You need Jesus

I grew up in a small community in Utah. A country style town where every body knew everybody. The Church (of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (aka 'Mormon')) was very popular there, as in most of Utah. Most of the population was LDS, and the community was very family and church based. So when someone happened to not be Mormon, it was the odd thing there. And even if they had a different religion, people still knew a lot about Mormon culture, because the rest of the state kind of upheld those traditions. This was back ten years ago, and Christen region wasn't under so much negative light.
Recently we moved quite far from our Mormon state to a bigger busier city. Its not as easy going and friendly here, but that has more to do with not knowing anyone than the community itself. Its hard to feel connected with a community you didn't grow up with, and have little in common.
In small talk conversations I find that a lot of people have asked where we moved from (I guess I have a bit of an accent?) and when I say we came from Utah people automatically assume "You must be Mormon then?"
The main religion here (if you are religious at all) is the Catholic Church. Which, from my understanding has a lot of the same core beliefs and standards as the Mormon church. There is 1 church here, 3 wards, maybe 1,000 members in this town. Which is odd for me coming from a place where there was 1 church practically every mile. But there are many Catholic church here (which by the way are beautiful).
Sometimes the "So you must be Mormon?" question comes out kind and curious. And often times there is a slight tone in it that makes you feel like the person asking you has some negative feeling towards it. I answer "Yes, my husband and I both are LDS" with as much confidence and positivity as I can. But its hard to not be a little nervous about stating your belief when it is not only less popular, but sometimes disliked, and you don't know what the person will say about it.
Giving yourself that label, making that statement, sets you apart and hold you to a higher standard. If you are going to proudly announce that "I am a Mormon" and you believe and follow the LDS church, you should make sure that when people meet you they feel like the Mormons are good kind people. When they think LDS they think of people like you and you want that to be a positive association. We want people to think of Mormons as kind caring and giving people. People who follow Jesus and want to spread his message and love with others. We want them to think of service and help and compassion.
In todays society Christian regions, especially Mormons, are under negative light because of the members actions concerning new cultural changes. Specifically the LGBT community and the churches stance on Gay marriage. Society has painted a dark picture on our community for being closed-minded, discriminative, hateful people. In response to my answer "Yes I am Mormon" I have been asked "So you hate gay people?" It shook me how he looked at me with disgust and pain and assumed that I hated him or thought of him as nothing more that Satans brother when he said that. "No!" I answered. "I don't hate anybody" "Well then why do you people refuse to let Gay people have rights?" he spat. "We don't. The church has rules against them being married in our church, because same sex marriage is a sin according to our religion." I explained. "BUT, the church is also against sex before marriage and doesn't allow even its members who don't obey every standard to be married in their temples either." He then asked "Well then why don't you let gay people come to your church?" to which I replied "We do. We invite everyone to come. And anyone who tells you other wise isn't following the religion either because we all break the rules and sin in one way or another. But we do not judge each other by those sins or tell people they ant welcome because of any of them." "A lot of Mormons do judge" he said. "Yes, but they are going to hell for judging you then so I wouldn't worry about it" I laughed. And he became less hostile. "Listen, I drink coffee, I like tattoos, I've had alcohol, and I had sex before I was married ok? I am not perfect. But I don't think my sins are less sinful than anything you do, and I don't hate you because of what you believe or do."
I think this is something we all need to apply and proclaim.
I know many many self righteous, better than thou, judgmental Mormons who put themselves on a pedestal and look down on others. I think it makes them feel like they are more likely to go to heaven as long as they are better than the majority of others, so they point out and pick at other people who they think are more sinful than them. But the truth is- there is not a limit on the number of people who are allowed into heaven. Just because 10 people sin some than you does not make you more likely to get into heaven because you think those 10 arn't.
I also think that a lot of them think its unfair if they play by the rules and "have less fun" than someone who screwed up and later repented is on the same level of them. Which in a way kind of is, because you naturally want gratification and awarded for doing better at something than another. But news flash- religion isn't a competition! You don't get an award, you don't get favoritism, you are equal.
God loves you. But he can love everyone else too, and it doesn't take anything away from you. But if you truly believe in God, and are trying to be like him, you need to love everyone equally. And spread that love and kindness and giving to everyone. Wether you personally agree with their life choices or not doesn't matter. If you refuse to love and accept people for who they are than why would they want to have anything to do with you or the religion you are associated with? Why would they want to believe in God if the people who are spreading his message are also spreading one of hate and discrimination? Mormons don't hate Gay people. Mormons don't hate anybody. And if you have any hate in your heart for these people, than it is you who needs Jesus.
And if you are going to say "Yes, I am a Mormon" you need to make sure you're living, dressing, and behaving like someone who is proud to be Mormon. You need to be the light that shines that brings warmth and love to others and draws them closer to God. Not someone who pushes people away or makes them feel unwanted or unworthy of Gods love. Because he loves everyone.