SALT LAKE CITY — The familiar look of Latter-day Saint missionaries is changing.
Some missions may soon allow elders to begin wearing plain blue dress shirts instead of the white shirts they are known for around the globe. Some may also go without a tie, according to new exceptions to the dress standards for men serving missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
White shirts and ties will remain a part of every missionary’s wardrobe, according to Friday’s announcement. Suit coats will still be worn in some areas. But blue shirts and going tieless will be an option Area Presidencies can select for missions in their region of the world.
“Missionary attire has regularly adapted over time according to location, style and custom,” said Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and chairman of the Missionary Executive Council. “These exceptions are a continuation of that process.”
Why change the iconic image for some?
“In all our considerations, we keep top of mind the missionary’s calling to represent Jesus Christ, their health and safety and the cultural sensitivities of the places where they serve,” Elder Uchtdorf said in a news release.
He told the Church News that the new options could help make missionaries more approachable.
“It should not be seen as a downgrade, but an opening,” Elder Uchtdorf said. He added, “It will give us a better connection to those people we try to find and to teach — and even to our members.”
The exceptions were approved by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
All elders will still need white shirts and ties to attend the temple, church, baptismal services, missionary training centers and leadership and zone conferences.
That means little change for Mr. Mac, one of the Utah clothing stores that cater to missionaries.
“Blue shirts are easy to come by,” said company president Spencer Christensen, who returned last year after presiding for three years over the Arizona Tempe Mission. “White shirts and ties are kind of a trademark, an identity that’s been established over the years, but when it’s necessary (church leaders) are always willing to make a change, as we saw with the emphasis on the name of the church.”
Christensen said he’s certain returned missionaries will have strong feelings one way or the other, but he said going without a tie may make missionaries more approachable on college campuses, for example.
Another possible reason for the change is the increasing amount of missionary work done online, which has accelerated during the coronavirus pandemic.
“There also are some really hot and humid places where elders might appreciate going without a tie, which always makes things a little warmer but also looks a little more dressy.”
In 2015, church leaders stopped requiring missionaries to wear suit coats in areas of Africa, Asia, Central America, the Pacific islands and South America.
Decisions to adopt the new exceptions to white shirts and ties will be made by the church’s 22 Area Presidencies around the world. They will weigh what will best improve and maintain missionary dignity, safety, effectiveness, approachability and cultural sensitivity, the church statement said.
“Missionary attire will always be dignified, respectful and approachable as missionaries fulfill their purpose of teaching people about the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Elder Uchtdorf.
The church recently made adjustments to the dress standards for young women serving missions. In May 2016, church leaders approved women wearing slacks instead of skirts and dresses in areas where the mosquito-borne Zika virus, dengue fever and chikungunya are present.
Then, in December 2018, the church approved slacks as a year-round option for female missionaries except when attending the temple, church services and mission leadership and zone conferences.