Flash Memoir

Carter Mann

English 2010

LDS and non-LDS Tensions

It is no question that there are tensions between LDS members and non-members here

in Utah. I have found from personal experience that there is much tension. This problem is a

local issue because I have not seen much of this tension outside of Utah and Idaho. Utah has a

pretty close to even spit between members and non-members. It seems like there is not a lot of

middle ground because the people inside the church tend to mostly associate with members

and see it wrong to associate with non-members. Many people that are non-members tend to

have very strong negative feelings to the church and LDS culture.

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints and I believe that the

church is true… But that is not the point of this. I grew up knowing many members and non-

members. I heard many negative things and positive things about the church. A phrase I have

heard from many less extreme members is “you’re part of the reason people hate Mormons.”

Balancing being a friend to people who hate everyone outside the church and being a friend to

people who hate Mormons in a very hard thing to do.

I have always said that I love the church and gospel but I have some problems with the

culture that the LDS members have. These are not problems created by the doctrine and

policies of the church but by misinterpretations, pride, and a snowball effect of hate on both

sides. It is human nature to treat people how they are treating you, when someone is rude to
you, you are going to be a little cold to them. This all started because of a few little negative

attitudes on both sides years ago that has escalated to self-segregation of members and non-

members. My experience of seeing this tension is through many of my friends and family having

a negative taste for the church and also having friends and family that have a negative taste to

people who don’t believe what we believe.

I didn’t serve an LDS mission and this has caused many people in the church to see me

as less of a person. My girlfriends’ dad recently said to her “what do you tell your 5-year-old son

when he asks why daddy didn’t go on a mission?” I told my friend about this discussion they

had and he said that the next question from the little boy would be “why does grandpa have a

stick up his ass?” This is a good example of the negativity and judgement that comes members

and non-members.

I understand both sides of this tension and I believe both sides have a point. I believe

the best solution to create a happy state of members and non-members is to be kind, love

everyone, and treat everyone the same regardless of their belief. An article from the church

about religious freedom says “Live and respectfully share your beliefs. Have meaningful, kind

conversations with those of differing beliefs. Focus on seeking to understand one another’s

perspective and finding common ground that unites you.” (LDS.org, 2018) I believe that if Jesus

was here in Utah today, he would be associating, loving, and not judging anyone regardless of

faith or beliefs.

Source

“Religious Freedom.” Doctrine and Covenants 8, www.lds.org/religious-

freedom?lang=eng. “Live and respectfully share your beliefs. Have meaningful, kind
conversations with those of differing beliefs. Focus on seeking to understand one another’s

perspective and finding common ground that unites you.”