LDS Scholar Warned? 50 Million Members? Anti-Immigration? Early Marriage? - Mormon News | Ep. 2197
Description: In today's Mormon Stories News, John and Meggan are back with six stories raising questions about LDS leadership, institutional accountability, and the future of Mormonism. We respond to Skye's criticism of our previous coverage, examine abuse survivor advocate Suzie Greco's reported warning, and unpack Elder Kevin W. Pearson's striking remarks about a future Church with 50 million members. Plus, a new report explores the Church's emphasis on marrying young and having children, a video raises questions about service missionaries providing legal assistance, and BYU appears in a report on universities criticized for their treatment of LGBTQ students.
SKYE RESPONDS TO MORMON STORIES
Skye says John disparaged his marriage. We revisit the criticism and discuss how to address disagreements about mixed-orientation marriages without dismissing the people living them.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DdFKB3iSzao/
SUZIE GRECO WARNED?
Survivor advocate and researcher Suzie Greco reports receiving a warning. We examine her account, her research into abuse and institutional structures, and the specific reforms she has proposed for the LDS Church.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19QPkf4ApB/
50 MILLION MORMONS?
Elder Kevin W. Pearson speaks about the Church moving from 18 million to 50 million members. Is he describing an expectation for future growth?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqVNtE5pV3U
MARRY YOUNG, HAVE MORE BABIES?
A new KUER report examines the LDS Church's messaging around younger marriage, family formation, and modern motherhood. We discuss what that messaging means for young adults making decisions about their futures.
https://www.kuer.org/health/2026-09-16/lds-church-younger-marriage-more-babies-modern-motherhood
SERVICE MISSIONARIES PROVIDING LEGAL HELP?
A video prompts questions about the role of service missionaries in providing legal assistance. We look at what's being described and what questions it raises about missionary service and professional expertise.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H10ajNFcXA
BYU AND THE 15 WORST UNIVERSITIES
The Advocate includes BYU in its coverage of universities criticized for anti-LGBTQ policies and practices. We discuss the concerns behind the report and what they mean for LGBTQ students attending religious universities.
https://www.advocate.com/news/education/15-worst-anti-lgbtq-universities
Join us today for the latest Mormon news, analysis, and conversation. Share your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe to Mormon Stories Podcast for more coverage of the LDS Church.
Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here: https://www.mormonstories.org/lds-scholar-warned-50-million-members-anti-immigration-early-marriage/
Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVI4fMxVh5g&t=86s
Timecodes:
00:00:00 - Introduction to stories
00:09:35 - Idaho Letter (on abortion)
00:19:46 - Sky responding to John/Meggan
00:25:30 - John Dehlin study vs recent study
00:35:31 - (Clip) Mixed orientation marriages
00:41:27 - (Clip) Queer influencer
00:45:16 - Scholar Warning by the church
00:48:22 - (Clip) Calling for change in the church
00:58:54 - (Clip) Oaks on criticism
01:08:29 - (Clip) Not to seek total dominance
01:13:57 - (Clip) Resolving differences
01:22:51 - (Clip) Utah compromise
01:31:47 - 50 Million Members
01:46:07 - Temple tracker
01:55:02 - Marrying at a young age
02:12:20 - Service mission
02:13:13 - (Clip) Mormonland - Service missions
02:24:30 - (Clip) Giving away money
02:30:35 - (Clip) Being denied help
02:32:57 - Worst Universities for LGBTQ+
02:35:57 - Good Friday
02:38:23 - (Clip) Former Prime Minister losing her faith
02:43:07 - Final remarks Close description
SKYE RESPONDS TO MORMON STORIES
Skye says John disparaged his marriage. We revisit the criticism and discuss how to address disagreements about mixed-orientation marriages without dismissing the people living them.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DdFKB3iSzao/
SUZIE GRECO WARNED?
Survivor advocate and researcher Suzie Greco reports receiving a warning. We examine her account, her research into abuse and institutional structures, and the specific reforms she has proposed for the LDS Church.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19QPkf4ApB/
50 MILLION MORMONS?
Elder Kevin W. Pearson speaks about the Church moving from 18 million to 50 million members. Is he describing an expectation for future growth?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqVNtE5pV3U
MARRY YOUNG, HAVE MORE BABIES?
A new KUER report examines the LDS Church's messaging around younger marriage, family formation, and modern motherhood. We discuss what that messaging means for young adults making decisions about their futures.
https://www.kuer.org/health/2026-09-16/lds-church-younger-marriage-more-babies-modern-motherhood
SERVICE MISSIONARIES PROVIDING LEGAL HELP?
A video prompts questions about the role of service missionaries in providing legal assistance. We look at what's being described and what questions it raises about missionary service and professional expertise.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H10ajNFcXA
BYU AND THE 15 WORST UNIVERSITIES
The Advocate includes BYU in its coverage of universities criticized for anti-LGBTQ policies and practices. We discuss the concerns behind the report and what they mean for LGBTQ students attending religious universities.
https://www.advocate.com/news/education/15-worst-anti-lgbtq-universities
Join us today for the latest Mormon news, analysis, and conversation. Share your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe to Mormon Stories Podcast for more coverage of the LDS Church.
Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here: https://www.mormonstories.org/lds-scholar-warned-50-million-members-anti-immigration-early-marriage/
Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVI4fMxVh5g&t=86s
Timecodes:
00:00:00 - Introduction to stories
00:09:35 - Idaho Letter (on abortion)
00:19:46 - Sky responding to John/Meggan
00:25:30 - John Dehlin study vs recent study
00:35:31 - (Clip) Mixed orientation marriages
00:41:27 - (Clip) Queer influencer
00:45:16 - Scholar Warning by the church
00:48:22 - (Clip) Calling for change in the church
00:58:54 - (Clip) Oaks on criticism
01:08:29 - (Clip) Not to seek total dominance
01:13:57 - (Clip) Resolving differences
01:22:51 - (Clip) Utah compromise
01:31:47 - 50 Million Members
01:46:07 - Temple tracker
01:55:02 - Marrying at a young age
02:12:20 - Service mission
02:13:13 - (Clip) Mormonland - Service missions
02:24:30 - (Clip) Giving away money
02:30:35 - (Clip) Being denied help
02:32:57 - Worst Universities for LGBTQ+
02:35:57 - Good Friday
02:38:23 - (Clip) Former Prime Minister losing her faith
02:43:07 - Final remarks Close description