Dating someone from a different religious background can be quite tricky. If you don’t share the same values with your significant other, you’ll surely encounter some serious compatibility issues down the road. This especially goes if they’re Latter-Day Saints – the church of Latter Day Saints has a couple of strict rules when it comes to romance.
The only „cure“ for that can be put into a single word: compromise.
Here we’ll provide you with some dating tips to help you build a strong, lasting relationship with your Latter-Day Saint girlfriend/boyfriend, so keep on reading to find out more.
Contents
1. Latter-Day Saints can’t drink
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For most of us, alcohol is a completely normal part of socializing and dating culture. Sharing a bottle of wine with your partner is nothing unheard of in modern society. In fact, it’s considered to be extremely romantic! However, members of the LDS are advised to refrain from drinking – they believe our body is a sacred gift from God, so we shouldn’t be doing anything that could bring harm to it.
When dating a Latter-Day Saint, this is a boundary you’ll simply have to respect. If you want the relationship to work, you shouldn’t try pressuring them to adjust their beliefs to your lifestyle. In fact, they probably won’t be comfortable with you engaging in alcohol or tobacco either, so if that’s something you can’t handle, then you probably shouldn’t be approaching any LDS singles.
2. No premarital sex
The scriptures are very clear that sex should be reserved for marriage and marriage only – everything else is considered adultery from a Latter-Day Saint perspective. It’s a boundary someone who practices their religion will never cross.
If sexual compatibility is high up on your priority list when choosing a romantic partner, perhaps dating a Latter-Day Saint is not a good idea. Not everyone can commit to waiting until „they’ve put a ring on it“, and that’s perfectly fine. Look for someone that shares your views on sex instead – it will save you from a lot of frustration later on.
3. Respectful of their beliefs
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Now, this applies to people belonging to any religion or belief system that may be different from yours – be respectful, and don’t try to persuade them to change their views when you’ve just met them! Ask questions and try to learn as much as you can about your partner’s beliefs – mutual understanding and compassion are the keys to any relationship.
For example, Latter-Day Saints consider Sunday to be a sacred day. You should avoid planning outdoor trips and dates during this time. Similarly, even if you’re an atheist, you shouldn’t poke fun at their religion by insinuating that it may be untrue or hard to believe in. As we’ve mentioned before, being respectful is of the essence when you’re trying to win an LDS single’s heart.
4. Dress appropriately
Latter-Day Saints adhere to a specific dress code that encourages modesty and chastity. You shouldn’t wear anything too revealing or skimpy on your date nights – your potential partner probably won’t be very comfortable with that. Latter-Day Saints are used to a clean, sophisticated look that doesn’t show off too much of one’s skin. You should either respect that or find someone who shares your values when it comes to modesty in fashion.
Now, we’re not saying there’s anything wrong with wearing mini skirts or shorts in general – it’s just not something your typical LDS member would be comfortable with. If you think you can compromise on that, you can find your Latter-Day Saint match on https://truelds.com/.
5. Don’t make offensive jokes
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Not all Latter-Day Saints are the same – some of them may enjoy a sprinkle of dark humor here and there, but making offensive jokes around them is generally not a good idea. They’re taught to be soft-spoken and polite from a very young age, so foul language and any jokes poking fun at their religion should be off-limits to a non-Latter-Day Saint looking to connect with an LDS chruch member.
As we’ve already mentioned before, being polite and respectful is of the essence for building meaningful relationships with just about anyone – and Latter-Day Saints are not an exception! As long as you’re not being mean-spirited or hurtful, you’ll certainly be able to win them over.
6. Latter-Day Saints deeply cherish family values
Latter-Day Saints are known to have big families – childfree marriages are quite rare. So, if you’ve been dating a Latter-day Saint for a while, expect them to discuss the size of the family they’re planning to have in the future.
If you’re someone who’d like to remain child-free in your future, make sure you communicate that to your partner early on. Latter-day saints deeply value marriage, so you don’t want to „lead them on“ even if you know your plans are incompatible. Hookup culture and casual dating are not acceptable by LDS standards, which is something everyone should respect.
7. Learn more about their beliefs
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As we’ve already mentioned before, you should try your best to understand Latter-Day Saint beliefs before you decide to date one. That should help you decide whether you’ll be able to adjust to their unique lifestyles and respect their views.
Besides, your LDS significant other will take your interest in their religion as a sign of love and affection. You’ll show them you care about something they hold dear to their hearts – and who knows? You might even start wanting to join the church one day!
Either way, make sure you understand the religion before you start dating someone who practices it. It will help you navigate through the relationship much more easily, especially in the long run.
The bottom line
Latter-Day Saints have a unique set of beliefs that make their dating process a bit more restrictive. It’s something you’ll have to adjust to and respect if you want your relationship to succeed.
Of course, not everyone is willing to adhere to these rules – and if that’s you, it’s perfectly fine. It just means you’re not suited for a relationship with a Latter-Day Saint, so you should simply find someone whose beliefs and values are more aligned with your own!
