Cover to the Bee Hive Girls Manual. (1950)

Page excerpt from the 1965 LDS For the Strength of Youth. 

High school students enjoying each other's company at a dance. 

Goals and guidelines were given to youth about how to date and find a mate. 

From an early age, boys and girls within the LDS community were the recipients of advice literature in regards to all aspects of their lives. From programs within the LDS church such as Bee Hive Girls (early teens)[1], and Mutual Improvement Association (MIA) for youth 14-18.[2] These programs helped teach and prepare boys and girls for the future responsibilities they would have in their family lives.

In school, students were also taught in Homemaking class about the skills required for home life, including: cooking, sewing/ clothing care, financial success, etc. These classes were tailored more toward teaching young women, since the common expectation of that time was that girls would grow up, get married and remain in the home to raise the family. They then could use the skills they learned in school.[3]   

Learning in the home came primarily from the example from a youth’s parents. Mothers and daughters could be found working side by side to make dinner for the family, while fathers and sons would be out working in the yard or fixing the car together. These parental examples showed even through church responsibilities.

Another area of influence that Advice Literature had in the lives of the youth is directed to the dating culture. Encouraged to not date until the age of 16, boys and girls were encouraged to spend time together at appropriate activities such as school dances. These relationships and social skills would help the youth find and hold on to a marriage prospect.