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To Mormons, With Love
by
Chrisy Ross
When Chrisy Ross and her family moved to a small-town LDS community--one she affectionately refers to as Mayberry--she underestimated her readiness as a nonmember for what turned out to be a cultural immersion. Sure, she knew Mormons didn't drink caffeine (cough), and they never swore (double cough), but life with family-centered folks would be cozy and wonderful. She coul...more
Paperback, 145 pages
Published
October 5th 2011
by American Fork Arts Council Press
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This book was just fun. I read it in one sitting.
Chrisy is the only person in her neighborhood that is not a member of the LDS church. The book is about her observations of the people around her... but even more than her observations of other people, it's about her observations of herself.
She's in the minority, so she talks about feeling paranoid. (ie: "They only invite me to things because they want to convert me." And when they don't invite her, "They hate me. They don't want us here.")
She ta...more
Chrisy is the only person in her neighborhood that is not a member of the LDS church. The book is about her observations of the people around her... but even more than her observations of other people, it's about her observations of herself.
She's in the minority, so she talks about feeling paranoid. (ie: "They only invite me to things because they want to convert me." And when they don't invite her, "They hate me. They don't want us here.")
She ta...more
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (aka Mormon) church I really appreciated the authors willingness to be open and honest about living amongst Mormons. A couple of the situations depicted in the book made me laugh until I cried. And the end was touching enough to elicit a tear or two.
This is a worthwhile read for anyone who is living in Utah
I have to say that I respect the author tremendously for her willingness to embrace the good in Mormon culture and move passed th...more
This is a worthwhile read for anyone who is living in Utah
I have to say that I respect the author tremendously for her willingness to embrace the good in Mormon culture and move passed th...more
Full disclosure: I know the author. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's very funny, and quite insightful. If you're a non-Mormon living in a predominantly Mormon city, this book will help you feel less alone. If you're a Mormon living in a predominantly Mormon area, salted here and there with non-Mormons, this book will help you be a tad more sensitive to the needs, feelings, and ... not sure what word to use here ... 'perspective,' I guess (but 'perspective' w/ the single quotes len...more
Interesting, quick read. I thought it was a little random and choppy. But an interesting look at our Mormon culture. The problem is it is set in a part of Utah that is so unique and I don't think you would find that experience anywhere else in the world. You would certainly get bits and pieces of it in other Utah towns but not to the extent that she experienced Mormon life. I disagreed with her on several points and I don't think it was out of defensiveness.
She definitely worked hard to describ...more
She definitely worked hard to describ...more
I read this as an excercise for myself to prevent "bubble vision" (something we Happy Valley Mormons can apparently be plagued with). I did not feel picked apart at all by Chrisy's observations. She notes that they are CULTURAL, not DOCTRINAL- mostly about what happens outside the 3 hour block of church on Sundays. I smiled, especially at the "neighbor gifts" scene involving her father. Chrisy frequently admitted her own inner reasons for having feelings of exclusion. She is a mature, self actua...more
Am pretty sure the author lives in the same town that I do. Or possibly the one down the road. Had to laugh (and then get mad on her behalf) when the author's realtor "duped" her by letting her think that she was moving into a culturally diverse area instead of the absolute Mormoniest spot of Utah County Mormondom.
Definitely worth a read. The author has a very positive tone, but she is honest about the challenges of moving into an area where everyone already seems to be tucked neatly into famil...more
Definitely worth a read. The author has a very positive tone, but she is honest about the challenges of moving into an area where everyone already seems to be tucked neatly into famil...more
I was most intrigued by the premise of this book and so after hearing a friend talk about it I immediately picked it up and read it. It is a quick read, I read it in perhaps an hour to hour and a half and it was a good. I enjoyed hearing someone else's outlook on living in Utah, someone who is not part of the 'main' culture. I appreciated her understanding and her honesty. I laughed at some of her experiences and other stories made me think about how I act. A great read, don't miss the opportuni...more
As a recent arrival to Utah, and a non-LDS member, I found this book interesting. I liked that it was short and sweet and non-offensive. Much of what Chrisy talked about I have learned over the past year...other information was more informative (non-LDS boy scouts???).
I think it is a good reminder that though there is an unexpected culture shock when moving to this area (never experienced it before this move), people here have big hearts and are overall welcoming and accepting.
I think it is a good reminder that though there is an unexpected culture shock when moving to this area (never experienced it before this move), people here have big hearts and are overall welcoming and accepting.
I wish the author was my neighbor, she had a wonderful ability to poke gentle fun at both herself and the crazy Happy Valley area attitudes I see daily. I live in a town that is very similar to the town she lives in and I am a member of the predominant faith but I grew up in another state and wasn't baptized until I was older so I still feel a bit out of place in this culture even after nearly 11 years.
This is a book I hope all of my neighbors who live in "Happy Valley" will take the time to read. So insightful as it is written from the perspective of a non-Mormon living in a predominate Mormon society/culture. The author is open and honest and had me laughing many times and taking note of things I need to be more sensitive about beings as I am, a "Mormon".
Chrisy Ross, an irresistible story teller, is witty and insightful, as she takes us through her cultural and emotional travelogue of settling a non-member family into our Mormon "Mayberry." As a writer-Chrisy is a sincere seeker, who pays a great deal of attention to things that really matter and through her intelligence, humor, and candor, she generously shows us that our way of life makes us human in every way, and makes our community a pretty great place to live. Robin Lee Roberts, (a Mormon)
I'm not sure what I expected from this book but it didn't really make sense why she was writing it... to inform us Mormons what we're like? to tell us that some of us are rude and some of us are nice? I think we're aware of that. Or was it to make fun of us and our culture? It was a quick read but it was poorly written and left me unsure of the point.
Jul 23, 2012
Emilee
added it
Well, this was a quick, easy and fun read. Chrisy isn't Mormon but she gives her perspective on living in Utah among the 98% of Mormons. I found that she was honest and positive. I found her views to be right on and sometimes it made me laugh. I enjoyed reading it. It is always nice to read what others think especially when it is given in a positive light. I recommend it.
Probably 3.5 stars. I THINK this is nonfiction...but I'm not quite sure. It's a quirky, funny little book full of stories that made me go through a whole gamut of emotions. I was proud and embarrassed all at once. I'm glad I read it, though, and it's one I'll recommend and loan out to people.
My mom gave me the book because it was insightful for her as a Mormon. The book explores what is is like for a non-Mormon family to move to a very Mormon community in Utah County (think BYU). Nothing new to me but it was well put.
Thank you Chrisy for this open, honest, humorous book. I really enjoyed this quick and easy read. I don't want to spoil the fun, the title alone gives you a taste of what it is all about! Have fun with it!
I read this book because I heard that it was a non-LDS point of view on living in Utah and I thought it would be interesting. I had heard it was a humorous book which would give gentle advice on how to treat your non-LDS neighbors to help them feel comfortable and accepted without making them feeling like an agenda--- something all LDS people should want to know. What it ended up being was a disappointing account of how this lady basically fakes being Mormon to fit in in her overly LDS concentra...more
A very fast read. She is spot on with many of her observations. As a non-mormon living in Utah for most of my life, I could relate to and have experienced much of what she described. She started to lose me just a bit a little over half way through when she admitted to sometimes purposely behaving in ways that could lead people to believe she was mormon. Makes it feel a bit hypocritical. She wants to be accepted in the community for who she is (as all of us non-mormons do) yet at times was preten...more
An honest take on what it's like to be a "nonmember" in Utah (and how being a "nonmember" of the LDS Church makes you a "nonmember" of lots of things culturally/socially).
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This was a funny little book on someone who isn't mormon living in Utah. It was entertaining and insightful. I had to laugh at some of the "mormonisms."
Witty and clever. Liked it. Recommended by Design Mom, Gabrielle Blair, for those nonmembers curious about Mormon culture.
I just wrote a gigantic review of this book and have now deleted it because I was rambling. Bottom line, it is okay. I couldn't really relate too much, but don't live in a similar area. I am Catholic and have found my way, in my life in Utah, as the author has found her way. I feel blessed to have met and known well the many people I know from many different backgrounds.
Cute book. Fun to read from a non-member's perspective living in Utah.
This book should be handed out as part of a welcome packet to those who move to Utah. Both to members and nonmembers alike. An eye opener for both sides of the fence that should be torn down.
Great job Chrisy!
Great job Chrisy!
Interesting read.
A really worthwhile read by an American Fork author on her experience as a non-Mormon (happily) living in a predominantly Mormon community. It's written light-heartedly, but has a serious message. By reading this book, members and non-members alike can gain understanding of each other and insight on how to treat each other with more kindness and consideration.
Quick and easy to read—perhaps a bit choppy in places—but over all interesting and fun.
Quick and easy to read—perhaps a bit choppy in places—but over all interesting and fun.
I am LDS and I loved this book. I live in a mostly LDS and I thought this was a great insight into how others feel. I thought it was funny and thought provoking.
Definitely some clever and funny insights to the Mormon culture written by a non-Mormon.
May 16, 2013
Paula
marked it as to-read
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