Surviving Mormonism, Explained

It is important to note that these accounts do not reflect the experiences of all members. While harm has occurred, as in any large organization, the Church strives to provide a safe environment and has a zero-tolerance policy for abuse. The LDS community continues to emphasize family, service, and faith, with millions finding guidance, support, and purpose through their involvement.

Critics View: 

In Surviving Mormonism, Heather Gay speaks with two sisters (Jennie and Lizzy) who claim that reports of abuse made to local Church leaders were ignored. 

Factual Response: 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints condemns abuse in any form. Church leaders at every level are instructed to treat all reports of abuse with the utmost seriousness and to follow both the law and Church policy to protect victims and support their healing. 

Abuse of any kind is tragic and must never be dismissed. When abuse is reported, church leaders are instructed to contact a dedicated help line for guidance and assistance. Click here to view the Church’s policy relating to abuse.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints states that abuse is forbidden by the commandments of God. The Church teaches members to practice the protection and care for others, as taught by Jesus Christ. The Church also teaches the Savior’s strong condemnation of abuse: “Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6). 

Offenders are accountable to both civil law and God’s law. Regardless of whether the abuser is convicted, offenders are subject to Church discipline, including loss of membership.

Zero-Tolerance Policy for Abuse 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints maintains a zero-tolerance policy for abuse. If abuse is reported, Church leaders are to act immediately to ensure safety and cooperate with civil authorities in the reporting and investigation of the abuse. 

Here’s a summary of how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints approaches abuse. To view the Church’s full policy and efforts on preventing abuse, click here. 

Preventing Abuse 

The Church continuously seeks to strengthen its efforts to prevent abuse and protect members, especially children and youth.

1. Teaching and Training: Members and leaders are clearly taught that abuse is never acceptable. Training materials are provided to help leaders recognize and prevent abuse.
   
2. Two-Adult Policy: At least two responsible adults are required to be present at any activity involving children or youth.
   
3. Membership Safeguards: Church membership records identify former abusers
4. Congregational Oversight: Members are encouraged to look out for one another.
5. Personal Interviews: Local leaders meet frequently with members, providing opportunities for discussion, counsel, and support.
6. Serving with Children: Assignments to serve with children are approved by the entire congregation.
   

Reporting Abuse 

When abuse of any kind is discovered or suspected, the Church’s first priority is the safety and care of the victim.

1. 24-Hour Help Line: Church leaders have access to a 24-hour helpline staffed by professionals who ensure that victims are protected and that all civil reporting laws are followed. Leaders are then instructed on how to address the victim and the perpetrator.
   
2. Clear Guidance: Members are given clear information on how to report abuse to civil authorities and are strongly encouraged to report immediately when they become aware of abuse.
   
3. Leadership Awareness: When necessary, local leaders are informed so they can remain vigilant and provide protection and support within the congregation.
   

Responding to Abuse 

When abuse occurs, the Church acts to care for victims.

1. Ongoing Support: Leaders meet regularly with victims to offer counsel and help with healing.
2. Professional Counseling: The Church encourages and often provides access to licensed professional counselors to assist in recovery.
   
3. Cooperation with Civil Authorities: The Church supports investigations, counseling, and prosecution of abusers.
   
4. Church Discipline: Abusers face serious Church discipline.
5. Restrictions on Serving with Children or Youth: Even after repentance, no one with a history of abuse may ever work with children or youth.
   
6. Flagged Records: Membership records of abusers are flagged to identify their history.
   

Critics View: 

Through its title and framing, Surviving Mormonism suggests a narrative centered on leaving a faith portrayed as harmful.

Factual Response

For many members, however, that portrayal does not align with their lived experience. They often describe their faith as healing, not harmful. They view it as a Christian faith centered on Jesus Christ, and for them, membership is fundamentally about striving to become devoted followers of Him.

What does “surviving Mormonism” mean to members of the Church? For many, it means living the teachings of Jesus Christ—repenting daily, loving others, and serving one’s neighbor. It involves religious devotion, striving to feel close to God, seeking peace, developing a sense of true identity, and maintaining a lifelong commitment to serving both God and others.

The following reflects what members themselves would describe as “surviving Mormonism.”

“Surviving Mormonism” Means Serving Others

For many Latter-day Saints, “surviving Mormonism” means striving to follow Jesus Christ through a life of faith, service, and dedication. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints take Christ’s command to serve others seriously—giving their time, talents, and resources to lift those in need.

Here’s the data:

• In 2024, the Church spent $1.45 billion in humanitarian aid.
• A University of Pennsylvania study found that Latter-day Saints volunteer seven times more often than the average American. 
• According to the University of Pennsylvania, members of the Latter-day Saint church donate significantly more than the average American. 
• Pew Research shows that 72% of Church members volunteered in the last year, among the highest of any Christian group. In total, Church members contributed 6.6 million volunteer hours in 2024 alone.
  

Missionary Work

For many young adults, “surviving Mormonism” means serving as a missionary. Missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are ordinary young people, often just 18 years old, who choose to pause their lives for 18 months or two years to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and serve others. 

It’s challenging by design. Missionaries leave behind their homes, families, and comfort zones. But it’s through that discomfort that they grow.

Missionaries learn discipline as they:

• Step away from entertainment and social media
  
• Wake up early and live on a strict schedule
  
• Teach lessons about Jesus Christ and His gospel
  
• Pray and study the scriptures daily
  
• Serve others in their communities
  

The result of a mission is a stronger, enduring relationship with God and a foundation for lifelong faith. According to the Pew Research Center, 92% of returned missionaries said their missionary service was “very valuable” in strengthening their faith.

Returned missionaries also tend to have stronger family relationships. Studies show that:

• Returned-missionary men have a 9% divorce rate, compared to 29% for non-returned-missionary men and 38% nationally.
• 73% of returned-missionary families pray together several times per week.
• 39% study scripture as a family multiple times per week.
• 55% hold Family Home Evening two or three times each month.

Despite busy modern life, returned-missionary families maintain consistent and meaningful religious routines that strengthen faith and unity. 

“Surviving Mormonism” Means to Study Jesus Christ 

Latter-day Saints consistently rank among the highest of all Christian groups in scripture study, weekly church attendance, and religious discussions at home.

For them, faith is an active, ongoing pursuit. Members dedicate time each week to study the teachings of Jesus Christ, discuss gospel principles in their families and congregations, and live those teachings in their daily lives.

“Surviving Mormonism” Means Learning About Your Identity and Purpose

From an early age, Latter-day Saints are taught a clear sense of who they are and why their lives matter. Every other week, Young Women and Young Men gather in their classes or quorums and repeat the youth themes.  

The Young Women stand up and state, “I am a beloved daughter of Heavenly Parents.” This message forms the foundation of their self-worth. They grow up believing they have a divine purpose and that God cares deeply for them. The young women’s theme teaches them to: 

• Seek personal revelation
• Minister to others
• Strengthen home and family
• Make and keep sacred covenants

Each week in their quorum, young men stand and recite: “I am a beloved son of God, and He has a work for me to do.” This simple truth gives purpose and direction. The young men’s theme teaches the youth to: 

• Love and serve God
• Honor covenants
• Strengthen their families
• Prepare for service as missionaries, husbands, and fathers
  

“Surviving Mormonism” Means a Life of Enduring Faith

All of these teachings, of youth, missionary, and adult life, center on the gospel of Jesus Christ. Members of the Church strive to live by the foundational principles of the gospel:

1. Have faith in Jesus Christ
2. Repent daily
3. Be baptized by proper priesthood authority
4. Receive the Holy Ghost
5. Continue a life of enduring faith 

These principles are the foundation of members’ faith. Members of the Church strive to be honest, true, chaste, and virtuous. These ideals shape not only their beliefs but their behavior—building lives of faith, service, and purpose.

1. Mormons, when compared with other Christians, report higher religious devotion:

Devotion is defined as praying daily, weekly church attendance, and considering religion very important.

• In their 20s, they are 2.8 times more likely to be devout.
• In their 30s, 2.5 times.
• In their 40s, 2.1 times.
• In their 50s, 1.9 times.
• In their 60s, 1.8 times.

 

2. Mormons feel Closer to God than other Christians 

Thousands of teens were asked how close they felt to God, then surveyed again years later as adults.

Among all religious groups, only Latter-day Saints reported a rise in feeling “very” or “extremely” close to God.

3. Latter-day Saints are the Americans most likely to feel a deep sense of spiritual peace and well-being each week. 

A study from the Pew Research Center shows Latter-day Saints are the most likely Americans to feel deep spiritual peace each week.

4. Mormon teens are more compassionate and community-minded. 

Based on findings from the National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR), teenagers who are part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints demonstrate a high level of religious devotion and stand out in a number of positive ways when compared to their peers. Research suggests that these youth are more compassionate, community-minded, and are significantly more likely to care about issues such as racial equality and justice. The study also indicates they are far less likely to engage in behaviors like lying or cheating.

This information is a core finding from the National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR), which was led by sociologist Christian Smith. The findings are discussed in the book Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers Is Telling the American Church by Kenda Creasy Dean.

To learn more about what it’s like to “Survive Mormonism”, please click here.