The Beauty of the Work of Our Own Hands

Just a warning, this might be a long post. I’ll start with a scripture.

“And again, thou shalt not be proud in thy heart; let all thy garments be plain, and their beauty the beauty of the work of thine own hands; (Doctrine and Covenants 42:40)”

Now I’ll continue with a bunch of questions and some more scriptures beginning with, what does that mean?

On the surface, it seems to be a straightforward commandment to the Saints to make their own clothing. According to the prophet Joseph Smith (as noted in the section heading), the revelation contained in this section of the Doctrine and Covenants “embrace[s] the law of the Church.” So, if we don’t make our own clothes we’re breaking the law of the Church? Apparently. But I think it goes deeper than that.

There is something to be said for making our own attire, especially given the nature of the world’s fashions. However, requiring the saints to find the time and energy for such a task in this generation brings to mind Brigham Young’s position towards the older Saints and the word of wisdom. Namely, that strict observance would have to begin with the younger generation. I tip my hat to those brethren and sisters – mostly sisters, I think – of this generation who do it.

Fortunately, the internet has made it possible for a number of companies run by Latter-day Saints to market plain, modest clothing internationally. This seems to me to be a noble attempt at living the commandments and the cooperative lifestyle of our covenants in a competitively structured world. Thanks belong to those who do it.

My next question is this: will we always live in such a world?

Here my thoughts turn to Zion and, in the next paragraph, away from literal clothing. The scriptures declare that after its establishment, the righteous in Zion will be the only people not at war with themselves (Doctrine and Covenants 45:68). This, combined with the non-competitive nature of the law of consecration, leads me to believe that we should not let the textile crafts disappear from our households. We may or may not have to make our own clothing under this system, but in leaving the world behind us those who perform this essential service will have to do it without a worldly infrastructure to support design and manufacture. Consider also that the creation of clothing was the first material service provided to Adam and Eve on their expulsion from the garden. I think that few disciplines could be as basic to maintaining a worthy stewardship. Remember from the opening scripture that the work of our own hands protects us from pride and is beautiful to the Lord.

Beauty is, in fact, one of the defining characteristics of Zion. If God is to shine from out of the holy city or any of its stakes, they must become “the perfection of beauty (Psalm 50:2).” This implies that all the works of its inhabitants, not just their actual clothing, must be beautiful: pure and pleasing to the Lord. Whether we build homes, create works of art, sew clothing, prepare food, instruct others, pray, study, raise crops, play games, or do any other thing, it must be done in such a way that, when the Lord comes, we can be worthy to be “clothed with robes of righteousness, (Doctrine and Covenants 29:12)” even as He is.

This is the clothing to which I believe the verse I originally quoted has greater reference, and this is why:

First is the protection from pride described in the verse as coming from plain and self-made clothing. This is, in effect, a protection from sin. The adage “The clothes make the man” might have dual application in this case as, “the man makes the clothes,” that is, the clothing of righteousness (or salvation, damnation, wickedness, or shame) before his clothes make him. And how do we make this clothing? We make it by the works of our own hands (Alma 11:44, Revelation 20:12, and a host of other scriptures).

Perhaps this is the reason for the Lord’s statement that “Zion must increase in beauty, and in holiness; her borders must be enlarged; her stakes must be strengthened; yea, verily I say unto you, Zion must arise and put on her beautiful garments. (Doctrine and Covenants 82:14, emphasis added)” Interestingly, this scripture is given immediately before the Lord institutes the law of consecration in Kirtland, “that every man may improve upon his talent…seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to my glory. (verses 18-19)” This revelation also carries the weight of the law of the Church, and the penalty for disobeying it is to be delivered unto the buffetings of Satan (verse 21).

The works of our hands determine the extent to which our physical and spiritual garments are plain and beautiful. If we make them ourselves by earnest, consecrated labor, then we will be accounted worthy to inherit those greater robes, and with them, an accompanying “crown of righteousness. (Doctrine and Covenants 29:13)” Well did Moses, called “the man of God, (Introduction to Psalm 90)” pray: “Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. (Psalm 90:6-7)”