In California, some teens are fighting the trend of overly expensive proms. Mormon teenagers and their guests held a prom at the Santa Margarita Bell Tower that cost just fifteen dollars. The boys wore suits (most Mormon boys already own suits that they wear to church) and the girls wore lovely dresses that were modest and did not appear to cost the many hundreds of dollars some traditional prom dresses cost.

You can see how the teens dressed in the media coverage of this Mormon prom at Deseret News.

The music was carefully chosen to be morally appropriate while still modern and popular. The teens were not allowed to engage in sexualized dancing. Everyone had to be at least sixteen, since Mormons believe dating should be reserved for those sixteen and older. Eighty percent had dates, but those who preferred not to date yet were welcome.

Mormons believe that dating in high school is a chance for young people to get to know each other and to develop friendships with and understanding of those of the opposite gender. However, they teach their young people to date in groups and to date a wide range of people rather than to become exclusive at such a young age. Studies have shown that teens who pair off too young are more likely to become pregnant or to marry too soon.

Mormon boys are taught to wait until they return from their volunteer missionary service to begin courting (dating one person exclusively with the thought of possible future marriage in mind). Girls are encouraged to wait until they finish high school or return from their own missions. This allows them to avoid serious relationships until they are old enough and mature enough to marry.

Mormons also teach their young people to remain morally pure before marriage. This is one reason to avoid early serious relationships. They are taught that they are responsible for the moral well-being of their dates. This holds true for both boys and girls. The same standards apply to both.

The prom helped the teens to improve their social skills, since they were given guidance on how to plan and prepare for the date. They also learned they could have fun in an inexpensive and completely moral environment. There is no need for teens to compromise their values, even on prom night.

Read more about Mormon dating standards.

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!

In California, some teens are fighting the trend of overly expensive proms. Mormon teenagers and their guests held a prom at the Santa Margarita Bell Tower that cost just fifteen dollars. The boys wore suits (most Mormon boys already own suits that they wear to church) and the girls wore lovely dresses that were modest and did not appear to cost the many hundreds of dollars some traditional prom dresses cost.

You can see how the teens dressed in the media coverage of this Mormon prom at Deseret News.

The music was carefully chosen to be morally appropriate while still modern and popular. The teens were not allowed to engage in sexualized dancing. Everyone had to be at least sixteen, since Mormons believe dating should be reserved for those sixteen and older. Eighty percent had dates, but those who preferred not to date yet were welcome.

Mormons believe that dating in high school is a chance for young people to get to know each other and to develop friendships with and understanding of those of the opposite gender. However, they teach their young people to date in groups and to date a wide range of people rather than to become exclusive at such a young age. Studies have shown that teens who pair off too young are more likely to become pregnant or to marry too soon.

Mormon boys are taught to wait until they return from their volunteer missionary service to begin courting (dating one person exclusively with the thought of possible future marriage in mind). Girls are encouraged to wait until they finish high school or return from their own missions. This allows them to avoid serious relationships until they are old enough and mature enough to marry.

Mormons also teach their young people to remain morally pure before marriage. This is one reason to avoid early serious relationships. They are taught that they are responsible for the moral well-being of their dates. This holds true for both boys and girls. The same standards apply to both.

The prom helped the teens to improve their social skills, since they were given guidance on how to plan and prepare for the date. They also learned they could have fun in an inexpensive and completely moral environment. There is no need for teens to compromise their values, even on prom night.

Read more about Mormon dating standards.

Mormons— a nickname for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintss—do not believe in smoking, drinking, or partaking of any substance that is harmful to the body. There is a small book available especially for youth called For the Strength of Youth. It has guidelines on topics that all youth sometimes wonder about; for example, Agency and Accountability, Dating, Education, Entertainment and the Media, Friends, Language, and Sexual Purity. In the section entitled Physical and Emotional Health, it states: “Your body is a temple, a gift from God. You will be blessed as you care for your body. Choose to obey the Word of Wisdom.” A temple is a sacred house of the Lord, and we see our bodies as “sacred houses” for our spirit during our life here on Earth.

When The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established around the early 1800s, Joseph Smith, Jr., the leader of the “restored church” (meaning it is the restoration of the ancient Church of Jesus Christ, with the same power and authority as the early church), received many revelations from God pertaining to the organization and well-being of the Saints (active members). These revelations are known as the Doctrine & Covenants and are known as one of the standard works of the Church. In 1833, Joseph Smith received a revelation known as Doctrine & Covenants 89, or the “Word of Wisdom.”

The Word of Wisdom explains food, drink and substances we should or should not partake of.

“And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies. And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill” (D&C 89:7-8).

An example of a strong drink is alcohol.

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ, we believe in following these guidelines. We don’t see the Word of Wisdom in the way of holding us back or a list of Do-Not’s, but see it as protecting us and helping our lives for good. “When you are obedient to this law, you remain free from harmful addictions and have control over your life” (“Physical and Emotional Health” in For the Strength of Youth). When someone becomes addicted, to anything, it allows that substance to take control of him/her. Depending on how bad the addiction is, it can hurt oneself, one’s friends, and one’s family. It can ruin marriages and tear apart families.

We have all seen the commercials of someone who is drunk and his/her friends are messing around, allowing for that person to be acted upon instead of act for him or herself. We have also seen the studies and dangerous effects of alcohol on our driving, judgment, and well-being as well as the health problems that can arise from smoking and drinking. By following and obeying the Word of Wisdom, we protect ourselves from these harmful situations and can live a long, healthy life free from addiction and health problems due to smoking and drinking.

For those who are struggling with addiction, there are four words of comfort to hear: You can overcome it. With faith, prayer, and even the help of a trusted adult, you can overcome the addiction and feel the blessings of a healthy lifestyle, even if you are not a member of the Church right now. It may not be easy, but won’t the thought of living a long, healthy life be worth it?

My grandfather is a great example to me about obeying the Word of Wisdom. About ten years ago, my grandfather survived a massive heart attack. The doctor said that it is a good thing he didn’t smoke or drink, otherwise his heart wouldn’t have been strong enough to survive. He is grateful for a promise he made to himself as a teenager to never even take that first drink, and because he held true to that promise, he continues a longer life and I’m grateful that he’s alive and that I can be around him and hear his stories.

It really helps members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to know that they are free from addictions and promised health and wisdom by simply choosing to say “No” to drugs and alcohol and lives are blessed, improved and even saved by following the Word of Wisdom. We are promised by God that “all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones… And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint” (D&C 89:18,20).

This article was written by Erik Gray, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Erik Gray is 19 years old and lives in Utah. He is a college student and three-time cancer fighter. He loves running, graphic design, and being with friends and family. His favorite sports are football, basketball, and of course, running. In his spare time he likes to watch movies, be with family, and spend time with friends. For his future career he wants to be a graphic designer or a motivational speaker, or maybe both. He acknowledges that knowing that Jesus Christ is his Savior, being a member of His Church, and living righteously, he can return to live with Him someday. It is his hope to use his testimony and experiences to help others with what they’re going through and share the glorious message of the Gospel.

Additional Resources:

Basic Mormon Beliefs and Real Mormons

A Mormon Encyclopedia

All of this aside, I can also understand why, if you are single and don’t wish to be, Valentine’s Day can just feel like someone shoving in your face that you’re not good enough. This is a dangerous road to go down, but is also an understandable one. I would like to share a few thoughts about why you should not let yourself get discouraged.

The core of my self-worth comes from the sure knowledge that I am a child of God. I know that as His child, I have inherent value. This doesn’t mean that my life is always cheery and that I am always on cloud nine, but it does give me a great deal of comfort when things aren’t coming up roses, as it were. Knowing that I have value as a child of God is a constant reminder that, no matter how hard things may be, I still have something to offer the world.

There are people close to me who are struggling in this situation right now. They feel frustrated because they want to be married, and their best efforts are seemingly having no effect. This can produce thoughts of, “What’s wrong with me? Why can other people find love and I can’t? I must not have anything to offer, because no one wants me.” These thoughts have only one source: the adversary. There is no quicker way to attack someone than by hitting their self-esteem. Fortunately, the holy scriptures tell us that we are never alone and that we all have value.

“For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward” (Isaiah 52:12). God loves you and He is surrounding you. Rely on Him and He will not only protect you, but He will bear you up and ease your burdens.

God has told us that we exist with the purpose of having joy (2 Nephi 2:25). He wants us to be genuinely happy. If having a fulness of joy later means that you have to suffer a little loneliness now, isn’t it ultimately worth it? Things happen on the Lord’s timeline, not on ours. It is easy for us to get discouraged and to wish that we had things now that we just know would make us happy. Sometimes, though, the Lord knows that having what we think would make us happy now will actually not bring us as much joy as what He has planned for us later. It is never easy to say, “Thy will be done,” and to put our faith in the Lord that what He has planned for us will be even better than what we want now. However, I promise you that if you can truly humble yourself and say to Him, “This is what I want now, but if you have something better planned, I will do my best to be happy anyway and wait for your blessings,” that He will bless you more than you can even imagine.

If you carry on with your life trying to be a good person, reaching out to others in selflessness and love, then God will bless you. It is not easy to hear, “Be patient. All good things come to those who wait.” But have faith that God is there for you. Turn to Him and feel His love. Share that love with others. You have value. You have worth. You have a lot to offer the world.

This article was written by Doris White,  a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Additional Resources:

LDS Weddings

The Meaning of Life

Worship with Mormons

In real life, the kids I taught agreed, it isn’t always that easy. Sometimes your friends will make fun of you for refusing to participate, thinking of you as a baby. Sometimes you even wind up losing friends over it. There are a lot of teenagers who consider that a good reason to just go along with the crowd. They consider their popularity and friendships to be their top priority.

Christian teens know that Jesus Christ is supposed to be their priority. They also know it’s not always easy to make Him the priority, especially when it threatens their friendships or popularity. For many teens, though, the realization of what Jesus experienced is enough to give them the courage to stand up for their beliefs. They remember that when Jesus lived on earth, He was made fun of all the time. They called Him names and even beat Him. It is likely that even as a teenager, He encountered people who thought His perfect life was boring and stupid and that He faced teasing from His friends for not going along with the crowd. Jesus was, after all, a teenager once. Although He was perfect, He was perfect by choice. He could have sinned, could have gone along with the crowd….He just didn’t. He put God first.

If Jesus could endure the mocking, the beatings, and even murder rather than deny His faith, we can find it in ourselves to stand up to our peers when they want us to lower our standards. The teen years are hard, but the truth is that adults face the same pressures from friends, family, and bosses. The skills we learn as teenagers can help us get through the adult challenges to our moral standards.

And when it comes down to it….do you really want friends who have no respect for you? It may be time to find some new friends who will strengthen and support you when others are tearing you down.

During one of Mitt Romney’s political campaigns, he was sent inside someone’s garage to stay out of the heat while photographers set up a photo shoot. When they went to get him, he was cleaning out the garage for the owner.

Of course, for a Mormon, that kind of behavior isn’t really unusual. Sure, Mormon teens like attention as much as anyone and there are days they might choose to be out with the reporters or doing a little flirting. But they’ve also been taught from an early age to look for ways to help others.

One of the ways Mormon teens learn how to help others is by serving in church leadership positions. The teens run their own youth program. They have adult leaders, but the leaders provide what is called shadow leadership. That means that instead of running everything, they help the teens learn to do it themselves. If a teen class presidency started to plan an activity that was against the rules, for instance, the leader might say, “Have you checked the rule book to see if that is allowed?” That way, the teens are reminded to become familiar with the rules. The leader could just say, “You can’t do that. It’s against the rules.” But if they did, the teens would never learn to look up the rules themselves. If the teens are running an activity and don’t notice one girl is sitting off by herself without friends, the leaders might ask the teens if they’ve looked around to see if everyone is having fun. This will remind them that part of being in charge is noticing what the others around you are doing and then solving any problems you see. When the teens are having a problem, the leaders will ask questions rather than offering solutions so they will learn how to solve their own problems.

This means that the teens learn to pay attention to what needs to be done and then to do it, rather than to think that “someone” ought to fix it. Their parents do the same thing. They read the Bible and the Book of Mormon and see how Jesus served others all the time, even when no one asked for help. He noticed the person who was sick, the person too scared to come up and talk to Him, and the person who was lonely. He stepped in and did everything He could for them.

One day I was teaching a class of preschoolers. We were in a big room with the children and adults from all the classes for a little while. One of my little students looked behind him and noticed an adult standing in the back of the room. He got up, found a chair, and took it to her. It was clear to me his parents had taught him to notice when people need help and to not wait for an invitation to get involved.

Even if no one has taught you to do that, you can teach yourself. Tomorrow, when you’re at school or work or even at home, look around. Who could use a hand right now? Does your mom look like she needs a glass of lemonade? Do the dishes need doing? Is someone sitting alone at lunch? Does anyone look sad? What can you do to step in and help out? How many chances can you find in a single day to make a difference, even a small one, in the lives of the people around you?

The world-wide Mormon Young Women organization is led by Elaine S. Dalton, president, Mary N. Cook, first counselor, and Ann M. Dibb, second counselor. Although they are headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, they visit local Church leaders and members everywhere, encouraging the young women of the Church of Jesus Christ to stand as “witnesses of God in all time and in all places.”

Elaine S. Dalton, General Young Women president

Elaine Schwartz Dalton was born (November 1, 1946) to Melvin L. and Emma Martin Schwartz in Ogden, Utah. She married Stephen E. Dalton Sept. 13, 1968, in the Salt Lake Mormon Temple. They are the parents of five sons and one daughter and the grandparents of 16 grandchildren.

She graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in English education with a secondary teaching certificate in1969, and was the executive secretary to Lambda Delta Sigma (LDS sorority).

Prior to her calling as the Young Women general president in 2008, Sister Dalton served as both first and second counselor to Susan W. Tanner from 2002 to 2008 in the Mormon Young Women General presidency. Previously, she served on the Young Women General Board for five years and has served in all the auxiliaries of the Church on both ward (local congregation) and stake (group of congregations) levels.

Sister Dalton’s counselors are Mary N. Cook and Ann M. Dibb.

She is a runner and enjoys hiking and spending time with her family. Reading is a favorite pastime—especially the scriptures, and she loves the Lord. Her life’s motto has been, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3: 5-6).
Sister Dalton spoke of her love and respect for the young women of the Church of Jesus Christ during the general Young Women’s meeting in March 2012.

There is no more influential group standing for truth and righteousness in all the world than the young women and the women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I see your nobility and know of your divine identity and destiny.

She explained that the prophet, Joseph F. Smith taught the women of his time that “It is not for you to be led by the [young] women of the world; it is for you to lead the [young] women of the world, in everything that is purifying to the children of men.”

These words ring true today,” Sister Dalton said. “As daughters of God, you were born to lead. In the world in which we live, your ability to lead will require guidance and constant companionship of the Holy Ghost who will tell you all things what ye should do as you recognize and rely on His guidance and promptings. And since the Holy Ghost does not dwell in unclean temples, each of us will need to take inventory of our habits and our hearts. All of us will need to change something to repent.

Don’t lose sight of your goals. Don’t let the thick fog of moral pollution and the detracting voices of the world keep you from reaching your goals, living the standards, enjoying the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and being worthy to enter holy temples. Retain the vision of the temple the Savior’s holy house ever in your hearts and minds.

Mary N. Cook, First Counselor, Young Women Presidency

Sister Mary Nielson Cook was born June 8, 1951, in Midvale, Utah, to Kenneth N. and Fern S. Nielsen. Prior to her call as first counselor in the Young Women general presidency, she served as second counselor in the presidency and as a member of the Young Women general board.

Professionally, Sister Cook was a special education teacher and administrator and an elementary school principal. She received bachelors and masters degrees in speech pathology and audiology and an EdS degree from Brigham Young University.

On July 16, 1988, she married Richard E. Cook, whose first wife had died in 1984. The couple served as full-time missionaries in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where Sister Cook utilized her background in education to help the community. During that time, Elder Cook was called to preside over the first mission in the country.

Elder Cook was sustained to the Second Quorum of the Seventy in 1997 and assigned to serve in the Asia Area presidency in Hong Kong. Through their travels, the couple met and grew to love Church members in Mongolia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and numerous other countries. Elder Cook currently serves as the finance director of the LDS Church’s Perpetual Education Fund.

Sister Cook is the stepmother to four children and 17 step-grandchildren.

During the April 2012 general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she asked adults to set a clear example for young women to follow.

If we have one hand on the rod and one hand in the world, we put our children and youth in danger of losing their way on the path. If our example is confusing, then in Jacob’s words, we lose “the confidence of [our] children, because of [our] bad examples” (Jacob 2:35). Parents, grandparents and leaders, your message must be clear. Clarity can only result from having both hands on the rod and from living by the truths found in the scriptures and the words of latter-day prophets. You may not be raising a prophet as Lucy was, but you are certainly raising tomorrow’s leaders, and your actions are just as tangibly linked to their faith.

Ann M. Dibb, Second Counselor, Young Women Presidency

Ann Monson Dibb, the second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, was born to Thomas S. Monson and Frances Johnson Monson, June 30, 1954, and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. She earned her bachelor’s degree at BYU in elementary education. She is married to Roger Dibb, and they are the parents of one daughter and three sons.

Sister Dibb, a full-time homemaker, has served in each of the LDS Church auxiliaries. She enjoys reading, music, and walking. She was called to be the second counselor to Elaine S. Dalton in the general presidency of the Young Women organization in April 2008.

During her address at the Young Women’s general meeting in March 2012, she asked the young sisters what they thought of when they heard the word arise.

Personally, I think of you—the noble youth of the Church,” she said. “I picture you diligently arising from your beds each morning for early morning seminary. I see you faithfully arising from your knees after finishing your daily prayers. I think of you courageously arising to share your testimony and defend your standards. I am inspired by your commitment to the gospel and your good examples. Many of you have already accepted this invitation to arise and shine forth, and your light encourages others to do the same.

You are beloved daughters of Heavenly Father. He knows you and He loves you. He invites you to arise, and shine forth, and He promises that as you do, He will sustain and bless you.

Additional Resources:

For the Strength of Youth

Celebrating 100 Years of Young Women Camp

The Book of Mormon (Another Testament of Jesus Christ)

This is the first-of-its-kind event, and Voices for Virtue hoped to draw a large teenage audience. Voices for Virtue is a non-profit organization which is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It uses social networking to reach out to teenagers and young adults to help them learn more about and support them in living virtuous lives.

This was a wonderful opportunity for teens, as well as adults, to ask any personal questions they had about gospel principles and standards.

The session will not be broadcast, and no rights were issued to record it. However, if you would like to know more about Elaine Dalton or Voices for Virtue, please refer to the links below:

Talks and Speeches Given by Elaine Dalton

Interview with Elaine Dalton

Voices for Virtue

When I was in Basic Training for the Army, prayer was on the most important things that I had to help me through it. Every morning and every night, I would kneel up on my top bunk and pray for strength for me and my friends who were struggling in my unit. One night, when I had finished my prayer and was laying down, I felt someone take my wrist. When I looked down, I saw a girl who slept next to me. Her eyes were filled with tears, and her body was shaking. In a quiet and humble voice, she looked up at me and asked me if I would teach her how to pray.

My example was enough that she saw a difference in the way that I was handling situations in the unit. Most of my comrades and sergeants referred to me as being the most motivated person in the unit. My attitude was different from the rest, my behavior and my actions were different than the others. And apparently it was noticeable. I know that I could not have made it through the struggles of the Army without the power of prayer.

Prayer is something that can be engaged in any time of the day, by anyone. But mostly, prayer is conducted before every meal, in the mornings when an individual wakes up and at night before he goes to sleep. Unlike the Lord’s Prayer, which I learned in a private school in Ireland, personal prayer is not something that is constructed and recited line for line. It’s a personal conversation with the Lord, a moment in the day where you can thank the Lord for things in your life that you consider blessings, and ask for help with the things that you can’t handle on your own.

“Petitioning in prayer has taught me, again and again, that the vault of heaven with all its blessings is to be opened only by a combination lock. One tumbler falls when there is faith; a second when there is personal righteousness; the third and final tumbler falls only when what is sought is, in God’s judgment—not ours—right for us” (Neal A. Maxwell).

While most prayers are serious and a penitent experience, the ones that are more causal and comfortable attract the Holy Ghost to that individual even stronger. One example that still makes me smile to this day is when I was living with my roommate and best friend. After a long day for both of us, we knelt down and began to pray to the Lord for safety and strength. We could both tell that there was a lot of tension in the room, because of the stress that we were both going through. In the middle of the prayer, that my friend was saying, she inadvertently passed gas. I was unable to help how much I laughed at the whole situation. Tears of laughter, started to stream down my cheeks as my friend smiled and continued with the prayer. In the prayer, she stated “thank you heavenly father, for giving us a chance to smile and to laugh in the mist of all our troubles.”

I will never forget that moment, because I had never been happier when saying a prayer. It showed me, that prayers should not be something that is planned, rehearsed, or done just because you feel obligated to say them. Prayers are meant to strengthen the connection between us and the Lord, and bringing the Holy Ghost closer to our hearts and our minds. There is no wrong way to pray, anyone can pray, anytime and in any place, as long as you speak from your heart and believe that the Lord will hear and answer you.