, as asked by a prophet and his apostles is a sacrifice of our individuality so be it, I sincerly doubt we will be judged for not wearing the shirt, we will i would imagine, be judged because we did not hear the counsel of his servants. Simple obedience, we need not know the whens, whys, and how comes, we really only need to know that we have been asked to dress in a manner that does not detract from the ordiance we are being asked to participate in. And then complying! Giving our will to our savior and his servants. Peter did not question as the Savior beckoned to him to jump over the side of the boat, he simply complied, his reward…he stood above the sea as long as his eyes were firmly fixated upon the savior, it was not until he removed his eyes from the Savior to glance below that his faith faltered and he began to sink…we have been asked, we have been counseled, it has been suggested that we as members who have the privledge of holding the priesthood wear our best, dress in a manner that does not detract, wear, when possible a white shirt. SIMPLE OBEDIENCE!
This is a matter of Mormon doctrine vs. Mormon cutler we in the church have a lot that is cultural but not always doctrinal. mandating a white shirt and tie is one of those cultural but none doctrinal things. the authorities of the church have never said to deny a young man the privilege of passing the sacrament simply because he did not have a white shirt or tie on yet there have been many instances when I have seen worthy priesthood holders who should have passed the sacrament but were not allowed to because they were not wearing a white shirt and a tie.
What about in the days of Joseph smith how many times did Joseph were a white shirt and tie when passing the sacrament?
Dan, you are wrong.
Apostle Charles W. Penrose, later of the First Presidency, wrote the following in the official Church publication Millennial Star:
“None are required to tamely and blindly submit to a man because he has a portion of the priesthood. We have heard men who hold the priesthood remark, that they would do anything they were told to do by those who presided over them, [even] if they knew it was wrong; but such obedience as this is worse than folly to us; it is slavery in the extreme; and the man who would thus willingly degrade himself should not claim a rank among intelligent beings, until he turns from his folly. A man of God… would despise the idea. Others, in the extreme exercise of their almighty authority have taught that such obedience was necessary, and that no matter what the saints were told to do by their presidents, they should do it without asking any questions. When Elders of Israel will so far indulge in these extreme notions of obedience as to teach them to the people, it is generally because they have it in their minds to do wrong themselves.”
Are we really so concerned about being Pharisees about the white shirt that we have lost sight on what is truly important? The worthiness of the individuals. I would love to see any revelation from the Lord that points to the white shirt. My next question is, if I wear a white shirt to work, play basketball and to the beach am I more worthy than those that don’t? I am almost embarrassed about the insertion that a white shirt is so all important. In other words, it is more important to look the part than to be worthy to be the part.
It’s sad that we are even having to discuss this. One of the things to keep in mind is that on the Sabbath, we are going to participate in an ordinance, namely, the sacrament. We may not be passing or blessing it, but we are participants nevertheless. We wear white when we participate in baptism and temple ordinances, and as priesthood holders I would think that we would show reverence for the ordinances as well as being prepared to be called upon if we are worthy and needed to help administer in ordinances.
It’s such a simple thing. A simple white shirt. Clothing IS symbolic, whether you like it or not. The Apostles wear a white shirt, they know what they are doing. I think instead of bickering and making a big stink about the deal, that we humble ourselves and follow their example; isn’t that what they are there for anyway?
But I’m sure you can get technical and try to justify away wearing a blue shirt and make some great arguments for it. I’m sure that you’ll look good in church, maybe better than the other guy and make it to the Celestial Kingdom just fine – seriously. The Lord knows your heart and he will ultimately judge as we all know.
I’d rather look unified with my brethren and apostles than be so concerned about the styles of the world.
Hey, maybe we should all wear sandals to church because Jesus wore sandals when he was on the earth.
I think there is too much fuss being made over a white shirt. Maybe we should all wear white ties!?!? White suits?!?!? God reads the heart. Just look the best that you can!
David, your answer is in Elder Christoferson’s comments above. There is not official uniform, it is voluntary, what is on the inside truly is what matters. However, if the inside is right, no rebellion, no pride, no guile,”… humble, meek submissive, patient, willing to submit…” , the white shirt becomes a non issue, you will want to. It is not meat that men should be commanded in all things.
Years ago, while in the Navy, we never even gave it a second thought about participating in Sacramental services onboard the ship in our work uniforms. It causes on to think if military personnel in dress uniform would be denied the privilege of blessing or passing the Sacrament while visiting their home ward?
In our ward the Young Men like to get out of passing and blessing the sacrament and so they purposely wear colored shirts so they will not be asked to pass.
You older guys don’t realize it maybe but your attitudes affect the youth. If you can’t see that you can wear your silly old colored shirts whenever you want and that we should emulate the apostles in all our actions… then we are headed for times like in the Book of Mormon where people were focusing on their bangles and bobbles instead of on the Gospel. Don’t fight it so much. Like the above poster said… clothing is symbolic. Regarding the military… come on… of course you could still bless.. wearing your military uniform is even highter than wearing a white shirt if you are on duty.
Can we please follow the admonitions, council, and requests, of all our prophets and Apostles. Whether they be living or beyond the veil, their word is scripture. In simple do you guys really think Jesus would would disagree with the asking you to wear a white shirt? Do you guys need Angels do descend? Please refer to the Definition of Faith. We love you guys we love your willing attitude to join what our leaders have asked of us.
Like many adults, my son doesn’t feel comfortable going to priesthood because the boys give him a hard time about his nice colored shirts. The boys are nasty and self righteous, just like many adults. Is this the Christian way? I don’t expect people to be perfect. What is most important, compliance or acceptance? Would it be better if he stayed at home? What would Jesus Christ say? We already know this answer. He would preach, administer and love him regardless of dress. I go to the Mormon church because I think they need more Christians there. If my son were an investigator, he would be treated differently. He would be accepted and shown fellowship. They’d try to throw the white shirt on him later after a little cool-aid. BTW Our Bishop told my son it was fine with him if he wore a colored shirt or not, but he didn’t think it would do any good to talk to the rest of the boys. Christian acts can’t be legislated. Personally I don’t think he wants to sanction a potential trend. .