Mormon Prom? What is that!? Youth (ages 16-18) from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called the “Mormon Church”) in the Fredericksburg Virginia Stake are having their prom inside of a “cruise ship” (okay, maybe it’s a church decorated as a giant cruise ship) this coming Saturday! Now it’s not an ordinary thing to have prom separate from the school sponsored dance, but some members of The Church of Jesus Christ (also known as “Mormons”) are creating an opportunity for youth to participate in prom with out all of the “immoral baggage” that can sometimes be associated with “normal” prom.
Who can go?
Over 1,700 Mormon youth ages 16-18 from the McLean to Massaponax area are invited. But you don’t have to be a Mormon to go. You just need to keep the standards…which leads us to the next question:
Why have a Mormon Prom?
Mormons strive to live a high standard that helps them be disciples of Jesus Christ “at all times, in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9). Below are some excerpts from a pamphlet titled For the Strength of Youth, which are incorporated into the standards of the Mormon Prom:
- “Attend only those dances where dress, grooming, lighting, lyrics, music, and entertainment contribute to a wholesome atmosphere where the Spirit may be present” (see Music and Dancing).
- Dress modestly. “Never lower your standards of dress. Do not use a special occasion as an excuse to be immodest. When you dress immodestly, you send a message that is contrary to your identity as a son or daughter of God. You also send the message that you are using your body to get attention and approval” (see Dress and Appearance).
Having such standards help youth avoid immoral behavior (which can lead to lots of undesired consequences) and invite the Spirit of the Lord into their lives. Unfortunately lots of youth, all over the world use prom as an excuse to participate in sexual transgressions. The For the Strength of Youth also goes into detail about this topic—here is a little blurp: “Do not have any sexual relations before marriage, and be completely faithful to your spouse after marriage” (see Sexual Purity). Simple as that. The best way to prevent unwanted sexual behavior is to avoid any situation that could possibly lead to that—another great reason for this upcoming Mormon Prom.
I am grateful for my husband, whom I was blessed to go to Prom with in high school. It was actually our first date! I remember vividly how impressed I was that he kept the high standards as described in The For the Strength of Youth and it made our date so fun and worry free!
I invite you to learn more about Mormon youth and why they want to live in such a unique way by chatting online with Mormon missionaries. I testify that Jesus Christ lives and He is our Savior. And through Him we can live this high standard in order to receive true and lasting happiness!