Pavel Prikhodko, Ph.D. Machine Learning
Mormonism is the religious tradition of the Latter Day Saint movement of Restorationist Christianity. It was founded by Joseph Smith in the 1820s in New York. Mormonism today is the new, non-Protestant faith. After Smith’s death, most Mormons followed Brigham Young on his journey to the territory of Utah, calling themselves The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The word Mormon comes from the Book of Mormon, one of their religious texts.
According to a 2014 Pew Research Center survey, there were three American states with the highest percentage of Mormons. The highest percentage was in Utah, where 55 percent of the population were Mormons. In Idaho, which took the second place, 19 percent of the population were Mormons. Wyoming was in third place with 9 percent Mormons. In most of the other northern states there were less than 5 percent Mormons. In the South, the percentage of Mormons in every state was 1 percent or less. Mormons made up about 2 percent of all adults in the U.S.
According to the 2012 Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life, the public attitude to Mormons appeared to be more positive than before. Most Americans (61 percent) described Mormonism as “very different” from their own religion. About 25 percent of people thought that Mormon faith had “a lot in common” with their beliefs. Also, 42 percent of White mainline Protestants saw a lot in common between Mormonism and their religion. In regards to White Catholics, 27 percent of them said their faith has a lot in common with Mormonism, while 58 percent said it was very different. About 53 percent of Americans thought that the Mormon faith is a Christian faith, while 30 percent thought it was not.
About 64 percent of people who had been raised as Mormons still identified themselves as Mormons, while 0.5 percent of adults joined the Mormon faith though they had been raised in another religious tradition. Almost the same number (0.6 percent) of adults had left the Mormon Church when they grew up. Most Mormons are white: only 15 percent were non-white in 2014.
Compared to other religious groups, Mormons were more likely to have spouses who shared their faith: 82 percent of Mormons who were married or lived with a partner had a Mormon spouse or partner. Mormons tend to have more children than other groups: for example, Mormons aged 40-59 had an average of 3.4 children in the lifetime, more than any other religious group.
According to a 2011 Pew Research survey, 73 percent of Mormons said that having a successful marriage is “one of the most important things in life,” while 81 percent said the same about being a good parent.
About Pavel Prikhodko
Pavel Prikhodko, Ph.D. Machine Learning
Pavel has worked for many years as a researcher and developer on a wide range of applications (varying from mechanics and manufacturing to social data, finance and advertising), building predictive systems and trying to find stories that data can tell.
In his free time, he enjoys being with his family.
Other posts by Pavel Prikhodko:
Visit mormon.org for more information on what we believe about Jesus Christ!
Please go to the blogs on ex- Mormons who have left the faith, this is the true side to the religion, also read articles coming out of the Reuters news service on people leaving the faith, do not believe any numbers from headquarters in SLC.