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

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 Noah’s Event Centers fraud convictions involving active Latter-day Saints and ongoing questions surrounding discernment

• The final public plea from the mayor of Fairview, Texas asking the church to reconsider the height of the proposed temple steeple in an effort to preserve community trust.

•The church battling insurers over sex abuse settlement coverage before the 10th Circuit Court

•And Charlie Bird and Ryan Clifford announced via social media this week that they have already begun the process to add a child to their family.

Together, these stories paint a larger picture of a church navigating growth, decline, public scrutiny, generational change, and increasing tension between institutional authority and individual experience.

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