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The Salt Lake Valley is surrounded by mountains. Severe pollution problems plague the Salt Lake Valley because of the "bowl" effect caused by surrounding mountains. Pollution stagnates and is held until weather conditions cause enough wind to blow it away. A magnesium plant located west of Salt Lake is regarded as the "worst polluter in the United States," pouring tons of sulphur dioxide and other pollutants into the air. Too, several oil refineries within city limits and copper smelting and processing add to the problem. An alarming sharp increase in the number of cars along the Wasatch Front now threaten EPA approval of air quality standards. About one million people now reside near Salt Lake City.
Depending upon which statistic you use, Utah ranks eighth in the nation for suicides (raw data). Utah's "adjusted data" tells us we're eleventh. (Seems Utah is always "adjusting data")
Another shocking statistic is that Utah ranks "way above" the national average (April, 2001) for child abuse. Not such a good record for the Mormon dominated community (70-plus percent Mormon), which touts "family orientation," and "families are forever."
The western mountains have the world's largest open pit copper mine. It is low grade ore, thus only about nine pounds of copper are retrieved from each ton of ore. However both gold and silver are byproducts of the copper production. Enormous trucks haul both ore and waste rock. These trucks have six tires on each vehicle which cost $20,000 for each tire! Each tire is twice the height of a full grown man!
Salt Lake City is known as the "crossroads of the west" and the "center of scenic America." Many national parks surround Salt Lake within a 400 mile radius. Among these are Yellowstone National Park, Grand Canyon, Zions Canyon, and Bryce Canyon.
Skiing is found in the rugged mountains east of Salt Lake during the winter months. We call it the world's best snow; however Colorado, our neighboring state, argues this point. The highest peak is King's Peak at 13,528 feet. This peak is located in a primitive mountain area 80 miles to the east of Salt Lake City. Utah is earthquake country. Hundreds (mostly unfelt) earthquakes shake this mountain area in a large arc that starts up in the state of Montana, arcs down through Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, Utah, and finally swings back out to the west into Nevada at the southernmost part of Utah. Many of these earthquakes center around the Wasatch Fault which is regarded as one of the largest faults in the continental U.S. Geologists fear a 7.5 or larger earthquake is due "any time now," because of several newly discovered faults which indicate enormous magnitude earthquakes. Every 2,000 years, a severe large earthquake shocks the Salt Lake valley. We're exactly in the next time frame for a new earthquake.
One geologist arriving into the Salt Lake Valley in the 1850s said, "I couldn't get out of there fast enough after looking at the fault scarp nestled next to the city. It looked like an earthquake ready to happen."
Unfortunately, Utah taxes its residents highest of any of the western states in the U.S. and, disappointingly, is one of the few states which tax food. Yet, despite the high taxes, Utah earns the dark reputation for paying the least per student for education.
Utah also has one of the lowest pay scales of of all the states. Many residents have been and are easily swayed into pyramid type schemes and other illegal operations which earned Utah the title as "Scam Capitol of the World." Hopefully, we'll
eventually shake this title. Nope, guess I'm wrong. The newest Winter Olympics scandal uncovered in early 1999 tells a much different story.
Most of the population is found in the Ogden, Salt Lake, and Provo areas. The rest of the state is pretty well devoid of population or large cities. One can drive for miles on dirt roads and not see another person for hours. One of the more memorable trips was following dirt roads which follow the old Pony Express route of early days. This leads to a very isolated spot, Fish Springs -- a large lukewarm flow of water (75-80 degrees F.) in the Great Salt Lake Desert. These springs make for a large wildlife refuge for birds. One pool north of Fish Springs is said to be "bottomless." It is about 20 feet across and of "ideal swimming temperature." Within only a few feet of this rock rimmed pool lies a spring with boiling hot water.... and within only a few more feet, a cold water spring. The area is referred to as Wilson's Health Springs. Further to the southeast (about 50 miles) lies Topaz Mountain where gem quality topaz stones are found. The public has free access to parts of this area. Berylium metal is the mineral mined in this same area.
Volcanos erupted in recent geologic times -- a few erupted just after old Lake Bonneville receded. These have left deposits of lava that look fresh. These are found near the town of Milford. Milford is located about in the center of Utah.
The name "Utah" was coined from the Ute Indians who were one of many tribes occupying this Utah territory. The predominant religion (about 40-50% of the population) is of the Mormon, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints -LDS faith. They regard their church as "the only true Church," so you don't dare argue with them.
Despite the early Mormon practice of polygamy, their moral standards today are high. Yet, polygamy is treated with extreme "kid glove" caution since several polygamists groups reside in the state and modern day Mormon doctrine teaches that polygamy does exist in heaven and will eventually be restored here on earth. Surprisingly, if not shockingly, polygamy has not vanished from the main stream published Mormon doctrine -- It's still in their 132nd section "Doctrine and Convenants."
Another down side, -- a good Mormon is obligated to pay his "tithing," which is 10% of his gross earnings. In actuality it is much higher since there are numerous other donations that plague the "good" Mormon. Social pressures to "pay up" are very strong. One can't go through a Mormon Temple, or witness a Mormon marriage -- not even your own son or daughter's, unless you pay a full tithing. Also, you must not drink coffee, caffeinated drinks, alcoholic beverages, smoke cicarettes, or chew tobacco. You are required to attend all your church meetings. Failure to follow these church directives will deny you the "temple recommend." These recommends are issued only after a private interview with your bishop and stake president (ministers). A good Mormon always attends these ritualistic temple ceremonies monthly or oftener.
Families are expected to financially support their own son's and daughter's missions for the LDS Church. Also, outfitting a child with new clothing, baggage, and the like before he leaves for his mission is also an expense the family better be prepared to bear -- typically this amounts to well over $2,000 per child. These expenses are all in addition to tithing, so being a Mormon is rather expensive. many class it a "rich man's religion." Another characteristic for a good Mormon is that he leans toward the Republican political party.
From the time a child first goes to church he is indoctrinated with the idea to go on a mission. ALL male members of the faith are expected to go on missions. The pressure for females to serve missions is not emphasized as much. Only a small percentage of the female members choose to go. Missions are served for a period of two years during the prime years of the young adult's life -- soon after he graduates from high school. Missions are "more important" than an education. Recent figures (April, 2001) show fewer Utahn's finish college compared to other states.
The income of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is estimated to be somewhere between 2 to 4 million dollars per day. No financial statements are published or allowed to be read by the public -- or even the members themselves. Inasmuch as all bishops and other leaders are not paid by the church, all tithe money goes directly to the LDS "Corporation of the President."
When coming to Salt Lake City, do take in a Sunday morning broadcast of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Hearing the organ and singing is an exciting inspirational experience. During the weekdays, organ recitals at the tabernacle are given each noontime. (Just be sure you study Mormonism thoroughly -- from outside sources -- before you talk to the missionaries and commit to baptism!)
More you should know about the Mormons and the LDS religion