I found this discussion interesting because it confirms something I've been saying for years. For many people, this is not a faith crisis as much as it is a trust crisis. When members discover troubling history, financial secrecy, changing narratives, or feel that questions are unwelcome, trust begins to erode. Yet I would add one thing: our ultimate trust was never supposed to be in institutions, leaders, scholars, or critics. It was always supposed to be in Christ.
I understand why many become disillusioned. I have wrestled with many of these same issues myself. But I have also learned that the answer is not found in abandoning faith, nor in blindly defending traditions. The answer is to seek truth wherever it leads and hold tightly to Jesus Christ while doing so.
The more I study, the more convinced I become that people are hungry for something deeper than programs, policies, and debates. They are hungry for the living water. They want a relationship with Christ. Perhaps the lesson here is not simply why people are leaving, but whether we are helping people come unto Christ in the first place.  ❤

I will tell you that my spiritual journey has led me away from the church initially. I spent a lot of time in nature and got so many beautiful lessons and growth there. That eventually led me inward within myself and connecting with God within me. In recent years I have felt drawn to Buddhism and had learned so many valuable beautiful lessons there. As I have gone deeper into Buddhism it has been leading me back to Christianity and my roots in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am currently attending the LDS church again and am back with a completely different perspective that I had before and a much deeper testimony and relationship with Jesus Christ.

I trust no man, and find there are many “commandments of men” in this church that JS warned about in DC 46:7. BUT… I still go to church. Moreso because it’s where my wife finds happiness and I support that. Also because our ward is full of good, honest people who are just trying to do their best. I used to think God’s love for me was in relation to how much I prescribed to what the church taught and fulfilling its policies and agreeing with them. No longer. I dropped that dead weight. And I learned you don’t have to throw the baby out with the bath water. I cultivate my own relationship with God and Christ in my own way and own time. Not by how any church, person, or policy dictates.

The United Nations, one of the most corrupt and conglomerate of evil politicians and dictators, the church throws millions at them to bolster and promote evil throughout the world. Struggling members can fend for themselves.

The churches biggest problem is a building full of  bureaucrats called the church office building

Becoming a widow, was a really big deal for me. I feel so excluded. I am rather young and don’t fit in anywhere. All my children do their own thing, I have tried, and I still go to Sacrament Meeting, and listen to a lot online. But I am definitely struggling. And the temple has changed so very much, so that is making me feel weird. I still live a decent life and follow the commandments. I really don’t have a path to follow anymore

1:12:58 many people ARE doing the work and the research. And just because their conclusions differ from your does not mean they are weak in their testimony or intellectual prowess.

Connor:  Thank you for your insights on this new book.  I been following Bro. Strong as he has made the rounds talking about why people leave the church.  It has been most interesting.  I appreciate your take on this and I wanted to give you some insight that I have on the issue of why folks are leaving the church.  I have been a member all of my life.  Born in 1955 I grew up in Mesa Arizona, attended the Mesa 10th ward,  attended all my meetings as  youth, all the seminary classes, served a mission in Washington D.C. in 1974-1976, married in the Mesa Temple to my wife Nancy and we will be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary this November.  Have served in just about most priesthood leadership positions from Elder Quorum Presidency, 70's group leader, Bishop councilor, Bishop, Stake presidency Councilor...list goes on and on.  In all those many years in the church you never questioned the leadership of the church, you never asked questions, it was not acceptable.  To utter the thought in any meeting or class or talk that the brethren may have made mistakes was considered apostasy.  From the Time of Primary to adulthood you are taught to follow the Prophet "He will not lead you astray!!!"...So you are raised in a culture of follow without question.  Testimony meetings were all about the Prophet Joseph Smith, or thank-o-monies...So that is the culture I grew up in.  Now that much information has come forth from the internet and some things that I was taught in my youth and as an adult have now been either changed or dis-avowed, or acknowledged it does bring into question your belief...You are right, your belief needs to be centered on Christ, not the arm of man...I agree that many in my generation that have left the church their testimony was based on the leaders and not centered on Christ, but I do not fault them because that is how they were raised and taught in the Church.  So many are in the process of re-establishing a strong relationship to Christ and that is a good thing, for those who have left I feel for them and I wish they would come back and make that re-connection and understand that God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ have always relied up mortal men and women to accomplish their work, they accept your imperfections and that we will make mistakes.  Pres. Uchdorf said it best when he was in the 1st Presidency: "We (referring to the leaders of the Church) have made mistakes....!!!"  That was the first time I ever heard a General Authority say that, it was eye popping to say the least.  That acknowledgement was an important step to help members understand where they needed to put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and not the arm of flesh.  Separating Culture from doctrine is very important.  I have to laugh at myself because I am a white shirt and suit type of guy when it comes to what I wear to church, if all my white shirts were dirty and all I had was a blue shirt to ware I would stay home from Church...lol...Yes I to am a prisoner of the the Church Culture.  I hope to build a better relationship with Christ each and every day and I find that in my home, the temple, in our meetings at church, in the association with the saints.  I pray that those who have left may come back and find the peace and comfort they so search for, and with our help maybe we can make that a reality.  Last but not least I think that most important take a way I have from your discussion today is this:  It is a reality that people are leaving the church, how many I don't know but I know it is not a few, what we need to focus on is how we can stem the tide and help people stay...  The fact that the numbers are up should signal to all of us that we need to do a better job of loving our neighbor, helping each other, and teaching the doctrine.  Connor thank you for what you do, I am sorry to go on for so long but I just want to explain how I felt and why I feel people have left the church.

Do we ACTUALLY believe in God? Jesus Christ? Apparently not. We set up a corporation to take care of the finanacial needs of the church. Why? Do we not trust that God will take care of the details? The church teaches/pushes us to trust God but then it doesn't. We've created a bunch of  Pharisees/Sadducees...And why does the church purchase and push vaccines? That is not a church thing. Its a personal thing between me and my doctor. (I know people who desired to serve a mission but had to get vaccines...and now are bedriden, did not get to go on that mision due to horrible reactions to said vaxx) Why pay the Prophets/Apostles? I can see paying for their travel as they serve...Why do we seem to have a bunch of doctors and lawyers serving? Why do we not have plumbers, mechanics, construction workers called?

I must admit that I’ve dipped my toe into all of these subjects with several questions myself. When I think about doubting or struggling with the laws of God, I try to quickly course  correct and remember Who’s ultimately in charge.  I remind myself to pray for faith in my faith, and not in the arm of flesh. Thank you for being another witness of this principle.  I really appreciate you.

What you see Connor are “prophets” who are the arm of flesh that are stumbling blocks to the members claim they can’t lead astray.

I agree that church and gospel are not the same. But if that’s true, why treat leaving the church as evidence that someone has abandoned the gospel?

All is well in Zion. Look away. Look away!!!

57:26 the challenge is that at General Conference - you get the “obey church leaders”.  Yes Pres Uchtdorf said “leaders make mistakes” - but we act as if they don’t - if the leaders “don’t apologize” they are setting expectations - and it’s the gap between the expectations the current leader set and what is observed- your summary of the examples of issues is phenomenal….

The problem with going higher on the ladder of sacrifice is that it is meaningless if it's the wrong ladder.  The sacrifice the Lord asks for is a broken heart and contrite spirit.  Certainly He might inspire you to contribute time and money, and if are connected to the" living vine", those sacrifices will bring you and others closer to Him.  I spent most of my life high on a "dead works" ladder of sacrifice that wasn't bearing good fruit.  I agree with you that what matters is building a foundation on the rock of our Redeemer.

I think COVID and the way the church responded did some of the most damage.

I agree with the premise about culture. What makes it more complicated is that the culture of the church is actually different everywhere you go. Leadership on a local level has a lot to do with it, and families that have lived in an area forever

It’s about the sand in the foundation. This is prophesied. Jesus MUST be the foundation. We must hold to the iron rod and pursue relationship with God as the WORD conveys.

One of Jeff Strong’s biggest oversights is laying blame on membership, “culture,” what belongs to leadership.

“Doubt your doubts,” thought stopping, “Lazy learners and lax disciples,” and, “research isn’t the answer,” are from the leaders.

Still the best piece of outreach from a faithful member in a long time.

But please, continue to ignore the history and the trends. All is well in Zion.

Colaboration with the UN and silence on SRA is what broke the camels back for me.