Week 5 - Dating: Practice Promotes Proficiency

Taking about dating this week spurred some fascinating conversation. I especially enjoyed the conversation about the connection between President Packer's teachings of how a proper dates are planned, paid for, and paired off and how that relates to the principle responsibilities of a husband as outlined by "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." I think that one of the dangers of merely "handing out" rather than dating is that it doesn't allow a man, or woman, the opportunity the practice the skills necessary to successful marriage; namely responsibility, in all its forms. It reminds me of a quote by Sister Elaine S. Dalton during a devotional address given here at BYU-I last year when she said, in regard to a potato peeler, "The structure is perfectly designed to get the results it gets." She then related that back to dating verses hanging out, and how since the structures are different, the results will be as well. Proper dating prepares for the demands of marriage, hanging out does not so if you want to be prepared for marriage, date. If you want to be more proficient in meeting your responsibilities as a husband or wife, date. Proper dating is a blessing to a marriage regardless of your current relationship status so date.