Mormons to lose dominance of US state of Utah within 30 years: figures
AFP - The Mormon faith looks set to lose its 150-year-old dominance over US state of Utah by the year 2030 as more people leave the church than can be recruited, figures showed.
Ref. https://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor.sreligionmormon
Actually, I am surprised about the time span they gave more than the fact that the Mormons will 'lose' dominance over the State as I think it will happen way before that. I noticed this trend when I visited there in 1997 it was so much different from when I lived there in the early 80s.
I've heard about this trend for some time now, that there are more non-members than members in Utah. However, the control of one state is hardly that big of an issue, in my opinion, when the church is expanding around the globe so quickly. What's Utah, when you have the World?
Well I believe they see it in this way; 'We have kept the world (negative influences) out for so long, but now the world is taking over our turf'. I will never forget that in 97' I saw a prostitute only a block away from Temple Square soliciting, that was eight years ago, can you imagine now?
I agree with FarSeer to some extent. I think the Church is growing very quickly in other parts of the World and the States. I think many Utah Mormons have become more willing to consider living in other parts of the US as more Temples have been built throughout the country. This may have the effect of reducing the majority in Utah, but can only enhance the visibility of the Church in other parts of the country.
I realize the Church is growing rapidly in other parts of the World, but I don't think this is a big factor in the loss of majority in Utah. I think many Utah members are moving to other parts of the US for schooling and employment, but I doubt many are moving to these other countries. I think diversifying in such a way can only be a good thing.
I understand what you mean, JB, about wordly influences encroaching on what has been almost sacred ground. Certainly near the temple is, anyway. But as far as church membership being centered in Utah, I think that had to change with the expansion of the church, and with the expansion of Earth's population generally. Not to mention wickedness in general increasing. In my opinion, it just shows how things are degenerating *everywhere*.
What I see going on in Utah is that the Mormons are losing the State, because the Church is losing the members. It isn't losing the members as in that they are all becoming inactive (although there is a lot of that as well), but in that so many members are so caught up in Babylon, and that the "culture" is so strong, that even a great many "active" members don't live the Gospel very much at all.
The joke is that if you go fishing with a Mormon in Utah, he will drink all your beer. If you go with two Mormons, neither one will drink a drop.
Of course there are good, faithful members there. At the same time, it appears to me that Utah has one of the poorest governments in the entire nation. This is also a result of the overwhelming influence of the culture, inlcuding the strong "persecuting" influence of it.
The link has expired but I think I understand that the article states that by 2030, Utah's majority will not be Mormon. Considering our growth from outside the state, I'm surprised that this isn't already the case. I, for one, don't mind that. I enjoy friends of all faiths, my husband is not LDS, whether a person is Mormon or not is not the first question I have when I meet someone. I know a lot of people who feel the same way I do. I feel Utah Mormons are getting a bad rap, when they are portrayed as prejudiced against non-LDS. Of course there are some, but I don't think most feel that way. Being in a majority as a Mormon is different than being in a minority, however, that doesn't make the challenges easier, just different. There is also persecution by non-Mormons toward Mormons. For example yesterday, I was behind a vehicle that has a license holder that read 'Mormon Assault Vehicle'. I didn't laugh. I'm sorry if this is off topic, but maybe it isn't since the topic relates to Utah mormons being in the majority.