Why People Join
LDS Church has 16 million members at present, roughly doubled in the past 25 years LDS Ch grows by birth of children AND baptizing converts
About 30% of church members are converts About 4 in 10 converts were raised Protestant / same raised Catholic Growth rate has decreased = from 5% per year in late 1980s → 1.5% per year in 2017
People join LDS Church for a myriad of reasons Many → testimony experience received while studying Mo’ism Some, M provides satisfying answers re: meaning of life
Some like emphasis on righteousness & achievement Others like idea → everyone goes to some form of heaven
Or that there is 2nd chance for salvation after this life
Many find that LDS Church makes God comprehensible
Compared to the biblical doctrine of the Trinity
For others, emotional reasons play a role
The appeal that families can be united forever
Or a dead loved one has 2nd chance for salvation
People find security in the structure & authority of Mo’ism Some encounter LDS Church when searching spiritually
Or while looking to fill a void in their hearts
Others find a welcoming, supportive community
When going through tough times emotionally
LDS Ch → safe haven from society’s evils for families
Some join for relational reasons
Young ppl growing up in LDS majority → join to fit in Others join through a romantic relationship with a Mo
Some join during a time of material need
After Church provided practical or financial help
But MOST LDS are members bc they were raised in Mo’ism
Officially → church members at age 8, when baptized The majority stay in the Church
Though probably experience periods of increased/decreased activity
Regardless of why people join…
M provides a positive way of life & caring community Gives sense → bldg something significant in this life & next
ALL LDS are urged to experience a personal conversion
Both those who grew up in it and those who join it Conversion is not moment of spiritual regeneration as in traditional Xianty
But the moment they come to know with divinely-inspired certainty
That JS is a prophet, the BOM is true The LDS Church is the only true church
Church membership is important, but faith journey starts at this point of conversion
By gaining assurance / testimony of truth of LDS Church
Application: to those outside, the LDS Church may seem irrational or strange
Might have a hard time understand why ppl believe it Let’s have some empathy due to the powerful forces at work that confirm the LDS identity and commitment in ppl
The Role of Missionaries
Serving a mission is a vital rite of passage that strengthens the commitment of young Mos In 2022, ~ 90,000 missionaries worldwide, from many countries
Serving in 407 different geographical missions.
Seen as an expectation / duty for young men
As an opportunity but not obligation for young women
On the “mission field”
Go in pairs: junior & senior companion Frequently transferred – every few months
A day in the life
Rise at 6:30 am → 1 hour to pray, exercise, prepare for the day Personal & companion Study – 2.5 hours of scriptures, lessons, manual, language, etc. Teaching People – begins at 10:00 am
Referrals from members, knock on doors, pass out tracts, speak to anyone
Follow-up visits → formal lessons / push toward baptism as an LDS member Work with members → activate inactives / help members reach out Return to lodging at 9:00 pm → planning, journaling, prayer = until 10:30
Everyone who joins the LDS Church will go through the missionary lessons
Designed to convince them of LDS truth claims Also: to prepare them for the commitments involved in living as a Mormon
Application: being an LDS missionary is a tough gig
Long hours, far from home, lots of rejection Treat them with kindness But don’t be afraid to engage in open, truthful but loving conversations
Why People Leave
In spite of positive elements of LDS life, ppl are leaving Mo’ism in unprecedented numbers
Up to 50% of converts in the US drop out after a year
When it comes to lifelong members → retention rate in adulthood is about 5 in 8 Of those who leave, only ⅓ find a home in a new religion → ½ of those in some form of Protestant faith Many factors that contribute to LDS de-conversion Some don’t want to live demanding LDS lifestyle
Constant busyness, time & money pressure
Tire of stress of living up to high expectations / pressure to be worthy
Discover unsavory episodes in Church’s history → cast a bad light on LDS prophets
Or contradict official Church accounts
Converts uncover info they were unaware of when baptized
Such as temple practices / the idea of becoming gods
Honest Qs go unanswered / discouragement sets in → people told not to question the faith
Some leave bc they discover that LDS truth claims can’t stand up to intellectual scrutiny Others decide that Mormon doctrines don’t stack up to BIble
More & more → leave due to LDS conservative stand on social issues
Patriarchal vs feminism / traditional marriage vs. LGBT inclusion
Some leave bc LDS Church feels like big business to them Others find Church too monolithically white and American Many leave because they never fit in culturally Some are poorly treated and don’t come back As many LDS have their faith confirmed by warm spiritual experiences
Some also leave because of an experience → a dream or spiritual feeling caused them to doubt
Application: don’t think your LDS friend is impervious to the gospel, or even to deeper friendship
But realize → they have to trust you a lot to open up about their doubts / questions / concerns
Closet doubters: some Mos reject claims & teachings of LDS Church
But choose to stay in the church → quiet about their doubts
Disaffected Mos stay in the Church for various reasons
May appreciate some, if not all, Mo teachings & practices Marriage compels some to stay for family stability / to avoid divorce Some stay because of their family history / traditions Job security is an issue for many, esp in Utah
One’s boss and co-workers may be LDS
Many → no idea where to go / what to do w/o Mormonism Some hope to influence the church to change Others → church still seen as a safe place to raise kids w/values
Application: your LDS friend might not be as convinced or loyal as it seems on the surface
Leaving Is Difficult
For those raised LDS, leaving Mormonism is hard
Going vs. tide of deep roots & strong group identity
When a person rejects authority & truth claims of Mo’ism…
Considered apostate → a very negative label LDS are taught to fear apostasy Warned that if they leave the Church…
Abandon safe umbrella of priesthood care & authority
LDS sources claim → ppl leave the church out of pride, sin, or pettiness
Or because they were deceived by Satan
When people do finally leave, they do so at a cost
Ex-Mo may suffer sense of anguish over loss of ID Family life and personal relationships are disrupted Those who leave are often stereotyped & slandered
A doubting Mormon may go through agonizing transition period – perhaps years long
Marked by insecurity, alienation, anger, and confusion Before ultimately accepting a decision to leave Ch
Application: have compassion on ppl as they navigate a difficult faith transition
Patience / kindness Give them space to sort things out Empathize with the emotional disequilibrium & relational challenges
It’s not like going from Baptist to Presbyterian church
Talking Points:
Most people join the LDS Church for emotional and relational reasons, although the majority of Mormons are LDS because they were born into it. LDS missionaries – mostly young adult men and women – play a key role in people converting to Mormonism. More people are leaving Mormonism than ever before, and they do so for a myriad of reasons, including lifestyle, relationships, and beliefs. Leaving the LDS Church is difficult. Those leaving are stigmatized and often go through emotional, relational, and intellectual challenges.
Discussion:
Make a list of reasons why people join the LDS Church. What is your response to these reasons, and why? Compare the idea of “conversion” as thought of by Latter-day Saints with the biblical concept. Have you ever had a conversation with a Mormon missionary? What did you learn? What would you change next time you meet one of them? What are some of the key reasons people are leaving the LDS Church? How does this compare with reasons people leave traditional Christian churches? Why is it so much harder to leave Mormonism than to leave a Christian church?
See Also:
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