Dating Guide

YSA Dating: A Guide for LDS Young Single Adults

The YSA years are full of opportunity — and full of pressure. Between school, work, callings, and a calendar of activities, dating can feel like one more thing to figure out. Here's how to meet people, date with intention, and keep it fun, as a Latter-day Saint young single adult.

What makes YSA dating different

Young single adult (YSA) wards exist for one big reason: to help members in the same season of life connect, serve, and ultimately build eternal families. That means you're surrounded by people with shared standards and shared goals — a real advantage. The flip side is the pressure: small dating pools, recycled crushes, and the feeling that everyone's watching. The goal is to lean into the community while keeping your own pace.

Get involved in your YSA ward and institute

The simplest dating advice for YSAs is also the most reliable: show up. Accept a calling, go to institute, and be the person who helps with the activity instead of just attending it. Service and shared work build the kind of natural friendships that turn into dates far more often than swiping ever will. Institute especially puts you next to people who care about the same things you do, week after week.

Say yes to activities — even when it's awkward

Stake and multi-stake YSA activities, regional conferences, firesides, and service projects exist to widen your circle beyond your own ward. Go even when you don't feel like it. The point isn't every activity being amazing; it's putting yourself in rooms full of people who share your values so connection has a chance to happen.

Use an app built for Latter-day Saints

If your ward is small, you're in a single's slump, or you simply want to meet people you'd never cross paths with, a faith-centered dating app expands the pool dramatically. The key is choosing one made for Latter-day Saints — with verified members, filters for temple attendance and activity level, and built-in safety — so you're matched on what actually matters instead of starting from scratch on a generic app. Here's what to look for in an LDS dating app.

Date with intention — without the pressure

Intentional doesn't mean every date is an audition for marriage. Plan real dates, ask good questions, and notice how someone treats the people around them. At the same time, let things breathe. Some dates are just good company or a new friend, and that's a win too. For more on this balance, see our LDS dating tips.

Stay safe when you meet someone new

Meeting people from outside your ward is great — just do it wisely. Keep first dates public, tell a friend where you're going, and set a check-in. Deseret Singles builds this in with SafeDate™: share your live location and a check-in time, and if you miss it, a trusted contact is alerted automatically.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as a YSA in the Church?

Young single adult (YSA) generally refers to never-married members ages 18 to 30. Single members 31 and older are usually served by midsingle wards and activities. Both groups have wards, institute classes, and activities organized to help them connect.

How do I meet people if my YSA ward is small?

Widen your circle beyond your own ward. Go to stake and multi-stake YSA activities, institute, regional conferences, and service projects, and use a faith-centered dating app to meet Latter-day Saints nearby who you'd never cross paths with otherwise — especially helpful in smaller branches or outside the Mountain West.

Is it weird to use a dating app as a YSA?

Not at all. Church leaders have encouraged members to use the tools available to meet people. An app simply expands the pool beyond your ward and lets you match on shared standards. Choosing one built for Latter-day Saints, with verified profiles and built-in safety, keeps the focus on people who share your values.

What should a YSA dating profile include?

Be specific and genuine: a few clear photos, what you're studying or doing, where you served if you served a mission, your activity level and temple goals, and a couple of real interests. Specifics like "early-morning temple trips and Dutch-oven cooking" attract better than clichés like "I love my faith and family."

Ready to grow your circle? Deseret Singles is a dating app built from the ground up for Latter-day Saints — verified members, SafeDate™ safety, faith-based matching, and real-life events.