Oct 29 2009
Mormon “Muffin Mom” Modest?
While I do not agree with the religious beliefs of the LDS church, I have several good friends and colleagues I respect who are mormon and we share a similar stance on modesty. Hence seeing Tami Roberts flaunt her “mormon muffins” was anything but exciting.
While confessing to remaining faithful to her mormon ideals, (i.e. modesty) Idaho mom, turned pin-up girl, models for the sexy Mormon calendar in little more than a strappy camisole.
The LDS community is rightly outraged.
Nishi Gupta of the Idaho Times rights,
Tami Roberts of Idaho Falls is one of the “Devout Dozen” in this calendar. She says it was all done in good taste but not everyone agrees. Tami loves to spend time with her girls, help them with homework and knows her way around the kitchen. She also enjoyed being a vintage pin-up girl.
A local LDS gal comments,
“I’m disappointed in the way that she’s acting and telling people that she’s LDS but she’s acting this way. I don’t think it backs up the beliefs that we have”, Anderson said. .”
Obviously, the project is not supported by the LDS church; in fact, author, Chad Hardy, was stripped of his membership after his scandalous “Men with a Mission” (2008) calendar featuring half-nude mormon men. Hardy’s slogan, “Open shirts, Open minds” just shows how distant he’s traveled from his original values.
What concerns me is the rapidity in which Hardy is recieving applications for his Calendar project. The L.A Times reports:
After the first “Men on a Mission,” Hardy got more than 100 applications from Mormons eager to appear in the next calendar, many from men who understood its intended message.
“I don’t believe in perpetuating myths or stereotypes,” one wrote. “I believe in breaking them, overcoming them and yes — even parodying them. That’s what is so great about this calendar! It parodies that square, asexual box of what a ‘Mormon’ is supposed to be.”
When faced with awkward issues like this, it’s important to remember- true modesty springs from a heart that is committed to honoring God first. Kudos to the men and women who have protested this calendar and all that it represents regardless of your religious stance.
____________
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Dear Christa,
I’m shocked at not only the idea of the calendar, but the pictures posted. I believe it would’ve been appropriate to no include the pictures. Especially the one of the man at the top. I come to this site because it is know for its modesty and discretion… encouraging me to honor the Lord. But I no longer wish to visit this site if I don’t have absolute confidence that I won’t jeopardize my conscience by doing so. Please, for the testimony of this web site and your ministry, remove the pictures and prayerfully consider any future pictures of this sort.
Leadership is simply influence, and you have influence over MANY, MANY young ladies. I pray that God would give you the wisdom you need with this ministry.
I’m praying for you!
~ A loving Sister in Christ
Thanks for the heads up! I edited the jpg above.
Thank you for following her advice! : )
Being a gril from Idaho, this is right in my front yeard. I have seen headlines about this on KTVB (my favorite of our local news bureaus actually =), though I haven’t followed it as extensively as some.
I have to agree with the outrage angle. Living in a predominantly Mormon community, you are used to seeing modesty around here (most of the time anyway) Something such as this calendar is very UN-Mormon esque…and I expect there to be more outrage from the LDS church.
I do agree, Christa, with your last paragraph. I don’t agree with the Mormon philosophies…..but I do appreciate the stand for modesty.
I think that you’re right on when it comes to modesty coming from the heart. It’s no secret that this kind of thing sells– especially when it’s something you’re not supposed to see. When a lady make something like this, or some of the other calendars that show far more, they are looking for making a profit off of their looks.
What they, sadly, miss is that they are much more than what they look like and they are cheapening themselves and what they stand for in the process.
A high standard lifts up, it is something that’s looked up to, and it’s something that carries with it a sense of discipline. That has value. Once the standard bearer is seen as nothing more as yet another fallen person or fallen group, it cheapens even those that have not bent.
I think it’s right for there to be some kind of Mormon conversation on this, and some kind of reinforcing the standard.
any production such as this reduces its “models” to a two dimensional commodity, usually emphasising certain “attributes” above others. Thus is cheapens what is made in God’s image, and, thereby, Him. THIS is what people fail to see when they “push the envelope” with projects like this. Personally, I find women who vaunt their “physical attributes” in these ways shallow and uninteresting. Something else they fail to “get”. And of course the other aspect of this whole “false marketing” nonsense is that, over time, our bodies change in ways that render them no longer attractive in this sense. Anyone ever seen a “pinup calendar” of (unenhanced) beauty pageant winners from, say, fifty years ago? No? Ever wonder why? Simple– it won’t sell. Yet, as a godly woman ages, her beauty deepens, and she becomes ever more attractive in ways that really matter.
I’d just like to say I had a friend in college with the last name “Mormon” (wasn’t one, though) who went by the nickname “Muffin.”
lol. That’s funny.
How on earth can so many people be so upset over a wee bit of cleavage? For goodness sakes, where is the sense of humor? Where is the appreciation for creativity? The calendars were all created with a fine sense of good times. Lighten up, folks, life is to short to be so condemning, self-righteous and grumpy!
Hey Lisa,
Thanks for commenting, by way of response-
I would ask,
Would you be offended if this calendar was pornographic? What reaction do you think men will have after viewing this calendar? What do you think it communicates?
Selling pin-up girl calendars is creative? Other adjectives come to mind, but “original” or “creative” are not among them.
As an Empowered Traditionalist I love dressing in a way that is attractive and confident without sacrificing my dignity. I think being a lady is more attractive than being a pin-up girl and I want to defend the other women who are living proof of the same.
I just stumbled across your blog here and felt like commenting. . .I hope I’m welcome.
As a LDS Christian man this calendar disgusts me even more that the male missionary version did. I’ve seen some of the photos and they frankly make me nauseous. . .like the one with the “lady” licking the muffin pan, what is that, eww…
Paul, thanks for taking the time and energy to comment. We all need to be reminded to be gracious in our words. I would like to talk to you further via email, is that ok with you?
Sure, email is cool.
It’s just sad when people sell themselves for commercial gain.
I thought this sarcastic statement apropos to the situation:
““Women are supposed to be little girls, and girls are supposed to women,”
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Mormon. I know that we all do not share identical beliefs, but by our being on this site, we all share one thing – a belief that women (and men) should show respect for themselves and God through the way that they dress.
It is horrible for anyone to shame their body (one of the most magnificent of God’s creations) the way that those women did in that calendar. To pull the church into it not only is wrong, but it puts out the image that the LDS church supports the immodest, worldly dress that the calendar exhibits when it most definitely does not. The standards of the LDS church guide its members away from wearing any sort of revealing attire, and seeing the women in that calendar makes me want to cry.
Christa, I’m on http://www.suddenlydarling.com and I’m having a hard time with how she dresses. I asked some of the other girls on there, and they basically told me, “yeah, yeah, its a modest website, but everyone has different views on modesty, stop shoving modesty down my throat!” How would you( and the other ladies on here) tell me to handle this? I’m a christian, and I don’t want to ruin my witness for Jesus (my username is 4JesusInMT) and I’m at a loss as to what to do? Should I leave it alone? HELP!!!!!!
Hey Natasha,
I was on her site several weeks ago and noticed how rude everyone there was to anyone who suggested an outfit may not be modest.
I would say these ‘ladies’ don’t have modesty of the heart.
I will say, though, that standing up for modesty and not compromising will NOT ruin your witness for Jesus.
Sometimes, no matter how many scriptures you bring up, or how many examples you share- girls aren’t ready to hear it.
When I have had approached girls that are cold to the message of modesty, I typically try a “from the guys point of view” angle. When they really hear what guys think, and how they would respond to a certain outfit/amount of skin, they really open up more.
Some good material to look into is “For Young Women Only” (Shaunti Feldhanh) or some quotes from the “modesty survey (therebelution.com )
In this particular case, with the girls on forum, I would just drop it. It doesn’t sound like anyone is coming away built up.
Right after I read this article on your blog, I saw pictures of Ivanka Trump’s wedding dress on another site I follow. Have you seen her dress? What do you think? It’s definitely a more classic, modest, and regal look than I’ve seen on other young brides lately. I think it would be wonderful if you devoted a blog post to modesty wedding attire.
Thanks for covering modesty! (pun intended)
We have talked about that in the past, check out these two posts:
http://www.empoweredtraditionalist.com/2009/02/05/modest-bridal-merging-modest-with-chic/
http://www.empoweredtraditionalist.com/2008/08/21/dress-code-for-weddings/
Oops… that was supposed to say “modest wedding attire.”
Ok, I’m going to take this conversation in another direction besides the Evangelical Christianity vs. Mormonism debate.
I realized something important about myself. Yes, I think I make a valiant effort in dressing modestly myself, but the fact that Christa posted those pictures unedited didn’t even register with me. I am so de-sensitized to these types of images that my eyes just glaze over. It didn’t even occur to me that someone might be offended by the pictures until I read slightlyshocked’s comment. It’s a bit scary to recognize that attribute of cultural acceptance (if that’s the right word) in yourself.
I completely agree. And thanks for taking the focus off the Evangelicals vs. Mormons! It’s both tiring AND sad.
Great point! Thanks for the insight!
Thanks for the article, Christa!
I found this comment interesting: “It parodies that square, asexual box of what a ‘Mormon’ is supposed to be.”
I don’t know why the creator of the calendar implies that modesty makes a woman asexual. (Well.. rather, I do know why- it is what the culture tells us, but it is not something that I agree with)
Modest women are beautiful women. Not people wearing boxes over their heads and hiding from the world. We live in the world, not of it. Sometimes the world just has a hard time understanding hidden beauty vs. physical exposure.
I have removed all comments that are taking this topic into the religious discussion category, if you would like to continue your conversations via email, I am happy to facilitate that if both parties agree.
As one of the ones who took the topic in a religious direction, just wanted to say that I don’t mind continuing the discussion via email if somebody wants to, otherwise I don’t mind letting it drop as it stands.
Christa,
I just wanted to say thank you for your words. I am LDS and not only read your blog but have shared it with quite a few other members of my faith because of its focus and sincerity. I have to say that seeing this post made me feel very warmed! IMO this is a discussion that needs to be had and not just kept within religious lines.
Thank you again!
Hi,
just discovered your blog and came across this post. I am LDS and wrote about this exact same topic in my column: http://www.mormontimes.com/mormon_voices/tequitia_andrews/?id=11465
It is sad that these folks have sold out their values in the name of “good” fun. Really admire your blog.
keep up the good work!
This is not the standard of modesty embraced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (ie. Mormons). What the standard actually is can be found in pamphlet For The Strength of Youth-
“Modesty is an attitude of humility and decency in dress, grooming, language, and behavior. If you are modest, you do not draw undue attention to yourself. Instead, you seek to “glorify God in your body, and in your spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:20; see also 1 Corinthians 6:19).
If you are unsure about whether your dress or grooming is modest, ask yourself, “Would I feel comfortable with my appearance if I were in the Lord’s presence?” You might ask yourself a similar question about your language and behavior: “Would I say these words or participate in these activities if the Lord were present?” Your honest answers to these questions may lead you to make important changes in your life. The following information will help you in your efforts to be modest.
Dress and Grooming
Prophets have always counseled us to dress modestly. This counsel is founded on the truth that the human body is God’s sacred creation. Respect your body as a gift from God. Through your dress and appearance, you can show the Lord that you know how precious your body is.
Your clothing expresses who you are. It sends messages about you, and it influences the way you and others act. When you are well groomed and modestly dressed, you can invite the companionship of the Spirit and exercise a good influence on those around you.
Central to the command to be modest is an understanding of the sacred power of procreation, the ability to bring children into the world. This power is to be used only between husband and wife. Revealing and sexually suggestive clothing, which includes short shorts and skirts, tight clothing, and shirts that do not cover the stomach, can stimulate desires and actions that violate the Lord’s law of chastity.
In addition to avoiding clothing that is revealing, you should avoid extremes in clothing, appearance, and hairstyle. In dress, grooming, and manners, always be neat and clean, never sloppy or inappropriately casual. Do not disfigure yourself with tattoos or body piercings. If you are a woman and you desire to have your ears pierced, wear only one pair of modest earrings.
Maintain high standards of modesty for all occasions. Do not lower your standards to draw attention to your body or to seek approval from others. True disciples of Jesus Christ maintain the Lord’s standard regardless of current fashions or pressure from others.
Language and Behavior
Like your dress and grooming, your language and behavior are expressions of your character. Your words and actions can have a profound influence on you and on others. Express yourself through clean, positive, uplifting language and in actions that bring happiness to those around you. Your efforts to be modest in word and deed lead to increased guidance and comfort from the Holy Ghost.
Avoid the filthy language and the casual, irreverent use of the Lord’s name that are so common in the world. Withstand any temptation to participate in extreme or inappropriate behavior. The irreverent nature of such language and behavior impairs your ability to receive the quiet promptings of the Holy Ghost.”
The calendars are just sad.
I wrote about this specific topic because this is an instance where modesty (whether religion backed or no) is attacked. As a Christian, I am passionate about bringing truth and hope to a culture that has many problems. I feel called, like Jeremiah, to “seek the welfare of the city” (Jer 29:7) and part of that is to promote and defend modesty in multiple contexts.
I totally agree, in this case religion has nothing to do with it, its someone saying shes modest, and walking that way!