Single Young Adult Wards

by Tristi Pinkston | More from this Blogger

I've heard single young adult wards compared to meat markets. I'll admit, there is a certain amount of looking around that goes on. For some, that's a major turn-off, and for others, that's why they come!

But I'd like to talk about some of the other benefits and some of the disadvantages of single young adult wards, as well.

When I was seventeen, I lived in a stake that didn't have a single young adult ward. My friend invited me to attend a ward with her, and so each Sunday morning I'd drive for about fifteen minutes to go to church with her. Right from the start, I loved it. Here are all the reasons why:

1. Everyone there was close to my age. My home ward was comprised of mostly older couples or couples with children in Primary, and there wasn't a whole lot of youth interaction. I felt that I was finally in a group that "got" where I was coming from.

2. All the lessons were presented in a way that was applicable to my circumstances then. Lessons on marriage and family were given from a preparation standpoint. No matter what the topic, it was tailored to the life of a young single, and I could immediately see how to apply it to my own life.

3. There was a lot of unity in the ward. Service projects, choir, meeting together every Sunday night for a ward prayer - it was fabulous. No matter what the activity, it was carried out with cooperation and unity.

4. It was a lot of fun. I've never had so much fun going to church before.

When a single young adult ward is formed and administrated with the purpose of doing what is best for the youth, it can be a marvelous thing.

A few of the downfalls are the lack of interaction with the older couples that attend the home ward. Younger persons do well to learn from their elders, and it's a shame when they don't associate. There are also some wards that don't administrate the needs of the singles well, but that is on the heads of the leadership and not a symptom of something wrong with the system.

And as far as the meat market goes - you know, I did meet and marry my husband out of that ward. I know several other people who met their spouses there as well. But I didn't feel like I was being looked over like a side of beef - it was natural, began as a friendship, and went from there. Twelve years now, going strong!

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Learn more about Tristi Pinkston

I am a stay-at-home mom, author of eight published books, a freelance editor, and the mother of four incredible children. I enjoy scrapbooking, watching good movies, and taking naps.

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