If you don't think Utah's demographics are changing, walk into a public school. There you will see children of widely varied ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds. The Salt Lake School District, for one, is minority majority. The Ogden School District is 50-50.

Yes, the Osmonds still live here. But Utah is becoming increasingly diverse, which means public agencies and private organizations need to develop means to enable adults and children to fully participate in Utah life. Some will need assistance with languages. Already, a number of Salt Lake-area schools use translators to help conduct parent-teacher-student conferences. More people with specialized language skills will be needed to assist in other areas such as in health-care settings, law enforcement, human services agencies and garden variety interactions with government such as obtaining a driver's license, paying one's taxes or obtaining a building permit.

Beyond that, there is a definite need for greater cultural sensitivity as Utah's communities become more diverse. Home-grown Utahns have to be willing to get beyond their comfort zone to learn more about their new neighbors. Likewise, leaders and representatives of various communities must be willing to educate others about their particular religions, customs and homelands.

Some will argue that it is not government's responsibility to provide translators or to print information in other languages to enable diverse populations to navigate government services. But on the other hand, it is wrong and a waste of resources to allow people to struggle on their own through these interactions. Utah cannot afford to bury its head in the sand.

On the bright side, many Utahns speak more than one language due to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' international missionary program. These experiences expose thousands of young men and women to people of various backgrounds, languages and religions. It is only natural that those skills be put to use in a more diverse Utah.

Utah has a unique opportunity before it to embrace diversity rather than allow people of various backgrounds to retreat into their own neighborhoods and not mix with people from whom they differ. Creating a dynamic tapestry of differing ethnicities, beliefs and customs is a far better social goal than the misunderstanding and distrust that can fester when communities live in isolation.