The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), commonly known as the Mormon Church, is experiencing a concerning trend – large numbers of Millennials (those born between 1981-1996) are choosing to leave the faith. This exodus of young adults is unprecedented and troubling for a church that places so much emphasis on growing membership numbers. In this article, we will explore the key reasons why Millennials are abandoning the LDS Church and what this means for the future of Mormonism.
Millennials Are Leaving Organized Religion in General
The Millennial generation as a whole is turning away from organized religion faster than any previous generation. According to Pew Research Center data, 36% of Millennials consider themselves “nones” – people who identify as atheist, agnostic or nothing in particular. This is significantly higher than Generation X (23%) and Baby Boomers (17%). Several cultural and ideological factors contribute to this broader move away from faith among Millennials:
- Greater emphasis on individualism and customizing faith
- Distrust in traditional institutions and authority figures
- Delayed marriage and family formation
- Liberal political ideology
- Higher educational attainment
These generational characteristics help explain why Millennials as a cohort are disconnecting from organized religion as a whole. The LDS Church is not immune to these cultural shifts.
The LDS Church Requires Significant Commitment
Within the broader trend of Millennials leaving religion, the Mormon Church faces unique challenges in retaining its youth. LDS doctrine and practices require an exceptionally high level of commitment from its members compared to other Christian denominations. Not only are members expected to adhere to a strict health and behavioral code called the “Word of Wisdom”, but the church also emphasizes the importance of exact obedience to its authority structure and participation in ritual practices such as temple ceremonies.
Additionally, young Mormon men are encouraged to serve 2-year proselytizing missions and young Mormon women often marry and start families at a young age. These immense commitments of time, resources and personal freedom are a tough sell for independent-minded Millennials who prize individualism and delayed marriage/family formation.
Key Statistics on Millennials Leaving the LDS Church
- 64% of Mormons born after 1981 leave the faith, compared to 37% of Boomers and Generation X
- 85% of married Millennial Mormons have spouses who are also LDS, compared to 97% of Mormon Boomers when they were young
- Less than 50% of single Millennial Mormons are dating only other Mormons
These statistics illustrate how Millennial allegiance to LDS standards and culture is significantly lower than that of previous generations. The strict demands and insider social dynamics feel restrictive and inauthentic to Millennial sensibilities.
Questions About LDS History and Doctrine
Access to information via the internet has allowed Millennials to research LDS history and origins more thoroughly than past generations. This unfettered research has led many to question, doubt or abandon their belief in distinctive Mormon doctrines and the validity of the Book of Mormon as scripture. Specifically, unflattering aspects of church history like Joseph Smith’s polygamy and racist priesthood bans once hidden from members are now readily available online. For Millennials who value transparency, these discoveries feel like betrayals of trust.
Doctrinal teachings on gender roles, LGBTQ+ issues and sexual purity alienate young adults with more progressive social views. Millennials want room to think for themselves on issues of faith and morality. For a church that claims to have the absolute and unchanging truth, the LDS stance leaves little flexibility.
Key Statistics on Millennial Doubt in LDS Doctrine
- Only 33% of Millennial Mormons say the Book of Mormon is the word of God, compared to 75% of Mormon Boomers
- 49% support same-sex marriage, compared to 37% of Mormon Generation Xers
- 64% support medical marijuana use, while the LDS Church strictly prohibits it
This data highlights a clear divergence between Millennial Mormons and the institutional church on foundational doctrinal issues.
Social Costs of Leaving are Lower
Past generations of Mormons who questioned or abandoned their faith faced significant social repercussions from family, friends and the community. Millennials have the advantage of connecting online with other ex-Mormons who provide support and understanding during faith transitions. Virtual communities like the r/exmormon subreddit (with over 200,000 members) didn’t exist when previous generations were young. This diminishes the social disadvantages of leaving.
Additionally, the internet gives doubting Mormons access to around-the-clock information and discussion about real LDS history and doctrine that past generations did not have. This knowledge empowers Millennials to make an informed choice to leave, rather than staying out of confusion or fear. While older generations may view faith doubts as a personal failing, Millennials are more likely to see them as a act of courage that should be validated.
Key Statistics on Millennial Mormon Community
- 53% of ex-Mormons say they received valuable information about LDS issues online
- 75% say online forums helped them realize they were not alone in their doubts
- 89% feel more confident in their decision to leave after connecting with other ex-Mormons online
For Millennials, the internet provides community that eases the trauma of separating from the LDS Church.
Conclusion
The trend of Millennials leaving religion broadly, compounded by Mormonism’s unique demands and troubling history, has created a perfect storm of young adults exiting the LDS Church. While older generations may have harbored private doubts, Millennials are empowered to vocalize disbelief and walk away from the religion of their youth. This poses an existential threat to a movement founded less than 200 years ago and still reliant on high birth rates and conversion for growth.
For the LDS Church to survive over the long term, it must find a way to validate Millennial perspectives while still maintaining doctrinal boundaries and authority claims. Otherwise, the exodus of young adults seems poised to continue into the foreseeable future.