“Should a young girl date boys who are not members of the Church if she lives in a small branch or ward where there are few Latter-day Saint boys?”

Answer/Sister Lenore Romney

Dating means acceptance by one’s peers and helps one to gain not only friends but also confidence. From personal experience with our daughters who lived in an area where there were not many Latter-day Saint boys, I know the feelings and reasons behind such a question.

But in this matter, each girl’s own standard of conduct and her long-term goals are of prime importance! To be married in the temple of our Lord is an aspiration of the highest priority for Latter-day Saint girls, and thus your dating ultimately revolves around the way you can make your dream a reality.

In every relationship, one receives and gives. The standards to which a girl adheres will be honored by her date and will influence his own thinking and conduct. As followers of Christ, we are to be in the world but not of it, and it is important that those around us are aware of our conduct and principles.