Item Detail
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14723
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2
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0
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English
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'A Style of Our Own' : Modesty and Mormon Women, 1951-2003
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Latter-day Saint Women in the Twentieth-Century
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Provo
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Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History
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1-22
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'This paper examines modesty and women's dress in an LDS context from 1951 to 2003. Specifically, it outlines subtle changes in actual dress standards and in rationales for modest dress that reflect the Church's teachings and attitudes towards chastity and women, accountability for moral cleanliness, and ideals of beauty and femininity. In addition, this paper will discuss how modesty in dress has important symbolic meaning for Church leaders and members alike--it represents the responsibility of women and the Church to maintain boundaries between themselves and the world. Finally, a contemporary survey of almost five hundred LDS women gives insight into modern rationales for modesty among everyday LDS women and illustrates how modesty has become an important part of LDS women's identity.' (taken from author's introduction)