When I first came across The Atlantic's cover story and conceived of the idea for my column last week,

I was excited. A societal trend leading the world into darkness, some

Latter-day Saints following close behind, the opportunity to sound a

warning call and decry the ills of our culture: this stuff is my bread

and butter!

But then I realized, wait, this stuff really is my bread and butter.

And then I got worried.

Indeed, regular readers of my Mormon Twentysomething column may notice

that I have something of a penchant for shining a spotlight on the

varied problems with LDS culture. And as far as themes go, I think that

one is actually pretty appropriate — especially considering the outlet.

Like it or not, it really is quite "Mormon Twentysomething" of me to

bash on cultural Mormonism and the special LDS brand of

self-righteousness. The fashionable cynicism of youth is alive and

well, even among the Latter-day Saint rank and file.

But some readers may be surprised that I am not really like this in

person. Oh sure, I can laugh at zoobie customs just like everyone else,

but that won't stop me from singing the fight song or going on duck

pond scavenger hunts (if you don't know what I'm talking about, don't

worry about it).

Similarly, although I often use the space in my column to criticize the

less productive parts of our culture, I try not to throw out the baby

with the bathwater.

For example, I think EFY counselors ought to be more careful to avoid emotional manipulation, but that doesn't mean I didn't love the four years I attended. And just because it's hard to come by "hip" LDS music doesn't mean I can't occasionally rock out to the Saturday Warrior's title track. (Occasionally, mind you.)

I guess my point is that Mormon culture — as defined by its social

ideals, expectations and common customs — may be flawed, but it can also

be fantastic, especially compared to some of the other options.

LDS culture promotes ingenuity and hard work. Yes, this can manifest

itself in multi-level marketing schemes and a belief in the "prosperity

gospel," but it's a whole lot better than laziness and a sense of

financial entitlement.

Our culture values generosity and service. A girl in our married

student ward recently sent an e-mail to the Relief Society requesting

help for a few days, and by the time my wife responded only hours

later, the list was full of eager volunteers. Is the service sometimes

disingenuous and self-righteous? Sure, sometimes. But often, it's done

humbly and kindly. Can we really demonize this common practice within

our church?

Now the truth is, as the church continues to grow and expand, the "LDS

culture" as we know it now will become more and more diluted. Already,

there is a significant difference between the Mormon lifestyle in Utah

and Idaho versus that of Massachusetts, Mexico or Morocco. No one

should be judged for pushing against certain social expectations in our

church that have nothing to do with official doctrines. But I think we

should also be grateful for the good produced by some of those

expectations.

As long as I'm writing this column, I will continue to examine whether

how we think, talk and treat others is really conducive to the

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teachings of Christ. I certainly don't have all the answers, but as a

Latter-day Saint who's always heard that setting a good example can

change the world, I feel like I should at least try to do my part.

I guess you can blame it on my upbringing.

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