We may relocate to Utah due to my husband's job. We are not mormon. I do have some extended family that live there who were Catholic, and they have had some bad experiences. They have said it is hard to join different groups, get jobs, and go to certain actvities because they are rejected by the mormons. I have also heard that there are certain cities or areas that are better for non-mormons. Is this true? I was just wondering if someone who is not mormon, and lives in the SLC area, can give me their opinion. btw, this isn't meant to be an anti-mormon post. I would just hate to move somewhere where, for the most part, we would not be accepted.
2007-03-01 13:20:10 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Well without giving you the "I'm sorry your family had bad experiences with Mormons, but the Mormon church really teaches tolerance" sermon, here is some advice that may help with the transition:
Straightup gave a good answer. People's apprehension about Mormons often sets the stage for misunderstandings and bad experiences. Just assume that people will think you're Mormon and anticipate that you may have to clarify things sometimes or ask someone what a particular word means in Mormon culture.
Utah is the headquarters for many international companies. Here are a few: Novell, NuSkin, Tahitian Noni, Authorize.net, KFC, Overstock.com, Q Comm, Marriott Hotels, Cafe Rio, SkyWest Airlines. All of these companies bring people in from other states and countries to work, and so there are many people of different faiths.
Salt Lake City itself is only about 30% Mormon. Most people in SLC proper will be of other faiths.
Make casual religious discussion a part of your life. Get comfortable using religious puns and saying religious jokes (respectful ones, of course). Just being comfortable making religious small-talk will help a lot.
Don't prepare a long, drawn-out speech to tell Mormons you aren't interested in their faith. Just say that your faith has made you happy and that you also admire Mormons for finding happiness in their faith. That works better than anything else in terms of letting them know you're not interested in their religion but that you want to make friends.
Many people with LDS friends find them to be more loyal and more friendly than the 'average' friend just simply because Utah is a very trusting environment. You will find that people sometimes leave their houses unlocked, their garage doors open, and give spare house keys to their neighbors 'just in case' they accidentally lock themselves out.
As far as cities are concerned, it is really the small towns that are still 90+% Mormon. If you're staying close to larger cities and immediate suburbs (SLC, Provo, Ogden, Logan, St George), there should be plenty of 'diversity' to make it fun.
2007-03-05 07:54:28 · answer #1 · answered by James, Pet Guy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sad to hear about your extended family about how they have had some bad experiences here in Utah. I know that you really do not want to hear from me because i am a member and also live in Utah but i wanted to say some things. First of all i currently work with members of the church and non members of the church and we get along well together. I do not think that it is hard to get jobs just because of your religion after all they should not ask about your religion. I have no idea about what kind of activities they might be referring to because there is lots of things that non Mormons can do around the area. I do not also know why they said that is hard to join different groups also. Non-members are welcomed in any city and i do not know of any that are better. You will be accepted anywhere that you move here in Utah. I have no idea why your family was rejected because we as Mormons go out and welcome all kinds of people. We also want to welcome you if you decided to move here in Utah. There are great things to do and see here for all people. So do not feel left out.
2007-03-03 10:48:47 · answer #2 · answered by freedoma586 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is too bad that your family has had bad experiences with LDS members...that certainly is not the teaching of the church - we are taught to love and accept our neighbors, and that means everyone.
I live in northern Utah where a large percentage is LDS, but there are many who are not. At my last job there were over 150 people in the whole company and I and 2 others were the only Mormons.
I wonder what those groups or activities were they were rejected by? Were they LDS groups or activities?
Hopefully you can find somewhere you like... sometimes we as Mormons come off as snobby or rude when we don't include others, I can tell you from personal experience it is not because we aren't friendly, we are usually just hesitant because as soon as most non-mormons find out we are mormons they tend to not like us or just think we are being their friend to get them converted. We truly are nice people just trying to live the gospel, just remember no one is perfect.
Good luck!
2007-03-02 05:29:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am Mormon, but my wife is Agnostic, and the majority of people I work with aren't Mormon (are Catholic, non-religious, non-denominational, etc.). The more professional of field you are in the less it will matter. For the most part all people enjoy and love Utah, despite their religious background, especially if you love the outdoors. As long as you're not annoyed with people sometimes assuming you're Mormon and talking about stuff completely unfamiliar, then you'll be fine. In Salt Lake City there are plenty of non-Mormons and plenty of things to do. Some of the smaller towns are more Mormon, but again, it all depends on your attitude. A guy I work with lives in a suburb and he loves it. He does think it's funny how friendly people are and how they have neighborhood parties and stuff. They usually don't attend, but their children do. Anyway, as long as you're comfortable in your skin and are respectful you will find the same in return. My wife really likes it here, even though she does face some annoyances. But aren't we going to find those everywhere? Good luck.
2007-03-02 05:41:45 · answer #4 · answered by straightup 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My niece and her husband live in Draper. That's south of Salt Lake City. Neither are Mormons, they both love it there, and could move, but they don't. He's Catholic, she's not any religion that I know of. They work for the airlines and could be based anywhere. I know she enjoys the mountains and skiing and the shopping and the friendliness. And also, on Sundays, the shops and restaurants and roadways are pretty empty, since the Mormons are all in church!
2007-03-02 18:26:59 · answer #5 · answered by Sweet n Sour 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the area I live there are more non Mormons than Mormons. In my job there are many Mormons but everyone is treated friendly and every gets along.
It really depends on you and your attitude.
2007-03-01 16:38:54 · answer #6 · answered by J T 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋