"Among the Mormons..." Pt 1

The above is the title of a well known book in these parts-stories of early pioneers and others among the Mormons when they settled Utah. And here I have been, here in the "land of Zion" for some 17 years.

I was a newlywed when I first arrived. We drove our u-haul truck from California, towing the car behind the many, many arid miles of Nevada, then Utah. My first view of the Great Salt Lake and the salt flats gave me sort of a sinking feeling. I was a California boy, growing up in So Cal and living the last 15 years in San Luis Opispo on the Central Coast. As the truck jounced along, I looked out at the salt and the mountains ahead and felt...lonely. I had left family, friends, a great home church and year around mild weather for a new life with my bride....among the Mormons. It was exciting, but the lonliness has never left me.

A stranger in a strange land. To know that you are different than most people around you affects you. In the grocery line, two girls in front of you are talking about "their missionaries". The mechanic finishing up your fuel pump wonders why you don't have kids yet. My heck (a local expression), you've almost been married a year! The neighbors look at you and wave...hesitantly? Saturdays are busy, since nothing is open on Sunday. Lunch after church can get old-only the big chains are open (how many times can you eat at Chili's?) Police direct traffic near the LDS churches on Sunday-everyone goes (except you) When people you find out you are not LDS, you feel examined, like the newest fish in the aquarium. All this contributes to the isolation, the certainty you do not belong here.

Now, there is a silver lining. First, my new wife and I support each other and have fun with our new house (rented), decorating, unpacking etc. We are part of a ministry team who reach out to us and encourage us. Our church, though only about 250 (I came from one that was about 1000 or so) is friendly and encouraging. There is only one bar in town! Movies are a pleasure again, as people are quiet and well behaved. Few people smoke and swearing is uncommon in public. Crime is almost non-existent-we leave our house unlocked! (Can you imagine that in SoCal?)
And the mountains are fantastic-soon I am cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking in the pines-a dream come true for the kid who grew up sick of the suburbs. There are some real advantages-no question.

But still, the feeling of aloneness lingers... One day, walking downtown, I was introduced to deer season. A car pulled up to the curb, a dead deer, bleeding all over the hood he was tied to, stared at me with empty eyes....no, I'm not in San Luis any more.

But, in all things, in all times, in all places, God is there..... (to be continued)