Latter-Day Saint Retention Rates Declined Since 2007

A new study found that fewer adults raised in the faith still identify with the church today.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Latter-Day Saints

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a weathered stone archway standing alone in a vast, empty field, evoking shifting religious identification. — A study by the Pew Research Center found that the percentage of adults raised in the Latter-day Saint faith who still identify with the church has fallen to 54% in 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Is religious identity becoming less stable for younger generations in your country?

Pew Research Center reported that 54% of adults raised in the Latter-day Saint faith still identify with the church, a decrease from 70% in 2007. The research, published in September 2026, utilized data collected between July 2023 and March 2024.

Why it matters

The study highlights shifting religious identification in the United States, showing that 28% of those raised as Latter-day Saints now identify with no religion. Despite these changes, current members continue to report high levels of religious practice and civic engagement.

The study identified 565 Latter-day Saint respondents within a total sample of 36,908 U.S. adults. Data shows that 73% of members identify as Republican, 72% identify as White, and 87% of married members are wed to someone of the same faith.

The players

Pew Research Center

This is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes, and trends shaping the world.

The details

Current church members demonstrate strong community involvement, with 72% volunteering in the past year, compared to the 41% national average. While 73% of members report praying daily and 70% attend in-person services weekly, 46% state that homosexuality should be accepted by society.

2007 served as the baseline year for comparing religious retention statistics.
2014 was used as a baseline for polling on women in the workforce.
Researchers collected primary survey data from July 2023 to March 2024.
The full Pew Research Center study was published in September 2026.

Culture Shift

The decline in Latter-day Saint retention follows the broader documented trend of rising secularism across the United States. This development reflects how changing social attitudes and institutional shifts are reshaping religious identity across the national landscape.

The study suggests that while religious identification is shifting, church members remain significantly more active in volunteering than the general public. Readers may observe these patterns through sustained local community involvement and high rates of organizational participation.

The takeaway

The data indicates that while the church faces challenges in retaining adults raised within the faith, committed members remain highly engaged in their communities. This shift underscores how religious identity is becoming a more fluid aspect of American social life.