What does ‘Surviving Mormonism’ really mean?

Critics View: 

Gay’s framing that “Surviving Mormonism” itself is about escaping a harmful faith doesn’t align with what decades of independent research reveal about the lived experience of Latter-day Saints. Surviving Mormonism means becoming devoted followers of Jesus Christ. It means living the teachings of Jesus, like repenting daily and loving and serving your neighbor. 

Factual Response

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

• 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.

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

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 form Pew Research Center show 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.

What It’s Really Like to “Survive 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 or 19 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 to Learn About Your Identity and Purpose From the Start

From early youth, 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.

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