17-year-old Hannah Lee Powers from Louisiana has shared why she decided to commit herself to America’s Purity Movement, a program that allows young women to pledge abstinence to their fathers.

The teen recently dedicated herself to the program, a commitment that was sealed at the Purity Ball she attended with her dad, Beauchamp.

Hannah said that pledging her abstinence to her father strengthens their relationship and also her commitment to God.

Speaking about her decision, she told Barcroft TV:

“The bible says that sex before marriage is a sin and I believe that. I’m doing this Purity Ball because it’s like a symbol to tell everybody. That this is what I am doing and you may not accept it.

You may think it’s weird but this is what I want to do because I want to take the stand for what believe in. I want to make a promise to myself and to God that I will stay pure until I get married.”

She added: “I don’t need to do all these things that girls are doing and that girls consider to be normal. I don’t have to do these things. I don’t have to have sex to know that I am loved.”

The Purity Movement started 20 years ago in Colorado Springs. It was founded by evangelist Randy Wilson and his wife. The movement has since spread across 48 states and more than 15 countries.

They hold annual Purity Balls, which include a ceremony for young girls to make a pledge to abstain from sexual intercourse until they get married.

Hannah’s father, Beauchamp, said: “It’s an honor for someone to say that they are going to wait, that not just the purity ball dress, but to think that when [she] puts on that wedding dress, that white dress, that white wedding dress, it will also be an outward symbol of, ‘I have held myself, kept myself for my husband.’”

He added: “And for her to make that decision publicly, I think it’s more of an honor than everything else. That she has made up her mind. She has made her decision. And I believe one thing, she will get rewarded for it. 

So it is going to be hard. It’s going to be tough and she will be judged and laughed at and hopefully she can take the heat.”

Do you also believe that virginity is one of the best gifts wives could give to their husband? Do you agree that girls should remain pure until they get married? Let us know in the comments section!