A great deal of information regarding the physical side of Latter Day Saints dating has been written. The general consensus seems to be that physical displays of affection are something that should happen only between those people who are very near marriage and the sexual intimacy should only occur within the boundaries of matrimony.

According to church leaders, LDS dating should definitely not be focuses on the side of physical intimacy.  In fact they recommend that kissing is an activity that should be reserved as something valuable and precious as a gift to a future husband or wife married in the Temple.  It is suggested that kisses should be kept short in length if used at all. Long passionate kissing according to the leaders who speak out against the subject should definitely be avoided.  They are particularly adamant against the practice of French kissing.

There is a place for kissing, but LDS dating is not that place. LDS dating is for the purpose of communicating about ourselves.  The appropriateness of other behavior on dates is discussed in fairly extensive detail by church leaders.  For example putting one's arm around the date expresses the concept "I like you".  Holding hands may mean "I really like you".  Kissing on the other hand may mean two different things to the two people involved.  The young woman may think that kissing means he loves her, while the young man may only be thinking he likes the feeling and would like to do it again--not that he loves HER.

To LDS dating is pretty serious business.It is important to make sure that activities during dating are not an attempt to lead the other person astray because of different understanding about the meanings of various actions.This is another reason why LDS dating with non-believers is strongly discouraged.  There is less likelihood of the two parties meaning the same thing by any actions which may occur, including abstaining from any kind physical intimacy. To a young woman raised LDS, not kissing the young man she is with can be a signal that she cares for him and respects him and would not willingly lead him on.To the young man, not being kissed by the young woman may indicate to him that she doesn't care for him at all, since his experience says that two people who date each other, kiss each other.

That is not to say that the problem is solved if both the man and the woman are devout believers.They may still be miscommunicating on a very essential level if one believes a kiss means love, while the other likes the feeling a kiss gives.So even as seemingly casual thing as a kiss is treated very seriously to LDS couples, not only because of the likelihood of miscommunication about the intent but because serious kissing often leads to further thoughts or activities which are deemed to be sinful.