In a recent video released by the independent advocacy group Scripture Central, former general authority Seventy Lawrence Corbridge urged members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints to stay rooted in truth rather than focus on cultural comfort. Corbridge, who served from 2008 to 2019, warned that “Darth Vader could be your bishop” and that a culture likened to “Alcatraz” will not drive the faithful away if the church’s truth remains clear.
National data shows a steady slide in retention
The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the once‑rapidly growing faith is now struggling to retain U.S. members. While the church celebrated a record number of full‑time missionaries in July and logged its largest single‑year baptism total (385,490) in 2025, those gains are being offset by a sharp decline in long‑term participation.
Historical research indicates that, even in the late 20th century, only about a quarter of international converts and half of U.S. converts remained active a year after baptism. Independent researcher Matt Martinich, speaking on the “Mormon Land” podcast, emphasized that the problem deepens over time: “After two years, five years, ten years, that number goes down substantially.”
Born‑into members are leaving at unprecedented rates
Recent analyses, including a study from Brigham Young University, reveal that roughly 50% of U.S. members raised in the church still identify as members as adults. When looking at regular attendance, the figure drops to about 40%, and it is even lower among Generation Z women. Women now leave the fold at higher rates than men, a trend that contrasts sharply with estimates from a few decades ago when about 80% of adult members remained active.
Scholars such as Patrick Mason, chair of Mormon history and culture at Utah State University, note that earlier projections—once suggesting the church could reach 63 million members by 2080—have not materialized. The church has yet to break the 18 million mark.
Internal and external explanations
Critics within the faith point to both cultural and institutional factors. In an op‑ed for the church‑owned Deseret News, BYU religion professor Barbara Morgan Gardner blamed social‑media influence and liberal politics for pulling young women away from the church. She argued that a cultural emphasis on individualism and skepticism toward institutions makes it harder for millennial women to stay committed.
Pro‑church social‑media accounts counter that “woke ideology,” activist therapists, and feminist agendas are eroding the faith’s cultural cohesion. Conversely, feminist scholars such as Joanna Brooks argue that the church’s own policies—ranging from restrictions on women’s bodies and fashion to opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment—create significant pressure on Mormon women.
Leadership responses focus on metrics and temples
President Russell M. Nelson has sought to shift the narrative by emphasizing temple building, announcing 200 new temples that more than double the existing or planned count. His successor, President Dallin H. Oaks, has altered the way new temple announcements are made, moving them from General Conference to regional meetings to better align with local needs.
Both leaders appear to be redirecting attention toward youth‑focused metrics, such as missionary numbers, as a way to showcase positive momentum while the church grapples with retention challenges.
What this means for members and families
For families who view the church as the true and living church, the decline raises theological questions about divine favor and the role of cultural adaptation. As Corbridge reminded viewers, the ultimate question is not “Do I fit in?” but “Is the church true?” If members answer affirmatively, the expectation is that they will remain, “come what may.”
Local congregations across Utah and the broader United States are encouraged to focus on personal discipleship, strengthen community bonds, and address the specific concerns of young women and families seeking to remain faithful amid a rapidly changing cultural landscape.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
