Some may call me crazy, but if you’re following me on Twitter you’ve probably seen one or two comments about how much I love the rain. Let’s just say, “we don’t get much during Utah summers.”
I realize Utahns don’t have much to complain about when comparing weather patterns with Arizona or Nevada. But during these dry months, a little rain is pretty nice every now and then.
However, in Mormondum, rain isn’t called rain. It’s called moisture… and we’re thankful for it. Come to think of it, the same can said about snow, sleet, fog, dew, etc. — it’s all moisture.
During the past couple of weeks, a downpour of moisture has blanketed Salt Lake and the Wasatch Front; twice as much than we typically see in June.
Regardless of whether you’re a moisture lover, you have to admit the city is a lot greener — a little atypical for the summer. Usually this is about this time when the grass begins to thin out and lighten its shade of green. Even the mountains turn a little browner, leading the Bureau of Land Management to post signs prohibiting campers from building fires.
Not so much this summer.
Cloudy skies seem to be a constant around here. It’s almost as though the entire state packed up and moved to Washington. The weather is also a little reminiscent of England; some days the sun is shining, but you better have your ‘brolly’ handy just in case moisture begins to fall from the heavens.
All of this got me thinking; “Why do Mormons call rain ‘moisture’?”
Is it just one of those cultural things that we can’t figure out? Or, did someone happen to mention the word ‘moisture’ in a talk or prayer and we all decided to follow suit?
Whatever the case may be, I find it humorous. I don’t think we can change it. But, the next time you the word ‘moisture’ in church, it’s going to bring a smirk to your face.