This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
There is much evidence that we have a dynamic, responsive, innovative and opportunistic business climate here in Utah, including the University of Utah being number one in the country in company startups, the state's entrepreneurial, can-do attitude, a stable and well-educated work force, a clean landscape and an attractive cost-of-living environment.
Utah is the home of many innovations: television, CD-ROM and animated motion picture technology, networking and word processing software, aerospace and materials science, and many breakthrough medical technologies — discovery of the breast-cancer gene, development of the artificial heart, and a mouse knock-out model for detecting disease causes.
But a not-so-subtle message is missed by the state. And I believe Utah collectively can do better in creating a more responsive and welcoming climate to business and job growth — if more will pay attention to some of the realities and seek to change present habits or practice. Although there are challenges, we can attract high-level talent (and businesses) to Utah.
Our company just hired a (non-LDS) chemist from the Boston area. He and his family are now searching for a home, and in discussing with families of their faith attractive areas, school systems, and neighborhood issues, the issue of Mormon families not allowing their children to socialize with non-Mormon children and not being welcome in some neighborhoods has surfaced. There is the LDS Church's role in local Scouting as well.
Intentional or not, this attitude of "exclusivity" is not consistent with the Christian values espoused by the LDS Church.
There is so much history of isolationism, lack of exposure to diversity, and unidirectional thinking and attitude(s), it is apparent that many local Mormons are tone deaf to what they project — the antithesis of their mission objectives. Attitudes toward [non-Mormon] Sunday activities and alcohol legislation are further evidence of this.
I read with interest Steve Warren's Dec. 25 op-ed in The Tribune on Utah church-state issues and was struck by two contrasting observations. He acknowledges opening a meeting with a prayer of his personal religion, yet proposes to "cease to impose religion and embrace goodwill" toward all men and women. Hopefully, the latter represents a changing Mormon attitude.
LDS Church leadership appears to be trying to change local parochial attitudes, but this is like turning a battleship of generational and cultural behavior. Church support of California's Prop 8 only crystallized the perceptions of aversion to diversity created by historic attitudes toward people of color, women, non-Mormons, and now the LGBT community.
In 2007, The Tribune reported that former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt, while in public office, held closed staff meetings that included Mormon prayer and discussion of "holy and just" Mormon principles. Leavitt argued that "the role of faith in public policy is a legitimate story"; the discussion "may deem to be personal, in some cases even sacred."
And that's precisely the trouble with attitudes of this kind. It "forces" these belief sets onto others, especially subordinates. If you are not a Mormon, "you would be de facto compelled to bury your convictions and adopt the governor's religious attitudes … or be demoted or fired."
Such things may seem natural to Utah Mormons acting on the assumption that all around them are Mormon and/or accept such practices. This is a polarizing attitude. Not only are such practices unconstitutional (separation of church and state) and disrespectful, but they telegraph that Utah is unilateral in its legislative, cultural and social attitudes, an off-set against attractive Utah attributes to those individuals and companies looking to relocate here.
In September 2011, California was ranked the worst business climate in the United States due to high taxes, too much regulation, high costs and an anti-business climate. Utah business attributes make this state a natural regional target for moving into and building a company.
Mitt Romney, in his Republican campaign, has said, "I will take care to separate the affairs of government from any religion … we separate church and state affairs in this country, and for good reason."
I believe more Mormons than not truly try to be accepting of all. With an overt attitude of change and acceptance, we can continue to progress to a truly attractive place for Mormon and non-Mormon fellowship and business growth.
W. Tim Miller is CEO of a leading Utah biotechnology company, a recipient of the Governor's Science Medal for 2011 and University of Utah business professor.