a mark of rebellion

I believe it pleases our Creator when we do our best to care for His wonderful gift of a physical body. It would be a mark of rebellion to deface or defile one’s body, or abuse it, or fail to do what one can to pursue a healthy lifestyle. At the same time, vanity and becoming consumed with one’s physique, appearance, or dress can be a form of rebellion at the other extreme, leading one to worship God’s gift instead of God.

D. Todd Christofferson

"Burying Our Weapons of Rebellion", General Conference October 2024

the fashion-conscious mockers

Many of you are trying too hard to be unique in your dress and grooming to attract what the Lord would consider the wrong kind of attention. In the Book of Mormon story of the tree of life, it was the people whose “manner of dress was exceedingly fine” who mocked those who partook of the fruit of the tree. It is sobering to realize that the fashion-conscious mockers in the great and spacious building were responsible for embarrassing many, and those who were ashamed “fell away into forbidden paths and were lost” (1 Nephi 8:27–28).


L. Tom Perry, “Let Him Do It with Simplicity,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 7–10

very casual dress

I believe very casual dress is almost always followed by very casual manners.


L. Tom Perry, “Let Him Do It with Simplicity,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 7–10

trace the passions of the soul

Not only does a person become what he thinks, but often he comes to look like it. If he worships the God of War, hard lines tend to develop on his countenance. If he worships the God of Lust, dissipation will mark his features. If he worships the God of Peace and Truth, serenity will crown his visage. A thoughtful poet gave us this:

A human face I love to view

And trace the passions of the soul;

On it the spirit writes anew

Each thought and feeling on a scroll.

There the mind its evil doings tells,

And there its noblest deeds do speak;

Just as the ringing of the bells

Proclaims a knell or wedding feast.

—Author unknown

Spencer W. Kimball

The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer W. Kimball. 1969. p.104