Latter Day Struggles
The Latter Day Struggles Podcast addresses beliefs and issues within the LDS faith that are challenging to talk about but vital to discuss for those trying to navigate their relationship in or around the church. Valerie and her guests invite psychological maturity, theological health, and institutional integrity.
Latter Day Struggles
393: Quiet Conflict: What the Research Reveals About Active LDS Members
Series title: Mormon Faith Crisis—Progression, Not Pathology [Part I of III]
The data is rolling in and Wow…if you want to know what’s really on the hearts and minds of many active Latter-day Saints, this 3-part series is a GOLD MINE.
Join Val and colleague Jeff Strong, prominent researcher on Mormon faith crisis as they begin to look at some of Jeff’s team’s large-scale surveys and in-depth interviews that detail how many active members quietly wrestle with internal conflict, misalignment, and a lack of belonging in their current LDS experience .
Don’t miss this intro to a fascinating series!
Follow along with the slides and data sets here!
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:19 Guest Introduction: Jeff Strong
01:00 Jeff’s Support and Early Conversations
01:37 Jeff's Background and Experience
03:00 Clarifying Jeff’s Professional and Research Credentials
04:26 Research on Disaffiliation
06:30 Personal Journey and Insights
08:04 The Start of the Research Journey
09:45 Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods
14:00 The Role of Culture in Missionary Experience
16:30 Returning Home and Continuing the Research
18:00 The Importance of Data in Understanding Faith Journeys
20:00 The Demographic of Faithful Questioners
23:30 Data Collection and Analysis
25:00 Key Themes: Testimony, Community, and Belonging
27:00 The Spectrum of Activity and Belief
29:00 Conflict Among Active Members
31:00 Exploring Discomfort in Church Culture
35:22 Quantifying Discomfort and Belonging
36:22 Comfort Levels with Church Culture
37:25 Culture vs. Doctrine: A Real Example
38:21 Personal vs. Cultural Priorities
39:30 Tension in Cultural and Personal Priorities
40:35 Navigating Faith Beyond Checklists
42:00 Stages of Faith and Cultural Tension
43:17 The Impact of Leadership and Tradition
45:00 Orthodox vs. General Membership Comfort
48:36 The Importance of Awareness and Inclusion
51:00 Normalizing Faith Transitions
53:00 The Role of Community in Faith Journeys
56:36 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions
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