After trying to get into two different classes that were already full during this next hour, my sister and I decided to just take a break. We mapped out the next few classes we'd planned on attending and then made our way to the next class, getting there super early so we wouldn't have a repeat of the last hour. We decided to attend a Youth class next.
Although my sister is only 18, she and I both felt very out of place in a room full of "youth." Even though the teachers, John and Lani Hilton, were exceptional, the class was definitely a little rough. As we sat and waited for the class to start, we watched the "little ones" interact with each other, and were quite amused. We saw several boys, too small-looking to even be there, so we assumed they had just turned 14 the weekend before Ed Week! (You have to be at least 14 years old to attend.) Before the class got started, one of the hostesses came up to my sister and asked if she would offer the opening prayer. When the time came, she went up and offered the sweetest prayer, specifically asking that we be respectful during the class and resist the temptation to talk out loud to our neighbors or use our cell phones. Obviously, not everyone was paying attention during that prayer. I suppose that is just the way with youth. Several girls sitting right next to us were chatting and clicking their pens and popping their gum WHICH I HATE, during the entire class. And then of course, there were several boys sitting behind us, making stupid comments after everything that was said. No doubt, they were trying to attract the attention of my sister... after all, she is quite beautiful and she such a wonderful prayer! Needless to say, she was not impressed by the immaturity of these boys.
In this class, they were able to provide the technology that allowed people in the audience to ask questions via text message, which would pop up directly on the screen right in front of us. This program allowed for only 40 questions, so the Hiltons asked that only those with real, sincere questions send in a text message. Well, of course there were people who did not follow this request. Several people sent in messages commenting on the physical appearance of Sister Hilton. Some sent in messages only saying "Hi!" WHAT A WASTE!!! Anyhow, some questions were actually valid. What defines a kiss as passionate? What is the appropriate age to have a boyfriend? What is steady dating?
Brother Hilton responds to the question of passionate kissing... "You all know what a passionate kiss is. If I gave you a time limit, say 5.7 seconds, would you keep track of the time while kissing someone and stop just before you got to the 'allotted' time? I don't think so!" He also mentioned that all of the kissing we see on television and movies could be defined as passionate. He told the youth that "anything that gets you aroused is passionate." He also talked about the appropriate age for having a boyfriend/girlfriend and referenced a great man, President Gordon B. Hinckley. He quoted, "When you reach the age where you think of marriage, then is the time to become so involved." I completely agree with this. Boys AND girls, there is no need to have a boyfriend or a girlfriend until you are ready to be married. I like to compare dating to shopping. If you are a five year old boy, why on earth would you try on a three piece suit for your mission? It's not going to fit! It's not even going to be close. So why would you even bother trying it on? Just like in dating, if you are sixteen year old girl, what need have you for a boyfriend when you're still in high school? There is plenty of time to date and have fun while getting to know different kinds of people, as well as getting to know yourself. But, until you are ready to say yes to the one who "pops the question," what is your hurry?!
The Hiltons also talked about the story of Samson and Delilah, which can be found in Judges 16. "How stupid do you think Samson had to be to keep telling Delilah where his strength was?" asked Brother Hilton. And Sister Hilton added, "How stupid do you think Delilah was for continuing to believe Samson after he continued to lie to her?" They recommended that we all be smart when dating, and not fall for someone just because of physical attraction.
Many times as youth, and even us young adults go through times when we feel like we are alone. We can become depressed because we feel like no one has gone through what we have gone through. But in the scriptures, we can know that this is not the case. In Alma 7:11-12 we are taught that Christ suffered all things for us, so that he might know how to comfort us when we are down. The Hiltons ended with a video that really spoke to my soul and brought tears to my eyes. I had never heard this song before, I became so moved by every word that was sung. I cannot find the exact video but this one will convey the same message. Before watching, you must know that one of the names by which we refer to Jesus Christ is, I AM.
Great post. I think a lot of these things are hard for younger people to understand because they aren't thinking about marriage they are thinking about the opposite sex in general. They don't even realize that dating leads to marriage or intimacy.
ReplyDeleteAlso, physical attraction only goes so far. We all know that it doesn't last forever. Look at our parents and grandparents pictures from when they got married and then look at them now. Some are the same, but won't be forever. Then you have me, only after a few short years things have changed.