Inside the Pew Research Center’s Comprehensive New Study on Tradition and Change Among Latter-day Saints in the U.S.

Introduction and Main Facts

The Pew Research Center has released a major new research initiative examining the contemporary landscape of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or LDS) living within the United States. Titled “Tradition and Change Among Latter-day Saints in the U.S.,” the comprehensive report offers a deep dive into the demographic shifts, cultural evolutions, and enduring traditional values shaping one of America’s most distinct religious communities.

The project is built upon rigorous new analysis of data derived primarily from the landmark 2023–24 U.S. Religious Landscape Study (RLS). This broad initiative sheds light on how Latter-day Saints navigate an increasingly secularized American society while maintaining a tight-knit religious identity rooted in scripture, family structures, and community participation.

While the broader American religious landscape has experienced dramatic shifts over the last several decades—characterized notably by the rapid growth of the "nones" (those claiming no religious affiliation) and the declining numbers of mainline Protestants and Catholics—Latter-day Saints present a complex picture of internal resilience alongside subtle demographic evolution. The study was spearheaded by Senior Researcher Jonathan Evans and Writer/Editor Rebecca Leppert, drawing upon the collective expertise of Pew’s dedicated religion research, survey methodology, editorial, and communications divisions.

Funding and institutional support for the underlying 2023–24 RLS project came from The Pew Charitable Trusts, alongside vital philanthropic contributions from the Lilly Endowment Inc., the Templeton Religion Trust, The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, and the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust.

Chronology of the Research Project and Institutional Background

Understanding the depth and rigor of the Tradition and Change Among Latter-day Saints in the U.S. report requires looking at the institutional timeline and methodological milestones that brought the project to fruition.

• The Foundation of Pew Research Center’s Religious Studies: For decades, the Pew Research Center—a subsidiary and flagship project of its primary funder, The Pew Charitable Trusts—has maintained a premier global reputation for nonpartisan "fact tank" research. Its Religion & Public Life project has systematically charted religious belief and practice in the United States.
• Conception and Execution of the 2023–24 U.S. Religious Landscape Study (RLS): Recognizing the rapid changes in American religious life post-pandemic and in the wake of shifting social norms, Pew launched a massive undertaking: the 2023–24 U.S. Religious Landscape Study. This survey deployed advanced sampling and weighting methodologies to capture a statistically accurate, nationally representative portrait of religious adherents across all 50 states.
• Targeted Data Extraction and Thematic Focus: Following the primary data collection phases of the RLS, Pew researchers isolated responses from individuals identifying with the Latter-day Saint tradition. Recognizing the unique theological and sociological structure of this community—often centered around the Utah "Mormon Corridor" but distributed nationwide—researchers designed a specialized analytical framework.
• Drafting and Peer Review: Throughout 2025, primary researchers Jonathan Evans and Rebecca Leppert synthesized the data, running cross-tabulations on generational differences, geographic distribution, doctrinal adherence, and social views. The draft underwent rigorous internal review by senior methodological staff, qualitative experts, and demographic specialists.
• Official Publication (2026): The formal report was published in early 2026 under the citation Evans, Jonathan and Rebecca Leppert. 2026. “Tradition and Change Among Latter-day Saints in the U.S.” Pew Research Center (DOI: 10.58094/a124-c097), making its findings available to policymakers, sociologists, religious leaders, and the general public.

Supporting Data and Research Methodology

The reliability of Pew Research Center publications rests upon meticulous data collection methods and multidisciplinary collaboration. The Latter-day Saints project was made possible by the concerted efforts of a large, highly specialized team spanning several internal departments.

The Research Team and Leadership

The substantive analysis and theological-sociological framing of the report were guided by:

• Jonathan Evans, Senior Researcher and primary author.
• Rebecca Leppert, Writer/Editor and co-author.
• Alan Cooperman, Director of Religion Research, who oversaw the broader strategic direction of the initiative.
• Gregory A. Smith, Senior Associate Director of Research.
• Besheer Mohamed, Principal Researcher, providing structural guidance on demographic trends.
• A dedicated cohort of analysts and associates, including Asta Kallo, Meghan Rustemeyer, Patricia Tevington, Becka Alper, Chip Rotolo, and former analyst Justin Nortey. Additional research support was supplied by Isaac Lamoreaux, Shanay Gracia, and politics research associate Steven Shepard.

Survey Methods and Technical Rigor

Because studying religious minorities within a massive general population survey presents distinct statistical hurdles, Pew’s methods team played an indispensable role. The methodologies utilized to ensure precision and reduce non-response bias were managed by:

• Ashley Amaya, Associate Director of Survey Methods.
• Andrew Mercer, Principal Methodologist.
• Courtney Kennedy, Former Vice President of Methods and Innovation.
• Panel management and survey execution specialists Dorene Asare-Marfo, Dana Popky, Anna Brown, and Arnold Lau.

Their combined framework ensured that the sample size of Latter-day Saints captured in the 2023–24 RLS was robust enough to allow for subgroup analyses—comparing older generations of believers (such as Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation) with Millennials and Generation Z members.

Editorial, Design, and Communications Infrastructure

To translate dense statistical tables and complex cross-tabulations into accessible, engaging public formats, the project leveraged Pew’s creative and publishing infrastructure:

• Design and Production: Led by Associate Director Peter Bell, alongside Senior Information Graphics Designer Bill Webster, who crafted data visualizations illustrating continuity and shifts within the faith.
• Editorial Oversight: Senior Editorial Specialists and Writers David Kent, Jeff Diamant, and Dalia Fahmy ensured that the prose maintained clarity, nuance, and journalistic objectivity.
• Web Publishing and Communications: Public dissemination, media relations, and digital deployment were managed by Communications Manager Hannah Taber, Associate Digital Producer Beshay Sakla, and Communications Associates DeVonte Smith and Maya Pottiger.

Official Responses and Academic Reception

Upon its release, “Tradition and Change Among Latter-day Saints in the U.S.” drew immediate attention from sociologists of religion, university research centers, and cultural commentators. Because demographic data on the LDS population is frequently scrutinized—both by church leadership tracking global membership growth and by secular demographers studying religious switching—Pew’s nonpartisan standing gave the report significant weight.

Independent sociologists praised the report for avoiding monolithic generalizations about Latter-day Saints. While popular culture often portrays the LDS community through a uniform lens, Pew’s data highlights internal diversity, noting generational shifts in social attitudes, political alignments, and religious commitment.

Representatives from religious research organizations noted that the timing of the report—arriving concurrently with Pew’s broader findings on the stabilization or slowing decline of traditional Christianity in the U.S.—provides vital context. Where many Protestant denominations have faced steep, uninterrupted drops in attendance and identification, the Latter-day Saint community exhibits a distinct retention dynamic, blending strict institutional loyalty with complex negotiations over modern social issues.

Although church headquarters in Salt Lake City regularly conducts its own internal membership polling and administrative tracking, official commentators frequently point to independent surveys like Pew’s RLS as an invaluable external benchmark. These independent metrics help church educators, local leaders, and regional administrators understand how younger members interact with faith, community institutions, and secular culture in the 2020s.

Implications for the Future of American Religion

The findings of “Tradition and Change Among Latter-day Saints in the U.S.” carry profound implications not only for the LDS community itself, but for the broader sociological study of religion in America.

1. Generational Shifts and Adaptability

One of the most critical takeaways from the project is the interplay between strict doctrinal orthodoxy and generational change. As younger cohorts—Millennials and Gen Z—step into leadership roles within local wards and stakes, they bring distinct perspectives on technology, family life, and societal engagement. The data illustrates how traditional faith traditions are modernizing their outreach while retaining core theological dogmas.

2. The Retention Puzzle

In an era widely labeled by sociologists as "the rise of the nones," understanding why certain groups retain adherents better than others is a central academic pursuit. The Pew study provides granular data on retention rates among Latter-day Saints, offering clues into how tight-knit community structures, mandatory service (such as proselytizing missions), and weekly worship routines foster deep-seated identity formation that resists broader secularization trends.

3. Public Policy and Political Alignment

Latter-day Saints have historically occupied a unique space in American political life, combining conservative social and fiscal values with distinct views on immigration, community welfare, and global humanitarian work. The granular breakdowns in Pew’s dataset allow political scientists to track how these alignments are evolving, particularly as political polarization reshapes voter coalitions across the United States.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the Pew Research Center’s “Tradition and Change Among Latter-day Saints in the U.S.” stands as a definitive resource for anyone seeking to understand the contemporary American religious mosaic. By combining the vast scope of the 2023–24 U.S. Religious Landscape Study with focused, expert analysis, the report bridges the gap between raw statistical data and qualitative human experience, ensuring its place as a foundational text for years to come.

Recommended Citation:
Evans, Jonathan and Rebecca Leppert. 2026. "Tradition and Change Among Latter-day Saints in the U.S." Pew Research Center. DOI: 10.58094/a124-c097. Additional related reports and interactive data tools can be accessed online through the Pew Research Center Religion Portal.