Dear Bro Jo.
So, I'm a 17 year old guy. And I'm supposed to want to start dating, right?
Well, I don't.
I mean, I do in that I'm attracted to girls, but I just think it's a bad idea.
Going on a mission in a couple years is supposed to be my main focus, and I'm afraid that if I start dating I'm going to get attached to someone and end up making the wrong choices.
I know I'm not to be in a relationship but to Casual Group Date and all that, but that could still distract me and I don't want to lose sight of what my real focus should be.
I'm not trying to get married yet, so what's the point of dating?
Sincerely,
Better Safe Than Sorry
Dear Sorry,
In my opinion at 16 a young man is supposed to start going on Casual Group Dates regardless of whether he thinks he's ready or wants to.
There are several reasons why.
One is that the young women your age deserve to go out on dates. They should get those moments in their lives where someone treats them special and they can dress up nice. They deserve to go out and have fun, and they should be asked out by Good Guys who aren't looking to put them in tempting or compromising situations.
But more than that is something that often gets missed: you should go out on Casual Group Dates BECAUSE you intend to serve a mission.
I'll pause while you read that again.
Dating teaches you valuable social and communication skills. It teaches how to serve someone else, to put their needs and wants before yours, how to find common ground and get along with someone you're spending time with. Dating teaches how to get to know people better, even if the situation is new, uncomfortable or awkward. In short, my brother, Casual Group Dating is great Mission Prep.
If you do it right, you won't be distracted.
In fact, that brings us to the third reason.
Casual Group Dating is something you do now when there's no pressure to marry so that when you come home from your mission you'll have the skills and experience that will help you find a good Eternal Companion when it's time in your life to get serious.
Happy Dating!
- Bro Jo
Bro Jo, what say you about preemies in college? Should they stick to group dating or do some single dating? Do you think it's still bad to get into a relationship that early?
ReplyDeleteI say that Serious Single Dating for a premi is a Bad Idea, as is getting into a relationship.
ReplyDeleteCasual Group Dating is fine, but stay away from 16-year old girls. And consider stopping altogether once the Mission Paperwork has been submitted.
And while I don't recommend the Boyfriend-Girlfriend thing, I know it happens. Brethren, if you have a GF before your mission please be man enough to set her free before you leave.
Bro Jo