What can anyone say about Highland Utah?

Question

I'm planning on moving there and would like to know how much of an influence LDS is in the area of Highland and in the schools there?

Answer 1

Highland is a suburb of a busy metropolis; actually, it's located basically between two metropolitan areas. It's true that most of the kids in the high school there will be latter-day saints, but that does not mean that they won't be friendly to your daughter. (Actually, quite the opposite, I expect.)

Latter-day saint teenagers are pretty busy because they have church on the weekends and often have youth activities during the week. This means that they often see each other more than they do kids of other faiths. But I don't think they will exclude your daughter intentionally. And if she thinks any of their youth activities sound like fun, she'll be more than welcome to come along with her friends.

I suspect that as a mother you'll breathe easier knowing that your daughter's classmates won't be into partying (i.e. drinking, drugs) as much as kids in other parts of the country. Alcohol and drugs are prohibited by the health code of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

There is some new vocabulary associated with living in a community of mostly latter-day saints, but I'm sure people will explain it if you ask. For example, the church building where people hold Sunday services is called a "ward house" or a "stake house". But don't think that people are mostly inward-focused: many latter-day saints have lived in other parts of the world and know what life is like outside "happy valley" (that's the nickname for Utah County, the county where Highland is located). And you'll have access to cosmopolitan comforts in nearby Provo and Orem or the Salt Lake City area, both of which are within a short drive of Highland.

The Provo/Orem area has many growing businesses in different industries. Brigham Young University, a major U.S. university, is located in Provo. Its art museum is excellent. The entire area is very family-oriented; you'll find lots of recreational activities to participate in with your daughter.

Highland is located right next to the mountains. Being from Seattle, that'll be a new experience for you, I think. They are very beautiful.

I don't live in Highland, but I know the metropolitan areas I've referred to, and I'm a latter-day saint. Feel free to e-mail me if you have more questions.

Answer 2

There are a lot of LDS people in Highland. But it is not run by the church in any way. As far as the schools go, I would say the most influence the LDS church has on the school is only the fact that there are LDS church seminary's near the middle schools and the high school where LDS students can take a class on release time.

Highland is an extremely beautiful place. It is more of a quiet place. A wonderful place to move to.