lagarthaaz

Oh for crying out loud - how often does this stuff have to come up? Didn't the Church put out a press statement about a year ago about this? When I was an investigator, one of my first questions to the elders was could I continue to drink diet Pepsi - with the response being a resounding 'yes.' If you drink soda by the liter every day, you might have an addiction issue that you need to address. Otherwise, can we put this topic to rest?

From HB 1
 
Physical Facilities
 
8.1 Purpose
The Church purchases land and provides facilities to give Church members places where they can worship, teach, learn, pray together, make and renew covenants, and receive sacred ordinances. Each Church facility should (1) provide a spiritual setting for members to worship and (2) present an image of reverence and dignity in the community.
 
From Facilities management guidelines for Meetinghouses: 

Receptions and Social Gatherings Receptions and small social gatherings for Church members or their families may be held in Church meetinghouses if they do not interrupt regularly scheduled Church activities. They should not be held on Sundays or on Monday evenings. Receptions and small social gatherings may be held in the cultural hall or in other
rooms, but they may not be held in the chapel unless the chapel is a multipurpose area. Those in charge of the
reception are responsible for cleanup. When meetinghouses are used for receptions and other small social gatherings for Church members or their families, users do not need to sign a Hold Harmless Agreement.

I always thought where a ward is bigger you had two sharing times too.

I thought this was always the case when you had a junior and a senior Primary.

We had such a large primary when I was primary president we had 2 sharing times.  One for the younger and one for the older. While one group was in class we had sharing time for the other group.  There was no other way to do it because all of the kids couldn't fit into the Primary room at the same time.

A recent talk by Elder Ballard on this very topic: 'There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking questions'
 
"Let me make sure that you are hearing my epistle and that you understand this important point. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking questions or investigating our history, doctrine, and practices. The Restoration began when Joseph Smith sought answers to his sincere questions...
 
When someone comes to you with a question or a concern, please do not brush the question off—do not tell him or her to not worry about the question. Please do not doubt the person’s dedication to the Lord or His work. Instead, help the person find the answers to their questions...
 
We have heard stories where someone asking honest questions about our history, doctrine, or practice were treated as though they were faithless. This is not the Lord’s way. As Peter said, “Be ready always to give an answer to every man [or woman] that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you...
 
We need to do better in responding to honest questions. Although we may not be able to answer every question about the cosmos or about our history, practices, or doctrine, we can provide many answers to those who are sincere.
Help those with questions to realize that the Lord does not require His Saints to have advanced degrees in history and Church doctrine... The Church is blessed with trained scholars and those who have devoted a lifetime of study, who have come to know our history and the scriptures. These thoughtful men and women provide context and background so we can better understand our sacred past and our current practices." Russell M. Ballard (September 13, 2015). 

At the end of the day, it is up to your Primary Presidency AND your Bishopric Counselor & Bishop as to what order you conduct your primary. 
 
Your Stake Primary Presidency are there to help and guide you and support you in your calling. 

A recent talk by Elder Ballard on this very topic: 'There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking questions'
 
"Let me make sure that you are hearing my epistle and that you understand this important point. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking questions or investigating our history, doctrine, and practices. The Restoration began when Joseph Smith sought answers to his sincere questions...
 
When someone comes to you with a question or a concern, please do not brush the question off—do not tell him or her to not worry about the question. Please do not doubt the person’s dedication to the Lord or His work. Instead, help the person find the answers to their questions...
 
We have heard stories where someone asking honest questions about our history, doctrine, or practice were treated as though they were faithless. This is not the Lord’s way. As Peter said, “Be ready always to give an answer to every man [or woman] that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you...
 
We need to do better in responding to honest questions. Although we may not be able to answer every question about the cosmos or about our history, practices, or doctrine, we can provide many answers to those who are sincere.
Help those with questions to realize that the Lord does not require His Saints to have advanced degrees in history and Church doctrine... The Church is blessed with trained scholars and those who have devoted a lifetime of study, who have come to know our history and the scriptures. These thoughtful men and women provide context and background so we can better understand our sacred past and our current practices." Russell M. Ballard (September 13, 2015). 

While this is true... there is another aspect to this... Some times people take offense at the honest and sincerely given answers.  There is a reason Prayer, Scripture study, and exercising Faith, are taught repeatedly from primary onward. They are also some of the first things we take for granted.
 
While many who struggle take offense to this, they think it is either too simple (they want harder answers) or they take it as a personal attack (lacking of faith)
 
I think that many of the "challenging" questions we all develop from time to time is part of life's design.  To challenge us to take that leap of faith and trust in the Lord, when we don't have all the answers before us.  When we don't have a logical and rational path laid out in front of us.
 
Telling people that they need to take a leap of faith is generally seen as anti intellectual.  It usually gets labeled things like 'blind obedience' or 'not thinking for themselves'
 
So it is a two way street here while we need to be better at dealing with people with questions.  People with questions need to be better at handling answers that chances are they don't really want to hear.

Thus demonstrating the virtue of the unordered list.

Mormons have as much desire as anyone to discuss the deeper issues, and far more ability than most. But many people consider the trivial, mechanistic nonsense of religion as being the "deeper issues".
 
Platonism and traditional philosophy will never lead you to the deeper things of the Spirit. These are given by God to those who have prepared themselves. Worldly learning is of little or no consequence in understanding the deeper things.

Intellectual endeavor is actually encouraged by the church. I'm actually one of countless members to have a graduate degree, which should tell you how open the church is to academic study (MBA, emphasis in marketing, special training in marketing research).
The issue comes when people allow their (perceived) intelligence or education to over-inflate their egos. If you're being rude to anyone who you consider "inferior", talking smack to your local leadership, or even arguing against church doctrine, then you're allowing your pride to get the better of you.

Whenever I hear the word "intellectual" I always think of a particular college professor I once had. The man had a PhD and two Masters degrees, was fluent in four languages, and considered himself the smartest man in whatever room he happened to occupy.
One fine winter day he slid his Lincoln off the road and into a ditch, and then asked me if I would be so kind as to help him out.
I pulled my truck up next to his car, handed him the hook on the end of my winch while I rolled out 25 feet of cable, and then turned around and watched in utter amazement as he proceeded to attach the hook to the car’s hood ornament! 
 
Ever since then I’ve not been much impressed with “intellectualism”. 

Forget about the ponies - I want the David Bowie 'Labyrinth' poster :)

No, I'm sure it's a real thing. I have a nephew who calls himself a Bronie with not a trace of irony. I believe LM (in his current incarnation) is a self-proclaimed Bronie. A year ago, I watched quite a few episodes of "My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic" with my then-thirteen-year-old daughter, and while I don't quite call myself a Bronie, I honestly enjoyed many of the episodes. I think that I get why so many men (of all ages) are fans of the show, and it doesn't have to do with mental imbalance or impure thoughts about little girls.

My controversial (hopefully for the sake of conversation) take on Bronies is that it's a counter-culture symbol that people take upon themselves as a means of pseudo-rebellion - A persona that shocks others - A way to go against the grain.

I'm reminded of an incident that occurred once when some friends and I were traveling through Arizona on our way to hunt Javelina. We stopped at a small gas station, and a very large, surely gentleman (I assume he noticed our Utah plates) challenged us and said, "you guys *&%$# Mormons?"
One of my friends piped up and said, "Naw, we're just regular Mormons. The kind you're talking about all live in California."  
 
I've lived in Utah all my life, and it's always been those "California" Mormons to us. Now all of a sudden I find out there's a problem with Utah Mormons.
Sheesh, who knew? 

Two points:
It's nice for youth to have some peers that support them in their beliefs.  But, I don't think that's a reason to move to UT.  You don't necessarily find better peer support in UT than elsewhere.  Utah, just like outside of Utah, can vary drastically from place to place.  The biggest challenge for many UT youth is the HUGE great and spacious building made up of those that supposedly share their religion.  However, where you should live and what's best for your family is a decision for the parents with consultation from the Lord.  If He led you there, then it's good that you went.  There are many good people there. It's actually a good thing if a child can learn to stand alone.  Think about the plan of salvation and the Fall.  Experiencing adversity and trials is absolutely necessary for developing spiritual strength.  Youth must question their religion instead of just following the crowd in order to discover truth.  If you don't seek, you won't find.

Funny....  I just moved to Utah...  And the Ward which has the house which we are under contract on has pulled us right in and made us feel welcome... Even though we are not officially there yet.

I'm in Utah now.
Sunday in St George many people said hello to me.  I also got there early and stood by the door and greeted everyone who came in.
Several people recognized me from a previous visit and told others who then greeted me.
During Sacrament meeting they announced welcome to visitors and that they had received the records for several families (by name) and welcomed them to the ward and announced that they should be made welcome.
In Gospel Doctrine a lady announced they needed to do more to welcome visitors and newcomers so they didn't feel "invisible" so after the class several more came to talk to me.
In Priesthood as well as GD they asked visitors to introduce themselves.  Again more remembered me and greeted me after class.
One of the first to talk to me before SM was the Bishop.
 
The experience in May in Torrey, Utah was the same.  Many visitors and much socializing.  So I don't see it, and I think that there may be some action needed on your part.  Introduce yourself.  Have a party and invite people.
However, remember people have a life, and are busy, so that doesn't mean they will come to your party.  But some will.
dc

Having grown up outside of Utah I think I can relate to people's feelings about "Utah Mormons", but I have seen the cold reception to the ward experience in places other than Utah. Too many Mormons look and act like they have been "weaned on lemon juice through a dill pickle".
 
Now that I am older I can understand that there are definite psychological differences between growing up in a place where the Church is strong and dominant versus a place where you are a very small minority. It does result in different expectations and behavior, but there is never a reason for any ward to be unfriendly and clique-ish.
 
Do your best to make the ward a better place, love your neighbors, and let the Lord do the judging. Be the most wonderfully wacky outside influence for good that you can be :)

I am from Australia too, and have had similar experiences both here and in Utah, so I don't think the problem is universal to 'Utah Mormons'. People just get busy and set in their routines and the 'busy-ness' of Sundays, and I think sometimes we don't take time to stop and really 'see' who is new to the ward and welcome them. When I was in Utah, I did find that eventually I did get to know some really lovely people as friends - but it just took time to settle in. 
 
You said "There are a few other families that have moved in during the past couple years and they, too, are ignored." - just wondering how you know that if you've only recently moved there?  If this is the case - can you reach out to these families, something easy like a playdate for kids or something - then you'll get to know the parents and start to forge relationships in the ward. 
 
Can you also seek out the EQ Pres, Bishop, RS Pres and Primary Pres...make sure they all know who you are (with the new focus on ward councils you'll hopefully get a mention by at least one of them).
 
Having said all that, I do understand the challenge of being in a ward dominated by major family or cultural groups. It can feel isolating for those of us on the 'outside' to see large families in the church socialising together to the exclusion of others, but we need to remember that they are simply nurturing their own family relationships.
 
It will take time, but don't worry, you will make friends in your new ward...just keep reaching out to others and try not to be discouraged in the meantime.  :)

I enjoyed reading this from the lds.org Newsroom:
 
To him there was no conflict between religion and science, but a perfect harmony that further strengthened his testimony of a Supreme Being. “Science is completely compatible with the teachings of why we’re here. And while there are some things that I don’t fully understand, I know I will. ... I just marvel at how the scientific approach has allowed us to understand a lot of things about Father in Heaven’s universe and His work and people that are complementary to the religious principles.”...
 
Elder Scott spent his life in the pursuit of truth. He had the mind of a scientist but the soul of an apostle of God. He bore testimony that while scientific truths are relative, God’s truths are absolute and will ultimately bring joy to those who follow them. “I think [with] a life centered in truth, with values that are held and kept, and a recognition that we are not all alone, we can receive guidance from the Lord through the Holy Ghost. That is the core of happiness.”
 
The photo montage the Newsroom put up is lovely - I shed a few tears. 

I like to tease Utah Mormons but it's in lighthearted fun, I'm technically one of them by birth so they have to be good people.

It's funny though, I get anxious in social situations, nothing extreme, I just don't do the small talk thing and it all gets awkward when people try to strike up a conversation right before elders quorum. I just have this mindset that I'm there for church I guess. Anyways, I want to find your ward and move into it. So no one tries to talk to me. It would be great. People are always trying to chat and I'm sitting there trying to fumble my way through a short exchange about the weather hoping the lessons starts soon so I can stop fumbling about the weather.

It's also possible that your preconceived bias played into your experience. In my head I am imagining you sitting there like this:

 
And wondering why no one will say hello.

Jojo, while I understand your valid concern, Eowyn has a very important point.
 
(I say that as someone who was raised outside of Utah, and said I would never want to live there. I've actually ended up spending about two decades of my life in Utah since saying such a thing, and my experiences in wards here have actually been quite pleasant...along the lines that Eowyn has suggested...even though I am introverted by nature.)