web analytics
March 2, 2015 / 11 Adar , 5775
At a Glance
Sponsored Post

Modesty Messages from a Mormon

Mormons are expected to be chaste in every possible way and this can be particularly difficult for young men.

In many ways Mormons are like American Orthodox Jews. We share many values and our lifestyles are very similar. One thing that we share is the emphasis on modesty. The rules of modesty in Mormonism are far less rigid than they are in orthodox Judaism, but they are taken just as seriously. Their rules sound like 20th century rules and ours sound like 16th century rules. All this makes perfect sense considering when our books of law were codified.

One thing Mormons do at the tender age of 19 is they go on Missions. We have Project SEED programs. It’s basically the same idea.

For many young Mormons it is their first real contact with non-Mormons on a regular basis. Obviously this creates new challenges for the missionaries. It seems that dealing with the relative immodesty of non-Mormons when compared with what they are accustomed to is a particularly difficult challenge.


A young man on a Mission where clothing is worn sparingly writes of his personal struggles. It is fascinating to hear him talk in Mormon terms about struggles that he shares with young Yeshiva students. What is most interesting is where he takes the article. I recommend reading the article for its content but also to compare it with our values and terminology.

He wants things to change. In short, he uses anecdotal evidence, scientific studies, and logic to argue that the overemphasis on modesty has the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of making it easier for men it makes it harder for men. Further, it does not ensure that women are thought of in the purest of terms. Finally, it reinforces unfortunate stereotypes about pleasure and intimacy that can have negative consequences later on in life and throughout marriage.

He concludes that it is time to rethink old ideas about sexuality in the Mormon Church.

I sense that a similar conversation is brewing in the orthodox Jewish community. All the talk of Tznius is having an opposite of its desired effect on so many people in our community. It has gone from reasonable to extreme to laughable. Has it even helped anything? What are the tangible benefits of increased modesty to an absurd degree?

Science and soft science have a lot to say about how we are affected by what we see and what we wear. Are we interested in what they say? Is there a way to bridge the gap between the two?

Will a budding Torah scholar with Yeshiva bona fides write an article like this? Are we ready for this conversation?

These are tough questions but I think we will be doing a world of good by trying to answer them.

Click the link below to read the essay.

Visit Fink or Swim.





3 Responses to “Modesty Messages from a Mormon”

  1. Grace Acosta says:

    The problem is not with modesty, the problem is men being told that it's "normal" for them to objectify and dehumanize women and girls. Modesty is for a woman's own sense of dignity, it's effect on men is secondary.

    Blaming modesty is just as wrong as blaming a short skirt. She had her elbows covered, she was asking for it! Can't you see how wrong that is? When will men take control over their own thoughts and behaviors? Do you really want women to consider you helpless weaklings, at the mercy of your animal impulses? Man up!

  2. As a Mormon, I think this is a very interesting parallel. I remember going on a date to Hollywood, and much of the night feeling uncomfortable with the rampantly flaunted immorality surrounding us. It wasn't until haphazardly walking into a large group of Orthodox Jews that I somehow magically felt comfortable.

    I recognized the irony: most people would likely feel uncomfortable around those with such a different culture and clothes. But, I felt a profound respect and love for those good people who were trying to hold their ground against the world's tendency toward immodesty.

  3. Bingo! Though I definitely believe modesty is integral, I think the big problem is (at least for Mormon's like me, and I assume for anybody else) that many have increasingly bought into the world's teaching that the value of another person is derived from the pleasure they give you. Movies, TV, books, music, videogames, art, advertising; they all convey a message of objectification. It's difficult to discern when you're surrounded with it, and I think most people simply don't understand what's going on.

Comments are closed.

Current Top Story
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and many of the Bibicotters
Latest Blogs Stories
Jordana and the Flag!


peace in our time iran


Rabbi Shmuley Boteach














More Articles from Rabbi Eliyahu Fink










Printed from: http://www.jewishpress.com/blogs/fink-or-swim/modesty-messages-from-a-mormon/2013/06/24/

Scan this QR code to visit this page online: