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Latter Day StrugglesAuthor: Valerie Hamaker
The Latter Day Struggles Podcast addresses beliefs and issues within the LDS faith that are challenging to talk about but vital to discuss for those trying to navigate their relationship in or around the church. Valerie and her guests invite psychological maturity, theological health, and institutional integrity. Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Religion & Spirituality, Spirituality Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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455: How & Why the LDS Church is BOTH Booming & Bleeding out Members
Monday, 27 July, 2026
Send us a Positive Review!In this episode Valerie tackles a seemingly contradictory pair of claims: The LDS church is experiencing record-breaking growth! The LDS church is experiencing record-breaking defection! Is one narrative simply not true? Interestingly, the answer is no, both narratives are true. Join Val as she unpacks these seemingly contradictory claims & breaks down how these claims reflect specific kinds of data collection. She also explores how these narratives are tracking two different demographics of people in different stages of faith and consciousness development.Valerie’s hope in episodes like this is to shine a light on normative human growth & development in the context of faith and to illustrate how the churches that do not understand or believe in stages of faith development only serve populations in [important but] earlier stages of growth & pathologize those in later stages, causing ever increasing levels of family fractures and institutional defection. PS: to read more & see the data, pick up a copy of download the book Torn: Why People We Love are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn from Them by Jeff Strong, linked HERE.Timestamps:00:00 Welcome and Series Setup02:45 Two Conflicting Narratives04:16 Record Baptisms Data06:17 Disaffiliation Statistics12:01 Both And Explanation14:03 Three LDS Demographics14:21 Active Core Strengths17:58 Disaffiliated Core Growth22:30 Never Fully Affiliated26:11 Stages of Faith Framework29:26 Attachment Stage Church Fit31:02 Differentiation and Homelessness41:44 Integration and Compassion44:20 Closing ReflectionsSupport the showStories of Healing: Live Event July 30th in SLCSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website
