Non-LDS at BYU?

Snake Plissken · 02-01-2007, 07:36 AM

Helloooo....Anybody out there? I'm interested in opinions on how a committed Christian (but not Mormon) would fair at BYU from a social perspective.
Thanks!

redsnake · 02-04-2007, 06:18 PM

Snake Plissken, I saw your posting at Dartmouth, another school to which I have applied and still await a decision. I cannot speak from actual experience, but I believe that the LDS students at BYU would be very accepting and friendly to people of other Christian and non-Christian beliefs. Mormons are a very sociable people, and you would certainly feel welcomed by them as they get to know you and discuss religious and personal matters. I do think, however, at times you might even find it overwhelming how religion-centric BYU is. If that is not an issue for you, then you would have a great time there. Have you applied, because applications should already have gone in? I was already admitted back in November.

My experience here on CC is that you won't get a lot of comments from too many BYU students or applicants (or their parents) since they just don't come to this board, but I want to wish you the best of luck for wherever you end up. I most likely will not go to BYU as I'm looking to experience an East Coast educational experience. Maybe I'll meet you at Dartmouth.

Idealistic32 · 02-04-2007, 06:21 PM

The Mormons that I know are super nice and friendly. They don't try to press their religion on you or anything, and are very smart fun people to have conversations with.

sunshadow · 02-04-2007, 06:25 PM

Correct me if I am wrong (and I certainly could be), but Mormons are not Christians. They do not believe in Christ as Christians do, but rather, in Brigham Young?

redsnake · 02-04-2007, 06:32 PM

Sunshadow....Well, you need to be corrected. Even the name of the LDS Church obviously answers this quesiton...The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I fail to understand why there is such a misunderstanding. The Savior is central to the LDS Church.

sunshadow · 02-04-2007, 06:37 PM

Oh, okay. But what I remember reading some time ago that there was another man who is central to the church's beliefs, like the person who founded the mormon church...and that Mormons do not necessarily believe that God sent his only son to die for our sins so that we may live...It may have been a novel of fiction or something, i don't remember.

elphaba88 · 02-24-2007, 03:05 PM

Mormons absolutely believe that God sent His only son Christ to atone and die for our sins so that we might all be saved. I believe you're thinking of Joseph Smith, who founded the church in the early 1800's. But Mormons do not believe "in" Brigham Young or Joseph Smith, rather Mormons believe they were God's prophets like Moses and Abraham were in old testament days. Like redsnake said, the real name of the church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Christ is the central point, and Mormons are definitely Christians.

flipchick1127 · 03-08-2007, 08:58 PM

Elphaba88 is absolutely correct. Christ is the center of our religion. We believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet who established the church. We do not worship him or anything like that.

egghead9033 · 05-10-2007, 04:05 PM

although mormons do not subscribe to the doctrine of the trinity

flipchick1127 · 05-10-2007, 10:37 PM

Well, we do believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, but we believe that they are three separate beings instead of three in one. We believe they are one in purpose, though.

Anhydrosis2000 · 05-16-2007, 11:13 PM

My best friend since junior high is LDS and goes to BYU and my next door neighbor growing up is also one of my best friends (her father was the local bishop and now holds a state level office). I'm a "born again" Christian. There are very clear and numerous differences in what we believe about Christ and the Bible... and the Book of Mormon and the Living Oracles. You should get a balanced book explaining the differences... and, if you can't find a balanced book, get two books coming from different angles.

Mormonism (and I use the term only for the sake of simplicity) is more different than, say, Baptists and Methodists. You will find a wide degree of opinion on whether they are "Christians," depending on what the person means when they are using the term. My suggestion is that if you are committed to your beliefs and you have a mutual understanding that you're not going to try to convert one another, you will find Mormons some of the most wonderful friends you could ever have. This is a generalization because, like any other faith or religion, you have will find some jerks and phonies. Mormons are no different... except they seem to have proportionally fewer jerks and phonies than the normal population.

We live in a neighborhood with lots of Mormons... and we joke that we are the "honorary Mormons." They are serious about their religion, as I am, but they have a great sense of humor.

This may be a dumb example but... if your car breaks down anywhere near BYU I believe there is a high likelihood that within moments someone will stop to help you... maybe multiple people. Sometimes you will feel like an outsider and, if you can live with that, you will find the social scene great. However, don't expect to marry a Mormon unless one of you is willing to change faiths.