In the 1980s, around 80% of people raised Latter-day Saint still identified with the Church as adults—today it’s closer to 50%. Online, that gets framed as “the Church is uniquely hemorrhaging members.” But when you zoom out and compare to broader U.S. religious trends, the story looks more complicated—and in key ways, more hopeful.

In this episode, social scientist Justin Dyer (BYU) breaks down major national datasets and new research on Latter-day Saint religiousness, well-being, and retention in the United States. We talk:

•Why “big data” needs careful context (forest vs trees)

•How LDS retention compares to other Christian traditions (especially active participation)

•The surprising reality of “ex-Mormon” profiles (including the “faith keepers/leaners” groups)

•Why daily connection with God matters for retention

•How political identity—on the extremes—can pull people away from faith

•What the data actually suggests about mental health, happiness, and well-being

•Why you shouldn’t burn bridges—and why the story isn’t finished

===Informed Saints Credits===

Produced by The Ancient America Foundation

Producer: Spencer Clark

Hosts: Stephen Smoot, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye

Materials mentioned / core context

•https://foundations.byu.edu/0000019b-1343-d613-a59b-17df82980000/latterdaysaintreligiosity-pdf

•https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/02/26/religious-landscape-study-executive-summary/

•https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/02/26/decline-of-christianity-in-the-us-has-slowed-may-have-leveled-off/

•https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/12/15/why-do-some-americans-leave-their-religion-while-others-stay/

•https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Bowling-Alone-Revised-and-Updated/Robert-D-Putnam/9781982130848

•https://medicine.utah.edu/psychiatry/news/2015/05/key-mountain-states-suicide-belt-thin-air-u-of-u-school-of-medicine

Positive, faith-supporting resources (for audience)

•https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2013/10/come-join-with-us?lang=eng

•https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/54uchtdorf?lang=eng

•https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/51nelson?lang=eng

Mental health & resilience resources (Church)

•https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/ldsorg/topics/self-reliance/4-10-20-Emotional-Self-Reliance-Manual_updated.pdf?lang=eng 

•https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/inspiration/ministering-with-mental-health-in-mind?lang=eng

•https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/5-ways-to-help-someone-going-through-a-mental-health-challenge

•https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-seminary-teacher-manual-2025/575-coping-with-sadness-and-depression?lang=eng

Watch, share, and tell us what stood out most.

===Discover===

If any of our thoughts resonated with you, consider learning more about the single most influential book in our lives.

https://www.discoverbookofmormon.org/

===Content Disclaimer===

The views expressed represent ours alone and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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