Comments about ‘Religion census reveals substantial LDS growth’

In other news: "Its report pegged U.S. Mormon growth at 45.5 percent, jumping from 4,224,026 in 2000 to 6,144,582 in 2010. The 2000 figure, though, was much lower than the 5,208,827 listed in the LDS Church’s almanac. If researchers had been given that figure, the percentage of growth would have been considerably smaller, closer to 18 percent."

Mormons in the US went from 1.85% of the population to 1.99%.

The 45.5% growth that this study reported is false. In 2000, the church in the U.S. had a total of 5,208,827 members. In 2010, it had 6,144,582. That's a growth rate of less than 18%

So what happened? The study said the church only had 4,224,026 members in 2000. Those were only the members in 2000 with known addresses. As-of 2000, the church had nearly a million members who had moved without giving the church a forwarding address, and thus weren't assigned to any ward or branch. To get 45.5% growth, those "address-unknown" members were not included in the 2000 count, but were included in the 2010 count.

The Deseret News really ought to publish a clarification of this story.

I'll say it again. LDS growth is mostly overseas in underdeveloped countries. Educated developed country's don't buy into it!

Percentage growth is somewhat meaningless when base population isn't counted. If a church has one member, and adds two more in a year, that would be 200% growth! But it would also just be three whackos...

Another newspaper is reporting that an LDS Church spokesman is now explaining that they reported numbers to this survey organization differently a decade ago (apparently a decade ago they didn't count every member ever baptized or born to LDS parents) than how they reported this last time (which this time included all members ever baptized or born into the Church still living except, as I understand from other sources, those they cannot track down are counted until they are 110). This has vastly distorted the figures to make the growth much larger than reported. So in this case not only are the figures different between other denominations but the LDS Church's own figures were reported differently in different years.

"VocalLocal
Salt Lake, UT
Another newspaper is reporting that an LDS Church spokesman is now explaining that they reported numbers to this survey organization differently a decade ago (apparently a decade ago they didn't count every member ever baptized or born to LDS parents) than how they reported this last time (which this time included all members ever baptized or born into the Church still living except, as I understand from other sources, those they cannot track down are counted until they are 110). This has vastly distorted the figures to make the growth much larger than reported. So in this case not only are the figures different between other denominations but the LDS Church's own figures were reported differently in different years."

Once again more distortion of the truth.

LValfre

Go look it up for yourself. Salt Lake Tribune. Today. The church admitted to using two different methods.

Why would that then be a distortion of the truth? Sounds like pure truth to me.

LDS Growth - Over Seas, out of the U.S. -
meaning....

Most Mormons are;
Not from Utah,
Not even Americans,
and therefore, definately NOT Republicans!

About 30 years ago, I moved from California to New England; I was talking to a Jewish friend about my new surroundings. "We Mormons are really a minority in New England," I explained. "You always were [everywhere]," he replied. Since then I haven't been too impressed with statistics. We now number 14-million-plus in a world of 7 billion. Growing by a bit here and there gives us a warm feeling, but we're very much in the minority -- good motivation to do missionary work, bad motivation to boast.

K
Mchenry, IL

"They don't keep good records if they don't remove inactive."

So, what church removes their inactive? What are you comparing this too?

no fit in SG "They" still call, want one to "come in" to discuss their unhappiness with "the Church. The calls, requests for interviews continue, ad nauseam.
Please let go of all of us, Please!

This is a beef with your local ward not the Church. As Elders Quorum Presidency we called on the inactive to have them come in and tell the Bishop what they want to do with their records.
We only had one come in and have his records removed, one in a family of six. Yet, he remains active in our scout program, no animosity.
We had one couple ask not to be called again and remove their names over the phone. The request was expediently honored.
We had six families that begged that the records not be changed. Three of them became active again and one moved away without their records and we don't know what to do with them.

LDS Liberal,

What's your point? It's not wrong to be LDS and republican. Sure, there are a some republicans and conservatives who feel their party or followings align more with LDS doctrines, but there are plenty of liberals and democrats who allow their political affiliations do the same thing.

In labeling each other politically, are we not just separating each other? We should be finding agreement and common ground- not disagreement.