Dating at 16, married at 14

YOUTH GUIDELINES: “A date is a planned activity that allows a young man and a young woman to get to know each other better. In cultures where dating is acceptable, it can help you learn and practice social skills, develop friendships, have wholesome fun, and eventually find an eternal companion. You should not date until you are at least 16 years old.” –For the Strength of Youth, Dating. [source]

CHURCH ESSAY: “Most of those sealed to Joseph Smith were between 20 and 40 years of age at the time of their sealing to him. The oldest, Fanny Young, was 56 years old. The youngest was Helen Mar Kimball, daughter of Joseph’s close friends Heber C. and Vilate Murray Kimball, who was sealed to Joseph several months before her 15th birthday.” –Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo essay, Gospel Topics, LDS.org. [source]

COMMENTARY: And then when you learn exactly how Joseph proposed to Helen, it makes you wonder if maybe the church isn’t as true as you thought it was after all. But what do I know? I’m just another apostate.

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