Navigating Faith and Doubt: Why Many Are Leaving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Introduction

In recent years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, has experienced a noticeable decline in membership retention. This trend, confirmed by various studies and anecdotal evidence, raises questions about the underlying reasons for this shift. This essay explores the multifaceted reasons behind members leaving the church, drawing on recent research, personal testimonies, and statistical data.

Historical Context and Current Trends

Historically, the LDS Church has prided itself on high retention rates, particularly among families with deep roots in the faith. However, current data suggests a different narrative. A survey highlighted by Jana Riess in The Salt Lake Tribune (March 2024) revealed that approximately 20% of former members were married to believing Latter-day Saints, while 30% were married to other former members, indicating a significant social dynamic at play in the decision to leave.

Jana Riess: Who is leaving the LDS Church?

Most don’t join another religion after leaving but they also aren’t interested in coming back.

When Josh Coates and Stephen Cranney wanted to learn more about members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they had to strategize about the best ways to reach them. More and more people aren’t answering surveys, either by phone or online. Reaching a small minority population like Latter-day Saints is difficult.

So they resurrected an old-school methodology — sending 80,000 physical postcards to randomly selected households in the Mormon Corridor — and supplemented it with targeted Facebook ads to a Utah audience. Both methods led respondents to take an online survey that was then weighted to be representative of the Latter-day Saint population. After they removed late and invalid responses, they had a sample of 2,625 current and 1,183 former Latter-day Saints.

In the survey, only 4% of current members identified as LGBTQ, compared with 18% of former members.

“There are a million questions to be asked there about why there’s a four times difference between current and former,” Coates said. “One theory is that if you’re LGBT and you’re in the church, it’s not 100% compatible, and you’re going to leave. And so obviously that means there’s going to be a lot more former Latter-day Saints. Undoubtedly there is a component to that. Or it’s possible that people who leave the church and then begin to identify as LGBTQ for whatever reason. We don’t know, because the survey did not explore any of that level of detail. That’s the next level.

The 2023 Current and Former Latter-day Saint Survey repeated a long-standing question from the General Social Survey about belief in God. Comparing the current and former members, the differences in belief are stark: Among current members, more than 7 in 10 say they “know God really exists and … have no doubts about it.” That’s more than six times the rate of certainty about God among former members.

The top three reasons for leaving in the 2023 survey were 1) history related to church founder Joseph Smith; 2) the Book of Mormon; and 3) race issues.

The vast majority have no interest in returning to church activity.
More than 4 out of 5 former members say that returning is “very unlikely,” with an additional 10% saying it’s unlikely.

A majority has very negative feelings about the church. “Three out of 4 said they dislike or strongly dislike the church as an institution,” Coates reported. In brighter news, “they had a neutral to positive disposition toward the people.”

Further, the church’s own statistics from the 2025 Almanac show a net loss of 17,174 members in Utah over the last three years, reflecting a broader trend of disaffiliation.

Doctrinal Disputes and Historical Revelations

One of the most cited reasons for leaving the LDS Church pertains to its history and doctrine. The survey conducted by Riess and Coates in 2023 pointed to issues like the historical narrative surrounding church founder Joseph Smith, the authenticity of the Book of Mormon, and the church’s stance on racial matters as pivotal for many departures.

A former member, Sarah Mitchell, who left the church in 2023, shared in an interview, “The more I studied church history, the less I could reconcile the discrepancies between what was taught and what actually happened. It was a painful realization but necessary for my personal integrity.”

Mormonism Research Ministry: Reasons Why Latter-day Saints Leave their Church

In 2019, Mormon blogger Jana Riess wrote a book titled The Next Mormons: How Millennials are Changing the LDS Church (New York: Oxford University Press, 2019). While what she presents is not as “layperson” oriented as some of her other tomes – including Flunking Sainthood, What Would Buffy Do? and Mormonism For Dummies – Riess compiles important research that, among other things, can help Christians better understand the mindset of both current and former LDS Church members.

Riess considered a variety of issues. For one, reasons why former Mormons left their faith are described in a chart on page 224. Respondents provided up to three reasons each. Here is the Top 10 list (with the percentage naming that reason included):

“I could no longer reconcile my personal values and priorities with those of the Church” (38%)
“I stopped believing there was one true church” (36.5%)
“I did not trust the Church leadership to tell the truth surrounding controversial or historical issues” (31%)
“I felt judged or misunderstood” (30%)
“I drifted away from Mormonism” (26%)
“I engaged in behaviors that the Church views as sinful” (23%)
“The Church’s positions on LGBT issues” (23%)
“The Church’s emphasis on conformity and obedience” (21%)
“Lack of historical evidence for the Book of Mormon and/or Book of Abraham” (21%)
“The role of women in the Church” (18%)

Perhaps the most depressing statistic given concerns the fate of those former members who leave. According to Riess on page 220,

“Just under half (44 percent) have not become involved with another religious tradition since leaving Mormonism; these are represented . . . under the categories atheist, agnostic, and nothing in particular. Another fifth [21 percent] consider themselves “just Christian” but do not specify a particular church, which likely means they have retained Christian beliefs but are not regular attenders. The remaining third (33 percent) now identify as something else, mostly remaining within the Christian orbit.”

In other words, close to half of all former LDS members “have not become involved with another religious tradition” and were willing to exchange “the one true church” for absolutely nothing at all!

These folks may resonate with a saying that many church members repeat to one another in an effort to bolster their confidence in Mormonism: If the LDS Church isn’t true, then nothing else is. How often we have heard this statement repeated by former Latter-day Saints!

However, this is neither rational nor true. If the “Church isn’t true,” then something else has to be. After all, “nothing” is not something. If Mormonism is not true, perhaps Hinduism is. Or Islam. Maybe God doesn’t exist, which would validate atheism—a positive belief held by some that God doesn’t exist. Atheism is “something.” Or possibly we are living in a Matrix-like illusion and nobody exists. The list of possibilities could go on. The point is that, whatever ends up as true, it cannot be nothing at all.

Other possibilities, including biblical Christianity, ought to be considered by former Mormons. This is especially true for those who felt that, at one time, they really did know Jesus as their “Savior.”

Even more alarming is that very few end up as Christians. Out of the 33% who “identify as something else,” 11% now belong to other religions; 10% became evangelical Protestants; 7% are mainline Protestants; and 6% are Roman Catholics. When the totals for “evangelical” and “mainline Protestants” are added together, this totals a mere 5% of everyone who has left Mormonism. This number is too low, especially since there are more former members who end up as atheists and agnostics than Christians!

How many have become discouraged after leaving Mormonism and yet have no clue about the impressive evidence for evangelical Christianity? Certainly many weary Latter-day Saints are burned out and want nothing to do with religion, especially “Christianity.”

Social and Cultural Shifts

The LDS Church has been known for its stringent social norms, particularly around sexuality, marriage, and family roles. The rise in acceptance of diverse sexual orientations and identities has led to tensions within the church. A significant portion of those leaving cite the church’s policies on the LGBTQ+ community, especially the 2015 policy which barred children of homosexual parents from baptism, as a breaking point.

According to Trevor James, an excommunicated member now advocating for the rights of queer Latter-day Saints, “The church’s approach to the LGBTQ+ community feels not just outdated but harmful. It’s pushing away a generation that values inclusivity and personal freedom.”

The Role of Technology and Information Access

The digital age has democratized access to information, including critiques and alternative interpretations of LDS teachings. Podcasts, social media groups, and online forums have become places where former members find community and validation in their doubts. This phenomenon was explored in a 2021 study by Jana Riess, which suggested that post-Mormon support groups and digital content significantly influence the exit process.

Statistical Insights

A closer look at the demographics provides further insight:

Age Factor: Younger generations, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, show higher rates of leaving. The General Social Survey indicates that the retention rate for those born after 1981 is down to 46%.

Education: There’s a correlation between higher education and leaving the church. Those with college degrees, especially from non-church-affiliated institutions, tend to question or leave the faith more frequently.

Geographic Influence: The decline is more pronounced in urban areas like Salt Lake County, where the church’s membership percentage has been decreasing for years, reaching 46.89% in 2021.

The Church’s Response

The LDS Church has not remained passive in the face of these trends. Changes like reducing the Sunday meeting block to two hours, allowing missionaries more frequent family contact, and slightly softening stances on certain social issues aim to retain members. However, these adjustments have mixed reviews.

In a statement to The Salt Lake Tribune, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a senior leader in the church, emphasized, “We are continually seeking to understand and meet the spiritual needs of our members, adapting where we can while preserving the core doctrines of our faith.”

The Human Element: Personal Stories

Beyond statistics, the human stories offer a poignant look at this phenomenon. Michael, who asked for his last name to be omitted, described his departure after 30 years of membership as “like losing my family’s language,” indicating a deep cultural and emotional severance.

Conversely, Jane Doe, a practicing Latter-day Saint, argues for a more nuanced view, “Not everyone leaves because of doctrine or scandal. Sometimes life just takes people in different directions, and they find faith elsewhere or within themselves.”

The exodus from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) described above reflects broader trends observed across many mainstream religions in the United States, although there are some unique aspects to the LDS experience. Here’s a detailed comparison:

Common Trends Across Religions:

Rise of the “Nones”:
Across the U.S., there’s a significant increase in the number of people identifying as religiously unaffiliated or “nones”. According to recent surveys (like those from Pew Research Center), about one-quarter of Americans claim no formal religious identity, with this trend being more pronounced among younger generations.
Declining Membership and Attendance:
Many major denominations, including Catholics, mainline Protestants (like Episcopalians, Methodists, and Presbyterians), and even some evangelical groups, are seeing declines in membership and attendance. For instance, posts on X highlight significant membership losses in these groups over the past two decades.
Impact of Cultural Shifts:
Issues like acceptance of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and changing societal norms around marriage and family life are influencing religious affiliation. Many young people are turned off by perceived or real conservative stances on these issues.
Access to Information:
The internet and social media have democratized access to religious critique, alternate spiritualities, and support for those questioning their faith. This has facilitated a broader questioning of religious doctrines and practices across all faiths.
Educational Influence:
Higher education often correlates with lower religious affiliation rates as people might encounter diverse worldviews, scientific explanations, or critical analysis of religious texts.

Unique Aspects of the LDS Church:

High Retention Expectations:
Historically, the LDS Church has had higher expectations for member retention, partly due to its strong community support systems, missionary work, and cultural integration in places like Utah. The current exodus, therefore, feels more significant due to these expectations.
Specific Doctrinal and Historical Issues:
The LDS Church faces unique challenges related to its history, including the authenticity of its founding texts, polygamy, and racial policies. These have been focal points for many leaving the church, especially as more historical documents become accessible.
Missionary Experience:
The missionary program, while aimed at retention and growth, can sometimes lead to disillusionment upon returning home, particularly if the experience was not what was expected or if it leads to critical thinking about the church.
Cultural Homogeneity:
In areas where the LDS Church is dominant, like Utah, the cultural impact of leaving can be profound, leading to a unique social pressure and potential isolation from community and family.

While the LDS Church’s situation shares many features with the general decline in religious affiliation in the U.S., there are specific elements like its historical claims, the intensity of its cultural integration, and the unique missionary experience that make its exodus somewhat distinctive. The overall trend, however, is part of a larger narrative of secularization, shifting values, and the impact of modern communication where no religious institution is immune.

Conclusion

The reasons members are leaving the LDS Church in 2025 are complex and varied, encompassing historical, doctrinal, social, and personal dimensions. While the church faces challenges in retaining its younger members and adapting to modern societal values, it also continues to foster a strong community for many. The narrative of leaving or staying is as much about personal journeys as it is about institutional dynamics.

As the church looks to the future, the balance between maintaining its core beliefs and adapting to a changing world will be crucial. Meanwhile, for those who have left, the journey often continues in search of new spiritual or secular identities, reflecting broader trends in religious affiliation and disaffiliation across America.