The Chance of Non-Mormons Staying 4 Years at BYU Without Being Converted

At Brigham Young University (BYU), a predominantly Mormon institution, the experiences of non-Mormon students can vary widely. While some students are converted and become members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) during their time at BYU, it is not uncommon for others to complete their studies without joining the church.

Individual Experiences and Statistical Oversights

Generalizing the conversion experiences of non-Mormons at BYU is challenging, as it depends greatly on the individual. For example, taking the required religion classes may increase the likelihood of conversion, but it is not a guarantee. Anecdotal evidence does not paint a clear picture of the overall conversion rate, as no one curates these statistics systematically. The focus of BYU, as a university, is primarily on education and personal growth, not on religious conversion.

Cases of Individual Non-Mormon Students

My personal experience at BYU included meeting several non-Mormon students who graduated without joining the church. These individuals had diverse reasons for attending BYU and faced different challenges and opportunities during their time there.

Case Study 1: The Engineer and the Catholic Club

One of the non-Mormon students I met was an engineer who had been required by his corporation to attend BYU. He was registered for the four-year program and even completed his studies successfully, but he remained non-Mormon. His attitude was one of interest in his studies rather than in the church or its activities. Other non-Mormon students might have similar experiences, such as joining clubs or participating in various activities without aligning themselves more closely with the LDS faith.

Case Study 2: Diversity within the Non-Mormon Congregation

During my time as a bishop in a BYU congregation, I observed that some non-members were more interested in participating in church activities, while others were not. For instance, one student, who was the president of the Catholic club on campus, expressed strong opinions about the church’s activities and declined invitations to participate. Another student participated in church activities but showed no interest in joining the church, while a third student even took the missionary lessons, indicating a particular interest in the church.

Case Study 3: Athletic Scholarships and Beyond

One clear path to BYU is through athletic scholarships, but there are also non-Mormon students like Muslims who are drawn to the university for its standards and values. I recall a friend who eventually joined the church, but there were also instances where non-Mormon students accompanied Latter-day Saint friends to church schools or missionary lessons. Despite these opportunities, such as a non-Mormon student who met another non-member through a church activity and even got married, neither of them joined the church.

Broader Implications

The personal experiences of non-Mormon students demonstrate that BYU is not solely a place for religious conversion. Many students arrive with their own beliefs and continue their education without changing their faith. BYU can be a unique learning environment that fosters understanding and reduces prejudice.

For instance, the personal stories and interactions with different individuals can contribute to reducing societal prejudices. When people get to know "those people," they begin to see them more as individuals rather than as members of a broad, generalized group. This can help in the fight against bigotry and discrimination.

From my personal experience, I knew two non-Mormon students during my freshman year, one of whom I lived with. There was no initial hope that either of them would become members of the church. By the time I graduated, both had been baptized, which was a surprise despite the initial expectations. The only non-Mormon students I knew of who were never baptized were athletes, such as Jim McMahon, who lived in the same apartment complex and hosted some unique parties.

Conclusion: The chance of non-Mormons staying four years at BYU without being converted can vary greatly. While conversion is not a guaranteed outcome, the experiences of non-Mormon students at BYU continue to shape the university and its community in meaningful ways. As personal interactions and understandings grow, so does the potential for reducing prejudices and fostering a more inclusive community.