I’m so glad @mckaycoppins wrote this piece on the history/future of #Mormonism, its role in America, & personal identity. Growing up as a non-Mormon in Utah, it's a religion with which I've always had a complicated relationship... https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/01/the-most-american-religion/617263/

It's a fascinating history and deep dive, but the personal aspect of the story stood out to me; One quote in particular: McKay says, “I aimed to cultivate a reputation that sanded off the edges of my orthodoxy--he’s Mormon, but he’s cool.” I felt the exact same way growing up.

I wanted people to look at me & think “she’s not Mormon, but she’s cool.” As a kid, all you really want is to do is fit in, which meant all I wanted to be was Mormon. I LOVED going to Young Women as an 11 year-old beehive, or to Family Home Evening at my different friend's houses

My family was one of only a couple non-Mormon families on our street. I didn't get it: why did I have to go to Greek Orthodox church on Sunday? Why couldn't I just go to the Ward next door with my friends? Why couldn't I go on Pioneer Trek? or go to General Conference?

The missionaries would always come to our house. We had a copy of the Book of Mormon left on our front porch more than once. I hid one of them in my closet. It wasn't until I got to Catholic high school that I understood what it was like to be in a majority non-Mormon institution

I then went through a very long period of wanting to get as far away from Mormonism as possible. It wasn't until I moved away from Utah permanently after college that I was able to view the state, its predominant religion, and my upbringing there with the benefit of hindsight.

I understand why my parents leaned so hard into taking my sister and me to Orthodox church, getting us involved in Greek dancing, sending us to Catholic high school. They wanted us to feel the same sense of community, identity, and belonging that my mormon friends did.

Today, the first question I get asked every time I tell someone I'm from Utah is: "Are you Mormon?" I politely say no. But then I find myself saying how great the state is, & how nice the people are. I've become really protective of my home state and the people there.

If one of my parents is ever sick or has surgery, who are the first people to come over with soup and cookies? Our Mormon neighbors. The ward always includes my family in their list of people to drop off Christmas treats to. They are some of the best neighbors you could ask for.

I used to hate telling people I was born and raised in Utah, it always felt weird to me. Like I was from some far off land that no one understood. Im really proud of it now. I love meeting other people who are from here, Mormon or non-Mormon, there's something special about it.