According to Adventists adorn yourself with bright jewels, earrings, rings, necklaces, colorful makeup and fancy attire reveals pride, vanity and arrogance of a person, which for them turns out to be destructive and immoral; although many say that this believe is a thing of the past, because those beliefs have been questioned by society, they argue that a decoration doesn’t eliminate the purity of a woman.
This custom came to the religion through John Wesley, from which Ellen White had been a faithful follower until the 1840s the influence of this conviction rested on the official magazine of the time, Review and Herald, in its 25th edition the magazine published a speech of Wesley, including sermon, entitled Through the wardrobe.
Starting from this premise, a large part of the people that practice this religion avoid using precious garments, yes, only a part; because others ignore it, stating that use a jewel does not make them impure, and that these ornaments are stylish and safe; and reflect and differentiate their personalities.
It is an issue that has caused controversy and separation of groups; to what Ellen White wrote: “Selfdenial in dress is a part of our Christian duty. To dress plainly, and abstain from display of jewelry and ornaments of every kind, is in keeping with our faith”.
For many of them this statement has no weight, what’s wrong with using some earrings or a necklace? Others wonder, how useful is putting a wedding ring? Does that give marital fidelity? Time passes, things change and religions are updated, here we see the case of Adventists they find themselves divided by the dilemma of using jewelry.
The use of rings in marital ceremonies were established in most opposition churches in the early twentieth century, because some Adventists wanted ceremonies with rings; then to bring down such a practice, which would have rested in an extensive use of the marital and casual rings; in the Fall Council, the church leaders voted for a law that was included in the manual Adventist church.
With the passing of the years the use of jewelry was more pronounced, especially in young women; so the law did not help. Again they vote and they stuck to the manual, but the people continue using them; finally it concluded everybody is free to choose whether or not to wear a garment.
Some are guided by the Bible, explaining that decision of use them or not its repression; Isaiah dint not approve that wealthy Jewish women showing pride for being adorned from head to toe with sparkling jewels and expensive clothes to seduce the leaders, who eventually led the whole nation into disobedience and divine punishment (Isaiah 3: 16-26).
ALFA