Review
=====

Title: To Mormons, with LOVE (a little something from the new girl in Utah)
Author: Chrisy Ross
Publisher: American Fork Arts Council
Genre: self-help, biography
Year Published: 2011
Number of pages: 141
Binding: Softbound
ISBN-10: n/a
ISBN-13: 978-1-60574-001-0
Price: $12.95

Reviewed by Roy Schmidt for the Association for Mormon Letters

I recently attended the LDS Booksellers Conference where I had the good fortune to meet a goodly number of authors and performing artists. One of these was Chrisy Ross who has written a fun book detailing her family's adventures after moving to Utah.

Here is how she begins her story: “Hi, My name is Chris. I live in Mayberry, Utah County, Utah, and I'm not a member of the Mormon Church. I'm happy living here. They say admission is the first step.” (1) Reading those words hooked me, and I completed the work in two sittings.

Moving is in general difficult, but moving to Utah can be a real challenge even if you are LDS. We located here twenty years ago, and lived in a small community in southern Utah County. Although we were accepted, people looked on us with a certain amount of disdain as we were “California Mormons.” We heard comments like, “Those danged Californians are ruining our state.” “They should go back where they came from.” I frequently read letters to the editor stating, “If people don't like the way things are here, they can go back where they came from.” Fortunately, I haven't heard or seen these comments made in some time. At least, that is, about white people. If one is a minority, all bets are off. OK, my rant is over.

The Ross family moved to Utah because of Mr. Ross' (also named Chris) employment. They settled in Utah County not realizing its lack of religious diversity. Ms. Ross writes, “I thought I knew more than the average non-Mormon about the faith, but I was wrong. I didn't know what a 'ward' was, 'member' made me think of Costco, and 'LDS' sounded like the drug I was afraid to try in college.”(1)

I laughed out loud at a map found early in her work. It shows “The Valley – Salt Lake County” at the top. And “Happy Valley – Utah County” at the bottom. “Point of the Mountain” provides the unofficial boundary between the two. North of the Point live the “Loosey Goosey Mormons.” The county is 48-52% LDS, the politics are Blue, and the college team is Red. Below the Point, the population is 99.99% LDS, the politics are Red, and the college team is Blue. What a perfectly accurate map!

Chris writes of her struggles with the irritation which turned to paranoia during her early time in the state. Her dad even suggested she become a “Jack Mormon” to better fit in. Her observations on Mormon kids, “Mormons on Sabbatical,” “Bonus Holiday (24th of July)," “Neighbor Gifts & Parties,” and other topics were, I felt, spot on, and discussed with humor and candor.

The author becomes a little more somber when she writes her “Confidential to Nonmembers” and “Confidential to Members” chapters. These chapters are more serious, but not at all glum. In the first, she counsels: 1. Don't believe everything you hear. 2. For some (not all) the bubble is real. 3. Give people and yourself multiple chances. 4. Accept where you live. 5. There's diversity, just look. 6. Read the book. 7. If you have questions, ask. 8. Lighten-up, Francis. And 9. Never run or mow the lawn without a shirt. The latter chapter looks at: We're not all Catholic. Use of the word “we.” Elusive nonmembers. Let the Missionaries do the Missionary work. Clarify the fun part. No means no. The last topic covers: Keep your shirt on.

The Ross's have lived in Utah for ten years now. They love their neighbors, they love their neighborhood. They revel in the beauty of the state, and are happy. They still are not members (I write this with a smile).

I feel this book is a very important work. It kindly helped me to understand the challenges nonmembers feel when they move here. It will affect the way I deal with “newcomers.” It should be a “must read” for those who have recently located in Utah, or who are considering doing so. Ms. Ross has a genuine feeling for people, and a genuine talent for writing. I hope to hear more from her in the coming years.