I got pissed off in GD class this week

[SoonerCoug]

I have always been fascinated by comparisons between Utah and non-Utah Mormons.

I know quite a few of Mormons in the southwest who go to bars and get drunk during the week, and then show up at church or the temple acting completely pious. And I've seen plenty of the same in Utah.

But in Utah, you're more likely to see kids from your neighborhood smoking behind the gas station, or to catch your active LDS neighbor buying beer at the grocery store. In states with fewer Mormons, you're less likely to bump into these folks at your neighborhood store, so little sins are more likely to go unnoticed. That's the difference between Utah and non-Utah Mormons, IMO.

[BarbaraGordon]

Originally Posted by MudphudCoug

I have...

Ha! I knew you'd get your Sooner name revoked eventually!! An affront to the crimson and cream you were. Pesky avatars and such. Serves you right.

[Spaz]

Originally Posted by myboynoah

Having grown up in Utah I fully understand its unique weirdness, so I don't get too offended by green jello jokes. It's this perception that people their are less righteous (I even heard this in France). That people feel comfortable saying something so offensive at church amazes me.

I laugh out loud at people that use their four years at BYU as a basis for talking about "what Utah is like."

Though I still reside in Utah, I got the hell away from Provo at my first opportunity. It's simply a different world, even in terms of the Utah LDS experience.

[myboynoah]

Originally Posted by UtahDan

I think I know the answer to this. People who have lived both in and out of Utah make unfair comparisons between the Mormons in each place because outside of Utah you get a skewed view of the local LDS community. In Utah, you see the whole range of LDS because they all live in your neighborhood. That includes the best to the worst.

Outside of Utah you encounter basically those LDS who are at church and engaged at a high level. The lower ends of the spectrum are invisible and you might not ever even meet them.

I think this leads to an apples and oranges comparison.

Second, there are things about LDS culture that are distasteful that are amplified in Utah because of the sheer numbers. I think this also contributes to a dim, but unfair, view of the Utah saints.

I think you, FM, and Marsupial are correct in this aspect. Greater concentration allows more opportunities for exposure to the foibles of your fellow ward members. As if that should even matter.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by MudphudCoug

I have always been fascinated by comparisons between Utah and non-Utah Mormons.

I know quite a few of Mormons in the southwest who go to bars and get drunk during the week, and then show up at church or the temple acting completely pious. And I've seen plenty of the same in Utah.

But in Utah, you're more likely to see kids from your neighborhood smoking behind the gas station, or to catch your active LDS neighbor buying beer at the grocery store. In states with fewer Mormons, you're less likely to bump into these folks at your neighborhood store, so little sins are more likely to go unnoticed. That's the difference between Utah and non-Utah Mormons, IMO.

"MudphudCoug"? LOL. How did you come up with that?

[Archaea]

Along these lines, my wife, despite her general reluctance to speak up during RS meeting gave me a good anecdote.

Some how her lesson had devolved to the point where the lovely sisters were patting themselves upon the proverbial backs for, "at least we don't have to have vote like the Catholics to select our next leader."

This offended my wife, who commented something to the effect, "Why can't we just be happy with our mode of succession without deriding others for their own. The Catholic Church is much larger and must take into consideration a broad range of opinions when the next Cardinal is elevated to Pope."

She said a quiet entered the room and she felt as though she might be disinvited from attending next week.

[SoonerCoug]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

"MudphudCoug"? LOL. How did you come up with that?

I'm sort of regretting the choice now.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by Spaz

Though I still reside in Utah, I got the hell away from Provo at my first opportunity. It's simply a different world, even in terms of the Utah LDS experience.

LOL.

On behalf of my fellow Provo-ites, don't let the door hit your butt on the way out.

[BarbaraGordon]

Originally Posted by MudphudCoug

I'm sort of regretting the choice now. I should have been LaterCoug.

I agree. LaterCoug.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by MudphudCoug

I'm sort of regretting the choice now. I should have been LaterCoug.

Yeah, keep trying.