Mormons in America: Certain in Their Beliefs, Uncertain of Their Place in Society

Abstract

The first comprehensive national survey of Latter-day Saints conducted by a non-LDS organization. Based on 1,019 Mormon respondents interviewed October–November 2011, the survey covers religious beliefs and practices, identity, family life, political attitudes, moral views, and perceptions of discrimination and public acceptance. Finds Latter-day Saints to be among the most religiously committed groups in America while also feeling broadly misunderstood and not accepted as mainstream by the wider public.

Findings for Latter-day Saints

• 69% of Mormons simultaneously pray daily, attend services weekly, AND say religion is very important — a triple-practice rate higher than white evangelicals.
• 77% attend weekly services; 83% pray daily; 82% say religion is very important in their lives.
• 98% believe in Jesus's resurrection; 97% describe Mormonism as a Christian religion; 94% believe God the Father and Jesus are separate physical beings.
• 67% of Mormons are currently married (vs. 52% of the general public); 85% of married Mormons are married to other Mormons.
• 87% are satisfied with their own lives (vs. 75% of the general public); 92% rate their communities as excellent or good.
• 74% of Mormon voters identify as Republican or lean Republican; 66% describe themselves as conservative; 75% prefer smaller government (vs. 48% general public).
• 46% say Mormons face a lot of discrimination in America — a higher rate than Mormons' perception of discrimination against Black Americans (31%) or atheists (13%).
• 62% feel Americans are generally uninformed about Mormonism; 68% say Mormonism is not seen as mainstream by American society.
• 27% of Mormons have served a full-time mission (43% of men; 11% of women); 82% maintain emergency food storage.
• 65% say homosexuality should be discouraged by society (vs. 33% general public); 79% view premarital sex as morally wrong (vs. 35% general public).

Limitations in methodology

Self-identified Mormons only; does not distinguish between active and inactive members, which likely skews religious-practice measures upward. Conducted in 2011 — political attitudes, discrimination perceptions, and social views may have shifted substantially in the intervening years. The 88% white non-Hispanic composition of the sample reflects the U.S. LDS population at the time but limits generalizability to global or increasingly diverse domestic membership.

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Cite this study

Center, P. R. (2012). Mormons in America: Certain in Their Beliefs, Uncertain of Their Place in Society. Pew Research Center / Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2012/01/12/mormons-in-america-executive-summary/

Pew Research Center. "Mormons in America: Certain in Their Beliefs, Uncertain of Their Place in Society." Pew Research Center / Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, 2012. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2012/01/12/mormons-in-america-executive-summary/.

@article{pew_mormons_in_america_2012,
  title = {Mormons in America: Certain in Their Beliefs, Uncertain of Their Place in Society},
  author = {Pew Research Center},
  year = {2012},
  journal = {Pew Research Center / Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life},
  url = {https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2012/01/12/mormons-in-america-executive-summary/},
}