Fine Line

Alma 4

This is the chapter where pride has crept into the people of the church and begins to cause some problems with the church and with the influence their actions are having on non-believers.

This is a serious warning to the people of the church today. Life has been good for us in the last hundred years. To me, it is obvious to see we have been blessed for our faithfulness to the Lord's commands and in serving each other. However, I too can see that vanity is a problem. There is a fine line between dressing appropriately and wearing costly apparel (v6). I've watched the sisters who speak in General Conference. None of them wear cheap clothing. They wear very nice (and expensive) suits, but not necessarily stylish in my eyes. Where does one draw the line? I don't know that I have the answer for that one.

During the time when the people lived in “a manner of happines” 2 Nephi 5, Nephi had caused his people to be industrious and labor with their hands. Maybe that is the difference. Maybe we are supposed to be sewing our own clothing Ugh!

In Helaman 5 we're told “. . .their women did toil and spin, and did make all manner of cloth, of fine-twined linen and cloth . . . .(14). . .[and they] did also have great joy and peace. . .” I'm sure there is some clue to the question here. But if we are busy toiling in the vineyard – God's commandment to help others, would it not be okay to buy clothing that is nice. I certainly hope this is acceptable in the Lord's eyes because I don't see it changing. At least not for me. I sewed when I raised my children.  Then the thought “endure to the end” comes to mind. I hope this doesn't fit in that category.

So, what did I learn today as I read? How can I apply what I learned to me? Well, as I seek to find the perfect outfit, I need to remember the warning and the thin line between “dressing comely” and “being prideful”.