It doesn’t for me in the same way.

Our church’s fixation on white is merely that–a fixation. And in days of old or recent past, this was done why? because we’re too human and can’t figure out how to be more in tune or ‘pure’ with the ever diverse Holy Spirit who is light years ahead of us small-minded biological, earth humans.

But if we want to quibble about colors, then let’s consider how the ‘red robed’ Christ, some of the temple clothing, stories of people with visions of different colored apparel, etc.

White is just a color we have fixated on in our material world. And just because prophets of our past have said something about it, remember we should be considering what the most recent prophets are saying since LDS believe in continuing revelation.

For some cultures, red is the color of purity, and others, even black. I don’t recognize the relevancy of white other than it being a fixation.

Randy B.

I hadn’t intended this to be about white shirts. I find it interesting that men primarily responded to that particular point. I suppose it is kind of a nonissue for women, since we don’t officiate in anything. Sigh. I don’t disagree with you that there is great symbolic value in certain things, such as wearing white. However, I think that the richness of the symbolism loses something when white shirts and ties become first and foremost a symbol of conformity.

This is what I love about my inner city ward. People are there genuinely trying their best, with humility and love. When men show up to pass the sacrament in their Sunday best, and sometimes that’s a bright orange suit or something more traditionally African, it’s not because they are not conforming, it’s because they are wearing the best they have. When those intentions are clear, as they can be more easily in a small branch with mostly converts, symbols of conformity cease to be an issue.

VirtualM, your ward sounds great. Thanks for sharing.

Britt, I’m glad you found us! Best of luck with your adventure there in the Marshall Islands.

But I do take issue with some of the comments about white shirts. Obviously I am not close minded to say that if you don’t wear a white shirt, then you can’t step foot in the chapel. We can’t afford to chase members away at all. Still, I think that wearing a white shirt is important, and there is some indication from the standard works that white is an important color for administering the gospel.

Joseph Smith described in JS history 1:31 that Moroni “had on a loose robe of most exquisite awhiteness. It was a whiteness beyond anything earthly I had ever seen; nor do I believe that any earthly thing could be made to appear so exceedingly white and brilliant.” Or in other words a messenger of God was dressed in white.

A prophet of the Lord said at General Conference said, “I am not going to say much about the dress. We are not a people who look to formality, certainly we do not believe in phylacteries, in uniforms, on sacred occasions, but I do think that the Lord will be pleased with a bishopric if they will instruct the young men who are invited to administer the sacrament to dress properly. He will not be displeased if they come with a white shirt instead of a colored one, and we are not so poor that we cannot afford clean, white shirts for the boys who administer the sacrament. If they do not have them, at least they will come with clean hands, and especially with a pure heart.”
(President David O. Mckay, Conference Report, October 1956, General Priesthood Meeting 89.)

Usually, whenever a priesthood holder performs an ordinance (baptism, temple, sacrament) they wear white clothing. This clothing symbolizes the cleanliness that a representative of the Lord should have. Yes, blessings of health can be given without wearing white because one doesn’t always plan these things. And yes, baptisms for the dead were first performed (in this dispensation) in the Mississippi River. The Lord makes allowances when we are trying our very best.

I’m not going to tell a deacon who just got baptized 3 weeks ago not to pass the sacrament because he is wearing the best blue shirt that he has. I’m not going to tell a member of my Elder’s quorum that he is not worthy to come to class because he isn’t wearing a white shirt. But there is a reason why the priesthood is instructed to where white shirts. The Bishopric preside over the Sacrament, and any member of the priesthood could be asked to pass the sacrament on any given Sunday. The Lord teaches us through the symbolism of ordinances; the white helps to remind that the priesthood holder is acting in the name of the Son. Once you start taking away those symbols, lessons are lost.

I love that I’ve made friends with people I would never have made friends with if we didn’t have the Church in common–people of different ages, economic status, political leanings, etc. And, I’m a better person for having those friendships.