YOUTH GOAL ACTIVITY. MY BIG DATING DECISIONS poster. Youth can learn six decisions regarding choosing a date and how the date should go to keep God’s commandments and be ready for the temple. For Example: “I will only attend activities that meet Church standards.” “I will save physical intimacies for marriage.” So many decisions could be made early with this post-a-decision list of plans of to-dos. Then youth don’t need to live with regret.
Use for COME FOLLOW ME Young Women, Young Men, Family Home Evening, Sunday School, Seminary/Institute
LESSON LIFESAVER Activity
My BIG Dating Decisions poster
Help youth use this My BIG Dating Decisions poster to guide them in making important dating decisions. Remind them that each dating decision can impact their eternal life in the celestial kingdom with Heavenly Father and Jesus.
DATING DECISIONS on Poster: 1) I will only date those young men who live by Church standards. 2) I will only attend activities that meet Church standards. 3) I will save physical intimacies for marriage. 4) I will uphold standards of modesty in my dress, language, and activities, 5) I will make a list of personal qualities I would like those I date to possess. 6) I will return home from each date clean and unashamed. 7) I will discuss my dating activities with my parents.
Encourage youth to post this in their room. After reading the poster together, read Jacob 6:11, and 2 Nephi 2:27-29 and 10:23 to motivate these eternal life decisions.
TO MAKE Print activity in color or black and white. Glue dating poster parts together.
THOUGHT TREAT: Eternal Lifesavers. Share with each youth seven Lifesavers candies (hard or gummy type candies) and say, “The seven BIG decisions you make here this day, shown on the dating poster (above), will affect your marriage eternally. Look at the ring-shaped candies, the same shape as your future wedding ring. Think of the decisions you make now and how they will affect the quality of your dating, marriage and eternal relationship with your spouse.” After reading the poster together, read Jacob 6:11, and 2 Nephi 27-29 and 10:23 to motivate these eternal life decisions.
SEMINARY, MUTUAL NIGHT, OR FAMILY NIGHT ACTIVITIES
DATE FOR MR./MRS. RIGHT: Talk to youth about dating someone as if their dates would someday be on video for their future spouses. Tell them to date with the real purpose in mind (eternal marriage), to date as though their future posterity (children) were watching.
LIST PITFALLS TO AVOID Examples: single dates, being alone with the opposite sex, dating nonmembers, or someone who has different values. Observe how their date treats his mother (a reflection on how he will someday treat his wife). Observe how he feels about the Church, a mission, etc. Have young women ask themselves whether he is polite and considerate, what he likes to do with his time, etc.
IDEAL GIRL/WIFE SNEAK PREVIEW: Ahead of time (a week earlier) have the young men record (write about) their idea of the ideal girl or what they like and don’t like in a date or future spouse (not signing their name). Do the same for young men asking the young women to write their ideal guy–future spouse characteristics.
REVIEW L.D.S. IDEAS ON DATING:
• Have girls/guys review some of these ahead of time and present the ideas to the group.
• Obtain videos, recordings, books, and articles on dating and future choices.
• Have a check-out system where youth can borrow these materials during the week.
• See Dating Ideas in the For the Strength of Youth: Virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light. Doctrine and Covenants 88:40
• IDEAS: Not Dating? You’re Not Alone – For Latter-day Saint teens, the modern dating scene can look complicated. Here are a few thoughts and tips to put things in perspective.
Source YW 3.35
THIS ACTIVITY CAN BE USED FOR Come Follow Me
• AUGUST Lesson 4 “Why is it important to follow the Church’s standards regarding dating?”
MORE LESSON IDEAS:
• ADVICE TO YOUNG WOMEN ON DATING from the Young Women Presidency ⇒
