LETTER: Looking in from the outside

From being raised outside of the Mormon religion and growing up in Utah, I have had many experiences that have helped shaped my views concerning dating Mormon girls. In one recent experience I was told that we wouldn’t work out because she wanted to get married in the temple and I wasn’t a member; this happened after dating seriously for two and a half years. Then I read the article “Differences in Dating” and have some different views.

I know that everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion and beliefs; in my case there is one that I’ve had a lot of thought about. The whole temple situation, I know the basics of the LDS religion and I feel I have a general idea of how important it is for a LDS member to be married and sealed in the temple. My belief, if you don’t get married in the temple and you marry a non-member; if you, as a couple, live a honest life, with good morals, and raise your kids with high standards, then my question is: Do you really think God will judge you and say you can’t be with your companion in the kingdoms? If all you did was not get married in the temple, and gave a (non-member) man/woman a chance who has the same morals as your religion, will God really separate you from your companion. One of the cornerstones of religion is bringing people closer together; I just have a hard time seeing how encouraging segregation in dating will accomplish this.

I know I don’t have all the facts and beliefs but this is a thought from someone looking in from the outside of a very LDS-populated state.

Kovan Rahimzadegan