LDS Scholar Warned? 50 Million Members? Anti-Immigration? Early Marriage? - Mormon News | Ep. 2197
Episode 2197 · September 18, 2026 at 10:13 AM MT
Show Notes
In today’s Mormon Stories News, John and Meggan are back with six stories raising questions about LDS leadership, institutional accountability, and the future of Mormonism. We respond to Skye’s criticism of our previous coverage, examine abuse survivor advocate Suzie Greco’s reported warning, and unpack Elder Kevin W. Pearson’s striking remarks about a future Church with 50 million members. Plus, a new report explores the Church’s emphasis on marrying young and having children, a video raises questions about service missionaries providing legal assistance, and BYU appears in a report on universities criticized for their treatment of LGBTQ students.
SKYE RESPONDS TO MORMON STORIES Skye says John disparaged his marriage. We revisit the criticism and discuss how to address disagreements about mixed-orientation marriages without dismissing the people living them.
www.instagram.com/p/DdFKB3iSzao/
SUZIE GRECO WARNED? Survivor advocate and researcher Suzie Greco reports receiving a warning. We examine her account, her research into abuse and institutional structures, and the specific reforms she has proposed for the LDS Church.
www.facebook.com/share/p/19QP…
50 MILLION MORMONS? Elder Kevin W. Pearson speaks about the Church moving from 18 million to 50 million members. Is he describing an expectation for future growth? www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqVNt…
MARRY YOUNG, HAVE MORE BABIES? A new KUER report examines the LDS Church’s messaging around younger marriage, family formation, and modern motherhood. We discuss what that messaging means for young adults making decisions about their futures. www.kuer.org/health/2026-09-1…
SERVICE MISSIONARIES PROVIDING LEGAL HELP? A video prompts questions about the role of service missionaries in providing legal assistance. We look at what’s being described and what questions it raises about missionary service and professional expertise.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H10a…
BYU AND THE 15 WORST UNIVERSITIES The Advocate includes BYU in its coverage of universities criticized for anti-LGBTQ policies and practices. We discuss the concerns behind the report and what they mean for LGBTQ students attending religious universities.
www.advocate.com/news/educati…
Join us today for the latest Mormon news, analysis, and conversation. Share your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe to Mormon Stories Podcast for more coverage of the LDS Church.
Show notes and transcript courtesy of the original episode post.
Related coverage on Mormon News
- Elder R. Conrad Schultz, emeritus General Authority, dies at 88
via Church News · September 17, 2026
- Senate confirms final two justices, completing Utah Supreme Court overhaul
via The Salt Lake Tribune · September 17, 2026
- Oregon judge: LDS Church had no legal duty to protect teen from rape by adoptive father
via FLOODLIT · September 16, 2026
- New site crunches LDS temple attendance data, finds low capacity rates
via YouTube / Mormonish Podcast · September 16, 2026
More episodes
- LDS Church Caught Lying, Charlie Bird Breaking Point, Bishop Charged - Mormon News 9.4.26 | Ep. 2189September 4, 2026
- Bloomberg Exposes Mormon Land Empire, Baseball Baptisms & More - Mormon News 8.28.26 | Ep. 2187August 28, 2026
- LDS Church Can't Keep its Members - Mormon News 8.21.26 | Ep. 2184August 21, 2026
- FAIRLDS Warns of Satan, Girl Bishops?, BYU Marriage Decline - Mormon News 8.14.26 | Ep. 2181August 14, 2026