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Summarized by Michael Nielsen
Non-Mormons in Utah feel frustrations of being a minority
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- "I think majority sentiment frequently
ignores that which is different,'' says John Norman, president of
Salt Lake City's Judge Memorial Catholic High School. "They just
didn't recognize that their actions left people out." While growing
up in the Northern Utah town of Logan, Norman remembered being left
out of birthday parties and boy scout events, simply because he was
Catholic in a predominantly Mormon town.
Non-Mormons who move to Utah have similar stories to tell.
Claudia O'Grady, executive director of Multi-Ethnic Development
Corporation says that ``It's like the big gate in front of our
relationship and if I say 'Yes, I'm LDS,' the gates open. If I say
'No,' then those gates don't open just yet.'' O'Grady moved to Salt
Lake City from New York City five years to direct her company, which
builds affordable housing. Her religious beliefs, combined with her
gender, present a barrier in business.
"People of power in the LDS organization are men, and I feel I will
never be part of that fraternity,'' O'Grady said. "I want to feel
equal, and I don't.''
Elder Cecil O. Samuelson Jr., of the First Quorum of the Seventy,
agrees that "There are some things we can change. We can talk about
the perceptions when a little child is the only one not invited to a
birthday party." But Samuelson suggests that any change will be
limited. "I don't think you'll find us changing our doctrine. We are
going to continue to suggest that people marry within their faith
because we think that is positive,'' he said.
Source:
Non-Mormons in Utah feel frustrations of being a minority
San Jose CA Mercury News (AP) 28Aug00 N1
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