Today I was at a company and an African-american gentleman visited my table. We talked politics and of course religion. We talked about how regardless of religion how God loves us all the same. We talked about the Spirit we’ve felt in various churches and other situations irregardless to church affiliation. When he found out I was LDS he was a little suprised. He then told me he agreed with a lot of LDS teachings but because of past prejudice towards blacks and receiving the priesthood he couldn’t endorse the LDS church. I told him I could understand his situation and didn’t blame him for feeling that way. I went on further to say that I disagreed with the statements Brigham Young and many other apostles had said about blacks being an inferior race. We talked some more and then he said something that I’ve heard in the church, but didn’t realize non-LDS Christians said. He told me I wasn’t a “Utah Mormon.”
I thanked him and told him that when I lived in Utah (Provo) I didn’t really feel like I fit in. However, I later reflected on what is a “Utah Mormon” anyway? I mean, I was born in Utah…does that make me a Utah Mormon? I do my home teaching every month, I read scriptures, I pray, attend temple, church…all of it. So why would he say I’m not a “Utah Mormon”?
One of my other friends of another faith told me one time I was the coolest Mormon he’d ever met. Maybe you can help me out…what is your definition of a “Utah Mormon” and why would someone outside of the church think Utah Mormons were “uncool”?
Grace for Grace 
28 comments
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April 11, 2008 at 2:04 am
hawkgrrrl
Hard to say. Maybe it’s like the definition of pornography. I know a Utah Mormon when I see one, but it’s hard to define.
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April 11, 2008 at 2:13 am
Doc
It is a euphemism we use for “those ignorant people over there” to ascribe every unseemly thing we have ever seen a member of the church do.
Though to be fair, there is a distinct culture in the Mormon Corridor that is something different from the gospel or church itself and it does tend to be a little insular. I think that is the definition of a Utah Mormon. Like most stereotypes it has a kernel of truth, generally falls flat, and pretty much divides us from them as much as the close-minded person it is ascribed to.
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April 11, 2008 at 2:54 am
Craig W.
I agree with Hawkgrrrl, I know one when I see one. It is their behavior and/or attitude that sets them apart. Several years ago while visiting Salt Lake I took my family to Lagoon. The kids were all excited to go swimming. So we rushed into the changing area to put on our swimming suits. As we came around the corner, there he was, a Utah Mormon sitting on the bench, dressed only in his one piece garments for the whole world to see. He was, obviously, not in a hurry to get fully dressed. He was actually reading a book. Just the kind of thing a Utah Mormon would do.
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April 11, 2008 at 4:01 am
Mormon Heretic
Some of us Utah mormons don’t consider ourselves Utah Mormons either. Utah Mormons “think inside the box.”
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April 11, 2008 at 4:22 am
Beth
Utah Mormons and those in the mormon corridor, generally… are the ones that take things for granted, take things to the extremes, and are sometimes some of the most intolerant people I’ve ever met.
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April 11, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Jay
To me a Utah Mormon is one that has very little exposure to other religions, cultures or people. They think that the Prophet is unquestionable, that blacks were less valiant in the pre-existence, the Catholic Church is the church of the devil, polygamy started with Brigham Young, the Bishop is always right, the GA’s have rock star status, Joseph Smith actually translated reformed Egyptian and the POGP, and that green Jell-O rocks! They also have that little sparkle in their eye that shows their confidence in “knowing” just how right they are. Oh, and they say gosh, darn, hec and fetchin a whole lot.
In short, they just haven’t stretched much to get outside the Mormon culture. I don’t think you have to be from Utah to be a Utah Mormon necessarily, but if you live in Utah you are pretty much doomed to hold to the afore mentioned stereotype – unless you get lucky. Living outside of Utah at least gives you more opportunity to get the rough edges of Mormonism hewn off.
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April 11, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Anonymous, sort of...
#5–I’m intolerant of your intolerance to the intolerant Utah Mormons… Whether that makes me a Utah Mormon or a non-Utah Mormon, I’m not sure…
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April 11, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Bethie
I live in Utah (for 16 years now), and though I’m not “officially LDS” (yet), I feel that Utah Mormons are the nicest, kindest,
most loving people I’ve ever met. Like anything, it’s all a matter of personal perception.
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April 11, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Yet Another John
Utah Mormons are those living now that are heirs to the blessings provided by the sacrifice and dedication of their ancestors. Unfortunately, many times they are unaware of this and may not act accordingly. I’ve often thought it ought to be a requirement for every native-born Utah Mormon to live out of state for a few years. And I don’t count being on a mission. Maybe then, we would appreciate more what we have here.
That said, I think that your average Utah Mormon can draw on hidden reserves in times of need, precisely because of their heritage and culture.
And to those of you who feel blessed not to be a “Utah Mormon”, it seems you are looking through as dark as glasses as you accuse of Utah Mormons doing. It seems as if the Zoramites are not the only ones with a Rameumpton.
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April 11, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Latter-Day Sustainablist
Maybe my definition is too small, or maybe I’ve haven’t met enough people, but during my brief three years in the Mormon Corridor, I have found it difficult to apply the label “Utah Mormon” to many individuals.
It has been funny to watch “Idaho Mormons” talk about “Utah Mormons” as though there is a big difference.
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April 11, 2008 at 7:02 pm
ht
It is my opinion that “utah Mormons” are very innocent in their knowledge of anything outside of the gospel. I think “um’s” can be any devout mormon anywhere if they are so oblivious to anything outside of the restored gospel. and follow the letter of the law instead of the spirit of the law. I have inlaws that are “um’s” and have never lived in Utah.
I believe it can be taken as a compliment and an insult. Depending on the circumstance.
There are people in every religion or creed that can be in the same classification. Living inside the box is a great way to look at it….someone that realizes there is more outside the box, but they like their box and are safe in it. Therefore they are shocked when someone leaves the comfort of the box and can’t relate to their decision.
“um’s” are definitely in the world, but not of the world. They live completely absorbed in their “cult”ure.
I could never be an “um” because I have such a broad heritage in many faiths and beliefs.
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April 11, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Austin
I’ve lived in Idaho, and am currently in Utah, so I’ve had exposure to both worlds. I have been pleasantly surprised by how many people I’ve met here do not meet the definition of a Utah Mormon.
My personal definition is those people who are Mormons by culture, not conversion. They just don’t seem to get the real message of the gospel (not the church), which leads to a whole host of problems that simply should not exist in Utah (or other predominantly Mormon areas).
I agree with Yet Another John–everyone should be forced to live outside the state for a while. There’s no problem with liking vanilla if you’ve tried all the other flavors.
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April 11, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Jay
#8 I feel that Utah Mormons are the nicest, kindest,
most loving people I’ve ever met.
I think Utah Mormons are nice too. However there is a different culture there. Some of it is caused by LDS theology but a lot of it is caused by isolation. I think you’ll get different opinions as to whether that is a good or bad thing.
#9 It seems as if the Zoramites are not the only ones with a Rameumpton.
As someone who knows Utah Mormons, I’d say they do more than their fair share of Zoramite impressions.
#10 It has been funny to watch “Idaho Mormons” talk about “Utah Mormons” as though there is a big difference.
That would be funny.
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April 11, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Yet Another John
Re: #6
I’m doomed, I tell ya! Doomed!
Thanks, Jay, I didn’t know. Sometimes it takes someone on the outside looking in to tell me if my “g’s” are on inside out. Thank heavens there are non-Utah Mormons to put some balance in life. Whatever would we do without you?
To be honest, your definition of a Utah Mormon appears to be as narrow and close-minded as you accuse Utah Mormons of being. A little condescending, too.
See, I know a big word. I might not know how to use it, but I know it!
Thanks for holding the fort out there for all us Utah Mormons.
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April 12, 2008 at 4:50 am
hawkgrrrl
Maybe a Utah Mormon (by birth or by choice) is someone who would feel perfectly content to live out all of his/her days in Utah County. That’s not an inherently negative thing (Utah county is beautiful, and the people are very nice), but the Mormons from Utah I know that I would not say are Utah Mormons yearn to experience more diversity (racial, religious, diversity of thought, etc.) than can be found in some areas of Utah and Idaho.
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April 12, 2008 at 4:56 am
tk
Who is more closed minded, the “Utah” Mormon or the person labeling a Mormon as “Utahan”?
I grew up in Chicago and loved to visit my Mormon family in Idaho. I lived in NYC, Atlanta, Denver… and loved going to BYU. My married life has taken us from Boston, New Hampshire, Chicago, SLC, Sanpete County, Utah County, Davis County…
I just love good people where ever we’ve lived! And there are a lot of them. To this day we have dear friends from every part of the country…even Utah.
Now the real question, what do you think about those AZ Mormons?…
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April 12, 2008 at 8:51 am
Angela
I like Hawkgrrrl’s definition in post 14. I was born in Idaho, but I would put Idaho and Utah in the same category as “Utah Mormons”. I moved away from Idaho fairly early on in life… around 10 yrs. old and I did live in Utah for a year after I got home from my mission. I think there are many “Utah Mormons” that are close minded. Many see Utah as “zion”. I even had a missionary companion tell me that Utah was zion. I agree with Hawkgrrrl… there needs to be more open mindedness and a desire to befriend and understand people who are of a different race, culture, and religion. Intolerance is uncool. The nicest people I met in Utah were people who weren’t born and bred there.
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April 12, 2008 at 12:52 pm
NM
This is a great blog! I’ll be a hoverin’…. =)
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April 12, 2008 at 2:17 pm
wonderdog
“Utah Mormon” is a pejorative term used when one wants to be judgmental. Just a little bit of the Great and Spacious attitude of pointing the finger and mocking.
In my ward somone was going on about “Utah Mormons”. I said I had met several really nice Mormons from Utah. Tom Monson popped into my room in the MTC once to see how living conditions were. We had a nice chat. He’s from Utah and he’s a Mormon.
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April 13, 2008 at 3:18 am
hawkgrrrl
There are provincials in any group. Boston Catholics, Florida retirees, Southern Baptists, California Hippies. See the similarity? Why is “Utah Mormon” any worse than any of those?
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April 13, 2008 at 3:52 am
ht
Southern baptists are an actual group not just a nickname! They are part of the SBC southern baptist convention. So that one is not true, but the rest are pretty dead on….just like I said in my first comment.
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April 14, 2008 at 4:19 am
Brad
LOL… This is a hot topic you have here brother!
I think hawkgirl nailed it when she said its hard to define but you know it when you see it…
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April 14, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Jay
To be honest, your definition of a Utah Mormon appears to be as narrow and close-minded as you accuse Utah Mormons of being. A little condescending, too.
Definitions are supposed to be narrow, otherwise people wouldn’t know what you mean. Anyone that has visited Utah will have seen what I’m talking about in post #6. I don’t think I am way out in left field.
As for condescending, yes I guess there was a little of that in the post (as there was in your response and I understand why). However, any definition of a “Utah Mormon” is bound to be funny sarcastic and stereotypical. Even Utahans make fun of it (that’s how prevalent the stereotype is). Mostly, I wish there was more diversity of thought among the LDS members in “Zion”.
As someone else pointed out these stereotypes are not unique to Mormonism. You can find them in any religion, but were just talking about the LDS faith.
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April 28, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Utah Mormon Top Ten List « Grace for Grace
[…] 28, 2008 by ama49 Recently I wrote a post asking the question about what being a “Utah Mormon” means. I was surprised by the amount of visitors and controversy it stirred up. As […]
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September 4, 2009 at 10:47 pm
J Allen
What is a Utah Mormon?
Well their most dominate trait is intolerance which in my experience comes from their sense of self-righteousness. They’re kind of like Americas version of the Taliban. They’ve attacked the gay and lesbian community, people of color, the Baptists, the Catholics as well as the evangelist, Billy Graham, to name a few. I’ve heard my LDS coworkers refer to the Catholic Church as the church of the devil when they know a fellow catholic coworker is in the room. If however, one were to say I don’t like the Mormons because they are intolerant then the good Mormons immediately become defensive and brand the perpetrator as bigoted. Kind of ironic huh.
Then there’s the tribalism displayed by a Utah Mormon (many Utah Mormons refer to themselves as saints and everyone else as gentiles). Nowhere is this tribalism more evident than in politics. Most Utah Mormons would rather vote for a LDS republican, who is a nasty human being with no moral fiber then a truly decent human being that is not republican or even worse is nonLDS. Don’t believe me here’s former LDS republican, Utah County commissioner David Gardner’s partial resume while he held office. Keep in mind Utah County is called happy valley and the epicenter of Utah Mormonism:
March 1999 — Gardner is arrested and cited for investigation of drunken driving. He says he picked up a hitchhiker who unbeknownst to him slipped him a drink of vodka. (Mormons strongly oppose the consumption of alcohol)
• April 1999 — Gardner is charged with driving under the influence, a class B misdemeanor.
• November 1999 — The two-term GOP commissioner pleads no contest to DUI charge. As part of a plea-in-abeyance, he is told the charge will be erased if he keeps a clean record for nine months. (Many believe this was rigged)
• August 2000 — Gardner is charged with disorderly conduct, a class C misdemeanor, for roughing up a 9-year-old boy.
• October 2000 — Gardner is arrested again for investigation of drunken driving.
• November 2000 — Gardner pleads not guilty to charges of driving under the influence, theft and driving with an open container of alcohol.
And just recently arrested for sexual battery. Now for the kicker, he was reelected by the LDS faithful while all of this was going on. It seems the Utah Mormon is also a little hypocritical. Need more? Google Chris Buttars a real gem of a human being that gets reelected every year because he represents Utah Mormon Values.
I’ll close by mentioning the stupidity to the Utah Mormons, one of their most laughable traits. Despite the fact that their numbers are miniscule compared to the likes of the gays, the Baptists, and the countless other groups they have picked fights with they still single out group after group to focus their intolerance toward. Then when 37% of America indicates that they won’t vote for a Mormon president they are stunned by this revelation and take the victim stance that it’s nothing they’ve done and attribute it towards bigotry.
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September 7, 2009 at 3:31 am
Karla
WOW!! I don’t know who you have met, but I have lived in 3 different states and attended the LDS Church actively in each one.Utah included. And I will tell you I met jerks in every one and I also met awesome righteouss people in each one. You cannot clasify an entire religion based on some self rightoeuss people whom obviously are not living the gospel. I currently live in small town Utah and we have the least judgmental most loving caring people you would ever want to meet. They are that way to everyone! As it well should be as we are instructed to in the gospel. I was just reading a talking in LDS literature by one of our Apostles which talks about how we need to be loving and helpful and non judgemental to ALL people, memeber and non-memeber alike and help guide them where we can. I know ytou speak for a smaall portion of people in UTah that would elect someone just because he or she is a Mormon. yes I would like to see someone LDS in office only if they uphold the values that I do. as far as why we vote Republican (many don’t I have friends that voted for Obama, a dempcrat) it’s typically because the big issues with us such as abortion are things that other parties support. I really hope that one day you will come tro know the Church and the Lord as I do and actually you may not even relize this but you are being just as judgmental as the people you speak of.
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October 18, 2010 at 5:05 am
JHC
Hello. I came across this site while doing research on lazy speech, a catetory where Utah mormons score particlulary high.
I would like to tell you that with the exception of the post by J Allen, all the other responses indicate a high level of ignorance and arrogance.
If you read through your posts and comments, you should realize why the greater majority of the worlds “gentiles” see mormonism as a cult.
I am a tired mormon who is constantly embarassed by other mormons. Pretentious statements that include “Rameumpton” and “irregardless”. Rameumpton? Buddy, you are “fricken” clever.
They are all “utah mormons” in my opinion.
BTW, Karla, It is my intention to be judgemental.
Your Brother in the Gosple. (GAG)
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May 15, 2011 at 9:22 pm
jj
I almost had something to contribute, but then JHC hit the nail on the head.
I live outside the US in a high population of mormons.
The Canadian mormons are just the same ignorant and arrogant lazy slow talkers as their Utah “brothers and sisters”.
Mormons refuse to think for themselves. I heard a mormon talking about the high prophet. He (the profit) said that once he speaks, the thinking has been done. (something to that effect anyway).
I work with a mormon who is higher up in his area. He is a bishop or president of something. Anyway I saw him in the casino on the weekend. I watched at the bartender made a rye and coke and delivered it directly to him.
I have found most mormons to be hypocrites. I don’t really care if you go to a casino and drink your face off, but do not then tell me what I am doing is wrong.
Also call of your dogs in white shirts who keep trespassing on my property to tell me that what they believe is the truth.
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