In this topic, we will explore how Mormons typically relate to non-Mormons in order to understand the attitudes and experiences one can expect to face as a religious minority in Utah.
Not All Mormons Are the Same
In this series, we focus on traits that generally describe the Mormon people. But every Latter-day Saint is unique. Each one will have different personal beliefs, within the overall framework of Mormonism. Each will have a different level of identification with Mormonism or of loyalty to the LDS Church. Not all are equally assimilated into Mormon culture. People from different regions or generations may experience Mormonism differently. Converts to Mormonism often have a different outlook and experience compared to people born into it. So not all Mormons will relate to non-Mormons in exactly the same ways.
The LDS Church Wants to Convert You
The most significant way that Mormons relate to non-Mormons is that Mormonism is a missionary-minded faith. This is the major point of contention between Latter-day Saints and Christians. Mormons confidently and aggressively seek to win converts from Christian churches.
The LDS Church’s stated purpose is “to preach the gospel to the world.” To do this, they deploy over 50,000 missionaries in 350 regions worldwide. Serving a two-year proselytizing mission is an important rite of passage for LDS young adults. Missionaries seek to lead potential converts through a series of lessons designed to secure a commitment to Mormon baptism. The LDS Church baptizes over 300,000 new converts each year, making them members of the church. The missionaries rely heavily on members to refer their friends for these lessons. The lessons don’t tell the whole truth about Mormon doctrine. They minimize concepts that might be hard for investigators to accept in order to remove barriers that might prevent growth.
Mormons Are Very Sensitive About Their Public Image
Latter-day Saints are usually very conscious of what outsiders think of their church. They want to show Mormonism in only the best possible light. They want to be seen as mainstream and culturally acceptable. This carefully-crafted public image paves the way for more conversions.
Being Non-Mormon in Utah Can Be a Challenge
Beyond the attempts at conversion, other factors make it hard to be a non-Mormon within the heart of Mormon culture.
- Mormons can be insular. Mormonism creates a tightly-knit community. As a result, they can be insular and are not usually tuned in to how this comes across to neighbors or co-workers. Wrapped up in their LDS world, they can be unaware of the lives and experiences of outsiders living among them.
- Non-Mormons can experience isolation. You may be welcomed warmly to your new neighborhood by LDS neighbors until they discover you are not a prospect for conversion. Sometimes outsiders are resented. Often, they are patronized or simply ignored. For example, children can be ostracized by other neighborhood children. The public schools often run under the assumption that everyone is LDS. Of course, these attitudes vary greatly by community or neighborhood. And it can be heightened if Mormons find their Christian neighbors to be distant and unfriendly themselves.
- Others are identified in terms of Mormonism. In Utah, you are either a Mormon, a non-Mormon, an anti-Mormon, or an ex-Mormon. In other words, you will be forced into categories defined by Mormon identity and experience rather than your own.
Our Response
In response to our experience as outsiders, Christians have three options. We can attack Mormonism, as many have. But Mormonism is fueled by a persecution complex. When opposed, the Mormon people resist and grow stronger.
We can agree with Mormonism. But that’s not an option if we are committed to biblical truth.
We can do what Jesus would do. This is what we’re going to explore in our final topic – how would Jesus relate to Mormons? We have a clue in the Bible in John chapter 4.
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- What kind of differences have you observed between various Latter-day Saints you have met? What kind of similarities have you seen?
- Tell us about some ways that your LDS neighbors have reached out to befriend you.
- Have you experienced any efforts of Mormons to share their beliefs with you? What happened? How did you respond?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, how friendly (10) or unfriendly (1) do you think your neighbors would say you are, and why?
- How can our expectations and attitudes contribute to isolating us from our LDS neighbors?
- What are some positive ways that you can break through isolation in your neighborhood? What have you tried, and what was the result?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
This is part of the Living in Utah series.
