By Addiana C Olson
During the Tuesday May 7 devotional Bruce R. Chadwick, sociology professor, told all Cinderellas and Prince Charmings to throw away their glass slippers to aid in finding celestial marriage.
Movies and television focus on the courtship, conquest and hunt for the right person not the relationship Chadwick said.
'There is a very dangerous misperception embedded in the Cinderella and glass slipper syndrome,' Chadwick said. 'It is the focus on finding the perfect person to marry and you will live happily ever after.'
Students can''t wait for others to carry the glass slipper around for them either, Chadwick told students.
'Seek someone you like, someone that is worthy, someone who inspires you to be a better person,' he said. 'The spirit will guide you, but it won''t do the courting for you and it won''t make the choices.'
An integral part of dating and marriage is the exercise of faith. Chadwick told students not to sit in their apartments, spend long hours at work or spend endless hours playing video games.
Students need to be proactive in the search and development of relationships, Chadwick said.
The third suggestion offered by Chadwick is to keep physical intimacy at an appropriate level.
'At times it seems like members of the church get caught up in the ways of the world and end up adopting it to a degree,' he said. 'We may not be going as fast as the world, but sometimes we''re headed in the same direction.'
Chadwick also said too much intimacy could ruin relationships with eternal potential.
Despite social pressures supporting cohabitation, studies now show persons participating in cohabitation are less likely to marry, less happy and more likely to divorce, Chadwick said.
A survey shows 83 percent of female college students nationally view marriage as a very important goal for life. Preliminary findings show the numbers are higher for BYU men and women with 97 and 95 percent respectively in regard to marriage importance.
Nationally, women attending college think dating has disappeared on campus and has been replaced with hanging out and consequently hooking up Chadwick said.
Chadwick directed his final advice primarily towards students in a marriage, but said it can be applied to anyone.
'Praying for them reverses your feelings for them,' Chadwick said. 'Your heart softens. The spirit abides in you.'
The devotional will be rebroadcast May 19 on channel 11 at 6 and 11 a.m.