I don’t know personally, but I believe that SLC is much more pleasant for a non-Mormon than other areas of UT with a much more uniformly Mormon population.Hi everyone! I’m considering a move to Salt Lake City UT (area). Does anyone have any experiences they’d like to share about living there? I don’t want my family and I to feel like outcasts. Am I worrying over nothing?
Anyone?
Meg
I hear Salt Lake City is not bad and in fact there is a thriving Catholic population there. I have cautioned against moving to Provo Utah.I don’t know personally, but I believe that SLC is much more pleasant for a non-Mormon than other areas of UT with a much more uniformly Mormon population.
If you’re moving to SLC proper, it’s actually only minority Mormon (25%?). Heck, they even have a lesbian mayor! If you’re moving to a different town, I can share info on that one.Hi everyone! I’m considering a move to Salt Lake City UT (area). Does anyone have any experiences they’d like to share about living there? I don’t want my family and I to feel like outcasts. Am I worrying over nothing?
Anyone?
Meg
You bring up valid concerns. I do apologize for a brief summary of life in Utah. I’ve experienced awkward situations growing up and living in Utah in regards to me being Catholic. However, for the most part it’s a great place to live, and “most” people are respectful.Do you have children? I would be far more concerned about their experience than yours as an adult.
While you may have a good experience, there are things to be careful about.
In a majority LDS community, most of the “neighborhood” activities may also be LDS church activities. It is not unknown for an official LDS church activity to be advertised as a neighborhood activity to get the non-LDS to attend and to proselytize them.
It is not unheard of for LDS parents to not let their children play with non-LDS children. This tends to be more of a Utah phenomenon and not a universal experience, however. Your children may experience of social pressure to convert to the LDS church and they may be targeted for conversion. Again, not a universal experience, but it does happen. As a parent, you will need to be aware this can happen and be ready to protect them or help them deal with this pressure and possible social rejection.
Don’t be surprised if some of your Mormon neighbors are very friendly and invite you to church activities but then suddenly disappear and seem not so friendly after you have made it clear that you will not be converting. Again, not a universal experience, but not uncommon.
From what I have heard from Catholics on this forum who live in Utah is that the parish community is strong. It almost has to be. I also suggest at least investigating sending your children to a Catholic school. I also recommend doing research on the ground and talk to your potential fellow parishioners about good places to live, good schools, etc.
I am a former Mormon and have plenty of family who live in Utah, including a brother and sister. I know.You bring up valid concerns. I do apologize for a brief summary of life in Utah. I’ve experienced awkward situations growing up and living in Utah in regards to me being Catholic. However, for the most part it’s a great place to live, and “most” people are respectful.
One has to understand that the Mormon Church is a very “mission oriented” institution. The state is primarily Mormon, and it should be expected that anyone living in Utah will be visited by Mormon missionaries from time to time. They are very kind, polite, and very respectful towards others.
With that said, one should be prepared to understand the basic differences between Catholicism and Mormonism. Mormonism rejects some of the most fundamental doctrines of Christianity and, it does make a direct claim against the Catholic Church.
An average catechized Catholic will have no problem in a debate with the best of Mormon apologists. The simple fact is that it’s a completely different gospel than “traditional Christianity.”
Just a few examples are:
The different gospel topic is easily debunked by Gal 1:6
They have an apostasy theory that is easily debunked by Mt 16:18, Mt 12:29, & LK 14:27-30
Utah is a wonderful place, great people, beautiful country… and for Catholics who wish to move there they should be prepared for “friendly” conversations in regards to religion, and always be ready to witness for Christ.
I lived in Utah while attending college and one of the first things I did after graduation was to move to another state. If I was inclined to move again, Utah would be the last place I would pick. I was fortunate in that while going to school there my kids were still very young and not subjected to the their conversion techniques.I am a former Mormon and have plenty of family who live in Utah, including a brother and sister. I know.
I get that there are a lot of people who like Utah whether Mormon or not. I don’t. You could not pay me enough to live there willingly and I felt that way long before I ever left Mormonism. Yes Catholics have to be educated and on their toes and be prepared to defend their faith and protect their children. I do think the environment has gotten better, especially in Salt Lake Valley.
That had to be bad that now the new gnostic northwest has less harmfulI lived in Utah while attending college and one of the first things I did after graduation was to move to another state. If I was inclined to move again, Utah would be the last place I would pick. I was fortunate in that while going to school there my kids were still very young and not subjected to the their conversion techniques.