This article has ranked Salt Lake City, Utah (my hometown) as one of the most sinful cities. It was VERY interesting to me. Of course there is a lot of subjective data and you have to take it all with a grain of salt, but is there some truth to it?
For all my fellow Mormons out there you may be interested to compare this article with these words from Heber C. Kimball:
An army of Elders will be sent to the four quarters of the earth to search out the righteous and warn the wicked of what is coming. All kinds of religions will be started and miracles performed that will deceive the very elect if that were possible. Our sons and daughters must live pure lives so as to be prepared for what is coming.
After a while the Gentiles will gather by the thousands to this place, and Salt Lake City will be classed among the wicked cities of the world. A spirit of speculation and extravagance will take possession of the Saints, and the results will be financial bondage.
Persecution comes next and all true Latter-day Saints will be tested to the limit. Many will apostatize and others will be still not knowing what to do. Darkness will cover the earth and gross darkness the minds of the people. The judgments of God will be poured out on the wicked to the extent that our Elders from far and near will be called home, or in other words the gospel will be taken from the Gentiles and later on carried to the Jews.
Before that day comes, however, the Saints will be put to a test that will try the integrity of the best of them. The pressure will become so great that the more righteous among them will cry unto the Lord day and night until deliverance comes.—Heber C. Kimball, First Counselor in the First Presidency, May 1868, in Deseret News, 23 May 1931; see also Conference Report, Oct. 1930, p. 58–59
16 comments:
Having just lived there for 4 years...I find that whole financial bondage and the persecution thing VERY interesting.
Lots of things to love about Utah, but the "Keeping up with the Joneses" is NOT one of them.
Not really suprised. My aunt who lives in a very nice area of Draper said that in the streets above her there are only about 4 houses that are not being repo- ed.
Thanks for sharing. It is crazy times that we live in and Utah is right up there....it is just that most people do not recognize it.
That was a very interesting article to read. Thanks for sharing. I live in Utah and I have to agree with the article. There are certain parts of our great city that you can definately see the reason for that article. Very interesting!!!
What happens in Salt Lake City stays in Salt Lake City.
Ryan and me have been talking about this a lot lately. I think scary times are just around the corner. I'm sure all saints everywhere will be tested to their limits. It's too bad evils can't have city limits. If this was the case it would be nice to have some insight on where to move. I guess it all comes down to your strength and beliefs.
This article was a great reminder to how important it is for us to have strong and immovable testimonies.
I'm really hoping augmentation + living in SLC doesn't = Damnation :)
Thanks for sharing. This was a great reminder that we all need to realize how strong we need to be standing, and yes, especially in Salt lake city.
Very interesting and fun to read. I LOVE to visit my sis in SLC but LOVE that I don't live there :)
Very interesting. It is true that the saints will be tested all over the world, but it makes sense that Satan would focus where the main foundation of the church is located. Truth= Opposition.
It is great to read these things because it helps keep a real perspective and makes us remember to do our best each day!
Chris and I were just talking about Utah on Monday and how the church is a little more worldly here than other places. Well, I said that and I didn't totally agree with me. It's kinda sad that it's like that and I know I am probably one of the guilty ones.
Yikes, that was kind of scary to read. I don't live in Utah, but I do live in a very affluent area, and notice how everyone works so hard to keep up with the next person. I guess I'm lucky that I can't even try, because I probably would, too. I will remember this when I try to con Adam into buying me that Pottery Barn rug tomorrow.
Hi there! I saw your comment on Denae's blog and find this SO interesting, and sadly true. We moved to SLC two years ago and I will say I love it and hate it. The whole keeping up thing is insane! I need to be more thankful I live in the ghetto and have nothing to compare myself to except who has nicer rims on their LaBaron.
thanks for a good read!
We had a stake women's fireside on just this subject the other night. Sounds like it is something that we all need to be reminded of. I think that I get so caught up in my own little world of chaos with 4kids, that I really don't get into the competition thing-- but apparently it is very prevelant. I have some friends that really feel pressure to be a certain way. Thanks for sharing that article, it really was interesting!
wow! sadly i'm not surprised. this is one of the many reasons that my sister wants out of utah. super sad.
So sad. Maybe I shouldn't be surprised but I am. We all know better than to do this. It is kind of embarrassing. I hope Utah will turn around. It is true though..I can feel it when I go visit there!
Kara-it has been a while since I caught up with you and I feel like I could spend hours reading your blog! The article was so interesting. You never know.
Congrats to Paul on taking boards. What a headache! Makes you glad your not still in school, huh?
WoW... I guess I'm not surprised either. Having lived away now for 7 years, I see it so hard to ever go back. Who knows, but for now I can bet we will not end up there. LOVE to visit, but love even more being out in the mission field (most days). Great info. These are the "last days" it looks like.
Ever since this article came out, it seems that people can't wait to tell me that SLC has the most plastic surgeons and that we're so vain. I don't think that's going to change Dave's mind just yet! I just think it's funny and yet another reason why we're not certain that we're going to come back here to settle down. However, I do find this very interesting and scary. Things are getting pretty bad and it happens so subtly that most people don't notice. Thanks for sharing. Our strength will truly be tested. I better be one of the ones holding strong!
I'm late on this topic, but I needed a moment to sit down and read the article.
Yes - I agree!!
I haven't lived in Utah since high school, but I have enough family and friends there to say that it definately IS the vainest city. Funny story - all my years in living in Seattle and when I said I grew up in Salt Lake city, Utah often people would kind of nod and make a comment about how backwards it must have been. I quickly correct them and say, "actually, people are WAY more cosmopolitian and fashion forward in Utah than you think".
In the Northwest I hardly feel the pressure to look good all the time, but when I visit in utah, I feel that pressure. It's amazing.
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