It’s time, once again, for us to circle around our TVs, radios, or streaming devices and listen to the word of the prophets for 8+ hours in one weekend. (Hey, don’t complain. We know you sat around and binge-watched even more hours of Stranger Things last summer.)
It’s a time to soak in direction and counsel. Church leaders have told us multiple times that if we go into General Conference with a question in mind, we will find the answer – either in the words that are said or in the messages the spirit speaks to our hearts. But sometimes, there are so many little pearls of wisdom that it’s hard to remember everything that’s said.
That’s why we compiled a list of some of our favorite quotes from church leaders about dating and relationships so that you don’t have to look for them. Keep an ear out for mentions of dating this conference because there are bound to be a few quotes you can add to this list!
1. Russell M. Nelson
“If it were possible for me to speak one-on-one with every young adult, I would plead with you to seek a companion with whom you can be sealed in the temple. You may wonder what difference this will make in your life. I promise it will make all the difference! As you marry in the temple and return repeatedly, you will be strengthened and guided in your decisions.”
Read the whole talk here.
2. Marvin J. Ashton
“True love is a process. True love requires personal action.”
Read the whole talk here.
3. Jeffrey R. Holland
“For various reasons, marriage and children are not immediately available to all. Perhaps no offer of marriage is forthcoming. Perhaps even after marriage, there is an inability to have children. Or perhaps there is no present attraction to the opposite gender. Whatever the reason, God’s richest blessings will eventually be available to all of His children if they are clean and faithful.”
Read the whole talk here.
4. Spencer W. Kimball
“Marriage can be more an exultant ecstasy than the human mind can conceive. This is within the reach of every couple, every person.”
Read the whole talk here.
5. Russell M. Nelson
“I realize that many mature members of the Church are not married. Through no failing of their own, they deal with the trials of life alone. Be we all reminded that in the Lord’s own way and time, no blessings will be withheld from His faithful Saints.”
Read the whole talk here
6. John D Claybaugh
“Courtship requires effort and creativity. Too often our modern world suggests expensive and elaborate dating activities. But depth and meaning emerge in a relationship only when two people converse, exploring each other’s feelings and aspirations and sharing concerns and perspectives. This kind of growth best occurs during simple, wholesome activities.”
Read the whole talk here.
7. Jeffrey R. Holland
“In a dating and courtship relationship, I would not have you spend five minutes with someone who belittles you, who is constantly critical of you, who is cruel at your expense and may even call it humor.”
Read the whole talk here.
8. Jeffrey R. Holland
“You want capability, safety, and security in dating and romance, in married life and eternity? Be a true disciple of Jesus. Be a genuine, committed, word-and-deed Latter-day Saint. Believe that your faith has everything to do with your romance, because it does. You separate dating from discipleship at your peril.”
Read the whole talk here.
9. F Burton Howard
“If you want something to last forever, you treat it differently. You shield it and protect it. You never abuse it. You don’t expose it to the elements. You don’t make it common or ordinary. If it ever becomes tarnished, you lovingly polish it until it gleams like new. It becomes special because you have made it so, and it grows more beautiful and precious as time goes by.”
Read the whole talk here.
10. Ezra Taft Benson
“One good yardstick as to whether a person might be the right one for you is this: in [their] presence, do you think your noblest thoughts, do you aspire to your finest deeds, do you wish to be better than you are?”
Read the whole talk here.
11. Hugh W. Pinnock
“A boyfriend or girlfriend who does not have a wholesome respect for regulations during the dating process will often continue to break the rules after the word yes at the altar is spoken. Seek out those who are willing to live the rules.”
Read the whole talk here.
Which quote is your favorite? What other dating advice have you heard from church leaders? Share in the comments!
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Kaleigh Adamson
Kaleigh is a Marketing Coordinator for Mutual. She has worked with couples, relationships, dating, and love in a creative role for over a decade. She's a hopeless romantic who loves that her career allows her to help people find their soulmates. She downloaded Mutual when it first launched in 2016, coincidentally the same year she met her husband! They now live happily ever after in South Carolina with their two kids and dog.
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