Images from Gemma Comas series I See Beauty In (Almost) Everything.
This post is a little off the usual faire you’ll find here, I hope you’ll indulge me.
Have you noticed that tons of design blogs are written by Mormons/former Mormons? What’s the deal with that? It’s sort of a hush-hush topic I hear whispered about at blogging conferences.
As a Mormon myself, I think about this from time to time and I get asked about it a lot. There are a few theories I’ve heard. Emily of Design Star wrote about it here. She thinks her creativity came from having limited resources in a big family. From having to shop at thrift stores and ingeniously remake the purchases, not because it was cool, but because that’s what they could afford. So featuring clever DIYs on a design blog is second nature for Mormons. No doubt there’s something to this idea.
My sister has her own theory. She feels like there are a lot of talented, educated Mormon women who grew up assuming motherhood would be the end all be all of their existence. Then they found, once they became mothers, that they had capacity for projects and ideas in addition to and beyond motherhood. And design blogs are an easy outlet for all the creative energy. I’m sure there’s something to this theory too.
Personally, I feel like the graphic design program at BYU (a Mormon university) has something to do with it. It’s an excellent program and places graduates at all the best firms, where they’re in contact with the most creative people in the field. This ensures that Mormons are thoroughly connected in the professional design community. And graphic design is one of those careers that you can step in and out of as a mother, and translates easily to a design blog.
The other day, I thought of another connection. Mormons have 13 articles of faith (short statements that describe our beliefs). The 13th one says: “…If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” Which, umm, seems like exactly what a design/lifestyle blog is. In the case of Design Mom, I never had the 13th Article of Faith in mind, but I have tried to create a space where I could share every lovely and praiseworthy thing I come across. I wonder if everyone raised as a Mormon has this admonition to seek-out-pretty stamped on our brains.
An admonishment to keep an eye out for beauty is a lovely sentiment to be raised with, and easily adopted by anyone — religious or not. I hope I’m raising my own kids with the same sentiment. My religion is far from perfect — there are aspects of it that drive me bonkers. But I particularly love this part of it.
What’s your take? Have you noticed the Mormon Design Blogs? Or been curious about them? Have any related theories? I wonder if anyone has attempted to compile a list…
P.S. — Religion-related topics, even ones as silly as this one, can be quite sensitive, so please play nice if you decide to comment.
I think many good bloggers possess a sense of having great info and feeling absolutely compelled to share it with others.
I’m a former Mormon, and definitely have this sense myself (which comes out not in blogs, but in the workplace, etc.). I do feel like I learned it in the Mormon culture; teaching, and sharing info were so prevalent. I remembering it coming up a lot – in being encouraged to spread the gospel, in Sunday School lessons, giving Sac Mtg talks as a child, visiting teaching, etc. I think ‘not hiding your talent under a bushel’ (right? Something like that?) is somehow involved here as well.
Mormon Bloggers are such an interesting phenomenon! Thanks for the thought-provoking post.
What a provoking thought — in a good way, Katielee. Now I’m thinking about if/when I feel compelled to share things and why. Fascinating.
This recent Salon article (link below) addresses a lot of these same questions. As a non-Mormom who loves reading Design Mom (my fav!), Oh Happy Day, NieNie, and others, I loved the article.
“Why I can’t stop reading Mormon housewife blogs
I’m a young, feminist atheist who can’t bake a cupcake. Why am I addicted to the shiny, happy lives of these women?”
http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/01/15/feminist_obsessed_with_mormon_blogs
I think that the LDS culture also has a lot of those transcendental tendencies that the character Jo talked of in “Little Women”. We always want to improve upon ourselves and our world. This striving can be tiresome when over done, but often blooms in wonderful profusion. It’s the balance that counts.
Ah, Claire’s comment (2nd one) is a great tribute to you, Gabby. Perhaps one of the best.
Yes, to all the theories. Yours, your sisters, and all the others. (Of course, in the case of your family, the explanation is definitely that you’re related–it seems all Gabby Blair relations have a blog, and it is cute, and full of design, and popular, and you all contribute to at least three other sites or blogs.)
Personally, I think the reasons are complex but related; thriftiness, seeking out the lovely, the emphasis that we Mormons tend to have on creativity and a range of creative skills, many, many stay-at-home moms looking for productive outlets/ways to connect to adults outside the home, and lastly: Our very interconnectedness. On that last one, I mean that we associate closely with each other; Sundays, activities, sometimes neighborhoods, etc. Most often our friends are Mormon and vice-versa. It’s easy to see why, in some pockets (like Utah, and no bashing here–I’m from Utah), we dress alike, shop in the same places…and copy each other’s ideas. Including having design blogs.
Interesting discussion, and I’m glad you continued it, Gabby. I’ve been wondering if you’d ever address that, since your blog really focuses not on religion, perhaps less than other Mormon blogs do.
p.s. Another two cents (that makes about $1 of thoughts now!): people adore you far too much, Gabby, to be mean on your site. Maybe on others, but not yours. :)
That is so funny that you are writing about this. I have been feeling the same thing – not so much mormon (because my brain doesn’t think of that connection) but i have been noticing all the blogs i follow are based in salt lake cit or just utah or are now somewhere else but have that connection. I was pondering that yesterday – thinking to myself: what is in the water over there? how have all these talented women come to be from the same place? i am as far from mormon as you can get and maybe that is why i am no good at this blog thing. i have my little place in cyber space but it certainly does not compare to the women i admire so dearly on the web. as i said – must be something in the water. keep designing and inspiring!!
I agree with those theories too!
And the reason there are so many “mommy {mormon} bloggers” seems obvious in the importance we are taught of journal keeping, and documenting our families lives.
Loved the post.
And I’d love to hear the “what drives you bonkers.” but then if light hearted posts like this could potentially spur on mean comments that surely would :)
Also, love that Mormon Men http://www.modernmormonmen.com/
are entering the blog world (I’m sure there are others — but this one is close to my heart). Love the design at the header with the Man with a bottle in his hand. Very creative….And speaking of ….they featured you in one of their blog posts. http://www.modernmormonmen.com/2011/05/mmm-certified-doppelganger-1-2-3.html
do you agree to your Italian Actress doppelganger?
Anyway, have always loved your blog. I think you are the mother of all blogs! So creative, down to earth, and mothery all at the same time!
Oh my goodness! I’m so glad you mentioned Modern Mormon Men. I meant to add a P.S. and link to them and I totally forgot. I haven’t seen the doppelganger post. I’ll go check it out.
what about the need to document and leave a legacy for your kids, grandchildren etc? I know that geneology is important in LDS and that a lot of people journal and scrapbook their lives, maybe a lot of the craftier DIY bloggers are just doing an online version of it…
get.out.of.my.head.
i was JUST wondering about this. and i’m so glad you addressed it. i was going to post a question about it (to you), but i didn’t want to seem rude :) it’s not rude though, right? it was just an observation i had, and apparently a lot of other people, and i’m happy you posted about it.
Well, yes I did notice the common thread! Interesting thoughts to ponder….
I enjoy yours the most, Design Mom!
As much as there is a broader “Mormon” phenomenon going on that may (or may not) have cultural implications for our faith or others, I think part of it is that most of these Mormon design blogs came of age as bloggers were developing marketing techniques and linking/commenting etiquette that quickly grew to include the blogs of friends (or relatives). In other words, they all gained readership together, cross-linking good ideas and inspiration. I don’t say that to lessen the importance or value of the “product” these blogs are putting out there, but without the constant linking and mentions of each other, I doubt the larger group of Mormon blogs would ever reach critical mass that they have.
And because I think their broader popularity is due in large part to this intra-group support, it is worth mentioning that I think that it’s hardly a “Mormon” phenomenon, although it’s easy to say so as a shorthand way to group them together. Being a Provo High grad myself, it is glaringly obvious that the connection is not necessarily religion: these blogs are almost all part of the popular clique of kids that went to PHS together and grew up in the Tree Streets from childhood (or are married to a spouse who did: Ben Blair and Topher Clark, Nie’s brother, are lifelong friends). Even CJane’s new DesNews gig: the new CEO of the DesNews married into an Oak Hills family. They certainly know each other outside of the newsroom. These connections run very deep, but I think they’re much more related to neighborhood and friendship groups and much less to religion and BYU.
So in some ways I think it’s disingenuous to even mention Mormonism as the driving factor in the creativity or popularity of these blogs. Childhood friendships happened to come in handy during a time when blogs came of age. You all capitalized on it. More power to you.
I’m sure timing and blogs-coming-of-age definitely have something to do with the phenomenon, but I’m not sure I see the Provo High School connection as clearly. I know CJane and NieNie are connected to Provo (as you mention), but I wouldn’t say those are the blogs I have in mind when I think of design blogs written by Mormons/former Mormons. I’m thinking more along the lines of Inchmark, Dooce, Rockstar Diaries, Emily Henderson, Black Eiffel. I don’t think any of those blogs have Provo High School connections. Although I certainly could be wrong.
You’re right… I’m including a lot of lifestyle blogs in this generalization. The design niche may be less connected to a PHS gang. My response comes from the feeling I get (regularly, it seems) when I click through to links from many of these sites and see an old PHS or Provo face staring back at me. It’s fun. And a little weird. Keep up the good work.
PS: Could you get Inchmark to start blogging again please?
I’ve often thought it was funny that there were so many Mormon design bloggers out there. I just figured that there are a ton of Mormon moms who are creative. But your post got me thinking and I remembered a talk given by Dieter Uchtdorf a while back and how he relates being happy to being creative because God is creative. “The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.” Here is the link to the talk, I loved it. http://lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/happiness-your-heritage?lang=eng&query=uchtdorf+create NOt saying that we are all so freaking happy or anything, but we have a desire to be happy and being creative is one of those things that make us happy!
I’ll bet the genealogy/journal keeping connection is very applicable, Bonny. I think I forget that one because I’m not good at doing either. : )
I have a ton of Mormon blogs on my favorites list and always enjoy finding those little hints here and there that make me think “I bet they’re Mormon!”. My little personal theory was that it had to do with the fact that the first blogs I started reading were scrapbooking blogs and I branched out from there. Hasn’t genealogy always been a very important thing in the Mormon culture and a lot of the first “celebrity” scrapbookers (i.e. big documenters of family life) were Mormon? Documenting family life leading to creating a beautiful life to document, something like that… :O)
This is so interesting. I recently discovered that quite a few of my favourite blogs are in fact written by Mormons. In Norway, where I live, I would assume most people think of Mormons as the serious young American men in white shirts and dark trousers who show up at your doorstep trying to convert you. At least that is the image that pops up in my mind – and definitely not design-focused, stylish women with great sense of humour and lives that I can relate to. I like it when my preconceived opinions are challenged, and this has been just that sort of experience. So thank you!
Wish I had time to read all the comments but I don’t so perhaps this has already been brought up. I’m a mormon and because of that I grew up with a different perspective than some. I’ve always believed that in the home I could have a profound impact for good. I believe that a strong family helps to create a strong community and society. Making home a beautiful place can be a component of creating a strong family. So as a mormon woman I see creating beautiful dinners, parties or rooms for my family as a significant thing – worth my time and best efforts. But perhaps this line of thinking is what drives you bonkers?? :)
I don’t have time this evening to read the previous 163 comments, so please forgive if I repeat someone else’s thoughts…but I am so glad you brought up this subject because it’s been intriguing to me ever since I started reading design blogs!
I don’t have a theory, but I do have a whole lot of admiration and respect for women who see mothering and homemaking as something to relish, because it is! And if you’re wearing a pretty skirt while you’re doing all that relishing, so much the better! :) I LOVE the modest-but-delightful femininity of Mormon women!!
Funny you should write about this, because it’s something I have noticed myself. I think there is something to your sister’s theory and yours. As mothers (or anyone for that matter) we need constructive outlets. If you can combine this with your faith it becomes a natural extension that can be comfortable and challenging. Anything that can help us grow in positive ways has to be embraced and celebrated.
I actually think that you are right on — love the post!!
I love that you addressed this question! A few girlfriends of mine have asked if I had a theory about “why there are so many great Mormon design/mommy bloggers out there.” The first theory you mentioned could be said of many Catholic families I know, and they’re under-represented in the design/lifestyle blogosphere, so I’m not sure if that theory holds. The second point is good, and probably applies to many women.
The BYU design program is one I hadn’t thought of — good point. I’ve wondered about something else, too… Isn’t there a tradition of journaling in the Mormon faith? If so, perhaps many Mormon women are used to writing and communicating in a journal style — which is in large part what blogs are. So, maybe they are better at it than others might be?
Also, there seems to be a lot of emphasis on community in Mormonism and I wonder if those connections have helped Mormon women not just start blogs, but support each other in their creative endeavors in various ways? I could be totally off-based here — I’m Catholic, not Mormon. But I would also concur that even for people who take their faith seriously, there are always annoying things about one’s religion.
I have noticed that a lot of the blogger I follow are LDS. It is so fun to find out! I love reading about good woman and how they are trying to be good mothers no matter religion they may be a part of.
We follow Christ and his gospel which is good and helps people to become better. It makes me so happy to know in this world where values shift and world tragedies happen that the gospel of Jesus Christ will never fall or change. It is good and it is true.
Thank you for sharing this post. I find this conversation fascinating. Having studied Art and Spirituality in grad school, I have my own theories. I appreciate you starting this dialogue.
What a cool topic for graduate school, Jaime. Feel free to share your theories. I’m so curious.
I also love how writing about children is handled, it is genius how little snippets are revealed as well as very personnal things sometimes, but no constant dissection of possible difficulties of the child. I started reading blogs 8 years ago, and many about family did not go on once the children reached a certain age.
A bunch of random thoughts on both sides of the spectrum:
I think it’s super fascinating at the same time maybe it’s because Mormons tend to tell people they are Mormon. Maybe there are a lot of Catholic bloggers or Jewish bloggers but they just don’t talk about it. Morminism is such a highly structured religion with a distinct lifestyle so even if someone doesn’t have a big badge, the lifestyle comes through in their posts where it might not for other religions. I know lots of Catholic bloggers but no one’s making a big deal of it. I think people just like to talk about Morminism. The good and the bad.
Also, I do think Mormons are encouraged to be crafty but I know lots of Mormons who are not. We need to recognize that everyone is an individual. I grew up in a large Mormon family and I don’t really think any of us were particularly crafty. I also grew up with a strong desire to have a career and didn’t “dream of being a mom”. I’ve always enjoyed nice things and observing different people’s styles. My connection to gardening and flowers really has nothing to do with being raised Mormon. Lots of people enjoy pretty things and creating. They are not all Mormon.
The Mormon community is tight knit, a very small world. When you put that network online it kind of explodes.
All of that said, I showed up to a craft night in my town to meet blogging friends and as it turns out 90% of the people there were Mormon/Ex and you’d never know it from their blogs.
Thanks for the discussion, Gabrielle.
“Mormons tend to tell people they are Mormon.”
I hadn’t thought of that, Chelsea, but can see how true it is. I would love to find out there’s a whole bunch of Jewish or Catholic or [insert group here] blogs that I was reading and didn’t even realize it.
You are doing such a fantastic job with this topic. I think the post is interesting, but more than that: I love that you are following up on people’s comments/questions. Nicely done!
yaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy!!!!!!! So glad you brought this up. I am so CRACKED up right now because I have asked myself this 1000 times!!!!! Seems like ALL my fave blogs are mormon folks, and so I had some theories of my own. My one bro works in finance in NYC and he commented that his most diligent, creative peers there are generally mormon. Ya’ll are a savvy lot. I am personally a strong Christian and appreciate your devotion to your faith. Always love yours, and your fellow mormon blogs!! You often inspire me and I think I am a better mom, encouraging their giftings and talents b/c of reading your (and other) wonderfully creative blogs. Peace, Jennifer
My inbox was telling me that this topic was on people’s minds. : )
Yes, I’ve definitely noticed the trend and been very curious. The theories are all very interesting.
As a non-Mormon who has never considered converting, I think I, and some of my friends, have a bit of Mormon-envy. I wish that I had a huge family and had spent a year doing mission work. I’m so envious of the community and have often wondered if we could institute some sort of Family Home Evening. I could go on…
I also wonder about the pressure other Mormons feel when they read the beautiful blogs? Do Mormons who only want 2 kids and keep a dirty house feel as though they don’t measure up?
Really good question, Lee. I imagine there are women who do feel pressure.
Thanks for the post. I love how closely connected many of the blogs are. One that I had been following for awhile ended up being a sister of a friend in my ward and I found this out after a few months of following; what a fun Suprise!
While many successful lifestyle blogs are authored by Mormon women, the majority of mormon women I know do not have blogs. I have been Mormon my entire life and I have yet to make a loaf of bread, can anything, or sew my own clothes. I do not come from a large family and we never shopped at thrift stores. I am not especially crafty and the best dinner I make is any pre-made meal from Trader Joe’s. I now stay at home with my children, not because I feel religious pressure to do so but because I want to. From the moment my first baby was born I wanted to teach, love, spend time with, and watch over my children myself because I can’t imagine trusting such important tasks to anyone who doesn’t love them as I do. I would feel this way regardless of my religion. I think that Emily and Jordan’s theories may have be true for some women, but are based primarily on stereotypes.
I think that some teachings of the Mormon religion itself account for the Mormon blog phenomenon. For example, the ideas that motherhood and fatherhood are admirable and important, that children are a blessing and bring joy, that one’s home should be a place of happiness and sanctuary, that marriage is beautiful, that creativity and keeping a journal are valuable, and focusing on the positive can make life sweeter are all not only things I have learned as a Mormon, but things that would be the basis for a wonderful lifestyle blog.
i love that you posted about this- being so honest and open in having these questions yourself. I’m not a mother, nor a mormon but i must say the mormom blogs i read always seem positive, realistic and fun and that’s why i read them. I’m grateful to have gained a less judgmental attitude about your religion by getting to read about your lives and all that we do share in common since we’re all doing this human thing regardless of religious paths.
Maria, I love your view. “We’re all doing this human thing” is both sweet and strong–so inclusive.
I’ve loved reading the comments on this post Gabby.. (so much nicer in spirit than the comments on that Salon article! Yikes!).
I don’t think the BYU design program has that much to do with it (let’s remember they only graduate like 15 kids a year!) but I do think BYU itself connects a lot of people.
So why do we blog? I think it’s a weird mix of the things you mentioned (growing up in large families, being thrifty and DIY, being raised by moms who crafted and gardened and sewed and made jam, our love of journals) but sometimes I feel like it gets a little “Hey, look at me!” “Here’s my beautiful home!” “Here are my perfectly groomed children!” “Here’s the great stuff I make!”
I was in Utah not long ago with some work colleagues and we spent an afternoon at a craft fair, and my friends all said the same thing “Why are the women here so done up? They all have perfect accessories and look like they just walked out of the beauty parlor.” I hadn’t thought of it as a Utah/Mormon thing, but there is something about creating a perfect life (cute wife, cute kids, cute house, you know what I mean) that seems to be a part of our culture. I hope we spend as much time focusing on all those things that aren’t so surface level, the things which are hard to show off on a blog.. (teaching our kids, spending time as a family, etc.)
So interesting! I haven’t lived in Utah for a long time, and I’m not sure I’ve observed the “so done up” phenomenon. Certainly, every time I visit friends, every one looks fantastic, but I think women always dress well when going out to meet friends so it doesn’t seem out of the ordinary to me.
But here in France, I can’t believe how great women look to run errands. So chic! My jeans, t-shirt, converse and cute hoodie no longer seem appropriate.
And I agree that it many Mormon blogs can become “Hey, look at me!” But I personally don’t mind it. I think blogging has been a major boon for mothers because it’s a platform where we can talk about what we do and get validation from it. I think validation is important in taking satisfaction from work (whether the work is in or out of the home).
“I think validation is important in taking satisfaction from work (whether the work is in or out of the home).”
Oh, that is so true! I was a benefits administrator before I got married, and I often felt like a hero when I was able to work out a problem an employee was having with one of our insurance companies. I have a large file full of thank you notes and cards from my co-workers that I treasure. I have yet to receive a thank you note for changing a dirty diaper or wiping a runny nose! :)
While it would be silly to expect that, I have missed the affirmation I received in that job. Reading blogs written by mothers that enjoy their children and their homes is a real encouragement to me in this new career.
BROOKE – please come back from your blogging hiatus. We love design mom and we miss you too.
xoxo
your fans.
i have noticed the relationship with mormon women and blogging, and as a mormon blogger myself, have my own answer. as children in nursery, we are coloring and playing with playdogh, in primary we make crafts and draw to keep our interest. as young women, we are constantly designing and creating. whether it be packs for girl’s camp, baby clothes for a service project or center pieces for a personal progress dinner. i have also used this theory to explain why most LDS members are musically talented – we have grown up with music in the church. personally, i blog to share beautiful things, so the 13th article of faith works quite well. my sister is also a mormon blogger, it is her release and a way to share her ideas and tips with other moms, which is something that we do a lot in relief society! us mormons love to serve…just think of our blogging as a service! :)
Another good theory, Ellen!
I like to think of it as “creating.” Love this quote!!!
“The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.
Everyone can create. You don’t need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty.
Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty—and I am not talking about the process of cleaning the rooms of your teenage children.”
(Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf says it a lot better than I ever could.)
Interesting to read this today, as I just read this article yesterday:
http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/01/15/feminist_obsessed_with_mormon_blogs
I’ve enjoyed everyone’s comments, as well as your take on the reasons for why. Thanks for sharing.
Wow! I’m new to this blog–I read political blogs and when I saw the title I panicked and was bracing myself for all the mean and inarticulate comments that were sure to follow… What a lovely and praiseworthy group :) Thank you for such thoughtful and intelligent comments. Maybe that’s why these blogs do so well, they simply attract good people. PS I’m good friends with Linda and I can’t wait to tell her about this!
I HAVE wondered about this and have also been fascinated by the seemingly “perfect” lives that many Mormon women appear to live and/or aspire to — at least those that blog! We bloggers who are not Mormon often wonder why nearly all the Mormon blogs feature women who are dressed beautifully, who are surrounded by adoring, beautiful children, in stunning homes and who don’t appear to be suffering — at least financially! — but rather reveling in wealth and incredible marriages.
Sigh. :)
Thank you for discussing this, I am always saying how it seems like every blogger I follow is LDS! Being raised Mormon I notice the subtleties in dress, speech and of course the random steeple peeking through a family photograph, slowly it has come to my attention that about 80% of the bloggers I follow are active LDS members. I love the faith I was raised in and appreciate your take on the 13th article of faith, I have wondered, though no longer active if it is the reason I seek such ” lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy” things…it’s especially neat one of my favorite bloggers had the same thought. Blessings to you and yours, happy blogging!
oh I know why! It is simple – because the ‘secret’ to blog popularity is a network where another blog promotes your blog and quite often then you ‘trade’ followers with them. I think early on some really talented Mormon women became very popular bloggers and they promoted their friends and relatives and so it is now that there is a great big circle of Mormon bloggers that have pretty big followings. That is also why you guys all seem to be slightly connected in one way or another.
Of course I noticed! And then I read an article about Mormon mommy blogs: http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/01/15/feminist_obsessed_with_mormon_blogs
I laughed. A lot. This is totally me!
But the journal-keeping theory is totally interesting!
I definitely noticed that a lot of Design Bloggers (and really just mom bloggers) are Mormon. I actually stumbled upon your blog when I linked from one of my Mormon photographer friend’s blogs.
I always assumed the Mormon connection was for two main reasons:
1) Preservation of Family Memories. When I visited Utah as a teenager, I noticed how many scrapbooking resources they had. Since then, I keep hearing about Provo as the go-to place for scrapbooking and stamping. Maybe it’s a general love of family or the genealogy connection, but Mormons just seem really into preserving memories in creative ways. Obviously a blog is one way to do just that. (Just reference your previous post “So that the won’t forget”)
2) Stay-at-home and Work-at-Home Moms. I don’t know the statistics, so I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but I’ve always assumed that more Mormon women stay at home/work from home than the general population. I imagine this allows more time for blogging, or at least makes you focus on family in a way that encourages blogging.
I hope that you (and any Mormon women reading this) see it as a compliment that both of these reasons have to do with valuing your family. I think that’s a fantastic aspect of the Mormon faith.
I wish I could read through all 200 comments that have come before. Being a mormon myself I guess I never really thought it. Just one of those “cultural” things or just something that more everyone is doing anyway – blogging! :)
Then I moved to Utah last year never having lived here before and just about everyone is Mormon ;) and there are LOTS of talented bloggers here. I have to say I love it! A large group of women with similar interests who “get” what I am talking about and can relate to the ups and downs of blogging and running it as a business. Plus there are always lots of blogger meet ups too.
still not sure why it seems like Mormons like to blog but I glad that they do! :)
thanks for the insightful, thought provoking article. I have shared in twitter and FB and others have enjoyed it too
Okay…so I am really behind on my reader. And you have a million comments already but this is something I have always been curious about. So thanks for bringing it out there.
I think your sister’s theory is quite interesting. I am a Unitarian Universalist. I am always interested in reading about other religions and what strikes me is not only the number of Mormon “design” blogs (there are a number of “motherhood” blogs as well, no?” ) but the voice seems so similar among them. This peaceful, sort of dream like view of mother hood and lovely things. I will admit it can be a bit frustrating for me, but sometimes give me a new perspective when I am feeling overwhelmed and grumpy.
While I can’t relate from a religious perspective (as a UU, I swing WAY left in comparison to Mormon) but it is always intriguing to me to hear the voice of mothers and bloggers and their take on life.
Best,
Tina
P.S. Happy Mother’s Day!
I’ve pondered this before too. As a graduate of BYU’s graphic design program, I thought I was just reading within a circle of friends who link to each other. It’s been a fun realization to see that many LDS design bloggers have grown to have so much presence in the blogosphere and in the design world.
I had noticed. And I also noticed that several of my favorite blogs to read are written by Mormons. I’m not a Mormon myself, but I’m glad you wrote this because I have wondered from time to time what the connection is.
i have been mildly obsessed with this exact topic for a while now. i even googled it and found a link a while back to an interview you did about the subject. slate.com also did an eye opening article recently about the mormon-design-mommy-blogger connection. it’s all very fascinating to me.
i think the mormon tradition of “journaling” (not quite the right word…i can’t think of what it’s actually called in mormonism) or being witness to everyday life also contributes to the blogging effect.
while the mormon ties to the many blogs i read doesn’t bother me, i do appreciate that you keep your religion and your blog separate. they don’t seem to be one in the same for you which is very refreshing!
I have noticed this trend, Gabrielle, and I have often wondered why that is. My list of blogs on Google Reader is HUGE and probably 80% of them are written by Mormons. I just wish some of them were not so “in your face” about it. I guess this is because their religion is an intrinsic part of who they are, but I think it should be something strictly personal. I myself am agnostic, but don’t feel that I need to share that on my little blog. I keep it strictly to sewing. But hey, that’s just me!!
I HAVE noticed that there are a lot of Mormons that do design blogs but I also figured out that the ones I follow are all related. I think I stumbled on Oh Happy Day first, which I am sure lead me to you and Liz’s blogs as well. So yes…lots of Mormon bloggers but all one family.
I have TOTALLY wondered this to myself and aloud for many years! I went to Alt Summit to find our more about the ins and outs of blogging (I thought I wanted to start one but wanted to find out more) but I also secretly wanted to ask about this. I had NO IDEA if it was ok to ask such a thing but Melissa Esplin from I Still Love You dropped by a table that a friend I were hanging out at, just to say “Hi and meet some more people!” Anyway she was the best, and so open (as everyone happens to be at Alt) and after we grilled her on her story, etc., I finally asked her. She said she thought it was because Mormons were encouraged by the church to Journal. I did take the time to investigate that theory when I got home and I did find a really interesting article/talk (I think on Mormon.Org) on that very subject– How it was important to document and journal with the intent of handing it down to future generations. I love the idea of it. And I do believe that Stephanie Nielson said that she started her blog for her family and her kids as aJournal…
I am a reader from Australia – where not many people know the details of LDS churches and the faith in general – and I have also been noticing this coincidence for years! Sometimes I think the Mormon thread is because I click on link- through-link-through-link, starting with the first blog I ever read, Oh Happy Day!
I only said to my mother the other day, “trendy Mormon brides have the best wedding dresses you will ever see!”. And I stumbled on this discovery through the work of photographer http://www.allisonc.blog.com
x
Not sure if this has already been mentioned but here is my theory.
I am not Mormon, but I have a few Mormon friends and it seems to me that the Mormon church celebrates the role of women and mothers more than most religions. That sets an attitude that what we do in our homes and in our families is important, a profession, and should be celebrated and shared. Blogs are a good way to do that.
I grew up LDS. As such, the church has a history of wanting people to be self sufficient. My grandmother had the time worn motto of “make it do or do without.” I think LDS women grow up with a heavy emphasis on crafts, parties, design, musical instruments, canning, cooking, gardening, etc. All of these lend themselves to helping women be more self sufficient. I am grateful for all those times my mom sat me down to teach me homemaking basics now that I’m an adult. I think working the garden with my grandmother is why I love it so much now. Nothing wrong with design blogs as an outgrowth of one’s development. :)
Is there a Morman Church in France that you can attend? Just curious because it seems like such an American Religion. I had not noticed the prevalence of Morman bloggers before, but I sure do now! Very interesting indeed…