I should start by saying that my immediate Mormon neighbors here in Cedar City are simply wonderful, and having a good neighbor is an enormous blessing. Our next door neighbors share the cherries from their tree and will occasionally drop by with a bag of fresh produce from a friend’s crop. Another neighbor showed up with a truckful of wood and two friends last winter, setting us up with heat for at least a month. The lady across the street came over with cookies on Christmas. They don’t seem to care if I’m not Mormon. They extend their love to me anyway. When I think about Christian behavior, that’s what I think of: my Mormon neighbors.
I should also point out that I am not from Utah. I moved here from Nashville by way of Gainesville, Florida. Nashville is the buckle of the Bible Belt—it’s the Baptist Vatican—and I’ve lived in a small Kentucky town before, so I’m no stranger to nepotism, religious fanaticism, or political corruption. In preparation of my move, I read seven books on Mormonism, everything from academic apologetics and propaganda to ex-Mormon memoirs.
David Bowie died recently, and he was one of the most eloquent critics of the U.S., with songs like “This is not America” and “I’m Afraid of Americans.” As an outsider looking in, what he saw horrified him.
But I’m not here to talk about that. I only mention it to illustrate how I have tried hard, and failed hard, to understand how Mormons think—and not just Mormons in general but specifically Utah Mormons, whom I’ve come to learn are a very different breed from their better-tempered brethren throughout the rest of the world. And I’m not an irreligious person; I almost abandoned my music studies in college to attend seminary.
Despite my efforts to comprehend Mormonism, I have come to understand very little about it and its adherents. And as an outsider looking out, what I see shocks me daily. Nothing could have prepared me for the behavior I’ve witnessed over the course of the past two years. Seeing the power they have out here in the middle of nowhere and the way they choose to wield it makes me afraid of Mormons.
Half a year ago, I was working on an article by Gretchen Lambert, who wrote for us as “Dr. G.” Dr. G is my mom’s name, which makes a column entitled “Dr. G Hits the Spot” even weirder than it already is, but anyway.
Lambert’s article was in a “Dear Abbey” format wherein she responded to letters. One week, she responded to a letter from a woman who talked about going on a date with a Mormon man who tried to have sex with her at the end of the date. During the course of events, she saw that he was wearing magic undies, Jesus Jammies, Fruit of the Lambs (I made that one up, but you can use it)—this sexual predator had on LDS temple undergarments.
My job at the time entailed taking a text and preparing it for publication, which involved finding a suitable image. So what did I do? I found an image on Wikipedia of a couple wearing temple undergarments. No big deal, right?
Silly me.
When we published Dr. G’s article, an event unfolded that we now fondly refer to as “Undiegate.” The public backlash was of such proportions that you would think we had published pornography. I think that pornography would’ve gone over a lot better, actually.
The argument was that temple garments are considered holy. The LDS community illogically argued that because they are holy, showing a picture of someone wearing them is a problem.
Of course, the LDS church publicly published pictures of said undies itself. That wasn’t a problem, however, because no one was wearing them. I guess. Honestly, I still don’t understand the double standard.
Other religions like Judaism and Islam involve sacred garments as well. However, they don’t have a problem with them being photographed, even if (gasp!) someone is wearing them.
Yet the LDS community began to attack us personally and professionally, and threatening remarks of every kind were made. Some people said that they were going to boycott our publication, and others went so far as to try to destroy our advertising base.
That bit was a direct assault on the First Amendment. Funny behavior from a bunch of Tea Partying, Constitution-humping right-wingers, huh?
It also threatened our livelihoods, our ability to provide for our children. Families are forever, though, so that’s cool. We can feed our kids when we’re dead.
Overall, it was an illustration of an uncomfortable and ubiquitous message that the famously inhospitable population here send in myriad ways: if you’re not one of us, you’re not welcome here.
After the roar had died down, I wondered how the murderous settlers who killed men, women, and children during the Meadow Mountain Massacre felt after the blood frenzy had ebbed away. Did they feel remorse? Did they realize the damage they had done? Did they see how Satanic their actions were? Or were they smug and content, pleased with the power they have out here on the land they stole from the First Nations people who lived here for generations?
I was warned by the Abbott of the Gateless Gate Zen Center in Gainesville not to come here; he said that he would worry for my personal safety. A friend of mine there who had lived in Salt Lake City agreed. Clearly, I didn’t listen to my 70-year-old teacher or my fellow practitioner.
Rather, I naively came to this community open-handed, excited to share my abilities and talents and be a part of it.
I have been lied to, ignored, and I suspect even blacklisted. I’ve endured the most unprofessional treatment as a musician that I’ve ever experienced in my life — twice. For the first time in my life, something that I never could have imagined happened: I was on welfare. While my buddies, my peers, were touring with celebrities and playing in the most elite military bands in the world, I was selling my instruments — my tools — for nickels to pay rent.
Of course, I now make a living as the opinion editor and assistant editor of this fine publication, and I couldn’t be happier. The Independent stands as a voice for Utah, and while it’s often touted as liberal, we strive to include all voices and encourage dissent, even against our own views. As the Buddha taught, attachment to views is a primary cause of suffering. In the footsteps of Dostoevsky and Upton Sinclair, I’m proud to be able to participate in facilitating discussion and spreading ideas for the greater good.
But I constantly find my livelihood rubbing up against the interests of the Mormons, and it’s uncomfortable.
To be clear, this piece isn’t a condemnation of the LDS church itself or any individual people. Seeing how badly it mistreats its own, I can only imagine what would happen were an outsider like me to actually kick that hornet’s nest.
No, I’m only making an observation about the behavior I’ve witnessed. I see no “Zion” being built here, only a class-stratified mini-empire where dissent and open inquiry are renegade activities. Where ideas are walls. Where free speech is frowned upon. Where the land and its irreplaceable wonders are destroyed in favor of expansion. Where true American values threaten the status quo. Where the law gets made up as they go or is simply swept under the rug. Where fantasy is fact. Where individualism is a four-letter word. Where white makes right. Where kids are commodities. Where the love of money masquerades as the love of Christ.
This is not America, and I’m afraid of Mormons.
And I know I’m not the only one.
I would like to leave a thought here. At first when I read the title my first inclination was to be offended. Then I decided why not read the article and see why he made the opening statement the way he did. I am Mormon and 100% agree with this article. I am afraid as well. I am afraid for all those that will never know the true meaning of the church because of the actions here. I hope that your article opens up minds and not what I fear will happen is backlash.
I agree with your assessments. Individual Mormons I am acquainted with are, in general, fine and wonderful people. The problem is the power the Mormon church exerts over almost every aspect of life here in Utah. There isn’t a law passed without a stamp of approval from Temple Square. Those approvals, sadly, are not based on any law or logic but rather on the moral judgement of a few old men. I find no surprise LDS membership is dwindling.
Sounds like “Sour grapes” to me! You knew or should have known that the picture YOU picked out for the Dr. G article. The article she wrote was about relationships, not LDS garments. The picture was inappropriate for the content and was used more for shock value rather than to give extra value to the article. Even the writer of the article, Dr. G, was upset at the choice of picture and ended up quitting the Independent because of it. You may not have liked the backlash you received for choosing that picture, but at least take responsibility for your choice to run it. You should know by now that people of the LDS religion take their faith very seriously, and don’t appreciate it when things they take seriously in their religion such as the garment are made as a mockery. I believe that holds true for ANY religion
You claim that you have wonderful neighbors who are LDS and that treat you with respect and love. They don’t seem to care that you are NOT LDS, why does it bother YOU that THEY are? Are you treating them the same way they treat you? Do they mock you and your beliefs? It doesn’t sound like it.
Of course you have freedom of speech and to disagree with the teachings/beliefs of any religion. Does that same freedom give you with right to mock others? Sadly yes. However, when you choose to mock the predominate religion of the community you live in, stop acting so surprised when they don’t like it. Put on your big boy pants and stop whining about not being able to make a living as a musician etc. Are you REALLY blaming an entire religion because of your failures?
One thing I have learned is that people who have truly accepted Christ into their hearts do not say the kinds of things you just said to me. I am sorry to have seen you publicly dirty yourself and your church with such vicious speech. I had no idea you had this much anger and hatred in your heart, Crystal. No religion can fix that.
Keep speaking of your observations, they are not your imaginations. While looking for a house in south Utah (on line), I found every good deal I found during the turndown of 2009 somehow was sold, had “problems” or was taken off the market until I got a non lds sales person. Within a month I had the choice of two good deals and bought a home. Trying to prove anything here is like nailing a raw egg to a fence post. Thanks for the article.
“specifically Utah Mormons, whom I’ve come to learn are a very different breed from their better-tempered brethren throughout the rest of the world. ”
This one sentence says it all. There is something about the general Utah Mormon culture that is different from the rest of the Mormons in the world. But not all Utah Mormons represent the attitude. I live in California and much of what you describe is simply not the case here. Perhaps your last sentence should say: “This is not America, and I’m afraid of Utah Mormons.
You are not the only one — great article!! Another dynamic of conducting business with the Mormons here is that they take advantage and will actively rip you off confident they will be favored in any dispute.
I agree with every observation you made, and I’ve grown up here as a non member my whole life…. its kinda crummy that the states religious citizenry can have such a ill effect on the rest. I have great LDS neighbors and have great non religious neighbors and treat them all exactly the same, but thats small town southern utah and not the point. My point is the nonmembers who live here judge members just as much, my mom for example stoped talking to her next door neighbor when he was made bishop of thw neighborhood ward, where previously she’d at least civilly say hi and smile.
It wouldn’t be such an issue if all laws didn’t revolve around the religion and govern how non members should act even though we do not hold similar beliefs… I can deal with rude Utah Mormons, have had to do so many times in my life. But I have to say I know many wonderful Utah Mormons too.
You just have to learn how to jump the hoops, ignore some rude ignorant people, and learn Utah way of life. Great article!!
When I lived outside if UT, I cannot recall anyone asking me my religion. Living in UT however makes that a near-daily occurrence. It is disgusting and leaves we in constant worry for retaliation and ousting.
Don’t worry, we Mormons have much more to fear of you than you have of us.
Allen, what fear do you harbor?
Thanks for this… I thought I was going crazy. “You’re not the only one”
Crystal brings up great points that I would like you to have addressed, instead of just attacking her for attacking you. Some things you say in your article seem to be a bit disenginuity. I could be wrong, I am a lot, so please help me understand.
Surely you can see the difference between respectfully showing a picture of garments for informational purposes versus showing them as a bit of a gag? Garments seem rather tangential to the article, so did you include the picture as a joke? Did you know beforehamd that Mormons consider garments as sacred? Did you know that most people don’t like to have their religion mocked, especially parts they consider to be quite sacred? Or, was it a wholly innocent ignorance on your part?
Certainly you have the freedom of speech, but you do know that the First Ammendment does NOT protect you from boycotts, right? There is nothing unconstitutional about people deciding that since they don’t like your speech, they will change their commerce behavior and encourage others to do the same thing (including other businesses), right? Unless you are claiming people tried to get the government to shut you down, where do you see an affront to the constitution here?
Do you really think all your friends got to play music with celebrities while you were shunned for being a non-Mormon? How does that work? The celebrities hire Mormon agencies to represent their music talents, so you are left out? You lived in Nashville, right? Any music connections there? Or is the only “in” to the celebrity music world through Mormonism? I simply don’t follow.
I have no doubt some or even several people were un-Christlike towards you. But please do not try to peg it on the Church itself. It teaches us what Christ taught, and we as imperfect people just don’t live up to it. No excuse for those people, but each individual is responsible for what they do wrong. They know better because the church has taught them better. There is no special claim to sin by being in the church or living in Utah. It is perhaps amplified because we expect more from a people who are so vocal about their religion.
Hi Greg,
I’d be happy to answer your questions, and I appreciate your civility.
I did not include the picture as a joke at all. It was definitely not intended as a “gag.” The garments arrive at a pivotal moment in Gretchen’s narrative. They seemed like the perfect choice to me. Honestly, they still do. I would encourage you to read Lambert’s piece and imagine what sorts of images you might use in my position. I don’t necessarily think that you will arrive at the same conclusion as I did, but hopefully you can see that my intentions were to provide an engaging image that fit the piece. Having no agenda against the LDS church and as other religions have no problem with images of their sacred undergarments being distributed, I had no reason to suspect that my choice would provoke any kind of controversy. And it was certainly not intended as any kind of “mockery.”
As I stated, I read seven books on Mormonism prior to moving here, and I did not anticipate the image being a problem. Clearly, I did not understand the LDS mindset in southern Utah, and that was one of my points in this piece.
You might read my response to Undiegate: http://suindependent.com/dr-gs-point-about-unethical-conduct-was-illustrated-best-by-her-attackers/
While we’re on this subject, as for talking about “Jesus Jammies,” that’s not intended as mockery either. George Scott also wrote a piece in the wake of Undiegate. He used what I thought were derogatory terms in reference to the undergarments freely, and there was no backlash whatsoever. None, nothing, nada. That makes it appear that these are affectionate terms rather than ridicule. Along those lines, I kind of like “Fruit of the Lambs,” don’t you? If Mormons refer to their undergarment as “magic underwear,” I am puzzled why they would be up in arms by a simple picture of them. I don’t see how they claim to take their faith so seriously that it warrants the kind of attacks that were made on one hand and refer to them as “Jesus Jammies” on the other hand.
I don’t understand why it was okay for the church to distribute images of the garments but no one else. And I don’t see the difference between a picture of the garments on a table and a picture of the garments being modeled. I still do not understand why Wikipedia isn’t being blasted with hate mail for having the image up. (Then again, maybe it is). From my position, all I did was take an image that was already publicly available and use it in what seemed to me like a fitting manner.
I began to suspect that Mormons are actually embarrassed about the sacred garments. They are clearly very, very sensitive about them, and they have overreacted to the image in irrational and inconsistent ways with arguments that don’t make any sense to me. I get that they were upset, but it’s still unclear to me exactly why. Their stated reasons don’t add up.
I didn’t imply that the Constitution protects against boycotts. However, in an environment wherein there is no real boundary between church and state — where the church very transparently runs things behind the scenes — you can see how a religious group attempting to silence people, take down images online, and shut down a publication because the group does not like its views are attacks on free speech. If I, or anyone else, am not free to criticize the church, the First Amendment has been compromised. And that goes both ways. If that kind of behavior, attempted censorship, is allowed to continue … that’s a very slippery slope. DSU has had it’s bottom spanked for infringing on the First Amendment rights of its students at least once.
My friends are enjoying their prestigious music careers because they are in a position to do so. I no longer am, and I have moved on for the moment. I am content with my memories of playing with celebrities, and besides, I did not start taking lessons when I was five years old for fame. This is quite a long story as no one knows much about me or why I am here. Let’s say that I would never choose to live here were I in full control of my circumstances. I made an enormous sacrifice by throwing away my career, my life and my livelihood as well as my friends and family, moving here to demonstrate my goodwill to another person by the magnitude of my sacrifice. We’ll leave it at that so as not to get off topic. I was a freelance musician in Florida before moving here. That was how I made my living. Making a living as a non-LDS musician here is far more difficult even than in Nashville, where due to supply and demand it was very difficult but not impossible.
In addition, the nepotism in southern Utah is thick enough to cut with a knife. I have seen time and time again that I am not alone in my experiences in that regard. The comments here and in Facebook illustrate that startlingly well. Since moving here, I have been paid well to play in Nevada, California, Colorado, and northern Utah on occasion with non-LDS musicians who have discovered me, and I still play sometimes with the very few musicians who pay well in southern Utah. You might like to read my piece about how unions can’t save the music scene here (http://suindependent.com/southern-utah-music-scene/), and I’m not interested in wasting anymore time or energy on it. I’ll probably wait until I am able to move to a place with an actual music scene, and as I mentioned I’m happy to spend my time and energy at the Indy until that moment comes. If you hadn’t noticed, I released two albums with a Floridian colleague last year; that was my creative outlet.
I don’t think I pegged any unchristian behavior directly on the church. That wouldn’t really make sense; the church can’t be held accountable for every individual’s behavior. I did associate the behavior with the LDS community — and again, if you’ll browse the comments here and on Facebook, I find them overwhelming. The LDS community does indeed behave the way I have illustrated. It would appear that pointing that out is the “problem” that is focused on rather than addressing and correcting the behavior itself.
I am aware that Crystal Schwalger is Mormon, having edited her pieces in her “The Crystal View” column in the past. I am not Mormon, yet I would never write something as nasty as she did to her, publicly or not. She represents her church, and how do you think non-Mormons react when they read that? Why would anyone want to join a church wherein the members treat people that way? Christ would not have said that, and Christ would not have stood idly by if he had heard someone say that. Crystal did far more dishonor and damageto the LDS church with her comment than anything I have written or done. I don’t know what kind of difficulties she has in her life, and for all I know she is going through something painful, I was just at the wrong place at the wrong time, and her anger was subsequently misdirected at me. I doubt she will apologize. It doesn’t matter, and I forgive her either way, but it was shockingly hateful nonetheless. I suspect that she would delete it if she could.
I would love to have a loving relationship with everyone in southern Utah. As I said, I came here earnestly wanting to participate in the community. I can’t do anything about their anger or hostility. I can only try to let it roll off my back and live a good life. Each of us has to manage his or her own anger, ignorance, and delusions.
Thanks for engaging me respectfully rather than with hostility. I’m always happy to engage anyone in a friendly exchange. That’s kind of what The Independent is all about, and that’s part of why I’m working for the Indy rather than another publication.
Actually Jason, I DO apologize for hurting your feelings when I told you to put your big boy pants on. That was unprofessional of me. The rest of what I wrote was not hateful at all, but merely pointing out a few discrepancies in an article that sounded more like complaining and blaming than to bring actual problems to light. Then again, maybe I just saw it differently than you.
Actually Jason, I DO apologize for hurting your feelings when I told you to put your big boy pants on. That was unprofessional of me. The rest of what I wrote was not hateful at all, but merely pointing out a few discrepancies in an article that sounded more like complaining and blaming than to bring actual problems to light. Then again, maybe I just saw it differently than you.
I learned early on that Mormons will be very friendly until you do something that challenges their authority or their ways. While going door-to-door with a petition several years ago, I went to the home of a person who had been a friend and was (is) a Mormon. When I told him why I was there, his eyes narrowed and he answered, “We don’t do it that way here.” To which I answered blithely before saying goodbye and walking away, “I guess then you don’t want to sign my petition.” Lesson learned. Don’t challenge authority! But even Mormons have trouble within their own ranks as this author has written. So, Mormons don’t just direct their ire at non-Mormons. They’re very happy to direct it at their own, too.
I am not afraid of Mormons myself even though they indeed run everything in the state of Utah. They even run the prison where I teach a non-denom Bible study. Their rules are very strict for volunteers. Almost all the prison guards are Mormon, as well as the staff. Yet there is progress being made – lots of high-tech companies moving in that are not operated by Mormons, therefore non-Mormons can find employment. And the outside world really has invaded Mormon territory. I had expected that by moving here I would be hounded by proselytizing Mormons at my door – but I’ve had none. Come to find out – only Mormons who are actually on their required two-year mission knock on doors – and they don’t bother in Utah which is not seen as a mission base. Once mission is done, those Mormons could care less about sharing their religion — it’s no longer their job. The whole thing was a requirement none of them give a hoot about – they just like the opportunity to travel to foreign places all expenses paid. Many Californians have moved into the territory to escape the drought and high costs of living on the coast – Mormons aren’t happy about that – but they can’t stop it. License plates on cars that are Calif or Texas are everywhere. Their little piece of Zion might well be over soon. The outside world has caught up with them. lol
I only fear Mormons on Sunday morning. When the parks are empty and deserted and the city often feels like a ghost town. I feel like I am in a “Walking Dead” episode. It is safer to be in the park Monday thru Saturday when the Mormons are around. Haven’t played disc golf on Sundays in St George in the last two years with the exception of one time when I brought the American Flag to the park and protested by playing my sport. We used to call Sunday morning the “Golden Hour” at one time and it was the center of joy for my friends and I to play our favorite sport and set up are own baskets before we discovered the local course. Here’s one stanza of a lyric from the song I wrote about my experience for cathartic purposes . “4th amendment rights are burned to dust, for the glory of a Sunday morning bust / The first amendment stands but turns to rust / For some the Sabbath Day is now unjust. OTHERWISE I do not fear Mormons whatsoever. My neighbors are cool and good people. I actually have true compassion for Mormons. My neighborhood is almost 90% LDS. Unfortunately that fear instilled two years ago is now in my subconscious and it is unlikely to be healed as long as I am here. I have played my sport in the park with friends on Sundays for over three decades. Not worth the risk. I have forgiven all but I have lost faith in St George.