Non-mormon family looking to relocate to Lehi (Provo, Orem: work, gangs)

[bridge]

My wife and I grew up in Utah. I was non-LDS she was from a LDS family. We live in NC now and from time to time think about going back to Zion. We love Utah and all it has to offer, however the LDS influence is a force to be reckoned with, don't think it will not influence your life there. Most Mormons who don't live in Utah are wonderful to be around, because their religion teaches a works based salvation, therefore they need to be 'good Mormons' to get to the higher levels of heaven. In fact they are 'better' people than many 'good Christian folk'. However, in our experience where Mormons are in the vast majority this 'goodness' is reserved for those people who are part of the church. Bottom line it's difficult to live as a non-Mormon in Utah. I grew up there and experienced the exculsion. That being said I'd ask you to check your heart on why you are going. All the folks in Utah need to understand that salvation is only through the grace offered through Jesus Christ and isn't tied to membership in a church. The only work needed to enter heaven was done by Jesus Christ on a cross, we simply need to accept His gift of eternal life. Then by following His commandments we can live better lives (ie don't kill or steal, tell the truth, love one another etc.) If you can go to Utah and be a witness of the grace of Jesus Christ, I say go. The resistance you and your kids experience will be against Jesus if you are His. And that you can count as a blessing. Oh and always cheer for whoever is playing against BYU.

[coolcats]

First off, NC is beautiful state in its own right. Visited there when I lived in Virginia. I could live there and enjoy life I think.

Second off, sorry you felt exclusion in Utah. I grew up LDS outside of Utah and can say I felt the same way at times from other religions.

Third, my personal opinion is that this forum should really delve into theology, but your description of the LDS believing in a “works-based salvation” is not entirely accurate. Perhaps the scripture that sums up our belief is this:

“For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” 2 Nephi 25:23

Basically, you do all you can in this life to live right, and Christ carries you when you can’t do more. Since no mortal could ever live a perfect life, all people need Christ for salvation. I don’t think that’s different than what you are saying.

When I was growing up in the Midwest and trying my best to live my religion, I met resistance from my friends’ Baptist pastor. Since I believed Jesus was the only source of salvation, and he was giving resistance, that seems to meet your definition of “fighting against Jesus.” Now I don’t think he was – I think he was sincerely trying to live his religion, though I disagree with his tactics. I don’t know what kind of “resistance” one might expect from LDS people, but to say we are “fighting against Jesus” if our theologies don’t totally match is not true.

Lastly … I must finish with a few numbers. If you follow football you’ll know what they mean. 11-2, 10-game winning streak, top 25 ranking, 33-31, 38-8. Go BYU!

[chazcrew]

Thanks for posting that, coolcats. Nicely said.

[isakswings]

Originally Posted by Grblpwr

One weird thing, though, since when are high school students allowed off campus at lunch? The fast food places are absolutely packed with teenagers in Lehi, Alpine and Pleasant Grove between noon and 1 pm during the week. Between my husband and I we have lived in 6 different states and this is the first we have ever seen kids allowed off campus to eat.

I grew up in upstate New York and my friends and I regularly ate off campus. My husband and I lived in WA state for 10 years and many of the HS there, also had an open campus policy... I don't think Utah is exclusive to this. I'm glad you are liking it here tho!! :-)

[anne_marie_oregon]

Originally Posted by DP525

Yes, I get the feeling being child-less would put you in the minority. When I met my neighbors, it was always the same introduction. "Hi, I'm So and So, how many children do you have?" So I feel like I am part of the "In" crowd because I have three kids. How funny.

Oh dear. I am moving to utah shortly, with my husband. We have NO KIDS (not planning to) and are NOT mormon. Am I going to be able to make any friends at all? I'm pretty terrified about this whole thing. We are planning to move to the Lehi area, also.

[Latitudes]

Originally Posted by bridge

My wife and I grew up in Utah. I was non-LDS she was from a LDS family. We live in NC now and from time to time think about going back to Zion. We love Utah and all it has to offer, however the LDS influence is a force to be reckoned with, don't think it will not influence your life there. Most Mormons who don't live in Utah are wonderful to be around, because their religion teaches a works based salvation, therefore they need to be 'good Mormons' to get to the higher levels of heaven. In fact they are 'better' people than many 'good Christian folk'. However, in our experience where Mormons are in the vast majority this 'goodness' is reserved for those people who are part of the church. Bottom line it's difficult to live as a non-Mormon in Utah. I grew up there and experienced the exculsion. That being said I'd ask you to check your heart on why you are going. All the folks in Utah need to understand that salvation is only through the grace offered through Jesus Christ and isn't tied to membership in a church. The only work needed to enter heaven was done by Jesus Christ on a cross, we simply need to accept His gift of eternal life. Then by following His commandments we can live better lives (ie don't kill or steal, tell the truth, love one another etc.) If you can go to Utah and be a witness of the grace of Jesus Christ, I say go. The resistance you and your kids experience will be against Jesus if you are His. And that you can count as a blessing. Oh and always cheer for whoever is playing against BYU.

Though Christian Gentiles may have salvation through Atonement with Christ, without the saving ordinances of the Church of Latter Day Saints their chances of experiencing a higher kingdom of eternal glory are slim:

"For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory."

I fear you have fallen for the Great Apostasy, the deviation of Jesus' teachings represented by hellenistic Christianity. The LDS accepts the teachings of Christ, but not the detour of those teachings by Augustine and other heretics. There is no faith without works. If you desire Exaltation I urge you to read the Standard Works and embrace the faith that restores the original Christian Church before it became corrupted. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

[DP525]

Originally Posted by Latitudes

Though Christian Gentiles may have salvation through Atonement with Christ, without the saving ordinances of the Church of Latter Day Saints their chances of experiencing a higher kingdom of eternal glory are slim:

"For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory."

I fear you have fallen for the Great Apostasy, the deviation of Jesus' teachings represented by hellenistic Christianity. The LDS accepts the teachings of Christ, but not the detour of those teachings by Augustine and other heretics. There is no faith without works. If you desire Exaltation I urge you to read the Standard Works and embrace the faith that restores the original Christian Church before it became corrupted. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Wow. You know, if I had heard sermons like that before I moved here, I would have stayed where I was. That is exactly the holier than thou attitude of the Mormons over all others that makes non-LDS hesitant to move to Utah. Imagine being surrounded by people like you...

Good thing all my neighbors have stayed off their soapboxes.

[jjsnyder]

I can tell you I lived 15 years in syracuse, clearfield, Layton area that had a lot of lds people. I never had a problem. My best friend was lds. They lived next door to us. His dad was and sitll is today high in the church. My brothers and I was always called to come play with church when basketball season came aorund. I would move back to Utah next week if I could make what I can make elsewhere. great play to bring your family and the sking is best.

[It'sABeautifulThing]

We have lived outside of Utah for several years now, and have been lucky enough to move back to the area. It is a wonderful state and I am so glad that we were fortunate enough to come home.

My problem is that there are so many people that have moved here since our departure! I can't believe the traffic, not to mention the loud music blaring from the cars. It is worse than some of the larger cities. I am now concerned for my children and their well being, coming back to a "small town" again. Any advice?

[Bridget]

Wow! this seems to be a popular post. Let me start by saying that I am LDS. With that said my best friend from 2-6 grade was a non-LDS Texan that had a mom with a mouth like a sailor. Growing up both houses on each side of us and the house across the street had non-LDS neighbors and they and their children were some of the best people we had met. I am not saying you won't run into cliques. I think people now days generally stay more to themselves then when I grew up. We are always afraid of saying the wrong thing. Also, I don't know if this statement if founded or not but a teacher my mom works with lived in the Cranberry Hills subdivision of Sandy (11400 S, east of State Street) and she said that he neighbors wouldn't allow their kids to play with hers because they were not LDS. I personally do not have that philosophy. The only time I would ban my 8 year old from playing at another friends house is if I thought that my daughter was exposed to something harmful or indescent while at a friends house (LDS or not). My last thought, I think kids are pretty welcoming but I did notice around age 8 they tend to form exclusive groups more than when they were younger (just the observation of an 8 year old) Good luck house hunting. It can get very confusing but The areas you mentioned are all nice. The closer to the mountain you go the more expensive the homes. It is freezing here right now but you will like it when it gets a little warmer.