An article in the July 29 issue of Time magazine speaks in glowing terms about Utah's economy and gives much of the credit to the Church.
"Mixing Business and Faith," written by Sally B. Donelly, includes this overline: "Most states are struggling with economic hard times, but Utah - and the Mormons - are riding high."In the lead paragraph is this sentence: "Thanks largely to the influence of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - the Mormons - Utah has become the envy of its neighbors."
The article briefly summarizes the role the Church played in the founding of the state and asserts: "The Mormons deserve much of the credit for Utah's economic vibrancy. Two-thirds of the population of 1.7 million belongs to the church, which has helped to shape the boom in both direct and indirect ways. . . . The church's strict morality (it forbids premarital sex, gambling and the use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs) reinforces the hardworking nature of Utah's people."
In response to the article, Bruce L. Olsen, managing director of Public Affairs for the Church, said: "While it's true that the Church encourages a high work ethic among its members, that ethic is shared by the other faiths that comprise the population. As the Time article points out, Utah's population is increasingly diverse. While the article is generally congratulatory, it is simplistic to attribute too much importance to any single factor."