Mormon Neighbors--the best neighbors for families?

[_asbestosman]

I heard a guy in my ward a while ago talk about a non-member accquantance (relative maybe) who was quite religious and quite against the church. However, apparently she thinks highly of Mormons as people, just not the religion. She would rather have Mormons as neighbors than anyone else.

I have heard similar thoughts expressed elsewhere. I hear of people who wanted to live in Utah because they feel it is better for raising families. Utah aside (as it is a bit weird in some sense), what do you think about Mormon neighbors? Is it generally a plus or a minus? Obviously every individual family is different and it can be dangerous to generalize, but what is it that these people are expressing? What are the benefits of Mormon neighbors? What are the disadvantages of Mormon neighbors (perhaps you'd rather live next to toxic waste dump)?

[_Ray A]

It's sort of like non-Catholics who send their children to Catholic schools. They would never want them to become Catholics, and may even think some Catholic doctrines weird, but they send them there because they teach "good values" and generally have more discipline.

I wouldn't mind Mormon neighbours either, if they don't object to the sound of breaking beer bottles during the bi-weekly clean up of recyclable garbage.

That's my post for the day.

[_Yoda]

I think that Ray hit the nail on the head. It's about values.

Also, in this age where everyone works, and most people don't know who their neighbors are, Mormons still tend to have more of a sense of community. If our neighbors are traveling, we'll keep an eye on the house, take in the newspaper, and vice-a-versa. You really don't see much of that anymore.

[Guest]

I think that Ray hit the nail on the head. It's about values.

Also, in this age where everyone works, and most people don't know who their neighbors are, Mormons still tend to have more of a sense of community. If our neighbors are traveling, we'll keep an eye on the house, take in the newspaper, and vice-a-versa. You really don't see much of that anymore.

People like nice neighbors and Mormons are nice. By the way, this is the sort of thing that people say to each other. They pass out compliments. "Oh you are a Catholic? Catholics have such nice families!" "Oh you are a Methodist? The nicest people I know have all been Methodists!" "Oh you are a Mormon, Mormons make such nice neighbors!"

I think Mormons have a strange tendency to take the normal level-sort of comment as a sign that the rest of the world holds them in reverence. I have met several Mormons who are convinced that the rest of the world secretly knows that the Mormon Church is the true Church, they just don't want to join because of coffee or whatever.

[_Scottie]

I've never had anything BUT Mormon neighbors, so I wouldn't know if they are better or not.

From what I have gathered, in Utah at least, they are GREAT neighbors... as long as you are one of them. If you are unlucky enough to be a non-Mormon, they are awful.

My current neighborhood seems to be the exception. Most of them know of my apostasy, yet they still treat me very well.

[_Who Knows]

From what I have gathered, in Utah at least, they are GREAT neighbors... as long as you are one of them. If you are unlucky enough to be a non-Mormon, they are awful.

I'm not so sure this is really the norm.

My current neighborhood seems to be the exception. Most of them know of my apostasy, yet they still treat me very well.

I have pretty good neighbors too - even though our whole family doesn't go to church (i'm in utah county, by the way). I'll be out in the yard doing some work sunday, while everyone else is driving/walking to church. No one seems to have a problem with us. Kids still get invited to birthday parties, etc.

We lived in chicago for a while, and had good neighbors there, too (all non-mormons).

I haven't really noticed much of a difference.

[Analytics]

I think Mormons have a strange tendency to take the normal level-sort of comment as a sign that the rest of the world holds the in reverence.

Yes, I give normal-level compliments too. There are aspects of other faiths I admire (Jains for their care of life, Catholics for family, etc), but I don't think that makes it normal level necessarily. I'm just trying to figure out what it is. Inded what I tend to think is beneficial from Catholic neighbors is what I see from Mormon neighbors and I'd be as happy surrounding myself with devout Catholics. I am not personally familiar with many other religious people or perhaps things would be different.

I do, however, find it odd that at least one person apparently moved to Utah for the family environment. That doesn't prove the church is true anymore than my experience with Catholics proves that they have it right. It is, however, somehow remarkable to me that a non-member felt this way. Perhaps there simply isn't as obvious a place (in the US) where a particular community with desired values is so easy to find as I'm sure many great communities exist elsewhere.

[_Scottie]

I have pretty good neighbors too - even though our whole family doesn't go to church (i'm in utah county, by the way). I'll be out in the yard doing some work sunday, while everyone else is driving/walking to church. No one seems to have a problem with us. Kids still get invited to birthday parties, etc.

We lived in chicago for a while, and had good neighbors there, too (all non-mormons).

I haven't really noticed much of a difference.

As I think back on this, it almost seems to follow a WoW thing. I'm a clean cut guy that you could very easily mistake as a Mormon. In fact, most people think I am.

Those that have lamented about being treated poorly are those who drink and smoke.

[_Scottie]

My Mom lives in Arizona in a very non-Mormon community. I would move my family to her neighborhood any day of the week. It is so friendly and clean and waaaaaarm.

[Guest]

Abman, I like my neighborhood because it's dysfunctional.

I like variety.