Questions about being Non-LDS in Utah (St. George, Kearns: credit, showing, house)

[snowflake73]

Bottom line is if you're moving to Utah, bring your own friends with you!

[Elder_Shawn]

Originally Posted by smithmi

Hmmmmm... Moving to Utah...The heartland of 14-15 million LDS folks....and wondering why they may ask you to socialize with them by going to church with them. Hmmmm...Guess what? That is what we do in Utah. By going to church they will tie you up and throw you in the water. I am always amazed by what people think is going to happen by going to church. I was a little shocked when I watched people roll around on the floor in a baptist meeting I went to several years ago. I don't recall ever being on the floor in my ward. I guess if you read enough blogs you can find something strange or silly in every religon. Fact is the same thing happens over and over again in my ward. No lightning, thunder, the bricks don't fall out of the walls, and by the way people are talking as fast as they can even during the meetings. Hmmmm... same thing happens, different religion.
I have not found anything different in the Mormon church than I have found in any other church.As far as folks not coming to your house to be your best friend? I am one of "those people" who do not allow my kids to play with kids who have bad language, who smoke, drink coffee, or yes, even to play with kids who have bad grades or can't behave. I don't play with adults who do the same. Dosent mean I don't like them, just don't want to expose my kids or myself to it.Hmmmmm....Bad man...Bad, Bad man............

Oh no U didn't! I loved your analogy about adults. Well said.

[REBL]

For your information...I moved to Utah because I was LDS and thought it would be a great place to grow in the church. Unfortunately I was pushed away from it, told to go to singles wards instead of family wards where I was comfortable - I was asked to leave 3 different wards and all I did was go to church each Sunday and listen to the speakers. I wasn't hurting anyone, just looking for the spirit. Had trouble finding it. I'm not a bad person. My kids weren't even in school - they were little boys 1 and 3. I didn't raise havoc in my community, I was friendly with everyone, and that can't be reciprocated? It wasn't like I was sitting on my front lawn, smoking a cig and drinking a beer as the neighbors went to church. I was respectful of the religion and still treated like I was the devil. By the way, no smoking and no coffee brewing in my house.

[REBL]

By the way, when did the population of Utah explode to 14-15 million?

[coolcats]

Originally Posted by REBL

By the way, when did the population of Utah explode to 14-15 million?

I wondered the same thing. I think the reference was to total LDS church membership, which is about 12 million. Of those, I’d estimate about 1.5 million live in Utah.

[cas2006]

Believe the comment was "heartland" for the LDS....14-15 million worldwide? Only guessing. Anyway, I live in Utah and have for 25 years...don't smoke or drink coffee....and I'm about as far from LDS as one can get. Makes one wonder, doesn't it? Does that make me an outcast? Whatever, I am quite happy here. Must be the water.

[smithmi]

Your right, I stand corrected, it is 14-15 million in the world not just Utah. Sometimes it does feel like 14-15 mil in Utah, It has got so big since I moved here. By the way, I'm not trying to be critical of anyone, I like all people. Maybe if you feel like an outcast you may want to ask someone close why. I do have a question? I was asked to leave 3 different wards???? By who?
Tell me who and Ill go wack em....If you were asked to leave a ward you have bigger problems than "all I did was go to church each Sunday and listen to the speakers" Again, not trying to be the bad guy but we don't do that in our wards.I'm the guy in the ward that confronts idiots and if that truly happened I will get right in the middle of it. Tell me who. I am a convert to the church and one of the things that gets to me really, really, bad is to hear these stories. I would buy in to one ward, but 3 Hmmmmmm....???? Anyway, Beleive it or not your best friend is sitting in church on sunday. The only way you will learn that is to go sit next to them. And one more thing, you don't have to be a mormon to go. ANYONE can go sit in on the church services anytime they want. I would like to sit next to you, sounds to me like your someone I would get along with very well. You sound like a really good person. Good Luck

[NYtoVT]

I've been lurking and watching these LDS threads for quite a while now. I am not LDS but I do relish the opportunity to discuss religion with any LDS member that I run across. I would do this just to learn and understand. I was baptised Methodist, went to an Episcopalian (sp) high school and then to a Lutheran college. I guess that makes me a "religious mutt". I have more courses in comparative religion than I care to mention. After one takes out all of the human trappings of ANY religion, one is left with a code of conduct that is designed to make their adherents better people in their earthly life. For myself, I really don't care what book they read or who they pray to. One could pray to a parking meter. Does it really matter ? Just as long as they are good people. If any members of a religious belief choose not to associate with me because of my religion or habits, it is their perogative just as it is my perogative not to associate with those that I believe have differing moral values than myself. Isn't it really what tis whole thing boils down to.
My wife and myself are moving to Cedar City as soon as we can get our house in Vermont sold. We are looking forward to spirited DISCUSSIONS on all sorts of topics with the local LDS folks. I stress the word discussion because that is what they will be. I hope to learn from them and understand sans judgement.

[DP525]

Originally Posted by smithmi

I am one of "those people" who do not allow my kids to play with kids who have bad language, who smoke, drink coffee,....

By the way, I'm not trying to be critical of anyone, I like all people.

You wouldn't like me. I drink coffee...along with tens of millions of others on this planet.

[scirocco22]

Gee, Smithmi, I guess you and me can't play together either.

I drink coffee too ...I am one of the weak ones. I've tried to quit a few times but seem to always go back to having a cup in the morning.

The thing is, none of my Mormon friends shun me because of it. I have a very good friend who is LDS and he knows I drink coffee but doesn't hold it against me. He even has some very good friends who smoke cigarettes. I often hear him telling them they should quit but he still would do anything for them if they ever need help or were needing anything ...he's a genuine nice guy and seems to have a love of all people.

I'm not holding anything against you, Smithmi, but you may consider rethinking your view of people. Not ALL people who drink coffee are bad ...or necessarily morally corupt. I'm a nice guy who I think leads a good and moral life --but, I drink coffee. *ack*

--'rocco