Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this episode, John and Meggan examine several major stories shaping the current state of Mormonism, including new research on LDS disaffiliation and decline, increasing institutional strain on local leadership, financial fraud tied to prominent Utah business figures, and the continuing controversy surrounding the Fairview Texas temple.
•Drawing from research and analysis by Jeff Strong and team of researchers, we discuss what current membership and retention trends may reveal about blind spots devout Latter-day Saints have, the primary reasons for disaffiliation, how LDS trends compare with other denominations, gender differences in the decline, institutional trust, and why many members appear to be quietly disengaging from traditional LDS expectations.
Link: tornbyjeffstrong.com
•We also examine a recent Salt Lake Tribune report detailing how some Utah County prosecutors notify the church’s law firm when LDS bishops submit letters on behalf of criminal defendants, raising questions about ecclesiastical influence, legal systems, and institutional boundaries.
Link: sltrib.com/news/2026/05/08/utah-county-prosecutors-alerted
Additional topics include:
•A Church News livestream acknowledging how overwhelmed many LDS bishops have become while supporting young men
Link:thechurchnews.com/leaders/2026/05/14/young-men-general-presidency-livestream-discusses-bishops-support-to-youth
•The Noah’s Event Centers fraud convictions involving active Latter-day Saints and ongoing questions surrounding discernment
Link:justice.gov/usao-ut/pr/utah-jury-convicts-business-owners-fraud-after-victims-were-scammed-more-30m
• The final public plea from the mayor of Fairview, Texas asking the church to reconsider the height of the proposed temple steeple in an effort to preserve community trust.
Link:yahoo.com/news/articles/fairview-leaders-again-plead-church-110000502.html
•The church battling insurers over sex abuse settlement coverage before the 10th Circuit Court
Link:courthousenews.com/mormon-church-battles-insurers-over-sex-abuse-settlement-coverage-at-10th-circuit
•And Charlie Bird and Ryan Clifford announced via social media this week that they have already begun the process to add a child to their family.
Link: instagram.com/reel/DYkm-zvJxMZ
Together, these stories paint a larger picture of a church navigating growth, decline, public scrutiny, generational change, and increasing tension between institutional authority and individual experience.
Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here: mormonstories.org/40-of-mormons-raised-in-the-u-s-have-left-the-church
Timecodes:
00:00:00 - Introduction to guest
00:02:04 - Stories covered today
00:03:57 - Bishop abusing boys
00:11:19 - How abuse is handled
00:16:52 - When bishops defend abusers
00:18:10 - Clip from Salt Lake Tribune
00:29:10 - Handbook of instructions
00:32:19 - Finishing Tribune clip
00:33:32 - Church battles insurers
00:37:53 - Main story (Torn by Jeff Strong)
00:45:14 - Reasons for disaffiliation
00:53:10 - Disaffiliation is accelerating
01:00:30 - Current LDS beliefs
01:04:35 - Clip of Jeff Strong
01:09:59 - Missionary Program
01:18:49 - Declining more than other denominations
01:31:55 - Declining for decades
01:34:36 - Helpful/unhelpful resources
01:44:44 - Young Men’s Presidencies
01:51:04 - $30M business fraud
01:54:25 - Fairview Texas Temple Steeple
01:56:12 - Pregnant queer Mormon couple
01:59:19 - Clip from Charlie Bird and Ryan
02:04:05 - Maddy Packer’s response
02:11:15 - Church response
02:18:13 - Closing remarks
In this episode, John and Meggan examine several major stories shaping the current state of Mormonism, including new research on LDS disaffiliation and decline, increasing institutional strain on local leadership, financial fraud tied to prominent Utah business figures, and the continuing controversy surrounding the Fairview Texas temple.
•Drawing from research and analysis by Jeff Strong and team of researchers, we discuss what current membership and retention trends may reveal about blind spots devout Latter-day Saints have, the primary reasons for disaffiliation, how LDS trends compare with other denominations, gender differences in the decline, institutional trust, and why many members appear to be quietly disengaging from traditional LDS expectations.
Link: tornbyjeffstrong.com
•We also examine a recent Salt Lake Tribune report detailing how some Utah County prosecutors notify the church’s law firm when LDS bishops submit letters on behalf of criminal defendants, raising questions about ecclesiastical influence, legal systems, and institutional boundaries.
Link: sltrib.com/news/2026/05/08/utah-county-prosecutors-alerted
Additional topics include:
•A Church News livestream acknowledging how overwhelmed many LDS bishops have become while supporting young men
Link:thechurchnews.com/leaders/2026/05/14/young-men-general-presidency-livestream-discusses-bishops-support-to-youth
•The Noah’s Event Centers fraud convictions involving active Latter-day Saints and ongoing questions surrounding discernment
Link:justice.gov/usao-ut/pr/utah-jury-convicts-business-owners-fraud-after-victims-were-scammed-more-30m
• The final public plea from the mayor of Fairview, Texas asking the church to reconsider the height of the proposed temple steeple in an effort to preserve community trust.
Link:yahoo.com/news/articles/fairview-leaders-again-plead-church-110000502.html
•The church battling insurers over sex abuse settlement coverage before the 10th Circuit Court
Link:courthousenews.com/mormon-church-battles-insurers-over-sex-abuse-settlement-coverage-at-10th-circuit
•And Charlie Bird and Ryan Clifford announced via social media this week that they have already begun the process to add a child to their family.
Link: instagram.com/reel/DYkm-zvJxMZ
Together, these stories paint a larger picture of a church navigating growth, decline, public scrutiny, generational change, and increasing tension between institutional authority and individual experience.
Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here: mormonstories.org/40-of-mormons-raised-in-the-u-s-have-left-the-church
Timecodes:
00:00:00 - Introduction to guest
00:02:04 - Stories covered today
00:03:57 - Bishop abusing boys
00:11:19 - How abuse is handled
00:16:52 - When bishops defend abusers
00:18:10 - Clip from Salt Lake Tribune
00:29:10 - Handbook of instructions
00:32:19 - Finishing Tribune clip
00:33:32 - Church battles insurers
00:37:53 - Main story (Torn by Jeff Strong)
00:45:14 - Reasons for disaffiliation
00:53:10 - Disaffiliation is accelerating
01:00:30 - Current LDS beliefs
01:04:35 - Clip of Jeff Strong
01:09:59 - Missionary Program
01:18:49 - Declining more than other denominations
01:31:55 - Declining for decades
01:34:36 - Helpful/unhelpful resources
01:44:44 - Young Men’s Presidencies
01:51:04 - $30M business fraud
01:54:25 - Fairview Texas Temple Steeple
01:56:12 - Pregnant queer Mormon couple
01:59:19 - Clip from Charlie Bird and Ryan
02:04:05 - Maddy Packer’s response
02:11:15 - Church response
02:18:13 - Closing remarks
