Mormon Prom Offers Safe, London-Themed Alternative to High School Party

Young people dolled up and gathered at a London-themed Annandale stake center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) on May 12.  

They were there for the annual Mormon Prom held to provide LDS high school youth and their friends with the opportunity to have wholesome fun, a positive dating experience and to be with a group of youth that share the same high standards.

“I love it. It is such a good way to keep the Lord’s standards and have a great prom experience,” said Katie Tyler of Springfield (and West Springfield High School) with her date Josh Alvarez of McLean during an event where religious affiliations, ethnic backgrounds and traditions took a backseat to chivalry and old fashioned fun. 

The annual dance has been hosted by the LDS church in Northern Virginia for a decade.

Ann Bush, coordinator of the event which attracted more than 700 people from as far north as Maryland, south to Fredericksburg, VA, west to Westminster, VA and east to the Potomac River, said the theme “London Calling” was designed to give them an escape from a world.

“We wanted to take them away for the night and just let them have fun. One girl said this doesn’t even look like our church,” Bush said. “Kids today have so many pressures, worries and concerns, we just wanted to create an environment that was safe.”

Douglas Bush, president of the Annandale stake, said about 150 adults had some role in the planning and preparation of the event.

Read more on The Washington Post.

View photo album by Cydney Allen