Column: This Side of The Fence
I have been hearing it a lot lately: the Mormon problem. And it’s shocking. Do people really think Mormons are that big of a problem? Why?
Although I’m glad to see the days of tar and feathers as a way of dealing with the “Mormon problem” are behind us, I’m still concerned that there is a problem and still uncertain as to what the problem actually is.
The problem seems mostly to be in Utah, probably because there is a mass surplus of Latter-day Saints here. There are churches on every corner, most of them the Mormon kind. Then there’s Temple Square in Salt Lake City and BYU in Provo.
In truth, you probably can’t go anywhere in Utah where you won’t find Mormons. Perhaps that’s part of the problem. Mormons are every where – the good places and the bad. You can find them in movies, in restaurants, in bars and in jail.
Of course, all those people aren’t practicing. But what does it matter – they’re still Mormons, right? And Mormons are evil, vindictive, hypocritical people, right?
No, not really. They’re just people. Passionate people.
You know, it could be worse. It’s true. Mormons can be a little aggressive when it comes to missionary work. But hey, back in medieval times, the Catholics went on a crusade, murdering and pillaging in the name of religion. At least with the Mormons, if you don’t want to convert, they won’t kill you. They just pray for you.
But, in all honesty, are they really that different from the rest of the world? Sure, they don’t drink or smoke or do things like that. But there are other people who aren’t Mormon who don’t do those things either. Every school child is taught about the risks of drinking and smoking. Why is it surprising that some people chose not to participate?
Mormons believe in the importance of family relationships. They believe parents should love their children and husbands and wives should love each other. But that idea isn’t new either – that’s in the Bible. And even today no one condones child or spousal abuse.
We really aren’t that different then. You would have never guessed though, not with the great divide separating the Mormons from the non-Mormons. Sometimes it seems Mormons are on one side of the divide and the “heathens” on the other yelling at each other. “Convert. God loves you” and “Heck no! We won’t go.”
Maybe it’s time to build some bridges and start focusing on what we have in common rather than the differences. Sure there are evil Mormons, but there are good ones, too. And, sure, there are evil people out there, but there are many good people too. Which do you want? Because what you see really depends on what you’re looking for.
Mikaylie Kartchner is a junior majoring in print journalism. Comments can be sent to mikayliek@cc.usu.edu.