So where do I find "Utah Mormons" anyway?

When you're LDS and live outside of Utah, you always hear about "Utah Mormons". Most of what you hear isn't very flattering either. Based on their descriptions, Utah Mormons are exclusionary gossiping backstabbers who wouldn't give you the time of day. This doesn't sound like the kind of people you'd want to hang around or even live next door to.

I started coming to Utah about two years ago after my first visit in May of 2004. All of the visits I made in the following months convinced me that I would enjoy living in Salt Lake City. In May of 2005, my wife and I moved here into our first place. Since then, I have yet to encounter the kind of behavior ascribed to "Utah Mormons".

Both of the wards we've been in have been great, and our current ward is full of warm and friendly people who really do care what's going on with you. None of the friends or co-workers that I have can fit the bill either. Sure, it could be dumb luck. It could be that I just don't see it. Or it could be that this image just isn't so, an unflattering picture painted by malcontents who'd rather blame a group than an individual.

Kudos to all of you who don't fit this mold.