This is the place...

"This is the place." If you are Mormon, that phrase conjures up a visual image of pioneers, who have just travelled over thousands of miles of desolate plains in wagons and on foot, pulling handcarts. You see in your mind's eye them standing on a precipice, looking over the Salt Lake Valley, and rejoicing to know the journey is near it's end.

Except...if you live in the Salt Lake Valley now, I wonder, does this phrase still bring out those feelings and images? How about the acronym, CTR, most often seen in a green shield on a cheap adjustable child's ring, of course, it means "Choose the Right", and brings back fond memories of primary.

I just wonder because this past week while I was in Utah I saw a giant billboard proclaiming, "THIS IS THE PLACE" followed by "to find your next job", it was an advert for a job search site. Or, there was the "CHOOSE THE RIGHT realtor" sign. If I were a true blogger, I would have taken a picture as I zipped by on the freeway at 75 mph, but I value my safety too much.

I don't know, it just bugged me. Like, "Hey, let's capitalize on those Mormon phrases". I'd almost be tempted to boycott those companies just for the principle that you don't use your religion (if it is even their religion) for financial gain. Ick!

I got to wondering, do Salt Lake Citians still get that pioneer image, or that reminder of primary days when they hear or see those phrases, or are they callused because they've been commercialized?