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Re: Modesty and Mormonism

Modesty and Mormonism

According to Business Insider, BYU ranked number one for having both brains and beauty. It naturally follows that here at the University we care about the latest fashion trends and hair styles. But how far is too far when it comes to keeping up with the current fads?

I am sitting in a library contemplating technology. People come here all the time, but an extremely low percentage of the people here will touch any of the library’s books today. While the shelves hold thousands of books, the computers here hold virtually endless information on almost any subject. As I look around me, almost everyone is using a computer. But then, almost all of them also have a smaller version of a computer in their pocket.

Here at Brigham Young University there are a lot of rules put into place through the Honor Code. There are rules for cheating, visiting hours, grooming and clothing. For most of these rules it’s up to the students to always make sure they’re upholding their honor, except for when it comes to the humanities testing center. It’s become a rule that students are not allowed to wear leggings as pants. In the Honor Code statement it says, “Clothing is inappropriate when it is sleeveless, strapless, backless, or revealing; has slits above the knee; or is form fitting.' Nowhere in the Honor Code does it actually state that leggings are not allowed. Leggings are no tighter than some jeans that a lot of girls are wearing. When you go in to take a test some of the workers will turn you away for wearing leggings. What about wanting to be comfortable while taking a test? It’s not fair that girls aren’t allowed to wear leggings because they’re “too much of a distraction for the guys.” Girls dress modestly out of respect for themselves and not solely because of other people. It’s time to think about whether preventing leggings is really doing anything beneficial.

Some of you may have seen the tweet from the BYU football coach Mark Atuaia this weekend which read, “For those who oppose — go see your stake president then find me and oppose those beloved men in front of me and witness how I sin #realtalk.” What a great example of Christlike behavior. Yes, let's go beat up people who disagree with the church.

Spring is approaching, which means warm weather. Spring is the time when flowers blossom and the start of a new beginning. It can be a fresh start for us as well. Colder weather discourages exercise, because you don’t want to be outside in the cold and it can be cramped and stuffy in the gym. It is no longer cold outside, and after being inside all winter it is time to stretch our legs and start to exercise again.

I’m a grad student, and I’m frustrated with how many undergrads park in grad student parking or faculty parking and the parking police don’t come by frequently enough to ticket the students.

When my wife was eight months pregnant and suffering from painful complications I approached BYU on-campus parking to get her a closer parking spot in order for her to have a shorter walking distance to class. I was told that “being pregnant does not make her handicapped,” and that, therefore, she could walk.

While waiting at a red light, the car in front of me clipped the tail-end of a bicycle crossing directly in front of him. Wham! This sent the unsuspecting biker flying off his bicycle, while the driver simply sped away. So who’s to blame?

I barely saw you jogging last night with your headphones in, wearing dark clothes. I almost hit you this morning as you hurried across the street to class, with your head down, checking your phone. I am aware of you and watching out for your safety, but are you?

Since the occurrence of random gropings, beginning in January of 2014, fear has stricken the hearts of female Provo residents. Although most of Provo sees this epidemic in a negative light, we should see this as an opportunity to thank the groper for his service to the community.

According to some Latter-day Saints, including roommates of mine who had hoped to serve missions, members of the LDS Church ought to be more willing to watch R-rated films, because “We live in an R-rated world. There’s nothing in those movies that we haven’t seen in real life. If anything, R-rated movies prepare us for what’s out there in the world.”

Maybe it’s because I’m an international student in my first semester here, and maybe it’s because I grew up in a Catholic school. Maybe my mom just did a good job of making Easter holy in our house, considering both the Friday before and Monday after were legitimate holidays. Either way, hearing that BYU didn’t offer any type of holiday over Easter came as a shock. I know, I understand; Mormons don’t like to dwell on the fact that Christ died — but rather, the fact that he lived. However, the LDS Church does still see his death as a crucial, important part of the plan: Christ’s suffering and crucifixion on Good Friday are critical for the Atonement to have power.

“Enter to learn, go forth to serve” These words have inspired professor and pupil alike on the lifelong journey of education and self-improvement. They promise a worthwhile education and the skills to be a valuable contribution to the workplace. The only obstacle is the command “enter to learn.” Some of you reading this may have never had to park a car here, but I believe I speak for all students who commute when I say that for us, it’s huge. Picture a bunch of big metal vultures following pedestrians around the parking lot hoping their prey will enter a vehicle and escape, leaving the space vacant. It’s a jungle out there.