President Russell M. Nelson changed the rules for women's missionary attire. He said it is now ok for sister missionaries to wear pants. How did he make this decision? Was this a message from God or his own personal opinion? According to Joseph Smith, prophets can hear from a variety of sources. A historical example of this was recorder by David Whitmer in An Address To All Believer In Christ, Richmond, Missouri, 1887, pp.30-31. Joseph Smith received a revelation that "some of the brethren should go to Toronto, Canada, and that they would sell the copy-right to the Book of Mormon. Hiram Page and Oliver Crowdery went to Toronto on this mission, but they failed entirely to sell the the copy-right, returning without any money." When they questioned Joseph Smith about the failed revelation and failed effort in Canada, Joseph Smith prayed about it and recieved this revelation: "Some revelations are of God: some revelations are of man: and some revelations are of the devil."
B. H. Roberts recounts this event in his book A Comprehensive History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Page 162-163 of volume 1 says, "Hyrum Smith is represented by David Whitmer as saying that it had been suggested to him that some of the brethren might go to toronto, Canada, and sell the copyright of the book (of Mormon) for considerable money, that is, sell the right to publish the book in the Canadian provinces, not dispose of the copyright absolutely. He persuaded Joseph Smith to inquire of the Lord, with the result... that he 'received a revelation that some of the brethren should go to Toronto, Canada, and they would sell the copyright.' Accordingly, Oliver Cowedery and Hirum Page, the latter being one of the eight witnesses, went to canada to sell the copyright, but failed. David Whitmer represents that this failure threw the little group of believers into great trouble, and they went to the Prophet and asked him to account for the failure. The prophet frankly acknowledged his inability to understand the cause of the failure, and inquired of the Lord. He received for answer... this: 'Some revelations are of God; some revelations are of man; and some revelations are of the devil."
So, what is the prophetic/presidential source of the "Sister pants" idea? Was this an insight from God, from man or from the devil? If it was from God, why didn't this come forth 160 years ago? Did God change his mind? If it was from man, why would the prophet be listening to man? If it was from the devil, why would the prophet be listening to the devil?
God spoke to Samuel about outward appearances when Israel was looking for a king. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, "But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." The second chapter of James focuses on judging people based on clothing/appearances. This chapter condemns the act of respecting people who are dressed nicely and not respecting those who are dressed poorly. James 2:1-4 says, "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?" Verse 9 says, "But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors." These verses show us that while man judges apparel, God judges hearts.
What do you believe? Was president Nelson speaking from God, from man or from the devil when he spoke about sisters wearing pants?
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