The social fabric of the United States is often measured by the vibrancy of its community organizations and the levels of interpersonal trust maintained by its citizens. A comprehensive study released by the Pew Research Center, titled Tradition and Change Among Latter-day Saints in the U.S., reveals that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—frequently referred to as Mormons—maintain a distinct profile of civic engagement and social cohesion that separates them from the broader American population. Drawing on extensive data from the 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study, which surveyed nearly 37,000 U.S. adults, researchers have identified a culture defined by high rates of volunteerism, robust institutional involvement, and a significant sense of optimism regarding human nature.
The Foundation of Community Engagement
At the core of the Latter-day Saint experience is a structural commitment to communal life. Unlike many other religious traditions that may focus primarily on weekly liturgical participation, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints operates through a highly organized system of localized governance and service. Most adult members hold a "calling," a voluntary role within their local congregation, and are formally assigned to "minister" to specific families or individuals. This framework of service is not merely a suggestion but a cornerstone of the church’s operational model.
This institutional emphasis on service translates into high rates of external civic participation. According to the latest Pew data, 72% of Latter-day Saints report having engaged in volunteer work during the 12 months preceding the survey. This figure stands in stark contrast to the national average of 41% among U.S. adults. In no other religious group analyzed by the Pew Research Center does a majority report such high levels of recent volunteerism. This disparity highlights the efficacy of the church’s organizational structure in mobilizing its membership toward charitable and community-oriented activity.
Demographic Nuances in Civic Participation
The data suggests that while high levels of volunteerism are consistent across the faith, they are not uniform. Education level appears to be a significant driver of this engagement. Among Latter-day Saints with a bachelor’s degree or higher, 91% reported volunteering in the past year, compared to 61% of those with less formal education.
Furthermore, geography plays a notable role in these trends. Members residing in the "Mountain region"—defined for the study as Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming—demonstrate higher rates of volunteerism (80%) compared to their counterparts living elsewhere in the United States (62%). Age also serves as a differentiator, with younger members aged 18–49 showing a higher propensity for service (78%) than those aged 50 and older (63%). These findings underscore that while the church’s culture encourages widespread contribution, socio-economic and regional factors influence the intensity of that participation.
Historical Context and Church Identity
The terminology used to describe the faith has undergone a significant evolution, reflecting the church’s modern efforts to clarify its identity. For decades, the term "Mormon" was widely accepted and even promoted by the church, notably during the "I’m a Mormon" marketing campaign. However, in 2018, the church’s leadership, led by President Russell M. Nelson, initiated a shift to move away from the "Mormon" label in favor of the faith’s full, formal name.
This change was presented as a theological necessity to emphasize the central role of Jesus Christ in the doctrine and to align the name of the church with its sacred history. While the term remains in common parlance—often serving as a shorthand for the public—the church now actively discourages its use. This transition marks a broader, ongoing effort to refine the public’s perception of the faith, shifting the focus from historical nicknames to the specific tenets of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Social Trust and Interpersonal Relations
Beyond the measurable output of volunteer hours, the 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study examined the "social capital" of various groups by asking respondents whether they believe "most people can be trusted." In this metric, Latter-day Saints consistently rank among the most trusting cohorts in the United States.
Nearly half (48%) of Latter-day Saints expressed that most people can be trusted, a level of optimism exceeded only by Hindu and Jewish respondents (both at 51%). This is notably higher than the 34% of U.S. adults overall who share this sentiment. The divide regarding trust within the church also mirrors the divide seen in volunteerism: 60% of college-educated members believe in the general trustworthiness of others, compared to 40% of those without a degree. This data suggests that the church’s emphasis on community and "ministering" to one’s neighbors may cultivate a specific worldview that favors cooperation and social cohesion.
Chronology of Research and Institutional Growth
The Pew Research Center has maintained a consistent interest in the Latter-day Saint experience, viewing it as a bellwether for American religious trends. The current study is an extension of a longitudinal effort that began in earnest with the landmark 2011 survey, Mormons in America.
- 2011: Pew publishes its first major comprehensive study on the faith, establishing a baseline for demographic and political attitudes among Latter-day Saints.
- 2018: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints formally announces a move away from the nickname "Mormon," emphasizing the importance of using the church’s full name.
- 2023-2024: The Religious Landscape Study (RLS) is conducted, surveying 36,908 U.S. adults. This data collection serves as the foundation for the current report, Tradition and Change Among Latter-day Saints in the U.S.
- 2026: The findings from the 2023-24 RLS are released, providing a updated portrait of the faith’s demographic makeup, internal diversity, and evolving social views.
Official Perspectives and Academic Analysis
While church officials generally welcome data that reflects the faith’s commitment to service, the broader sociological implication is that Latter-day Saints represent a "high-demand" religion. Religious scholars often point to the intensity of church requirements—such as tithing, mission service, and time-intensive congregational duties—as a primary reason for the group’s high level of social cohesion.
Sociologists observing these trends often note that the "communal connection" inherent in the faith acts as a bulwark against the rising tide of loneliness and social isolation currently identified as a crisis in the United States. By mandating service through "callings," the institution ensures that individuals remain tethered to a social network that provides both support and a sense of purpose. Critics or former members, however, may argue that these same structures can exert pressure, creating a rigid social environment that may struggle to accommodate those who do not fit the traditional mold or those who have chosen to leave the faith.
Broader Implications for American Society
The implications of the 2026 study are far-reaching. As the United States experiences a shifting religious landscape characterized by a decline in traditional Christian identification, the stability and engagement levels of the Latter-day Saint community stand out as a unique phenomenon.
The findings suggest that the integration of social, religious, and civic life is not merely a feature of the faith but a driver of its longevity. As the church continues to navigate internal demographic changes, the ability to maintain these high levels of volunteerism and social trust will likely be a primary indicator of its health. For policymakers and social scientists, the study provides a critical case study on how institutional structures can be leveraged to foster community resilience in an increasingly fragmented society.
Ultimately, the data from the 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study confirms that for the majority of Latter-day Saints, the practice of faith is synonymous with the practice of service. Whether through formal missionary work or the daily, quiet service of a "calling," the community continues to exert an influence on American civic life that far exceeds its proportional representation in the U.S. population. As researchers continue to parse this data, the focus will likely remain on whether these traditional markers of communal connection can withstand the secularizing pressures of the 21st century.
