Try living in the shadow of the Cross.

Fellow Mormon here. I actually miss some aspects of Utah (grew up there), but not terribly. We are really enjoying being outside the Zion curtain. I would like to move closer at some point, but just so the grandkids can be closer to family. Good to e-meet you.

Try living in the shadow of the Cross.

Ummm, you live in Rio de Janiero? San Diego? Rome? Sorry, I don't get your reference.

I actually miss some aspects of Utah (grew up there), but not terribly.

Don't get me wrong, I am making broad generalizations here. There are many nice things about living in Utah. But the vibe there got old real quick.
And I am very happy living in Texas. And was in Monterey, California (my previous duty station). And in Arizona, while I was in school.

Not the icon.

As an ex-Mormon who has some of my worst memories from childhood coming from the state of Utah, I saw firsthand the hypocrisy of many of the "goody goody" Utah Mormons (when we lived in Wendover, NV, and my mom told me about seeing her former home teachers at a craps table at the casino where she worked and serving them cocktails, that was pretty much the pinnacle right there).

Not a Mormon but one of my good friends in Korea referred to himself as a Jack Daniels Mormon for reasons which should be self-evident

Try living in the shadow of the Cross. Ummm, you live in Rio de Janiero? San Diego? Rome? Sorry, I don't get your reference.

I think he was trolling you by implying that you don't live as a Christian.

Either that, or I'm misinterpreting, he's saying that it doesn't matter where you are physically, as long as you embrace Jesus.

Either, or, depending on what mood you're in...

I think he was trolling you by implying that you don't live as a Christian.

I just think he was being uselesly cryptic.

SingrDave, as one who both grew up LDS and in Utah, I also find that I'd rather be LDS outside of Utah than "under the dome".

Not that I don't like Utah, I love it, I love all my family that still lives there also (and since in Utah, All is relative, there are a lot!); however, I doubt I'll ever live there again.

You're right about being kind of caught in the middle. Non LDS people blame every inconvenience in their lives on "The Church". My favorite is how they complain about stores being closed on Sunday. Ever been to Atlanta on a Sunday? The LDS church must have a lot of power there, because the place is a ghost town. Even the convenient stores are closed until 6PM on Sundays!! ;~D

I have to admit that, while growing up there, I was more like those described by Gideon. I made more than one "alcohol and fireworks" runs from Kaysville to Evanston, WY and back. Hey, back then a $50 investment could net $200-300.

Of course back then there was also that incident with $100 worth of "misappropriated M&M" from the Davis High Drill Team, and at least one incidence of running away from home, but those would have nothing to do with anything.. right? ;~D

We'll just say that I grew up restless and have loved my "vagabond" life ever since, I've especially loved actually living the Gospel of Jesus Christ and doing it in as many places as He has lead me!!!

Utah's great, but there is a world out here that has been great getting to know also!!!

Non LDS people blame every inconvenience in their lives on "The Church".

My favorite Mormon vs. non-Mormon incident was when the ACLU was called in to prevent mining in a granite quarry adjacent to Snowbird ski resort. Apparently the extraction of stone from a quarry infringed on somebody's civil rights. (Maybe the rock's!)

The ACLU gets called in whenever a General Authority cuts someone off in traffic.

Not that I don't like Utah, I love it, I love all my family that still lives there...

I feel the same way, and it's a shame that my wife's family doesn't understand that

there is a world out here that has been great getting to know also!!!

You carry the church with you. You can live "under the shadow of the Cross" (whatever that guy meant) wherever you go. And I was happy in Arizona, California, Texas, England, and EVEN Utah.

I have lived in Utah all my life, though I'm not LDS. Even though Utah does have all the low points that you all have mentioned, the fact that drinking is pretty much banned has cut down in the DUI's. From what I remember of the latest poll nationwide, Utah is either the last or tie with Hawaii, I believe, in the number of DUI's a year. Of course our driving habits may make up for that... LoL. Because I am an asthmatic, I also don't mind the smoking ban, especially when it comes to public places.

I wonder why Hawaii is so low...

I wonder why Hawaii is so low...

With only around 1,200,000 people in the state, it could just be a matter of less people = less of everything.

I wonder why Hawaii is so low...

With only around 1,200,000 people in the state, it could just be a matter of less people = less of everything.

Fewer roads per capita? Dunno...

I would like to add a few thoughts about the church in Utah as opposed to the church in the "mission field" as Utahns call everywhere else.
So we recently moved to Maryland. We have been wonderfully welcomed into this ward (congregation), and I recently had a conversation with a guy who had *gasp!* never been to Utah until last summer. And he's in his 40's with two teenage kids. All that time and never been to Utah?!?!

We'll just say that I grew up restless and have loved my "vagabond" life ever since, I've especially loved actually living the Gospel of Jesus Christ and doing it in as many places as He has lead me!!!

You rock, Ted. Ditto. Maryland has its finer points, Texas had its finer points (they liked to point them points out more, too), and it has been really interesting to live places outside SLC. I had another friend just get back from Hong Kong, where he attended last Sunday. English speaking congregation, just like home.