This FHE lesson on modesty helps address modesty in the summer and why it’s an important principle. It also discusses how we should treat those who choose to dress differently than we do.
Scripture
For ye are with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Hymn
The Lord Gave Me a Temple | Children’s Songbook, pg. #153
1. The Lord gave me a temple to live within on earth.
Once in Heaven I was spirit, but I left my home at birth.
I’ll make my temple brighter; I’ll keep my spirit free.
My body is the temple my Father gave to me.
2. If I keep my body clean and pure and habit-free,
I may in Father’s temple claim blessings promised me.
On resurrection morning, I’ll take my body bright
And in celestial glory forever live in light.
Lesson
FOR CHILDREN
Begin the lesson by asking your children what they think modesty means.
Read aloud: Modest is a principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Modesty has many parts and affects how we talk, how we act, how to dress, and how we feel. When we are modest, we try to remember God and do what he asks us to do.
In the summer, we get to do many fun activities. Sometimes, we need to change our clothes to suit the activities we do. We don’t want to go swimming in all of our clothes. Instead, we wear a swimsuit. When it’s hot outside, we don’t want to go camping in a heavy winter coat.
However, summer is a time when a lot of people might talk about modesty when it comes to clothes.
Read aloud: Do you know what Heavenly Father has asked us to do when it comes to our clothes?
Read aloud: Heavenly Father asks us to dress modestly. When we dress modestly, we show respect and love for our bodies. We invite the companionship of the Holy Ghost.
[Depending on your child’s age, talk about clothing standards your family has set.]
Modesty is a personal choice. Some people in the world wear clothing that looks very different from ours. Sometimes, they wear clothes we may not think is modest.
Ask: How should we treat people who dress differently than us or make different choices when it comes to modesty?
Read aloud: We should love everyone, no matter what they wear. Just because someone dresses in a way we wouldn’t doesn’t mean they are a bad person. We should not judge them or make mean comments to them. We share the love of Jesus Christ by being an example and treating others kindly.
Ask your children if they have any questions about modesty. Finish the lesson with your testimony.
FOR TEENS & ADULTS
Begin the lesson by asking the group what modesty means to them.
Read aloud: Modesty is an important principle that many people have questions about. It relates to how we dress, but it also relates to how we talk, how we behave, and how we feel about our relationship with Jesus Christ.
It’s very common to become focused on discussing modesty as a clothes-only issue, especially as it relates to summertime activities, bathing suits, and women. When we do this, we lose a great opportunity to discuss how modesty is a principle that applies to every aspect of our lives and can bless all people. When we are modest, we invite the companionship of the Holy Ghost into our lives.
Share a personal experience about modesty blessing your life.
Ask: How has modesty blessed your life?
Watch the following video. Before pressing play, ask everyone to think about what this video teaches us about modesty. Discuss after the video finishes.
Finish the lesson with your testimony.
FOR SINGLE STUDY
Read through the Gospel Topic page on modesty. Write down blessings you’ve experienced because of modesty and if you need to make any changes in your thoughts, grooming, dress, or behavior to reflect modesty.
Featured Products
Treat
TreatEasy Watermelon Slush
Ingredients
1 seedless watermelon, diced
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 cup ice
Optional sweeteners, such as sugar or honey
Directions
Combine all ingredients into a blender until smooth.
Serve immediately.
(Courtesy of tastemade.com)
Activity
ActivityThe Shark Bit My Cup
Gather dixie cups or paper cups and poke a small hole in the bottom and sides of each one. Divide into teams and place a bucket at the end for each team to try and fill up. Fill up large buckets of water and place near each team.
To play, have one person fill up their cup and place it on their head. The person then runs to their bucket and dumps the water in. The goal is to keep as much water in their cup as possible. They run back and pass the cup to the next person. The team that fills the bucket up to the top first or has the most water after a certain number of rounds wins.
Aleah is a graduate of Southern Virginia University, where she studied English, Creative Writing, and Dance. She now works full time as a marketing and product manager, writer, and editor. She currently hosts the podcast “Single to the Glory” about singlehood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aleah served a mission in California and loves baking, Lang Leav poetry, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and Bollywood movies.
