To address this issue, communities can make efforts to create events like the neighborhood barbecue, which are centered around neighborhoods rather than religious wards. This would eliminate the requirement to participate in religious activities to be a part of the local community. By doing this, communities would become more connected and diverse. A majority of people in my local area, Davis County, Utah, are members of the LDS church. According to an article by Lynn Arave and Rodger Hardy, staff writers of Deseret News, approximately 72% of individuals in Davis County are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This has become very apparent in my daily life, where people have often assumed I am a member of the LDS church at completely unrelated places, like the orthodontist.

Because a majority of people are members of the LDS church in my local area, social events are frequently connected to participation in the church. These are when my neighbors, who are my age, can see each other and interact throughout the week. On the other hand, my interaction with my community is limited to when I greet them as they pass by my house once every couple of weeks or when I attend our biannual neighborhood barbecue. Because I have fewer opportunities to interact with my community, I have felt less connected to my neighbors, which is unfortunate. Studies also support the fact that religious disaffiliation can have a harmful impact on our social lives. According to a study by Maria Björkmark, et al., “religious disaffiliation may lead to the lack of social support which negatively affects an individual’s health and leads to sorrow, anxiety, loneliness, and anger.” This demonstrates that people supplement their social lives with religion, and its absence creates problems that are not commonly addressed.

In an area like Davis County, where a higher percentage of people are religious than in the rest of the country, you can imagine that this effect is amplified because there are fewer people to connect with who share a similar situation. Some might argue that the social benefits that are offered by religion are irreplaceable by simple social events like the neighborhood barbecue. For instance, people who suffer from feelings of loneliness are often pointed towards religion as a solution. While I agree that religion can serve as a solution to loneliness, isolation, and even a lack of purpose, I disagree that there are no other similarly effective alternatives. According to the article “The Overlooked Epidemic: Loneliness and Its Impact on Mental Health,” by Brad

Brenner, Ph.D., not only do community events help to address loneliness, but they are essential to facilitate connections on a wide scale. These community events don’t just include neighborhood barbecues. Local events like social dancing or hobby groups are great ways to engage with the community. Speaking from personal experience, attending these events is a great way to foster connections, meet new people, and enjoy an activity together.

After considering the difficulties that can prevent communities from being well-connected and the impact it can have on personal well-being, you might be wondering what you can do to best facilitate local connections. My recommendation is this: Do what you enjoy with other people. A neighborhood barbecue is a great example of this because it is a simple way to interact with your community. However, it is far from the only way to make a positive impact on your social life. In reality, simply placing effort into socializing can diminish loneliness and brighten communities.

Eric Hale

Northern Utah Academy for Math Engineering and Science

Layton