ABC's Of Dating

As promised, these are the dating notes from Sister and Bishop Clements Talk!

Topics:

1. Obstacles to dating---focusing on our weaknesses, lack of confidence, resources, the first date to the temple mentality, feelings of inadequacy, and fears
a. Our fears included: being alone, unrequited love, rejection, not being asked out, that it would work out, that we could grow sick of the person, and the fear of abandonment.

But in 2 Timothy 1:7 it says that " For God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2. Pet peeves---Cold sholder, talking about other people on the date, rebound catches, anything with your phone, clinging, don't feign interest, social skills, territorial, bad mouthing, being late, changing plans, leave at the end of the date, and expecting perfection.

3. Values and compatablity---the two most important things to look for...do you hold a temple reccommend? Do you go to church often? look for people with values similar to your own...But you can be, and often will be, very different people!!!

4. Asking questions: I will post the questions later i'm sure! They are awesome! But you first ask questions of yourself, then your date, and then heavenly father.

5. Inexpensive date ideas---nature walks, museums, geocashing, ice cream, CREATIVE, canoes, games, town activities, cooking, driving, riverwalk, concerts, plays.

Inexpensive dates are wonderful because they can be frequent and casual.

6. How to act A-H by Sister clements

A-Attitude, approachable
B-Body, clean hygeine, body language
C-Cloths, dress for the occassion
D-Date, don't hang out
E-Encouraging, talk and listen
F-Friends, make a date
G=Gospel, talk about it
H-Happy, be happy, be yourself, and have a good time

ABC dating method by Bishop Clements.

You take girl A to a movie, girl B to a concert, and girl C to a sporting event. Now rotate. A to the concer, C to the movie and B to the sporting event. Move them out as they disappoint you until you have a girl you want to take to all kinds of evnets. It is ok to go on dates with multiple people at a time!

7. Graceful Breakups by Leann

a. Prayerful contemplation
b. Place yourself in their shoes
c. Communicate with openess, yet tactfulness
d. Do so with consideration and correct communication
e. Help them understand your reasoning
f. Avoid accusing and express your feelings
g. Give encouragement and what you liked about them
h. Handle with care and respect and they will appreciate it in time

Tips:

a. Be careful of what you tell others
b. Set your friend up with the guy who it doesn't work out with
c. pray for comfort and confirmation
d. see things in an eternal perspective
e. See it as a learnign experience
f. Apply the lessons to improve
g. Strive to find forgiveness

Always try to find something positive in your date!!! And be thinking of who you can set them up with for later!!

Too many people over value what they are not and under value what they are. They accentuate their flaws and forget about their strengths. The adversary's goal is to attack the family and the best way to do that is to prevent it from happening.

8. Next steps:

We were asked to put the principles we learned into practice. All forty of us, who were single...which was almost all of us...were asked to go on a random date arranged by the Bishop. No one refused and it gave him such joy...how could you?

Hope this helps.