COLUMN: Pessimism toward Mormons is old news

Last I heard, approximately 80 percent of USU's student population is of the LDS faith. This only makes sense, considering Latter-day Saints settled Utah and generations after them found comfort in living with those who keep their beliefs and values.

In truth, this is why I decided to apply to this university — exhausted by constant complaints from my peers that my decisions to stay sober, not swear and cover my stomach at the beach were boring. The older we became, the more uninterested my peers were in spending time with me. Mormons live close together for a reason. Mormons feel peace in living near those who they know will accept them, which I believe holds true in Amish culture and the segregation of neighborhoods in large cities, such as New York City. In these large cities one neighborhood may be composed of mostly Jewish people, while another is composed of mostly Muslim people.

Since moving here, I can't shake the feeling that most of the commentary about Mormons — outside of the LDS Institute building — is sarcastic and often negative. This growing trend has everything to do with the constant appearance of Mormons in the news, from a Tony-winning Broadway musical to a Mormon GOP candidate. At some point in time, the term "Utah culture" was created. In my mind, the dominant Utah culture is inevitable. Dominant cultures pop up all over the world, but the way Utah culture is discussed locally portrays the idea as annoying, even by those who subscribe to it.

Now, let's keep in mind how many LDS people attend USU. There is a reason why this percentage is high, but the majority of the comments I hear, even among LDS members, pokes fun at trends and stereotypes influenced by LDS teachings. One of these is dating and marriage.

Yes, the age of newlyweds in Utah is significantly lower than it is in most other states. But isn't there a reason for this? Why do so many people scoff at the idea of marrying young as though it is comparable to arranged marriages — which in its own right should be respected. I am under the impression that LDS members who complain the most about Utah dating norms are not dating at all. I do not believe young members of the church are getting married blindly. Statistics show that Mormons who marry in the temple, which is ideal, according to LDS doctrine, have a divorce rate that is consistently less than 10 percent. In 2000, The Los Angeles Times reported the LDS divorce rate was as low as 6 percent. On the other hand, the U.S. divorce rate is about 50 percent.

It isn't a secret that, according to LDS doctrine, homosexuality is not part of God's plan. But how did the Mormon religion become the poster child for anti-gay rights while many religions rooted in the Bible teach a similar principle. No one ever said LDS members don't love those who pronounce themselves as gay, though there are those church members who will struggle to understand those who develop values opposite their own — values that have been ingrained in them.

Since childhood, I have been taught to respect those who are different from me — usually minority groups that have a history of receiving unfair or unequal treatment. Most all of us have been taught this. However, I often observe that LDS members constantly make a mockery of their own beliefs. And because the LDS culture is so dominant in Utah, those who think the religion is a big hoax feel it is OK to preach of its fallacies.

For the record, outside of Utah, Mormons are just as much a minority group as those groups in Utah who feel marginalized or slighted by the church.

Those who are devout members of minority religions in Utah, or are atheist, should still feel it imperative to uphold the Constitution by respecting their neighbor's freedom of religion, even though the concentrated LDS religion may feel overbearing. Having been surrounded by LDS members my entire life, and obviously, being LDS myself, I can assure that church members do not continue their religious practices to prove a point or stick their tongue out at everyone else. Much like religious people from any sect, LDS members continue to practice religion because it makes sense in their lives. Our intention is never seclusion.