Latter-day Saint Youth “Cruise” Through Prom

Latter-day Saint Youth “Cruise” Through Prom

by Lynne Johnston

Are the Mormons building an Ark?  No. Ah, it’s a cruise ship. 

The Fredericksburg Virginia Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is transforming their Fredericksburg building into a cruise ship inside and out as they host the 2013 regional “Mormon Prom.”  Over 1,700 Mormon youth ages 16-18 from McLean to Massaponax are invited to board the “Belle of the Burg” gangplank to attend a formal dance in accordance with the high ideals these young people are encouraged to maintain (www.lds.org/youth/for-the-strength-of-youth). Although mostly Mormon youth will attend, many are inviting friends of other faiths from throughout the region to attend as well.

The whole property will be changed into Port Fredericksburg with the “Bell of the Burg” standing front and center looking like the art deco poster used to advertise the event (mormonpromblogspot.com).  The kids will enter on a twelve-foot gangway where parked vintage cars, lampposts and retro costumed passengers hail their arrival and porters in retro costume scurry about with luggage.  Doormen will welcome them aboard while photographers snap their pictures and help the kids feel like real celebrities.

D. Michael Kitchens, President of the Fredericksburg Stake said, “I am amazed and pleased with the tireless efforts of the Mormon Prom committee.  They have worked for countless hours to create a magical evening for these outstanding young people.

In a few months many of our young people will enter the world of work, college, or missionary service.  We see this evening as providing a wholesome atmosphere where their confidence and standards are upheld. It will reinforce their love for and relationship with Jesus Christ.  It is worth every effort to be there for them. Improving their future is our main concern.”

Toni Redfern, Chairman of the Mormon Prom Committee for the region, said, "The planning and preparation for the event by youth and adults, has taken nearly a year.  The goals are to provide an atmosphere where the youth feel comfortable and safe and to create long term memories that reinforce their standards and spirituality while experiencing all the exciting things that should be associated with prom night." 

"These young people have told us that the pressure to dress, act and dance a certain way at traditional proms heavily distracts from having a good time and therefore they often don’t attend their high school proms.  The standards associated with Mormon Prom allows youth to create their type of enjoyment while having a great time associating with those who have similar standards," said Redfern.

The “Mormon Prom” will be Saturday, May 11, 7:00 to 11:00 pm at 20 Boscobel Road, Fredericksburg, 22405.  Hundreds of young people will be arriving dressed in formal attire, ready to enjoy live entertainment, extensive refreshments and dancing – in a transformed atmosphere, complete with a grand staircase, ballroom and lido deck. 

For more information contact: Lynne Johnston, lynneejohnston@gmail.com  or Toni Redfern, mormosix@yahoo.com