How LDS and non-LDS members in Utah are bridging the ‘unspoken divide’

Happy Friday and welcome to Inside Voices, a weekly newsletter featuring a collection of ideas, perspectives and solutions from across Utah—without the vitriol or shouting that has become all too common on other platforms. Subscribe here.

This week, our religion team published a series of stories addressing the “unspoken divide” that so often separates Latter-day Saints in Utah from their neighbors who belong to a different religion—or no religion at all. Reporter Tamarra Kemsley has spoken to many Utahns about their experiences, and I strongly encourage you to read the entire series if you have the opportunity. You can Start here.

As The Tribune investigates this further, we want to hear your experiences and what solutions you have to bridge this gap. We asked and you answered:

• “I’m from a ‘Mormon’ background, I didn’t grow up in the LDS church,” says Jenny from Maryland. “My parents set a bad example of how we treated and talked about LDS people. As I’ve opened up to LDS people over time, I’ve been able to see that there’s just a lot of prejudice against LDS people and the religion across the country. It goes back to the founding of the religion. LDS people were literally chased out of other states when the church was founded. Even now, when I tell my friends that I’m from an LDS background, my normally very open-minded friends say it’s ‘weird.’ (I guess they’re thinking of FLDS groups talked about in documentaries and TV shows.) I’ve learned that LDS people are often sad, hurt, and suspicious of non-LDS people because of the mean things they get said to them. I just think of the things my late mother and I said to my devoted LDS sister-in-law about the LDS Church. What I’m saying is, let’s all just be kind and open to each other, open and curious. Let’s break down all the walls we’ve built… have open hearts and open minds!”

• “I’ve noticed that at my children’s school or sporting events, parents immediately want to know your name and where you live,” Josie writes in Draper. “The general tone is, ‘What church/congregation do you go to?’ I’ve seen this dynamic between families in Draper time and time again – instead of answering where they live, they often respond by asking what church and congregation they belong to. So when I answer where I actually live and give them an unfamiliar last name, I immediately feel like I’m not in the club. I think it would be helpful if you just talk to someone new you meet, rather than trying to fit them into the context of the LDS ward.”

• “Be genuinely kind, caring and compassionate,” says Anne of Beaver. “Invite once and then be genuine in your kindness and caring compassion, no matter what the response to the Church’s invitations may be. When I (as a non-Latter-day Saint) moved to Utah, a man came by weekly with produce from his garden, and I thought it was heavenly. But after about a month, he said if I wanted more, I would have to watch some LDS videos. That’s just wrong. Don’t do those things. That’s a bad testimony. Just be kind. He was the exception, not the rule. All the other Latter-day Saints here were extremely gracious and genuinely kind – very loving, even. We all represent our faith, may it be a beautiful representation.”

• “Neighborhood activities should not be initiated exclusively by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” writes Kathy of South Ogden. “They feel like church activities. Nonmembers usually don’t feel that their participation is really wanted. It feels more like a community activity. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints need to reach out to nonmembers and involve them in the planning. I experienced this when I was on the Parent Council and several board members brought up what was going on in the church at meetings. For those of us who were not members, this was very off-putting. I grew up in California and a person’s religion was never an issue. What you did, what kind of person you were, what volunteer work, sports, etc. you played were the impetus for friendships – never religion.”

• “Some (thankfully not many) neighborhood children were not allowed to play with my brothers and me. Most outrageous of all, on Sundays – we’re talking about the early 1960s – people thought nothing of parking in our driveway. They probably thought everyone on the street was just going to the church on our corner to attend services,” writes Thomas from Salt Lake City. “I suspect that the gap will continue to narrow as the percentage of Utahns who identify as Mormon continues to decline.”

The Tribune will continue to investigate this unspoken divide. Share your stories and solutions.

Utah Voices

The following excerpts are from opinion pieces recently published in The Tribune.

• “Ten years ago, we were convinced that Salt Lake City would be our permanent home,” writes Andrew Bjelland. “Over the past two years, however, the health threats posed by increasing pollution – particularly the neurotoxins and other pollutants released by the depletion of the Great Salt Lake – have caused us to reconsider our decision to stay.” Read more.

• “Utah residents will soon learn if their legislature will go one better and pass another dangerous and unpopular abortion ban. If they do, the Planned Parenthood Association of Utah will challenge it in court again,” writes Jason Stevenson, senior director of public policy at the Planned Parenthood Action Council of Utah. “But Utah lawmakers could also change their approach. For example, they could expand prenatal health care for thousands of pregnant low-income Utahns. When this bill came up during the 2024 session, it was opposed by anti-abortion groups, even though state data showed that 49% of abortions in Utah in 2021 were due to financial stress. By giving pregnant Utahns greater access to health care, lawmakers could prevent more abortions than any new ban.” Read more.

• “I am so excited to see Salt Lake City welcome new sports teams and prepare to host the Olympics,” writes Autumn Barney, a University of Utah student and Alliance for a Better Utah intern. “But as we celebrate these milestones, we must also ensure our city remains diverse, accessible and safe for all. Imagine a Salt Lake for everyone – a city where our west side has safe transportation corridors connecting every corner of our city.” Read more.

• “With the downward trend expected to continue, the Biden administration’s decision to end coal leasing in the Powder River Basin – the nation’s largest coal-producing region – reflects clear market trends,” writes consultant and journalist Peter Gartrell. “And far from killing coal, the administration’s plan allows mining to continue while the market changes.” Read more.

• “While not all of the facts surrounding (Utah State University’s) recent athletic personnel changes are public, we must reserve judgment and move quickly to support them in the job we hired them to do,” writes Jim Laub, a Cache Valley native and lifelong supporter of Aggie Athletics. “I have full confidence in President Cantwell and Athletic Director Sabau’s ability to resolve these issues and strengthen the university.” Read more.

Share your perspective

Have you left Utah or are you considering leaving Utah? Why or why not? What would make you stay? Share your perspective.

From Bagley’s desk

I’m always looking for unique perspectives, ideas and solutions that will move our state forward. Learn about our guidelines for an opinion piece, guest post, letter to the editor and more. Hereand write me a message to [email protected].