Borderline wholesome posting

But when you see Mormons out, knocking door to door, wearing the suits etc.... they kinda are “at work.” Those are missionaries. Missionary has a central and important place to the church. There IS a relatively strict dress code for Mormon missionaries, male and female. Except where temperature etc. would dictate otherwise, men are instructed to wear a suit with jacket, lightest colors preferred being brown or gray. White undershirt. Women have restrictions to the types of clothes they can wear as well. Dresses to cover the knees when sitting, etc.

Closed toe closed heal shoes for both sexes, “conservative” easily kept hair, no distracting accessories, General well groomed appearance. Women have restrictions on eating length and make up is to be “natural.” Any scents worn by either sex are to be mild and not overpowering or distracting. The dress code requires regular bathing.

Missionaries aren’t paid, and generally not forced to do so. Many save up through their teens or more to pay for the generally 18-24 month missions which can be anywhere in the world. There are special schools to prepare, learn any languages you’ll need etc. missionary work is seen by many as part of a “calling” to serve their faith, it’s also seen as a “right of passage,” and has many potential benefits in life experience and skills. It’s disciplined serious work.

Some seek the time to get away from home or familiar faces, “see the world” a bit, and while not common... let’s face it, even some Mormons aren’t free from bragging or one upping. Taking a mission to a far off exotic place, a dangerous or difficult one, getting lots of converts etc. can potentially be used by a person to feel better or make others feel less about themselves.

There are benefits though. Returned missionaries are often prized catches for marriage. Devout Mormon parents with young marriage age kids may try to get their children to marry a returned missionary- the devotion to the church, financial stability, the potential that person has for gains in the private sector and the community from the skills learned and prestige of their mission- can all help get a young Mormon noticed by the opposite sex.

Now... Mormons don’t technically “shun” as Amish or Jehovahs do... but if you’re part of a Mormon family- let alone live in a “Mormon” dominant community... it gets messy. Family, friends, and total strangers are encouraged to keep you on the “right path” and if you stray or decide to leave... to reach out and bring you back. That means prodding from all over about the church. If you aren’t in good standing with the church you can’t attend even weddings or baptisms etc of family held at the temple- you’ll be kept outside. If it’s not quite so bad you may be allowed in but not allowed certain things like being able to speak.

Your home may be through the church, and in Mormon communities neighbors often donate skills and labor to each other’s daily lives. You lose that. A devout Mormons social life often revolves largely around the church. Church events and hanging with church peeps. And there is a certain doctrine of influence- if you’re labeled somehow potentially “corrupting,” people might not want to be around you or let their family be around you.

So while there aren’t necessarily hard rules on some of this stuff- there are pressures and expectations and social consequences to stepping out of bounds with your fellows. Mormons are free people with free choice and individuality- but it’s a religion, a family, a social network and a financial support network all in one that tends to be smaller and closer knit (and keep EXCELLENT personal records on members) so for someone who’s grown up knowing just that- being “cut off” in any way can be a huge blow mentally but also in a material sense.

Tl:Dr: Mormons out helping and spreading their gospel are missionaries who have a dress code based in Mormon ideas of modesty and conservatism. There are strong social forces that compel Mormons to follow this code, and most do so willingly anyway because of the morals they grew up with. When you see the Mormons in suits and “office wear” not going to work- they are most likely missionaries who tend to travel all over the world for periods on average of 18-24 months spreading their gospel and doing “works.”

No it’s not like if you’re not in good standing with the church, there are some things in the temples that are sacred to us. The temples are breathtaking and we don’t really want just anyone coming in speaking badly and stuff in it.

Yes. Sorry, I misspoke in the interest of making along comment slightly briefer, and should have done better. Certain things are restricted to only those in good faith and standing with the church, because they are sacred. Those outside the faith, never Mormons and Mormons who have been sanctioned- excommunication etc. for lack of a better term- face various restrictions. Not ALL listed restrictions apply, and “not in good standing” was a poor placeholder just to mean those deemed “unworthy” or a risk.

There is however a school of thought amongst Mormons who fell from grace as well as outsiders who do see certain restrictions such as upon speech as a form of censorship. One such violation which can have such sanctions includes questioning a doctrine or disagreeing with an interpretation. Of course- the use of such mechanisms can vary greatly by the leadership of the particular group( so it would be irresponsible and ignorant to make a blanket statement about all Mormons in this or most any matter.

It’s also important to note that such practices aren’t exclusive to Mormons. Most major religions have things that they don’t openly allow to those who aren’t in keeping of the faith, areas where only those deemed worthy may enter (try to get around in the Vatican sometime!) etc. and for the general function and enjoyment of others- most private places don’t tolerate outspokenness where not appropriate.

For instance- questioning doctrine amidst services or religious rights etc. is no different in that regard from critiquing a movie mod film while others are trying to enjoy it, or interrupting a teachers lesson. Such debates have a place when they can be had respectfully to the time of others in attendance unless the floor is made open for such discussions.

So I apologize. I didn’t mean to spread misinformation. I was merely attempting to give an overview of the factors contributing to a missionaries dress code- which can’t be properly discussed without social context, and such a broad and complex topic is difficult to sum up even in such a long post. There’s much to be said about the Mormon faith and the culture etc. developed around it.

Quite often one sees information either from those outside the faith who paint it in a negative light because it is strange or even blasphemous to them, or from jaded ex Mormons who one could argue hold a bias to begin or would likely still be Mormons, or from sources which only discuss the faith in positive terms and gloss over any negatives. It’s a religion like any other. Good people and bad, most just trying to live good lives, and we all have different ways.

I just think a relatively comprehensive if not slightly vague view of as many faiths as one can learn of is important in our world. Even if one believes all faiths are “wrong,” others believe they aren’t, so it helps us understand each other and the world.

*sister missionaries can now wear slacks as well for protection from the elements/mosquitoes! It’s a very recent thing but as an ex-sister missionary I’m immensely grateful that there are no bare legs during the winter!

I read about that. I was glad to hear it.