The Journal

Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: Opinion/Editorial

As 2008 rapidly approaches, the latest wall calendars are emerging in shopping malls and bookstores all around the country. From horses to Harry Potter, almost anyone can find a calendar to suit his or her interest. However, the Mormon-based "Men on a Mission" calendar is not only causing controversy, but raising questions as well.

MOAM features 12 Mormon men who have returned from their church mission trips posing without their shirts. In following Mormon tradition, every male is supposed to go on a two-year charity mission, which sometimes leads them to the other end of the world. The calendar not only shows their sculpted bodies, but also provides information about each man's own mission.

Chad Hardy, producer of the calendar, said on http://www.mormonsexposed.com, "Behind the eye-candy, this calendar has a deeper story-one that can reshape perceptions, heighten awareness and perhaps inspire a broadened acceptance of human and religious diversity."

However, it seems unusual that a faith that greatly values modesty allows these men to pose shirtless. According to the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, "Modest dress serves as a physical and spiritual guard against immoral behavior and its inherent physical, emotional and spiritual harm."

While modesty standards vary from person to person, it seems that posing without a shirt for millions of lusting eyes doesn't really follow any standard of modesty. As the MOAM gaze seductively into the camera, it is hard to believe they are not trying to be sexual or get a sexual reaction out of the viewer. Because the idea of modesty is to not cause others to sin as a result of racy clothing, these Mormon men are placing themselves in a position for others to spiritually stumble.

As these beautiful, God-fearing men grace each month with a steamy pictorial, the women of the Mormon faith are wearing long sleeves and pants.

Rachel Woods, Mormon believer and Web site writer, said, "Immodest clothing includes shorts and skirts, tight clothing, shirts that do not cover the stomach and other revealing attire. Young women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and avoid clothing that is low-cut in the front or the back or revealing in any other manner."

When looking at the standards for what women should wear, no specifics are included about what a man should wear. She simply wrote, "Young men should also maintain modesty in their appearance."

It is a double standard. While the women of the Mormon faith are supposed to cover themselves, the men are gallivanting shirtless on the pages of the calendar.

Continued...

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