The religious landscape of the United States continues to evolve, and recent data from the Pew Research Center’s 2026 Religious Landscape Study offers a comprehensive look at the intersection of faith, social values, and community engagement among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Conducted between July 2023 and March 2024, the study highlights a population that remains deeply committed to traditional religious practices while navigating a complex relationship with a changing American culture.
A Foundation of Devotion and Practice
For Latter-day Saints, religion is not merely a peripheral interest but a central component of daily life. The study reveals that 95% of Latter-day Saint adults consider religion to be either “very” or “somewhat” important. This high level of commitment is particularly pronounced among women, 78% of whom categorize their faith as “very” important, compared to 67% of men.
This sense of importance is reflected in high rates of religious observance. Daily prayer remains a staple for the majority of the faith, with 73% of adherents reporting that they pray daily. This figure rises to 80% among those aged 50 and older and 85% among those with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Furthermore, in-person attendance at religious services is remarkably consistent, with 76% of all members attending monthly or more often, and 69% attending weekly. These metrics place Latter-day Saints among the most actively engaged religious groups in the United States, providing a sense of community stability that persists despite national trends toward secularization.
Beliefs in the Spiritual and the Divine
The theological framework of the LDS community remains robust. Nearly every adult member—97%—expresses a belief in God or a universal spirit, with 76% describing themselves as “absolutely certain” in that belief. This foundational conviction extends to broader spiritual concepts: 93% of members believe in the existence of something spiritual beyond the natural world, and 97% affirm that humans possess a soul or spirit distinct from their physical body.
This adherence to core tenets serves as a primary driver for the community’s social and moral outlook. The study indicates that 92% of members agree that churches and other religious organizations are vital for protecting and strengthening morality in society. This belief is consistent across age groups and educational backgrounds, suggesting that the institutional role of the Church remains a pillar of the Latter-day Saint identity.
Social Views and Cultural Tensions
While the commitment to traditional faith is high, the data also reveals nuanced views on social and political issues, reflecting the broader challenges of balancing doctrine with a diverse society.
On the subject of homosexuality, the community appears divided. While 46% of adults believe homosexuality should be accepted by society, 50% believe it should be discouraged. This split is highly correlated with demographics: 53% of women favor acceptance, whereas only 41% of men share that view. Similarly, age plays a significant role, with 51% of those aged 18-49 supporting acceptance compared to only 39% of those aged 50 and older.
Abortion remains a significant point of policy debate within the faith, with 69% of members stating that abortion should be illegal in most or all cases. This view is most strongly held in the Mountain region (77% in favor of illegality), whereas members in other regions of the country show a slightly higher rate of support for legality (41%).
The Role of Women and the Workforce
The study also delved into evolving views regarding gender roles and professional life. When asked about the impact of more women entering the workforce, 61% of Latter-day Saints characterized it as a “change for the better,” while 19% viewed it as a “change for the worse.” Interestingly, 66% of women viewed the trend positively, compared to 56% of men.
However, when considering the upbringing of children, a traditional preference remains. 79% of respondents stated that children are better off when one parent stays at home. Among those who hold this view, 41% specifically pointed to the mother as the parent who should stay home, while 35% felt it did not matter which parent stepped away from the workforce.
Community, Diversity, and Civic Engagement
One of the more notable findings of the study concerns the community’s perspective on the changing demographics of the United States. Despite being a group that often emphasizes its own traditional, insular roots, Latter-day Saints express significant optimism regarding the country’s diversity.
A substantial 76% of members believe that the fact that the U.S. population is made up of people of many different races and ethnicities “strengthens American society.” This sentiment is even stronger among those with a bachelor’s degree (84%) and younger adults (80%). Regarding religious diversity, 65% believe that the presence of many different religions and non-religious individuals also strengthens the nation.
This openness to a diverse society is mirrored in high levels of civic and charitable engagement. 72% of all Latter-day Saint adults report having spent time volunteering in the past 12 months. This rate of service is exceptionally high among those with advanced education (91%) and those living in the Mountain region (80%).
Contextualizing the Findings
The 2026 data arrives at a time when the LDS Church has been actively working to increase its global presence while simultaneously addressing the internal challenges of its U.S.-based membership. Historically, the Church has been defined by its strong centralized leadership and an emphasis on the family unit as the fundamental building block of society.
The current data suggests that while the institutional core of the faith remains strong, there is a clear demographic shift occurring. Younger members are, in some instances, more progressive on social issues than their predecessors, even while remaining deeply attached to the daily rituals—such as prayer and service—that define the Latter-day Saint experience.
Broader Implications
The implications of this study are multifaceted. First, the high rate of volunteerism and the belief that diversity strengthens society suggest that the Latter-day Saint community is likely to remain a significant and active participant in the broader American social fabric. Their focus on the societal benefits of religion provides a counter-narrative to the "nones" (those with no religious affiliation) who have dominated the headlines in recent years.
Second, the internal tension regarding social issues—particularly regarding LGBTQ+ acceptance and gender roles—points to an ongoing internal dialogue. As the demographic composition of the Church continues to shift, these topics may become more prominent in congregational discussions and institutional policy.
Finally, the geographical data—comparing the Mountain region to the rest of the country—highlights a cultural divide within the faith. The Mountain region, often considered the heartland of the Latter-day Saint experience, shows higher rates of traditionalism and more rigid adherence to specific moral stances. In contrast, those living elsewhere appear more integrated into the secular norms of their respective regions, suggesting that the "LDS experience" is not a monolith but is heavily influenced by local environments.
As the United States continues to navigate a period of rapid social and religious transformation, the Latter-day Saints provide a unique case study. They are a group that successfully combines high-intensity, traditional belief systems with a high degree of civic contribution. The 2026 Pew Research Center findings suggest that while the community is not immune to the pressures of a changing world, it possesses a structural and spiritual resilience that will ensure its continued relevance in the American landscape for the foreseeable future.
The full data, including detailed tables and regional breakdowns, serves as a vital resource for sociologists, theologians, and the public alike, as they seek to understand the role of religion in 21st-century America. By tracking these trends, researchers can better understand how a centuries-old tradition navigates the complexities of a modern, pluralistic democracy.
