[Teachldsseminary] QUES: Dating vs. Boyfriend / Girlfriend

[nw]

We were focusing on Sections 21 and 22 this morning in seminary and were talking about words of our prophet for us today.  We were listing some of the topics that are covered in "For the Strength of Youth" and when I mentioned dating, one of the girls in the class asked whether "dating" also means having a boyfriend.  We were right at the end of class, so I let others respond for about 15 seconds, then I said that, either way, the prophet wants us to be careful.

So I'll pose the question here:  Has the Church made any statements with respect to having a boyfriend / girlfriend, such as that we should not be pairing off before age 16?  Do you take the statements on dating to apply equally to the boyfriend / girlfriend topic as well?

Thanks in advance.

Norm White
Folsom, CA