coming out

It's not that I try to keep my faith hidden, but I don't go around telling everyone and their dog that I'm a Mormon. Mostly this is because it's harder to explain what it is I do believe, since there is so much misconception out there. Yes, I suppose I should be doing my job as a member of the church to educate people on our faith, but that's just not me.

For me, it's easier to live my life as a Latter-day Saint, doing what I do, and then having people find out after the fact. There are millions of people out there who, when asked what they know about Mormons will say something to the effect of "I had a boss/neighbor/coworker/hairdresser/whatever who was Mormon. He/she was a good person." I want to be that example.

Also, when people find out you are Mormon, you're suddenly under a microscope. They want to play the Mormon Police and tell you when you've done something wrong. They know we don't drink (I don't), they know we don't smoke (I don't), they know we don't cuss (oops, sometimes I do) and are quick to point out when you slip on one of these things. If I can avoid that pressure, the better an example I can be -- if that makes any sense.

I don't need to go around with a big flag that says I'm a Mo', just like my Presbyterian and Catholic and Jewish friends don't go around doing the same. But some Mormons do feel comfortable doing that. I don't.

My immediate family knows that I am Mormon, but how much they understand, I do not know. My extended family also knows, but understands very little -- we just don't talk about this stuff! Because of convenience, the majority of my friends at this stage in my life are members of the church. The friends that I do keep in contact with from high school and other areas of my life also know. I'm always willing to answer any questions that arise, but I don't shove my religion on them, just as they don't me.

In Arizona, it was easier to be Mormon at work. All of the LDS teachers knew one another (there were 6 of us) and because of the morning youth program called seminary, which was held at our school, I knew who all of the LDS kids were, and they knew me. My other coworkers knew that there was this group of us who were Latter-day Saints, but again, it was a non issue.

Since I have been at my current school, almost 2 years, no one knows that I'm LDS. It's not like I'm keeping it a secret, it's just easier. Some of them know I'm very involved with my church, some of them don't. The "right time" to bring it up has never presented itself. I'm the only Mormon teacher in the building (one of the business teacher's wife is a member, and one of the building subs is a member) and I'm ok with that.

Spring break is upon us, and everyone is eager to share their travel plans, myself included. The problem, if you will, is that I'm going to Salt Lake City for a week. By virtue of association, Salt Lake City = Mormons. My one coworker, when I told her I was going to SLC, asked if I was "converting." I just giggled a little.

So where is this all going? One of my office-mates is out on maternity leave and her long-term sub is a guy about my age. He's Jewish, and graduated from the school we teach in. He's probably one of the only Jews in the town. I asked him what his plans were for Spring Break; he plans to go to UNC to interview for grad school. He asked where I was going, I told him Salt Lake. And what came next I figured would happen at some point. I didn't know when, I didn't know how, but he asked one simple question:

Oh, are you Mormon?

To which I looked up from the paper I was grading, and responded:

Yes, I am.

Jarrod cocked a half smile and said, "Cool," and we continued on our way with nothing more said.

It feels good to come out at work. I doubt he'll tell anyone else, he's a quiet guy, but my secret's out. And frankly, of all the people to understand, I think the Jewish boy would.