40% of Mormons Raised in the U.S. Have Left the Church - Mormon News 5.22.26 | Ep. 2151

From Mormon Stories Podcast by Dr. John Dehlin

May 22, 2026 · 2h 22m

About this episode

John and Meggan discuss major stories affecting Mormonism, including disaffiliation trends and institutional challenges.

In this episode, John and Meggan examine several major stories shaping the current state of Mormonism, including new research on LDS disaffiliation and decline, increasing institutional strain on local leadership, financial fraud tied to prominent Utah business figures, and the continuing controversy surrounding the Fairview Texas temple. •Drawing from research and analysis by Jeff Strong and team of researchers, we discuss what current membership and retention trends may reveal about blind spots devout Latter-day Saints have, the primary reasons for disaffiliation, how LDS trends compare with other denominations, gender differences in the decline, institutional trust, and why many members appear to be quietly disengaging from traditional LDS expectations. •We also examine a recent Salt Lake Tribune report detailing how some Utah County prosecutors notify the church’s law firm when LDS bishops submit letters on behalf of criminal defendants, raising questions about ecclesiastical influence, legal systems, and institutional boundaries. Additional topics include: •A Church News livestream acknowledging how overwhelmed many LDS bishops have become while supporting young men •The…

40% of Mormons Raised in the U.S. Have Left the Church - Mormon News 5.22.26 | Ep. 2151

About this episode

More episodes of Mormon Stories Podcast