Mormon Prom: Southern California Teens Attend Alternative Dance

By Karen Lake

They rocked and rolled but didn't trash the place. Southern California youth who belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attended the annual Mormon Prom on March 17 at Soka University in Aliso Viejo.

Young people ages 16-18 from Rancho Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo, San Clemente, and Laguna Niguel congregations were invited to join the seventh-annual event.

“It is all about having wholesome fun and a positive dating experience while being with a group of youth that share the same high standards,” said Marci Paul, the Young Women President for Foothill Ranch.

Jordan Procuniar of Portola Hills asked his mother, Anne, if she could help plan a dinner for him and his seminary class (a daily, early-morning high school religion class). He thought it would be good to be together before the dance and there wouldn’t be a large expense. Anne Procuniar, mother of six, asked other mothers for a little help and put on a grand-looking dinner for 36 at the Portola Hills Community Clubhouse while only charging $10 per couple.

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Comments

[AskThisMormon]

09:18 PM on 05/02/2012

My Son attended one of these two years ago. What is interesting is how many kids attend who are NOT Mormon! These are not just for Mormon kids, they are for any high school juniors or seniors who want to go. And how they reported having FUN. Why?

• Financial: Costs are low. $10/ticket, eating dinner at a bishop's house before
• Good music
•No sexual pressure- LDS teens have high moral standards
•Light and fun atmosphere
•Well chaperoned
•No cigarette, drug, or alcohol use
•Lots of dancing, the real thing

Not all geographical regions hold Mormon Prom, unfortunately. We moved to a new area where these are not offered.

[Mouse718]

05:52 PM on 04/25/2012

That's an alternative prom? What's a regular prom like these days? Because my high school held a low cost prom in the gym, decorated by parent volunteers, with cheap food, no alcohol or drugs, and teachers & parents present to enforce good behavior. The only difference between ours and that LDS thing was the sleeves on the girls dresses, in June where I grew up there was no option besides sleeveless unless you wanted sweat to show on your dress.

[Allen Reed Jensen]

11:19 AM on 03/27/2012

No alcohol, no drugs, no spreading of STDs, and no unwanted pregnancies. Sounds like a good idea for people of all faiths.

[Spencer L Jensen]

07:42 PM on 03/27/2012

Don't forget...no gays.

[Allen Reed Jensen]

11:23 PM on 04/01/2012

All LDS dances require of participants is good behavior during dances.

[Allen Reed Jensen]

11:23 PM on 04/01/2012

You're Danish, so I thought you were cool.

[geraghtyd59]

06:56 PM on 03/31/2012

Or logical/mildly intelligent human beings.

[Allen Reed Jensen]

11:18 PM on 04/01/2012

yep.