Episode 136: Part IV-End of LDS Growth? Young Adult Attrition, Lower Missionary Visibility, Gerontocracy

Welcome to episode #4 of this six part mini-series where we are diving into all things LDS church growth struggles as studied in the recent journal article titled, “End of Growth?  Fading Prospects for Latter-day Saint Expansion” (article in full linked below)

In today’s episode, Nathan and Val work through three more reasons exploring why the LDS church has not grown into the "next Islam" as forecasted about 40 years ago.

This episode focuses on these three points:

Retention issues amongst specific demographics, especially adolescents and generation Z. Youth and young adult disaffiliation is increasing and youth age at disaffiliation is getting younger.  

Philosophical shifts in the missionary program including reduction in on-the-ground visibility between missionaries and the people in the communities where they serve; heavier focus on key indicators of success related to issues outside of the control of missionaries.

The impact of the leadership being a gerontocracy and how this organizational philosophy may exact costs in growth.

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Link to the article analyzed in this series:

⁠The End of Growth? Fading Prospects for Latter-day Saint Expansion, David G. Stewart, Jr., University of Nevada, Las Vegas⁠

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