Suboptimist

Deepcrow! Oh no!

You know, I never thought such an article taking an optimistic view of the relationship between Mormons and Non-Mormons in Utah could be such bullcrap.

In the Deseret News’ new Mormon Times segment, Jerry Johnston wrote a rather tame article about the Mormon-Non-Mormon divide being blown out of proportion. I am going to post the article here in full:

“Saturday’s Voyeur,” the revue that takes its name from “Saturday’s Warrior,” is about quirky personalities and politics now. But years ago it was all about the LDS Church. And the humor was acid. LDS missionaries, mothers — even sacred attire — got lampooned as fed-up souls in the audience slapped their knees and sipped Merlot.

They were angrier times.

And not without reason.

Thirty years ago, “cast-iron haloes” were more prevalent in LDS circles. Members feared “outside” influences might contaminate their faith. They stayed away from people of other religions and steered their children away from friends who didn’t share their “standards.” Confusion and pain were often the result.

But if the “Saturday’s Voyeur” crowd has matured, so has the “Saturday’s Warrior” crowd. Mormon Tabernacle organists now give concerts at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is getting awards for “going green,” and there is a new sensitivity — prompted, in part, by President Gordon B. Hinckley’s advice: Don’t just put up with others, put your arms around them.

Both sides have grown. And the “divide” that was once wider than the Grand Canyon is down to, well, about the size of the Snake River Gorge. With luck, it’ll soon be the width of the Jordan River.

Pessimists say things stink. That we optimists lack information.

We think they need to take a second look.

We see a state coming together, not coming apart.

The continents may be drifting, but Utah’s people are pulling together.

Do abuses still occur? Of course. But — as with racism — mean-spiritedness is no longer acceptable. The ugly side of the divide is being driven into the shadows, where it belongs. Ridicule Mormons — or “non-Mormons” — at your peril.

So, to those who see the battlefield today and wonder, “How can we ever bridge this divide?” — keep in mind some of us, longer in the tooth, are less worried.

We remember when the divide was a real battle zone littered with land mines — a battle zone that was seldom, if ever, mentioned.

“Saturday’s Voyeur,” the revue that takes its name from “Saturday’s Warrior,” is about quirky personalities and politics now. But years ago it was all about the LDS Church. And the humor was acid. LDS missionaries, mothers — even sacred attire — got lampooned as fed-up souls in the audience slapped their knees and sipped Merlot.

They were angrier times.

And not without reason.

Thirty years ago, “cast-iron haloes” were more prevalent in LDS circles. Members feared “outside” influences might contaminate their faith. They stayed away from people of other religions and steered their children away from friends who didn’t share their “standards.” Confusion and pain were often the result.

But if the “Saturday’s Voyeur” crowd has matured, so has the “Saturday’s Warrior” crowd. Mormon Tabernacle organists now give concerts at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is getting awards for “going green,” and there is a new sensitivity — prompted, in part, by President Gordon B. Hinckley’s advice: Don’t just put up with others, put your arms around them.

Both sides have grown. And the “divide” that was once wider than the Grand Canyon is down to, well, about the size of the Snake River Gorge. With luck, it’ll soon be the width of the Jordan River.

Pessimists say things stink. That we optimists lack information.

We think they need to take a second look.

We see a state coming together, not coming apart.

The continents may be drifting, but Utah’s people are pulling together.

Do abuses still occur? Of course. But — as with racism — mean-spiritedness is no longer acceptable. The ugly side of the divide is being driven into the shadows, where it belongs. Ridicule Mormons — or “non-Mormons” — at your peril.

So, to those who see the battlefield today and wonder, “How can we ever bridge this divide?” — keep in mind some of us, longer in the tooth, are less worried.

We remember when the divide was a real battle zone littered with land mines — a battle zone that was seldom, if ever, mentioned.

Are you done reading it? Good, because here is one of the comments:

So Jerry’s one of the righteous few who have labored to “bridge the gap” between Mormons and…those of different faiths. If only I were that good.

What Jerry fails to point out, though I’m sure the handful of you who read his self-serving article can easily see, is that this “bridging” is done by putting aside our moral compass, God’s commandments, and doctrine and accepting the many philosophies that are tossed about as being just as good. You have to denounce the idea of Jesus being the only true way to salvation, and embrace Buddha, Krishna, etc.

The fundamental flaw in Jerry’s Unitarian views is that they have no foundation in truth. If his positions on gay marriage, going “green,” allowing liquor sales on Sunday, etc. were paramount to our “getting along,” then there is no need for Christ or Joseph Smith. Just follow the crowd.

Jerry reminds me more of a pre-conversion Zeezrom than any Joan of Arc. He doesn’t have the fortitude to stand for truth or right, unlike those I know who are “long in the tooth.”

Dave

Wow, Dave. Good job on not reading the article. Johnson never implied that you have to compromise your positions on gay marriage, liquor sales, or going green (an action apparently tantamount to Antichrist). He said stop being a dick to people who believe differently. You know another thing we can try? Recognizing that even though we may or may not be religious, we live in a secular society where we must balance the needs of all citizens. Chalk the other crap up to political disagreement and try getting along.

Okay, to bring this back home, I am amazed at how naive Johnston is. If he can’t see how gaping the chasm between Mormons and Non-Mormons is in Utah from reading the comments on his own article, he should ask real people their about their experiences with it. We all have our stories.