In a state where personal identity is often affected by one's relationship — or lack of one — to the LDS Church, many who were once active church members remain tethered to a faith they no longer feel a part of, according to a local author.
Jim Ure told a group gathered at the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics on Thursday that the reasons are cultural as well as spiritual. "If you were born and raised in Utah, Mormonism is a part of your life whether you are Mormon or not." For many Utahns who were raised LDS but have become inactive, the church is "almost like a kid brother that follows you wherever you go. No matter where you go, it shows up in your life in certain ways."
The presentation comes as public discussion has swirled in recent days about a lawsuit alleging anti-Mormon bias at the U. and the impact of a letter sent to dozens of state legislators by the plaintiff's attorney asking that the allegations be considered in their funding deliberations.
In addition, U. President Bernie Machen presented an address at Brigham Young University earlier this week encouraging students there to embrace diversity and develop tolerance for those who don't share their beliefs.
Ure published a book last year called "Leaving the Fold: Conversations With Inactive Mormons," which chronicles his interviews with 17 well-known Utahns, along with former U.S. Interior Secretary Stewart Udall, who served in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. The project, Ure acknowledged, was part of his own decadelong "coming to terms" with the part that Mormonism no longer plays in his life, though he continues to be listed as a member on the church's records.
Because his purpose was "to create understanding . . . this is not an anti-Mormon book," Ure said he avoided what he termed "evangelical Jack Mormons who foment against the church."
Those whose stories are chronicled were listed as members of the church, had never been disfellowshipped, excommunicated or asked to have their names removed from church records; and were not paying tithing or attending church.
Ure, a former editor and writer for the Salt Lake Tribune who worked in advertising for 37 years, said he sought out intellectuals and professionals, watching "which punch bowl people went to" at public events to help determine whom to talk with. He approached 75 people, interviewed 42 and ended up using 18 of the interviews as the substance of the book. The ones he chose were all older people "who had become inactive later in life" after embracing and practicing the faith for much of their lives.
In an interview with former Gov. Calvin Rampton, Ure said the elder statesman spoke of the active part the church played in his life before he became governor. "There was a real sadness from him. 'I wish with all my heart that I had a testimony,' " he told Ure.
The majority of those interviewed told Ure they left activity in the church gradually, unlike musician Ardean Watts, who said he had "an epiphany one day" that took him out of church circles.
"The intellectualizing of the church created it for a lot of the people I interviewed. They were just not able to accept some things."
As they placed the church within an intellectual framework, many mentioned a disbelief of the church's early history, particularly surrounding the Book of Mormon, he said. "It's an intellectualized approach to religion, so that there is no room for faith."
Another common concern was "the inadequate training of lay clergy. Maybe the bishop thinks he is doing the right thing, but maybe it's in a heavy-handed way. One woman felt the bishop was asking inappropriate questions and another had had the same experience. While you can have abuses of power in any religion, I did get the sense that lay clergy" was problematic for many.
Guilt and the resulting resentment affected Ure personally, he said. "I didn't go on a mission. I was asked, but I didn't go, and I felt guilty. I think guilt is a major problem with inactive people," who are asked to accept responsibilities they don't want, and either refuse outright or agree but resent feeling that they can't say "no." "The obligation you are made to feel is sometimes onerous if you are not fully embracing the church and everything about it."
Another common theme emerged, Ure said. "Those who came from less-active families tended to be less active. Frequently at least one family member was not active."
It was much more difficult to get women to agree to be interviewed than men, Ure said, noting that only 15 of the 43 he talked with were female. All of them "were angry about their position in the church as women. . . . They are living in a patriarchal community and they fear consequences from that, whether from members of the family, a spouse or other individuals, I don't know."
Ure said he, along with many of those he interviewed, remains a member of the church "on paper" because to do otherwise would hurt family members. "I talked to one famous athlete (asking for an interview) who said, 'It would kill my mother if I did it.' " Others simply don't want to break away entirely.
Each person interviewed was asked four questions, including what circumstances would prompt them to become active in the church again. Several mentioned a more ecumenical approach, seeing the church reconcile its own history and priesthood for women, he said.
"I think Mormonism has a rosy future, but a lot depends on the direction it's taken by its leadership. I think its position in encouraging more Democrats and liberals is definitely a step toward making it more inclusive."
E-MAIL: carrie@desnews.com