Utah is happiest state according to study

[Calm]

Haven’t looked at study enough to give an opinion on it, thought some here might be interested though.  Looks like they included a number of varied factors and worked at giving them appropriate weighting, so my guess is it is pretty decent.

https://wallethub.com/edu/happiest-states/6959

Edited April 3, 2022 by Calm

[SwedishLDS]

Nothing brings more happiness than living the gospel.

Family, community, meaningful work, religion, are all things that are in the top when looking at what differentiates happy people. Relationships, purpose, and helping others are things I often see cited

https://study.com/academy/lesson/research-on-happiness-what-makes-people-happy.html

https://www.pewforum.org/2019/01/31/religions-relationship-to-happiness-civic-engagement-and-health-around-the-world/

Edited April 4, 2022 by SwedishLDS

[Scott Lloyd]

Did a quick Google search and saw headlines from Deseret News articles in 2017, 2018 and 2020 reporting that Utah ranked as the second-happiest state. Trib had one from 2021 reporting Utah as the happiest. 

[Buckeye]

All rankings depend heavily on how the authors determine what inputs to include and how to weigh them.  I don’t have time to look at the inputs in detail, but do note that states in the south and republican-lead states tend to be ranked lower.  Utah is the top.  Idaho and the Dakotas are high up too.  But the overall trend is clear. 21 of the top 27 states in happiness voted for Biden in 2020. 

[Scott Lloyd]

3 hours ago, Buckeye said:

All rankings depend heavily on how the authors determine what inputs to include and how to weigh them.  I don’t have time to look at the inputs in detail, but do note that states in the south and republican-lead states tend to be ranked lower.  Utah is the top.  Idaho and the Dakotas are high up too.  But the overall trend is clear. 21 of the top 27 states in happiness voted for Biden in 2020. 

I wonder what the trend was prior to 2020. 
 

Afterthought: It would be pretty sad if people were generally letting their happiness level correlate with who holds political office. But if that’s true, it speaks well for Utahns, who’ve consistently ranked high, even in recent years when their preferred political party was not predominant in national government. 
 

An alternative conclusion is that Biden voters are inherently happier. This doesn’t square with my observation. 

Edited April 3, 2022 by Scott Lloyd

[Tacenda]

19 minutes ago, Buckeye said:

All rankings depend heavily on how the authors determine what inputs to include and how to weigh them.  I don’t have time to look at the inputs in detail, but do note that states in the south and republican-lead states tend to be ranked lower.  Utah is the top.  Idaho and the Dakotas are high up too.  But the overall trend is clear. 21 of the top 27 states in happiness voted for Biden in 2020. 

If Utahans are called on the phone or another way by way of a survey, I'm thinking most LDS or members, think they are happy or feel like they need to say they're happy. In conference talks currently ongoing the talks expressing how we need to have a good attitude and be positive. Could that be why people say how happy they are, I wonder. Since there was a big problem with Utahans in the past having a high usage of antidepressants. 

But according to this article, it has improved. https://mormonr.org/qnas/kxclp/antidepressants_in_utah

Edited April 3, 2022 by Tacenda

[MustardSeed]

My understanding is that Utah is in the top 10 ish for depression and suicides.  No stats but I can look.
 
Maybe the happy are happiest, and the sad are really sad.

[Scott Lloyd]

47 minutes ago, Buckeye said:

All rankings depend heavily on how the authors determine what inputs to include and how to weigh them.  I don’t have time to look at the inputs in detail, but do note that states in the south and republican-lead states tend to be ranked lower.  Utah is the top.  Idaho and the Dakotas are high up too.  But the overall trend is clear. 21 of the top 27 states in happiness voted for Biden in 2020. 

The Wallet Hub article linked in the OP is pretty transparent about what factors are considered and how they are weighted. If you scroll down to “Methodology,” you see a listing. 

[webbles]

30 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

If Utahans are called on the phone or another way by way of a survey, I'm thinking most LDS or members, think they are happy or feel like they need to say they're happy. In conference talks currently ongoing the talks expressing how we need to have a good attitude and be positive. Could that be why people say how happy they are, I wonder. Since there was a big problem with Utahans in the past having a high usage of antidepressants. 

But according to this article, it has improved. https://mormonr.org/qnas/kxclp/antidepressants_in_utah

The study isn't a phone survey.  It is grabbing from a bunch of different surveys that have a wide range.  They break them down to three categories: 1) Emotional & Physical Well-Being, 2) Work Environment and 3) Community & Environment.  In the later two, Utah is #1.  In the first (which would include depression stats), Utah is #9.  If you scroll down a little farther, they actually show a breakdown of adult depression for the top 5 states and the bottom 5 states.  Utah is in neither but I would assume it is in the bottom 15 since it known to have a high percentage of antidpressants (along with all of the other Mountain West states).

I'd love to actually look at the raw data but they don't really give it.  It just says "Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Feeding America, Corporation for National and Community Service, Gallup, Brandwatch, TransUnion, Minnesota Population Center - University of Minnesota, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, County Health Rankings and WalletHub research."

[Scott Lloyd]

26 minutes ago, MustardSeed said:

My understanding is that Utah is in the top 10 ish for depression and suicides.  No stats but I can look.
 
Maybe the happy are happiest, and the sad are really sad.

In the Wallet Hub study, Utah ranks 9th for “Emotional and Physical Well Being,” pretty high for a state where there’s supposedly a lot of depression and suicides. 

[MustardSeed]

Just now, Scott Lloyd said:

In the Wallet Hub study, Utah ranks 9th for “Emotional and Physical Well Being,” pretty high for a state where there’s supposedly a lot of depression and suicides. 

Like I said, perhaps the happy are super happy , the sad super sad.  I hope my understanding is wrong. 

[Kenngo1969]

Huh.  I wonder where I would fall in the survey.  I'm neither, "Put on a smile and cheer up!  Put on a happy face!" happy, nor am I "Oh, Lord, I can't stand another nanosecond of this ... Can I simply either: (1) turn to dust and blow away in the wind right now ?  or (2) slit my wrists right now ?" sad.  And I think I have been at least the first, if not the second.

I've gone through stages where I've said, "The Gospel is supposed to be a Gospel of Joy " and "Men are that they might have Joy " .... DAMMIT!    But, now, most of the time, quite frankly, I'm just a bit numb over the fact that life has not, in various regards, met my expectations, and I doubt it ever will.  And, for the most part, as "Dougie Downer" as this might seem, I have made peace with that state of affairs.  In the immortal words of Pink Floyd, I am comfortably numb!  

I think it's possible that "Men are that they might have joy ... eventually."  And also that "The Gospel is a Gospel of joy ... eventually."  In any event, I do believe that whatever passes for joy here in mortality (as great as, undoubtedly, that is) still is but a faint imitation of its eternal, unalloyed, undiluted counterpart.

And I will hasten to add that for all of my life's imperfections and less-than-ideal or less-than-even-close-to-ideal circumstances, still, I am better off with the Restored Gospel's expectations (even those that, consistently, I fail to meet, and simply try, try again) than I would be without them.

Edited April 3, 2022 by Kenngo1969

[OGHoosier]

Quote

I'm thinking most LDS or members, think they are happy or feel like they need to say they're happy.

Please forgive me, but I do not understand this distinction. Is not happiness a state of mind? Is there an objective standard against which happiness can be measured? Is it possible for us to misunderstand our own condition relative to such a scale? Since happiness is intrinsically a subjective state, I don't think such ideas make sense. 

Somebody can think about their life, experience dissatisfaction, and declare that "I realized I thought I was happy but I wasn't," but I would argue that their condition of unhappiness started when they centered their dissatisfaction and did not exist previous to that. 

[Scott Lloyd]

2 hours ago, Tacenda said:

If Utahans are called on the phone or another way by way of a survey, I'm thinking most LDS or members, think they are happy or feel like they need to say they're happy. In conference talks currently ongoing the talks expressing how we need to have a good attitude and be positive. Could that be why people say how happy they are, I wonder. Since there was a big problem with Utahans in the past having a high usage of antidepressants. 

But according to this article, it has improved. https://mormonr.org/qnas/kxclp/antidepressants_in_utah

Interesting point from the link, relative to the topic at hand:

“How come there is high depression but high happiness and life satisfaction?

“It's unclear. These paradoxical findings of high happiness rates combined with high suicide and depression rates are also found in other areas like some Scandinavian countries.^[12] One possible theory is that the decision to commit suicide is driven by comparison effects, and people who are depressed could feel worse if they are in a happy context.”

[Scott Lloyd]

1 hour ago, OGHoosier said:

Please forgive me, but I do not understand this distinction. Is not happiness a state of mind? Is there an objective standard against which happiness can be measured? Is it possible for us to misunderstand our own condition relative to such a scale? Since happiness is intrinsically a subjective state, I don't think such ideas make sense. 

Somebody can think about their life, experience dissatisfaction, and declare that "I realized I thought I was happy but I wasn't," but I would argue that their condition of unhappiness started when they centered their dissatisfaction and did not exist previous to that. 

I think Tacenda is implying that Church members are not being candid when they say in response to surveys that they are happy. 

[Scott Lloyd]

Consider the blessed and happy state of those who keep the commandments of God. A Book of Mormon passage just quoted by a conference speaker. It seems to apply to this topic, so I’m citing it here. 

[The Nehor]

39 minutes ago, Scott Lloyd said:

Consider the blessed and happy state of those who keep the commandments of God.

Wait, I am supposed to be blessed and happy? Is there a customer service line I can call to report a defect in my order?

[SwedishLDS]

13 hours ago, The Nehor said:

Wait, I am supposed to be blessed and happy? Is there a customer service line I can call to report a defect in my order?

yes its called prayer. 

That said we are promised blessings in the life to come, following the gospel is not, to quote last conference a divine vending machine of blessings. Blessings doesnt come according to our whims and timeplans. We are to follow the gospel regardless of the amount of blessings we receive, consider the story of Job for inspiration of how to live life.

 

[SwedishLDS]

18 hours ago, Buckeye said:

All rankings depend heavily on how the authors determine what inputs to include and how to weigh them.  I don’t have time to look at the inputs in detail, but do note that states in the south and republican-lead states tend to be ranked lower.  Utah is the top.  Idaho and the Dakotas are high up too.  But the overall trend is clear. 21 of the top 27 states in happiness voted for Biden in 2020. 

Indeed, how to measure these things are very tricky. Often it comes down to contentment and not really happiness. Its also pretty ties to economic trends and political trends.

Regarding the republican/Democrat issue I dont really even bother. As far as I am concerned they are both apostate and beside the point of living the gospel. I do have policies I prefer though, most specifically religious freedom related ones as taught in the last general conference. If I could say something it would be to make sure to vote in primaries and research your candidates.

Utah has its own set of blessings and problems inherent with living in the state. Members living in Utah are blessed in the sense of having many members around them and relative ease of finding a partner, but they also have the struggle of having cultural mormons around them (I find that here in Sweden we are few, but the ones that do stay dont really do it for cultural reasons, my 2 cents).

 

Edited April 4, 2022 by SwedishLDS

[Calm]

1 hour ago, SwedishLDS said:

consider the story of Job for inspiration of how to live life.

Was Job happy in his sufferings?  Content?

Edited April 4, 2022 by Calm

[Scott Lloyd]

8 hours ago, SwedishLDS said:

Utah has its own set of blessings and problems inherent with living in the state. Members living in Utah are blessed in the sense of having many members around them and relative ease of finding a partner, but they also have the struggle of having cultural mormons around them (I find that here in Sweden we are few, but the ones that do stay dont really do it for cultural reasons, my 2 cents).

I’ve said before on here — and gotten some pushback for it — that I feel a greater affinity for members who are spiritually and doctrinally converted to the restored gospel — wherever they might live in the world and whatever might be their cultural background — than I do for so-called “cultural Mormons.” 
 

Incidentally, Sweden is not only my ancestral homeland, but my mission country. My eldest son also served there a few years ago. So I have a place in my heart for Sverige. I’m glad for your presence here on the board. 

[SwedishLDS]

28 minutes ago, Scott Lloyd said:

I’ve said before on here — and gotten some pushback for it — that I feel a greater affinity for members who are spiritually and doctrinally converted to the restored gospel — wherever they might live in the world and whatever might be their cultural background — than I do for so-called “cultural Mormons.” 
 

Incidentally, Sweden is not only my ancestral homeland, but my mission country. My eldest son also served there a few years ago. So I have a place in my heart for Sverige. I’m glad for your presence here on the board. 

Thanks likewsie, I say some stupid stuff sometimes, and I get on side tangents sometimes, but I do appreciate the board.

[Scott Lloyd]

19 hours ago, SwedishLDS said:

Thanks likewsie, I say some stupid stuff sometimes, and I get on side tangents sometimes, but I do appreciate the board.

I saw you a day or two ago refer to this as a “member board”. That’s not altogether accurate. A good many of those who post here have abandoned the faith, be it formally or informally. So if and when you get pushback from someone here for something you have posted, you should consider the source. It may be they, not you, who are off the beam. 
 

The board used to be largely devoted to apologetics (defense of the faith), but that’s scarcely the case these days. It is just as, perhaps more, apt to be an environment for criticism. 
 

There are quite a few here of what you would classify as “cultural Mormons” — unbelievers who for whatever reason elect to maintain an affiliation of some nature with the Church membership. They seem to think this endows them with a special privilege to openly criticize the Church, its teachings or its leaders. Again, consider the source. 

Edited April 5, 2022 by Scott Lloyd

[Calm]

33 minutes ago, Scott Lloyd said:

They seem to think this endows them with the a special privilege to openly criticize the Church, its teachings or its leaders

Openly criticizing anyone is a fundamental right of free speech, I thought.  Why would there need to be a special privilege for criticizing the Church?

[Scott Lloyd]

9 hours ago, Calm said:

Openly criticizing anyone is a fundamental right of free speech, I thought.  Why would there need to be a special privilege for criticizing the Church?

Didn’t say there is a need. 
 

Some, though, seem to feel entitled to a lingering sense of proprietorship even though they have “stepped away” (to use a phrase currently in vogue). That, to me, is the essence of “cultural Mormonism.” 
 

Perhaps some view it as the functional equivalent of ethnic Judaism vs. Orthodox Judaism. I don’t think ethnicity works as a concept in our faith. Our message is too universal and our fellowship is too inclusive for that.

To me, the essence of Church membership is the making and keeping of sacred covenants, what President Nelson characterizes as “staying on the covenant path.” I see precious little, if any, of that in “cultural Mormonism” (so-called). 

Edited April 5, 2022 by Scott Lloyd