Official Discussion on the Mormon/LDS influence in Idaho (Blackfoot: live in, moving to)

[SergeantL]

Originally Posted by logicskier

I am pleading ignorance I this one. Can you please explain why it is derogatory? I am not LDS but work with many at my office and they have never seemed offended when I use the "m-word" and trust me they would say something if they were offended.

Thanks ahead of time.

The term has its roots in the early history of the LDS Church. As I wrote earlier, instead of calling members Latter Day Saints, detractors used the term Mormon from the title of the Book of Mormon. They believed we were neither saints nor believers in Christ. In an effort to make their point, they claimed LDS members worshiped Mormon, which grew to Mormonism. They also liked to refer to the first Prophet of the Church in common terms. Rather than calling him Joseph Smith, they liked the term Joe Smith. This is akin to calling the current Pope, "Benny," and was meant to be disrespectful and denigrate his position.

You must also understand that all of this was occurring during a period of deadly persecution, when Saints were murdered on a regular basis by mobs, and no one was spared. Men, women, and children were all slaughtered. This is also the time when the Governor of Missouri, Lilburn Boggs, issued the now infamous Mormon Extermination Order.

After a mob killed Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum, members under the leadership of Brigham Young embarked on the now famous Mormon migration to Utah, which at the time was not United States Territory. In effect, the LDS Church was forced out of the United States to survive.

Today, some members really get their hackles up when someone calls them a Mormon. In my experience—your mileage may vary— it will often be a member who can trace his or her ancestry to the beginnings of the Church, and they will most likely live in Utah, Idaho, Arizona, or Wyoming. I am a convert to the Church and was born and raised in California and the term doesn’t even phase me, but then again, we California Saints are considered oddballs in the outfield.

[logicskier]

Originally Posted by SergeantL

we California Saints are considered oddballs in the outfield.

This line cracked me up.

THANKS FOR THE INFO!!

[Trouthunter]

Sage,

I noticed that you stated that Idaho, isn't known for having a wide choice of ethnic foods, can I presume that has much to do with the very low ethnicities in Idaho in general? Last time I was in Idaho I really noticed how there wasn't very many ethnicities/races other than white (I know that encompasses many European backgrounds). Does this low ethnicity rate of the state tye into the LDS religion at all?

[Sage of Sagle]

From what I can surmise the lack of racial diversity does not correspond to the LDS influence, at least in North Idaho. Obviously with the anti-black stance of the earlier LDS teachings I would imagine that southern Idaho would not have been very friendly to black people either.

North Idaho of course is still the butt of jokes even a decade after "cleaning house" of the Aryan Nation wackos...and that certainly could account for some level of this still being "white-aho". So I guess my answer would be that it's probably partially tied into the Mormon influence in the south but less so in the north. Obviously that's just my perception...YMMV.

[C_ferreira]

The north Idaho I know is MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH more liberal than what I've summed up about S.E. Idaho, and therefore, much less Mormon. At my high school we had 3 mormons and they were ridiculed to the point that 2 of them became home schooled. We do not like them up here, really. I personally don't mind them, but anyone that tries to tell us how to live will certainly face an unappreciative audience.
We like our beer and coffee too much to appreciate their shunning of them. I just cannot imagine that religion would play such a big part in discrimination. Mormons are in N. Idaho, but we (non mormons) don't really associate with them. I had one mormon friend, but after meeting their family (and consequently "informed" on mormonism, I have broken off all contact. How dare they try to "convert" me.)

[Syringaloid]

Originally Posted by C_ferreira

The north Idaho I know is MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH more liberal than what I've summed up about S.E. Idaho, and therefore, much less Mormon. At my high school we had 3 mormons and they were ridiculed to the point that 2 of them became home schooled. We do not like them up here, really. I personally don't mind them, but anyone that tries to tell us how to live will certainly face an unappreciative audience.
We like our beer and coffee too much to appreciate their shunning of them. I just cannot imagine that religion would play such a big part in discrimination. Mormons are in N. Idaho, but we (non mormons) don't really associate with them. I had one mormon friend, but after meeting their family (and consequently "informed" on mormonism, I have broken off all contact. How dare they try to "convert" me.)

Dang, you don't sound like a very nice person. Ridiculing fellow classmates to the point they are home schooled? It seems like somebody needs some diversity and compassion training. But never fear anti -Mormon resident because the fact a LDS Temple was built in Spokane only signals that the Mormon/LDS Faith is growing in the North Idaho region
At least down here in Boise we are diverse and open minded enough to accept and befriend our LDS neighbors. I am sure you are using blanket statements for the way Mormons are treated in North Idaho but your comments still seems harsh and mean.

[Vinyard Meadows]

When we moved to Caldwell, we offered to purchase a home from an LDS family and our offer was accepted. A problem developed however when the seller told us, heatedly, that we'd better "hurry up" because the eldest son hoped to go on his missionary trip soon, and they didn't have the patience to go through the usual paperwork. They had no other offers for the home, and they were near hysterics. We offered to rent the home for 1k per month (a large sum at the time) until the paperwork went through. Our offer was accepted. But suddenly the owner had real estate agents walking in while we were at work, hoping to get a buyer that would pay cash asap.

The lady divorced the husband in this state of fury.

What was odd to me is that the angry mom made a point that the reason they were treating us so badly was because of this missionary trip.

I realize that this does not represent LDS. The neighbors were JW and very supportive and kind. I know someone that is JW that cusses like a sailor and calls neighbors "the devil" and she is certainly not a very good representative of JW, though she often speaks of how accurate it is to be JW.

The LDS family made a point of letting us know that they were putting us through this for the sake of the son that was to go on his missionary trip.

We didn't purchase the home. It had a severe water problem. When we'd water the backyard, the water flooded the daylight basement, soaking the carpet in 2 bedrooms. The owner angrily told us how much she'd bill us for the "damage". Oy.

Anyway, I really wanted to ask the local LDS about this family (but they quickly relocated to California) and there are more than a couple of LDS churches in the immediate area, and it seemed too wierd to go around asking about this family, so of course we dropped that idea right away and were left to fume.

We bought a lovely new home within 20 days of moving out of that one. Just 80 days after our offer was accepted.

I can't imagine telling people that the reason that it is ok for me to treat them verbally and financially abusive is simply because of my earnest faith in God.

No, they are not good representatives of their faith, and it is always tragic to have such "representatives". And Jesus made a HUGE point of showing what He thought of hypocracy by throwing furniture around THE temple and calling people names. He hates hypocracy. Most of us do too. It's difficult. But each of us leaves a lasting impression when we claim to be devout and then betray others or harass them.

How would you advise non-LDS people to respond to LDS people that do something like this. I'd recommend prayer for any Christian, patient honesty and in some cases, help from a leader of that flock to help.

What say you?

Thank you.

[C_ferreira]

Originally Posted by Syringaloid

Dang, you don't sound like a very nice person. Ridiculing fellow classmates to the point they are home schooled? It seems like somebody needs some diversity and compassion training. But never fear anti -Mormon resident because the fact a LDS Temple was built in Spokane only signals that the Mormon/LDS Faith is growing in the North Idaho region
At least down here in Boise we are diverse and open minded enough to accept and befriend our LDS neighbors. I am sure you are using blanket statements for the way Mormons are treated in North Idaho but your comments still seems harsh and mean.

It wasn't me that harassed them, but I am not going to deny that it happened. I wouldn't say exactly that there is an anti-mormon sentiment. And mormons certainly cannot call us closed minded, considering their shunning of gays, only recent acceptance of black people, and oppression of women. No thanks, stick to Rexburg.

[Syringaloid]

Originally Posted by C_ferreira

It wasn't me that harassed them, but I am not going to deny that it happened. I wouldn't say exactly that there is an anti-mormon sentiment. And mormons certainly cannot call us closed minded, considering their shunning of gays, only recent acceptance of black people, and oppression of women. No thanks, stick to Rexburg.

I don't think they will just stick to Rexburg. And who is "us" which you are referring to being close minded? North Idahoans? Who????

They oppress women? I have always had the impression that women are an integral part of the LDS religion and are very important. I happen to know quite a few LDS women who do work, and are active members in the community. So I don't think they are oppressed. Maybe you are getting the mainstream LDS faith confused with the break off polygamous groups?
Oh, and I googled churches in Rexburg and they seem to have most major
Christian denominations.

[SergeantL]

Originally Posted by Vinyard Meadows

The lady divorced the husband in this state of fury...What was odd to me is that the angry mom made a point that the reason they were treating us so badly was because of this missionary trip.

What say you?

I say your post is very confusing. I will say that based on what I can gleen from your post, it seems obvious there were preexisting marital problems related to the seller, which probably has more to do with the issues you experienced. I can't make any logical connection between a son leaving for a mission and the sale of a house.