Episode
Top 10 Reasons Many Americans Don’t Like the LDS Church | Mormon News Roundup
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- Apr 19, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1134
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Summary
Why do so many Americans have a negative view of the LDS Church?This episode of Mormon News Roundup breaks down the data, polling, and public perception behind Mormonism’s reputation problem.This is not just a personal story or anecdotal criticism. Multiple national surveys show that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is viewed less favorably than most mainstream religious groups in the United States.A major Pew Research survey found that roughly 25% of Americans hold an unfavorable view of Latter-day Saints, while only 15% hold a favorable view, with the remainder neutral or unfamiliar. A YouGov poll ranking 35 belief systems placed Mormonism near the bottom, with a net favorability score of –21.These surveys don’t measure legal guilt or theological truth claims.They measure how people feel—and the data is clear.In this episode, I count down the Top 10 reasons many Americans don’t like Mormonism, rooted in history, doctrine, and institutional behavior, including:• Polygamy and its ongoing doctrinal legacy• The Church’s treatment of LGBTQ members• Political activism against LGBTQ civil rights• Secretive temple rituals viewed as cult-like• Aggressive missionary practices• Excommunication and silencing of critics• Deep institutional patriarchy• The priesthood and temple ban on Black members• Non-Trinitarian theology and changing revelation• Extreme wealth, limited transparency, and the Ensign Peak scandalThis episode makes an important distinction: individual Mormons are often sincere, kind people. But institutions are judged by their actions—and polling shows that many Americans are responding negatively to the LDS Church as an institution.Whether you’re a believing member, former member, or simply curious about religion and public perception, this episode…