Holy Mormon Pants

       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?

Problems with Garments

      So you are watching TV with your hubby and the Victoria Secret commercial comes on.  This is a bit of a problem.  The garments you feel secure wearing cannot compete with the fancy, cute underwear in the commercial.  The wife next door has a variety of cute outfits she wears but the garments limit a person to the more modest selections.  While the church commands you to wear one thing, the typical hubby would probably choose something more appealing to look at.  On the other hand, if one spouse is wearing the garments more often than the other, there is the judgemental aspect to deal with:  "Why are you not wearing the garments."
      Has a High Priest ever been commanded to not wear the garments?  This command if found in Leviticus 16:23:  "And Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall put off the linen garments, which he put on when he went into the holy place, and shall leave them there:"  In the next verse, he was to wash and put his own clothes back on.  I think this passage is highly significant.  Aaron, the high priest, was to take off the holy garments and leave them there when he went out of the holy place.  So Aaron dressed two ways.  He wore the priestly garments in the holy place and he wore his own garments when he was not in the holy place.  Ezekiel 44:19 again tells us, "And when they go forth into the utter court, even into the utter court to the people, they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them in the holy chambers, and they shall put on other garments; and they shall not sanctify the people with their garments."
      There are bigger questions here, however.  Are you going to trust in some garments to protect you or are you going to depend on God's protection?  If the power of God cannot protect you, what can a hundred garments do?  Are you going to depend on a baptism to save you or on Jesus work on the cross.  Yes baptism is a commandment.  But if Jesus death is not enough what can a thousand gallons of water do?  Are you going to focus on a temple for celestial salvation or focus on Jesus.  Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "...let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;..."   Mosiah 3:17 says, "...there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent."
      So back to the dilemma.  Do you wear the garments to please the church or the cute outfit to please your hubby?  The marriage relationship has been designed, instituted and ordained by God.  Are you working to strengthen what God has designed?
      What if you are a yes and yes person - need to please the church and the hubby?  Here is a 4 step plan.  1) Communicate with your spouse.  2) Come to an agreement.  3)  Follow the agreement.  4) If there is discontent or a judgemental attitude, repeat steps 1-3.  A happy marriage is a good thing.