Why People Leave Survey Results

[_Willy Law]

John Dehlin just released his survey results of why people leave.

I have always wondered why the Book of Abraham is such a hot button topic for critics and apologists. Now I have a better idea why it is such a battleground. I studied the Book of Abraham long after polygamy, 1st vision, priesthood and Book of Mormon had already crumbled so it never seemed that important to me.

http://whymormonsleave.com/2012/01/31/causes-and-costs-of-mormon-faith-crises/

[_sanjara]

A very interesting study!

It confirms that most leave for historical/doctrinal reasons rather than sin. Also people leave for multiple reasons and rarely because of a single issue. It further strengthens the argument that staying in the Church is more stressful than leaving. I look forward to the full analysis.

[_Runtu]

Interesting survey. I suspect that the response from the usual suspects will be that people who are so weak-minded to let the evidence influence them are obviously not the elect.

One more thing: As an editor, I'm appalled at the formatting of the survey results. All-caps overload.

[_Aristotle Smith]

I read a few of the comments and listened to the last Mo Stories podcast. For some reason, people seem to think this data is going to change things. For these persons I have two questions:

1) How in the world is this going to change anything?
2) Are you really so naïve as to think that the LDS church, which operates a very sophisticated social research unit, doesn't already know this stuff?

[_Willy Law]

I read a few of the comments and listened to the last Mo Stories podcast. For some reason, people seem to think this data is going to change things. For these persons I have two questions:

1) How in the world is this going to change anything?
2) Are you really so naïve as to think that the LDS church, which operates a very sophisticated social research unit, doesn't already know this stuff?

I would think the church may be interested to know that 90% of respondents have either told their Bishop very little or nothing of their non belief. This would indicate that however grave the problem seems to the COB (as reported by local leaders) it is actually 90 times worse.

I could also see the COB making more of an effort to instruct local leaders to be more supportive of non believing spouses and, under no circumstances, suggest divorce.

[_Runtu]

I read a few of the comments and listened to the last Mo Stories podcast. For some reason, people seem to think this data is going to change things. For these persons I have two questions:

1) How in the world is this going to change anything?
2) Are you really so naïve as to think that the LDS church, which operates a very sophisticated social research unit, doesn't already know this stuff?

No, it's not going to change anything. Communication generally goes one way in the church: from the top down. Those who think they can change the church from the bottom are fooling themselves. At best, they are seen as "ark-steadiers," and at worst apostates in the making.

I'm sure the church knows all this, too. The problem is that there isn't an obvious response because there aren't good answers for the problematic things.

[_Willy Law]

I'm sure the church knows all this, too. The problem is that there isn't an obvious response because there aren't good answers for the problematic things.

Then you are obviously not familiar with the church's plans to roll out "The Rescue". That ought to answer all our questions.

[_Runtu]

Then you are obviously not familiar with the church's plans to roll out "The Rescue". That ought to answer all our questions.

No, I'm not. Please elaborate.

[_hatersinmyward]

The "Rescue plan" is flawed in and of itself considering it will need to appeal to the TBMs first, as well as those that have questions regarding the history of the LDS faith. The LDS can't come clean and defend itself simultaneously, expecting to tie up those loose ends.

[_Willy Law]

Then you are obviously not familiar with the church's plans to roll out "The Rescue". That ought to answer all our questions.

No, I'm not. Please elaborate.

According to Marlin Jenson it is the church's plan to answer all our questions. Should be fun.

"The Rescue" - a plan to address the difficulties of Mormon history
Dr. Phillip Barlow (Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture at Utah State University) invited Elder Marlin K. Jensen (Church Historian and Recorder) to speak at USU. Excerpts of the Q&A session specifically having to do with the difficulties Mormons face when learning about church history are included below. This points to an unfolding crisis affecting the church, and efforts to address this issue. Several items of note from Elder Jensen include:
The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve realize that "maybe since Kirtland, we never have had a period of, I'll call it apostasy, like we're having right now"
"What we have in mind is to develop a response to the tough issues – whether that's polyandry, or DNA in the Book of Mormon ... we do have another initiative that we have called, "Answers to Gospel Questions". We are trying to figure out exactly what channels to deliver it in"
Where has the prophet laid his emphasis right now? It's on something called 'The Rescue'
"There's no sense kidding ourselves. We need to be very upfront with [this generation], tell them what we know, and give answers to what we have, and let them fall on their faith for things that we don't completely understand."