Pointers on Mormon/Utah subculture?

[Skynet]

Hi everyone. So I'm writing a cooperative story here on Elliquiy which takes place in Utah. Although like a lot of fiction Acceptable Breaks from Reality are a given, I do like to give my fictional worlds a bit of uniqueness to make it so they don't feel cookie-cutter "Everytown USA" that can be put anywhere if that makes sense.

I read quite a bit about the Latter-Day Saint religion and history of the church and pioneers, so I'm more interested in "local flair" and pecularities in daily living. For an example, Napoleon Dynamite has some inferences of the town having a large LDS population (but is set in Idaho). Like the Deseret Industries local chain of stories being a common fixture, or how a discouragement of caffeinated drinks and alcohol means that soda shops are a sort of social gathering spot replacement for bars and coffee houses.

[Skynet]

So in case nobody here can help, I figure that hosting my own findings may be fun to do if only for others to read about.

In lieu of a standard Halloween celebration, many Mormons celebrate "Trunk or Treat." In some cases this is for economic reasons, although part of it seems spawned from horror stories back in the day of "razors in the apple" as well as overall safety of going around at night in certain areas. A Trunk or Treat is thus a social activity where families gather in local church parking lots to hand out candy from the trunks of their cars to passersby. It's common for chili cook-offs and other food to be served as a 'main course' rather than just candy. Although it began with Mormons, others have picked it up too, such as Detroit residents.

[Skynet]

Looks like this thread's a one-man show, so I'll share some more things I found.

1.) An interesting Vice article on a woman living in a literal ghost town:

2.) Swearing is taboo among children and adults alike in Mormon culture, so they developed an entire set of alternative words to express anger and crudeness.

3.) I also found a good video about the Northwestern Band of Shoshone, a Native American tribe who wholesale converted to Mormonism in the 19th century. This video is narrated by a tribal elder discussing her family's history. Linked in URL instead of direct due to children.

4.) Another interesting aspect is that basketball is a very popular sport among Mormons. Part of it is due to the fact that it does not require as much specialized equipment as other sports, can be played indoors as well as out, and the courts can double for other kinds of social activities. The LDS Church built many basketball courts into their churches as a result.

[Skynet]

Some other interesting things.

1.) Members of the LDS priesthood do not have their own religious garments. They dress in business suits or whatever qualifies as formal wear for their local culture. The closest equivalent to a uniform is a Temple Garment, which is more of an undergarment which are believed to provide symbolic protection from wickedness.

3.) The LDS church has its own pseudo-intelligence agency known as the Strengthening Church Members Committee, or SCMC. They monitor neighborhood gossip and online social media for members who are critical of the church. Sort of like the KGB but without the violent parts.

3.) There's a distinction between churches and temples. Temples are more exclusive and fewer in number, numbering a little over 100 worldwide. Churches are open to the public, while temples are open only to Mormons in good standing who need a "temple recommend" from a local Bishop. The possession of said recommend or not is not widely shared due to social stigma of being unworthy, and asking a Mormon if they're in possession of one is a faux pas.

[Hrairoo]

Some other interesting things.

1.) Members of the LDS priesthood do not have their own religious garments. They dress in business suits or whatever qualifies as formal wear for their local culture. The closest equivalent to a uniform is a Temple Garment, which is more of an undergarment which are believed to provide symbolic protection from wickedness.

3.) The LDS church has its own pseudo-intelligence agency known as the Strengthening Church Members Committee, or SCMC. They monitor neighborhood gossip and online social media for members who are critical of the church. Sort of like the KGB but without the violent parts.

3.) There's a distinction between churches and temples. Temples are more exclusive and fewer in number, numbering a little over 100 worldwide. Churches are open to the public, while temples are open only to Mormons in good standing who need a "temple recommend" from a local Bishop. The possession of said recommend or not is not widely shared due to social stigma of being unworthy, and asking a Mormon if they're in possession of one is a faux pas.

1.) It is also supposed to be a sign of commitment to principles and righteousness. The personal covenant with God that each individual member can make.

3.) Indeed, temples are specifically for performing ordinances that have an affect in the afterlife. Baptisms for the dead are conducted there, where members stand in proxy for an unbaptized person who is dead. This is not a forced conversion. LDS believe that missionary work continues in the beyond and that those who have died, just like the living, can be presented with the gospel doctrine and choose to accept it or not. The baptism is conducted as a measure for them, who no longer have access to physical bodies but wish to ascend to the higher levels of ordinances to have these done for them by their descendants. This is called "getting their work done." And it is usually restricted to descendants of a particular person. If you go to the temple with friends or go to the temple without a "name" in hand, sometimes people will share with you. Genealogy is a fun family activity, wherein members young and old pour over records to find their dead relatives and connect everybody with documentation to their line. In temples, weddings and sealings occur as well. There are a couple higher ordinances also that are performed that are not really relevant to reveal because they are so sacred, LDS do not talk of them outside the temple. It is even looked down upon to talk in private with someone else who has gone through the temple about those things outside of the temple walls. They have special rooms for reflection in the temple and everyone, from the moment you enter, speaks in reverent whispers.

There is a very heavy emphasis on family. It can be argued that is what LDS doctrine is all about. We were a family together in the pre-existence and we came down here to gain bodies, to struggle through these trials, and to reconnect and remember what we promised before we came here. And the goal is to connect to each other and make it home together. So, sealings are about connecting and firming the family lines of the righteous. Baptisms for the dead are conducted to do the work for those members of our family who might have died before hearing the truth or heard it again in the afterlife and had a change of heart.



I am not LDS anymore. I grew up LDS and have been on again off again a practicing member. In 2017, I was accepted into Brigham Young University Idaho and moved out there to go to school. I went for two semesters(one year) and dropped out when my lifelong struggles and emergence of my gender identity prevented me from continuing to stay active. I've struggled all my life with a desire to be faithful and a desire to be me, to be true to how I feel. Although I personally believe that God made me who I am and will accept me as His son when that day comes, it is a belief at odds with those discussed in the church and in the religious classes I was taking. Even though my beliefs no longer line up with the church's, I still remain respectful. Call it residual brainwashing or residue from formative years spent immersed in these beliefs. I am willing to answer any questions you have but might refrain from touching upon sacred topics.

Regarding culture in the midwest communities, Napoleon Dynamite is not accurate, even aesthetically. I lived in Rexburg for two years and visited Salt Lake city several times. Both cities have Brigham Young Universities, SLC is much bigger and much more highly esteemed. It is the pinnacle of school acceptance but Idaho or Hawaii are a good second choice. Because of its size and the focus upon the school, SLC BYU is talked of as being slightly more worldly. They allow more left-leaning and progressive professors to teach there and there are more allowances made for progressive mindsets. Idaho, being smaller and more insular has a stricter student code of conduct.

In both places because of the emphasis on families and being together forever, there is a tongue in cheek joke that BYU is "BYU I Do" as in "I do" the phrase you say at a wedding altar because so many young people get married at these colleges. The divorce rate is also predictably high among graduates. From my time there, the natural exuberance of youth is not discouraged at all; some folks I knew while there dated for a month or two before proposing. Which is all very unfortunate, because divorce is not taken lightly by the church. When you get married in the temple, it is with the explicit expectation of "Families can be together forever". Not "death to us part" not "if counseling doesn't work." They do allow divorce but I knew several women in the Singles wards there that were divorced and aging out of the ward(18-30) because they couldn't connect with anyone and seemed undesirable as wives. Same for the men.

The pinnacle of prized dating material is a returned missionary. Men and women who have served a 2 year mission and come home with pride. For women, it is desirable but not so much emphasized. For men, since it is an unspoken requirement for young men to serve, it is heavily prized to find one who has kept his covenants and has a mission under his belt. They are seen to be men of exemplary character to have dedicated themselves to that service as it is almost like a modern day vow of "unplugged". Missionaries cannot watch or listen to anything non-church related, and have stricter standards of living. At the same time, they are expected to live as examples to members and non-members alike.

Anyway, I just thought I'd chime in if you were still doing research for this.

[Skynet]

Thank you very much for your input, Freecloud. I wouldn't call myself an active researcher so much as trying at least to do enough for one story I'm writing on Elliquiy which is set in Utah. I really doubt that I can approach it with an authenticity on the same level as one who visited the place or was raised in it, but there's enough sources online that I feel I am not in the dark on this.

I was a bit worried that this would just be me solely posting: Elliquiy can be a bit overly-specialized in cultural and political topics. There's nothing wrong with that in and of itself, but rather can be unhelpful when attempting to gather information about lesser-known groups and topics.

The pinnacle of prized dating material is a returned missionary. Men and women who have served a 2 year mission and come home with pride. For women, it is desirable but not so much emphasized. For men, since it is an unspoken requirement for young men to serve, it is heavily prized to find one who has kept his covenants and has a mission under his belt. They are seen to be men of exemplary character to have dedicated themselves to that service as it is almost like a modern day vow of "unplugged". Missionaries cannot watch or listen to anything non-church related, and have stricter standards of living. At the same time, they are expected to live as examples to members and non-members alike.

I will admit to being a bit curious as to how much of a hindrance this can be when serving in countries with radically different cultural standards than the West. I'm not speaking so much of the bare essentials (learning the language, laws, clothes for climate) and more things like the smaller details in life which can be used to bridge the gap. For example, local news channels to see what people in said country have on their minds or is important, or what shows, literature, and holidays are important to said culture. I can understand fears of say, "converting to the heathen's side" or not violating religious taboos on Saint Patrick's Day, but I imagine that a missionary who is in the dark about say, a country's Independence Day may have a harder time gaining converts.

[Skynet]

Double-post: my aforementioned linked story is on the Extreme section of the forums, so it may not have subject matter readers here may find enjoyable.

[Hrairoo]

I will admit to being a bit curious as to how much of a hindrance this can be when serving in countries with radically different cultural standards than the West. I'm not speaking so much of the bare essentials (learning the language, laws, clothes for climate) and more things like the smaller details in life which can be used to bridge the gap. For example, local news channels to see what people in said country have on their minds or is important, or what shows, literature, and holidays are important to said culture. I can understand fears of say, "converting to the heathen's side" or not violating religious taboos on Saint Patrick's Day, but I imagine that a missionary who is in the dark about say, a country's Independence Day may have a harder time gaining converts.

I will be honest, I've never served. At the age appropriate for it, I was busy kissing girls. You can go older, but general acceptance is between the ages of 18-25. The life line schedule goes,
1.) Graduate from high school.
2.) Go on a mission.
3.) Come home, go to BYU.
4.) Get married/get a job.

One thing that I am more or less clear about is the converting responsibilities of members. It does not fall on missionaries shoulders to convert people. They are trained teachers. It is members who are supposed to reach out to friends, coworkers, people they associate with, and spread the good news. They emphasized that it is not about numbers but about extending love and fellowship to those they interact with. So, things like inviting people to church or inviting them over for family home evening, or to activities is not an underhanded way to "get ya." It is trying to include those who are struggling, those they love outside of church into their community and family.

My step father is a "dry Mormon." Never been baptized but he's been going to church every Sunday for 26 years. Took my brothers and I to youth activities every week and weekend and sat with our family during Sunday services, went to classes, read the books. He answers discussion questions in class, etc. He simply is not allowed to pass the sacrament or hold offices of responsibility in the church. Otherwise? He is treated as a member, as part of the family. They have smokers who come to church(they can't smoke IN church but you can smell it on their clothes) and nobody judges them. It's a kind of AA thing; we're all each struggling with our individual journey and come together to offer support and relearn lessons of doctrine on Sunday.

The missionaries proselytize some of the time but what they actually do is give the introductory teachings to member recommended people who have agreed and expressed interest in learning more. That's workmates, friends, etc. that members know who have come to church and expressed interest in becoming a member. So, I think it is less about approach in a personalized way for missionaries. That is the job of the members to connect with those in daily life.

The ban on items of worldly nature is because teaching is done "with the Spirit." Missionaries are meant to remain in a state of cleanliness and purity, untouched by media that might be unwelcoming to the Holy Ghost. This is because they are meant to "listen" to the "still small voice" of the Spirit when looking for people to teach or in teaching someone, knowing what direction is best for that particular person in conversation and discussion. Missionaries are expected to be open conduits for the arm/hand of God to work through them. So they say. *shrugs*

I'll have to give your story a read sometime. ^^

[Hrairoo]

I should add, but I cannot edit. The missionaries purpose is to prepare someone for baptism. This is everyone. I am pretty sure even 8 year olds who have member families and have grown up in the church, still get the introductory lessons from missionaries when they are nearing the time for their baptism(most grown in members are baptized at 8; if you were baptized later, it is not "odd" but the assumption is that you were introduced to the gospel as an adult, not as a child). I got mine from missionaries at 8.

[Skynet]

The inability to edit is a thing in this subforum specifically; it's not just you or new members. Several people re-editing their posts in bad faith to say something entirely different so as to make the people arguing with them look bad.

[Hrairoo]

Sorry to bump this but the things I posted here bothered me, especially considering that I researched a lot this past August and realized everything I believed about this is not true. There is a lot of information control and thought control within this cult(it fits the BITE model classification, so, let's call it what it is) so, a lot of things I said before were done out of simple ignorance, based only on what I was taught and told.

Reading back through, I'll correct some of the things that I posted before. It might not fit the narrative of how a believing Mormon would think or feel but I thought I'd at least correct what I posted. If you'd rather I make me own thread on these topics, just let me know.

1.) Members of the LDS priesthood do not have their own religious garments. They dress in business suits or whatever qualifies as formal wear for their local culture.

White shirts and plain colored ties are stressed. If you're going to bless and pass the Sacrament(which any priesthood holder(12+) can do) you need to be wearing a plain white shirt. Not blue, not pink, not striped, even if they're a suit shirt. It has to be white. If you're one of the bishopric sitting on the stand presiding over the meeting, if you're a stake or branch presidency, you must be wearing a white shirt with the suit. Technically not a uniform but it is not outside of the ballpark for only those with white shirts being asked to participate in the Sacrament ordinance.

Also, about garments, it is a cultural thing, but LDS are urged to never let their garments touch the floor out of a sign of respect. Meaning, when they are removed for whatever reason. Utah is more stringent about when they should be worn, in particular, women are constantly plagued with restrictions. The ordinance is secret, I mean, sacred, so, nobody is supposed to know you're wearing them. To have them shown beyond a woman's neckline or sleeves or the hem of her dress, is an indication of immodesty. I knew a gal in Idaho who took her garments off to wear exercise clothes to the gym and she was talked down to by her sister over it. The deeper into Mormon owned territories you get, the more stringent these cultural restrictions become. Passive aggressive shaming is known to occur.

3.) Indeed, temples are specifically for performing ordinances that have an affect in the afterlife.

There is nothing sacred about going to the temples. Ask me anything. It is a place of incantations/repeated prayers, Masonic rites of secret handshakes, signs, and tokens, and a film or acted performance which is a basic story you can get from reading the Pearl of Great Price, a common Mormon scripture. It takes three hours to get through the whole thing, passing from room to room until finally you get to the Celestial room which is an opulent hotel lobby with white chairs and couches, chandeliers, and people wearing the ridiculous robes we have to put on in going through the ordinance.

Everyone says how you're supposed to learn something new each time you go through but my very first time through, looking around at the chanting, I had that thought, "Omg... I'm in a cult, aren't I?" There is a lot of social pressure to remain seated and react appropriately, and the emotion and thought control employed by the teachings of the cult makes you attribute every doubt and false thought to Satan trying to tempt you away from the truth.

Adolf Hitler has been baptized in the temple by the LDS cult several times due to faulty paperwork. For all the strict, dignified adherence to ordinances being performed correctly and exactly, there are a lot of things that happen that are let slide.

[Hrairoo]

One thing that I am more or less clear about is the converting responsibilities of members. It does not fall on missionaries shoulders to convert people. They are trained teachers. It is members who are supposed to reach out to friends, coworkers, people they associate with, and spread the good news.

Actually, there is a focus in the church on trying to convert Christians. Most Christians, if they understand the way Mormons twist words to have different meanings, understand that Mormons are not Christians. You will offend a Christian for calling Mormons that, especially if they give credence to the Nicene Creed interpretation of the Godhead. Mormons are polytheistic. Not only do they believe that God, Christ, and the Holy Ghost are each individual Gods that are worshipped, but they believe in Heavenly Mother*, they believe that God was once like us, thus, came from a world where he worshipped a God, was righte, and became exalted after he finished his own human life, and they believe that we all can become Gods when we die, with our own planets and spirit children to rule over. How many gods is that? I've lost count.

*I say one here but the church still practices secret polygamy to this day and plans for worthy men of the priesthood to take on multiple wives in the next life. So, when a worthy man here becomes exalted in the next life, he can take his multiple wives and have literal sex with all of them in order to create spirit children that will populate the earth and world that he creates. Assuming God is just like us, it is logical then to assume that there is not simply one Heavenly Mother but several who are the polygamous wives of the LDS God. That being said, Heavenly Mother is not spoken about very much in order to keep her safe from scrutiny and disrespect. This is the fate of every worthy and righteous LDS woman; to become one in her husband's harem of poly wives, to make spiritual babies for eternity, to never be seen or heard, to wither into obscurity for "her protection."

Anyway, don't call LDS polytheistic, they will become upset. Don't call them a cult, they don't understand what that word means and will defeat a straw man for you instead. Don't imply that they're not Christian because they think having Christ mixed in their religion and saying his name on occasion counts as being disciples of Christ. They will vehemently deny worshipping the prophets but ask them if they can openly criticize the prophet and they'll act like you just broke their finger.

The missionaries specifically prey upon Christians by bringing up all the similarities between the two gospels. Using a mode of teaching called "milk before meat"(read: bait and switch) missionaries will focus on surface level information in order to elicit a commitment to baptism. If you're a Christian who understands Christian history, you might not fall for it. Once they have you(a convert) baptized, you have to wait a year before you're allowed to go to the temple. So, they have a year or more to fully indoctrinate you in preparation for what you'll see there. If you know anything about the Freemasons, after a visit to the temple, you might become deconverted.

The cult's baseline is apologetics because of the nature of Joseph Smith's history and the founding of the church. A great bulk of time is spent inoculating members against outside information.