Latter-day Saint Retention Rate Dropped to 54 Percent
A survey conducted from 2023 to 2024 revealed that 46 percent of adults raised in the faith no longer identify with the church.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Latter-Day Saints
Live Poll
Do you feel that religious influence on American society is currently getting stronger or weaker?
The Religious Landscape Study, conducted between 2023 and 2024, found that the retention rate for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has fallen to 54 percent. Data from the survey indicates that 46 percent of adults raised in the faith have left the church, with 28 percent now reporting no religious affiliation.
Why it matters
Shifts in religious identity and practice reflect broader changes within the community, including a decreased likelihood of daily prayer and certainty in God compared to 2007. These trends highlight a evolving demographic landscape for the faith in the United States.
The study surveyed 565 current Latter-day Saints and 316 former members out of a total pool of 36,000 U.S. adults. Findings show 73 percent of current members identify as Republican or lean that way, while 46 percent favor social acceptance of homosexuality.
The players
David Archuleta
He is a singer and songwriter who publicly announced he left the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2021.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
It is a global religious organization that is the subject of the retention and demographic study.
The details
Members are now 14 percentage points less likely to express absolute certainty in God and 11 percentage points less likely to state religion is very important to their lives than in 2007. Additionally, 61 percent of current members view the increased presence of women in the workforce as a positive change.
Timeline
2007 served as the baseline for comparative shifts in religious practices.
2021 marked the year David Archuleta left the church.
2023-2024 was the period during which the Religious Landscape Study was conducted.
Culture Shift
The data reflects a significant shift as Utah faces an evolving religious and political landscape driven by both internal retention changes and population growth from other states. These changes mirror broader national trends where traditional affiliations are increasingly fluid.
The findings suggest that families may see shifts in community traditions and local social values as religious involvement becomes less uniform. These trends indicate that residents will experience a more diverse ideological environment in their neighborhoods.
The takeaway
The data indicates that the church is experiencing a period of significant demographic transition as current members hold more progressive views on societal issues than in previous decades. Adapting to these shifting internal perspectives remains a primary challenge for the organization.
Further reading
For more context on the current status of faith in America, see our Latter-Day Saints section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Axios.
Live Poll
Do you feel that religious influence on American society is currently getting stronger or weaker?
