LDS Retention Drop, Church Opposes Abortion Rights in Idaho, Nevada - Mormon News 9.25.26 | Ep. 2200
Description: Today on Mormon Stories News, John and Meggan examine new Pew data on Mormon retention, the Church’s opposition to Idaho Proposition 1, questions surrounding David McConkie’s employment at BYU, a response from Suzie Greco, Elizabeth Smart’s Survivor Files, and Colorado State’s apology following anti-Mormon chants at a BYU football game.
ARE MORMONS STAYING?
New Pew data gives us another look at LDS retention in the United States. We compare the new findings with Church-focused retention research released earlier this year.
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2026/06/05/latter-day-saint-faith-retention-united-states/
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2026/09/22/tradition-and-change-among-latter-day-saints-in-the-us/
CHURCH OPPOSES IDAHO PROP 1
The LDS Church has asked Idaho members to oppose Proposition 1, a reproductive freedom ballot initiative. We look at what has transpired since.
https://www.eastidahonews.com/2026/09/read-letter-from-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saint-leaders-on-idaho-abortion-prop-1-initiative/
DAVID McCONKIE AT BYU
Questions are being raised about BYU’s employment of David G. McConkie, who appears on a public offender registry. We look at the available records and what is being reported about his work at BYU.
https://www.nsopw.gov/search-public-sex-offender-registries?search=
https://www.icrimewatch.net/offenderdetails.php?OfndrID=31038418&AgencyID=54438
https://www.reddit.com/r/mormon/comments/1wj58fx/byu_employs_convicted_sex_offender_david_g/
SUZIE GRECO RESPONDS
Survivor advocate and researcher Suzie Greco responds following our previous coverage of the warning she says she received from LDS leaders.
ELIZABETH SMART: SURVIVOR FILES
Elizabeth Smart is sharing a new series, Survivor Files, centered on survivor stories and experiences.
https://www.instagram.com/elizabeth_smart_official/reels/
COLORADO STATE APOLOGIZES TO BYU
Colorado State apologized after fans directed derogatory chants at BYU during their football game.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/49986309/colorado-st-apologizes-byu-derogatory-chants-fans
Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here:
https://www.mormonstories.org/lds-retention-drop-church-opposes-abortion-rights/
Timecodes:
00:00:00 - Introduction to part two!
00:01:15 - PEW research
00:10:18 - Changing demographics
00:20:05 - Church Opposes Prop 1
00:30:55 - LDS Women supporting Prop 1
00:43:30 - George McConkie
00:51:08 - (Clip) David McConkie
00:59:26 - Suzie Greco response
01:01:24 - (Clip) Message from Suzie
01:09:23 - Elizabeth Smart Podcast
01:10:32 - (Clip) Great evil in religion
01:14:13 - “F the Mormons”
01:15:37 - (Clip) Derogatory chants
01:23:04 - Final remarks Close description
ARE MORMONS STAYING?
New Pew data gives us another look at LDS retention in the United States. We compare the new findings with Church-focused retention research released earlier this year.
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2026/06/05/latter-day-saint-faith-retention-united-states/
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2026/09/22/tradition-and-change-among-latter-day-saints-in-the-us/
CHURCH OPPOSES IDAHO PROP 1
The LDS Church has asked Idaho members to oppose Proposition 1, a reproductive freedom ballot initiative. We look at what has transpired since.
https://www.eastidahonews.com/2026/09/read-letter-from-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saint-leaders-on-idaho-abortion-prop-1-initiative/
DAVID McCONKIE AT BYU
Questions are being raised about BYU’s employment of David G. McConkie, who appears on a public offender registry. We look at the available records and what is being reported about his work at BYU.
https://www.nsopw.gov/search-public-sex-offender-registries?search=
https://www.icrimewatch.net/offenderdetails.php?OfndrID=31038418&AgencyID=54438
https://www.reddit.com/r/mormon/comments/1wj58fx/byu_employs_convicted_sex_offender_david_g/
SUZIE GRECO RESPONDS
Survivor advocate and researcher Suzie Greco responds following our previous coverage of the warning she says she received from LDS leaders.
ELIZABETH SMART: SURVIVOR FILES
Elizabeth Smart is sharing a new series, Survivor Files, centered on survivor stories and experiences.
https://www.instagram.com/elizabeth_smart_official/reels/
COLORADO STATE APOLOGIZES TO BYU
Colorado State apologized after fans directed derogatory chants at BYU during their football game.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/49986309/colorado-st-apologizes-byu-derogatory-chants-fans
Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here:
https://www.mormonstories.org/lds-retention-drop-church-opposes-abortion-rights/
Timecodes:
00:00:00 - Introduction to part two!
00:01:15 - PEW research
00:10:18 - Changing demographics
00:20:05 - Church Opposes Prop 1
00:30:55 - LDS Women supporting Prop 1
00:43:30 - George McConkie
00:51:08 - (Clip) David McConkie
00:59:26 - Suzie Greco response
01:01:24 - (Clip) Message from Suzie
01:09:23 - Elizabeth Smart Podcast
01:10:32 - (Clip) Great evil in religion
01:14:13 - “F the Mormons”
01:15:37 - (Clip) Derogatory chants
01:23:04 - Final remarks Close description