Pew Forum Publishes Report on Latter-day Saints in the United States

The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has published the findings of a comprehensive survey of more than 1,000 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints living in the United States. The study is “the first of its kind ever published by a non-LDS research organization.” The findings were made available on the Pew Forum website on 12 January 2012, and three articles summarizing the findings were prepared by Joseph Walker of the LDS-owned Deseret News.

Pew Forum introduction:  “With a Mormon candidate among the front-runners for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, a musical about Mormons playing on Broadway and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) running television ads about ordinary Mormons, America is in the midst of what some media accounts have dubbed a “Mormon moment.” But how do Mormons themselves feel about the media spotlight, the election campaign and their place in America? A major new survey finds a mixed picture: Many Mormons feel they are misunderstood, discriminated against and not accepted by other Americans as part of mainstream society. Yet, at the same time, a majority of Mormons think that acceptance of Mormonism is rising. Overwhelmingly, they are satisfied with their lives and content with their communities. And most say they think the country is ready to elect a Mormon president.”