Are U Mormon?

Currently, the majority of people living in Utah are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many of the church’s policies — past and present — concerning race, women and the LGBTQ community, are controversial. While these topics can be difficult to discuss for people throughout the U.S., they especially become a sticking point in Utah. This year, The Daily Utah Chronicle is reporting on the spectrum of involvement in the church and religion in general at the University of Utah. “Are U Mormon?” explores the wide variety of spiritual identities on campus and how the state’s dominating faith — the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — affects the culture there.

The president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Russell M. Nelson, recently announced that the church prefers to be referred to by its full name and not “Mormon” or “LDS.” While The Chronicle respects this request, we will use both names throughout this project because the church is universally recognized by these names. Further, this project will look at all sects of Mormonism, not just the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This collection of stories is part of the Poynter College Media Project.