4 ms·
As a Utahn, the most disappointing thing about this article is the racial homogeny. It's true - nearly everyone is white. But that doesn't mean that there isn't
by alexanderson 10y ago
As a Utahn, the most disappointing thing about this article is the racial homogeny. It's true - nearly everyone is white. But that doesn't mean that there isn't some diversity. When my father was a Mormon bishop, he would dole out orders for the Bishop's Storehouse to everyone just the same, whether they were white, black, Latino, or Asian - Made no difference to him. They got the same food, but also had to live by the same requirements - coming to church and serving in the community.
I recall one day after my dad was diagnosed with cancer. Out of the blue one of those families my dad had prepared an order for brought over a casserole for our family out of gratitude for what he did - not only for the food, but for helping him get back in their feet. And this was one of the latinix families.
My point is that I wish there were data on what this experiment would be like with the racial diversity of NYC, DC, or elsewhere. While there are Mormon congregations in these places, with the same bishops storehouses, they aren't nearly as pervasive in their communities as In Utah, so it's hard to see the effects of their efforts.
- boomboomsubban 10y agoI wonder how much the missionary movement helps counteract the homogeneity. A benefit of diversity is an exposure to different ways of thinking, knocking on strangers doors will give you plenty of that.
- austenallred 10y agoI'm a white Mormon in Silicon Valley. We had the missionaries over for dinner last night (we generally distribute the responsibility of feeding them). One is from the Philippines, one grew up as an Ethiopian refugee in Kenya. I served a mission in eastern Ukraine and speak Russian fluently. My wife served a mission in Peru and speaks fluent Spanish.
- hkmurakami 10y agoIirc Matz (of Ruby) is Mormon. I've always wondered what the Mormon roots are like outside of the continental US and how they took hold and continue to be.
- austenallred 10y agoThere are more Mormons outside of the United States than there are in it.
- jccalhoun 10y agoI am not a Mormon but my understanding is that there has been a strong push for conversion in Africa and Asia.
- innocentoldguy 10y agoHe is. He was even a bishop in his church for a while. I've met him a few times. He's probably the nicest guy in the entire world.
- thomastjeffery 10y ago> nearly everyone is white. That's a bit of an overstatement, eg There are a lot of Hispanics, especially in West Valley, but not totally wrong either. Rural Utah has a high percentage of white people (except for native American reservations). That fact stems from the same factors inherent in any rural community: Most of Utah was settled by white Europeans. Those people have historically had, add continue to have a culture of large families.