very surprised at the reaction at church.

[RICHARD DUNCAN]

I am a very active LDS member. When I purchased my kilt I had it made for me and have never been confronted or objected to wearing it in Church. I have sat on the stand in full scottish attire and spoke from the pulpit. I have also been to the LDS Conference Center for concerts dressed the same way and treated very respectful. I will admit that the first time I wore it to Church I was nervous as all get out, but it was accepted by the majority and lots of good and positive questions asked. It is my heritage and I love it. It gives you an opportunity to teach. I had a return missionary who would wear his Lava Lava sometimes as I wore the Kilt and neither one of us was told not to wear them or tossed out. Take the time to teach and explain. When we were in Scotland, and attended the LDS branch there, I was the only one in a kilt, and was told "You put us to shame, our Kilts hang in the closet and are not worn that much."

Richard Duncan, Salt Lake City, Ut

[Riverkilt]

YES!!!

Kilts are well accepted in LDS circles for many positive reasons. Back to the original post - would think the bishop involved is just plain uninformed.

While not LDS myself, I live in LDS country and see the acceptance of kilts by that faith. In fact, acceptance of kilts and pipe bands seems to be blossoming among members of that church.

Maybe if the OP copied out the posts on this thread by the many kilted members of the LDS church it would help educate the bishop.

[McClef]

When we were in Scotland, and attended the LDS branch there, I was the only one in a kilt, and was told "You put us to shame, our Kilts hang in the closet and are not worn that much."

Many who wear the kilt when visiting Scotland have heard similar words! It would be interesting, if you get another opportunity in the future to revisit the Branch, if they have taken them out of their closets.

Maybe if the OP copied out the posts on this thread by the many kilted members of the LDS church it would help educate the bishop.

A very good suggestion.

[Morris at Heathfield]

My 12 year old son wore his kilt to our church sunday (Mormon) and was told by the bishop (a congregational leader) he couldn't participate if he wore his kilt.

First of all, a clarification: what did your bishop mean by "participate"? If by that he meant pass the sacrament, I think that's understandable. Those who administer the sacrament are wearing a uniform of sorts, which is why they aren't supposed to wear jeans, colored shirts, or show up with no tie. As for his other actions, I think he needs to relax. It sounds like he's taking minor issues a bit too seriously.

His older cousin was told by his bishop a few weeks ago when he wore his kilt in idaho that he wasn't welcome at church if he wore it again.

We're talking about two bishops, right? Your bishop and another one in Idaho. I'm tempted to say your family has bad luck when it comes to bishops, but I don't doubt there are more bishops and branch presidents out there who would have problems with the kilt for one reason or another. They're humans, too, and I think it's okay for them to have problems with the kilt and even try to explain their views on kilt-wearing in church. An open conversation should lead to a better understanding.

What is not right, in my opinion, and I feel very strongly about this, is to tell someone he's "not welcome" at church if he wears the kilt. To my mind this is in direct contradiction of Church policy and scripture (particularly D&C 46:4). The only people who should not be welcome at church are those whom the police will escort out for disturbing the peace. (Noisy infants don't count, or the police would be showing up constantly. )

Has anyone else of another faith (or I guess the same) gotten such negative responces when they wear a kilt to church. Just wondering.

I can't speak from my own experience, not having worn the kilt to church, but I will say that the first time I ever saw the kilt worn—"in person", at least—was at a sacrament meeting in Provo. I was quite young at the time, but if there was any controversy it completely escaped my notice.

I will also say that, as I was in Provo attending my sister's graduation from BYU—certainly a formal occasion—I saw a smartly-dressed young man in the BYU Bookstore wearing a kilt in the MacDonald Dress tartan. I believe he was a graduate.

Also, while I have never seen the kilt worn in my own ward, it's not uncommon to see men and boys here wearing lava-lavas (or, perhaps I should I say, tupenus).

Do you have Polynesians in your stake? If so, it may be useful to see how other units in your stake handle the wearing of lava-lavas. You may end up with a compromise whereby your son can wear a kilt to church as long as it's in a dark, solid color.

[grizzbass]

there are no lava lava wearers in this ward. In other wards I've lived in there have been plenty and they wore them constantly to church both attending and participateing. There was even a family with kenyan heritage who wore their native dress (a one piece robe ) to pass/bless the sacrament.
The nephew was another bishop and ward.
He did mean pass the sacrament in my sons case. While I understand the arguement about the sacrament I do not agree with it. He banned my eldest son from doing any of those duties while wearing a bolo tie (the one my grandfather wore through out his life and always on sundays) and there is nothing in the bishops manuel (at least there wasn't when I was in a bishopic) that forbid bolos, kilts, lava lavas etc. Reverant, respectful but no specifics.
I still haven't been back not because of the issue but because I have either been away traveling or busy with work. I am actually a little curious what will happen when we return as both my sons wanted mohawks and since both my father and myself had them in high school I don't have a problem with them (especially since they are real mohawks, 101 airborne style not the punk spikey ones). Maybe he'll wish for the good old days when it was just mackenzies in kilts.
When we meet next (not sure it will be this week as I may have rehearsal) I'll report if I decided to follow any of the advise given here and what the results are.

[RICHARD DUNCAN]

I think the answer is clear now, its not about the kilts, its not about the boys, its not about the bolo tie. Its all about Dad and what ever problem he has. Lets give the boys a mohawk haircut and making sure the Bishop gets the message, and understand that when in the good old days the only problem was the kilt. Dad is having a problem with the leadership, not the boys or the dress. Dad hang it up, let the boys be boys. Solve your own problems the adult way. Dad go set down and talk the problem out with your leader (Bishop).

[grizzbass]

you really are an offensive piece of work. It has nothing to do with my boys and I am useing them to further my own attacks on the bishop. How dare you. No one, especially some guy on a web page is going to insult me or my relationship with my boys or my savior.
I have stated my respect for bishops and the time and effort they sacrifice without pay. That I disagree with their opinions some times or think they are mere mortals who make mistakes or give into their own weaknesses sometimes isn't disrespectful. It's a fact. If I do have a problem with the church it is that there are sometimes self righteous, judgemental members who can't open their mouths without demonstrateing those qualities.
As to what you wrote. I had nothing to do with the mohawks other than approve their decision and then shaveing them. They went to "The A Team" and came home wanting them. I do suspect the fact both my father and I had them at a point in high school had something to do with it. That they wanted to participate in a inter generational tradition and you want to make it into something perverse is offensive. My youngest was particularly proud of how much he looked like his grandfather (who died last year). I even merged their two pictures on to one picture which now hangs proudly on his wall. Also they both love MMA and chuck ladell. no secret conspiracy to hurt the bishop or sacrifice my sons to my own plans. Just a great movie, favorite fighter and family tradition coming together and me makeing a joke out of it.
The line about the good old days was a joke. It is a shame you wanted so bad to attack you didn't get I was jokeing.
I am just going to reiterate. How dare you from these few post attack me and say I am useing my sons to offend my bishop. If you have any integrity please do not respond to my posts again. I have no desire to exchange with you. Ever. Up to the time you responded the responces have demonstrated intelligence, compassion and honesty. That is all I'm really interested in.

[McClef]

Getting personal is against the rules guys (Rule #2 especially!). Please take such disagreements to PM.

[okiwen]

Richard,

Bet I can guess what your nick-name is.
That was smooth. Real classy.

[kennethrmc]

Richard, your remarks do come across as rude; which is a contrast to the normally helpful and irenic comments I've seen over the years on XMScott.

Grizzbass, at least we had over 130 good posts before that one!