While I was reading a different thread, somebody mentioned the change in missionary dress code. I had never heard of this -- which shows how far I've fallen from the tree of life in recent years
This led me to look for information on this topic, and I came across this article:
https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2020/06 ... ries-blue/
Although I am very late to the party, I think this is a very positive change. One thing I found when on splits with missionaries was that people would see the white shirt, tie, and nametag, and then immediately put up their defenses/rejection routine -- before we even had a chance to say anything. I think being more casual and less "branded" as a Mormon works better. Also, the rationale given in the article from a GA is that we are trying to make missionaries more approachable.
Again, this highlights to me how cultural values get construed as 'the only right way' to do something, only to find that cultural value is shattered in an instant. Our religion doesn't HAVE to be the way it is, it is the way it is because we choose to make it that way in many respects. There is was no absolute "right" standard for the white shirt and tie rule that pervaded our culture for so many years.