Just how Mormon is Utah? The Answer Might Surprise

(This article and the video below were published by the Sego Lily Foundation and used with permission.)

If you’ve spent any amount of time in Utah, you already know that the influence of the LDS Church is everywhere. But just how significant is that influence?

The numbers might surprise you.

Around 50–55% of Utah’s population identifies as Latter-day Saint. At the same time, more than 34% of Utahns identify as “non-religious” or “religiously disaffiliated,” and estimates suggest that anywhere from 70–89% of that group are former Latter-day Saints.

Put those numbers together, and somewhere around 70–75% of Utahns are either Mormon or former Mormon.

Think about that for a moment.

Roughly three out of every four people you meet in Utah may have been directly shaped by Mormonism.

And its influence goes far beyond religious affiliation.

The LDS Church has played an enormous role in shaping Utah’s government, communities, businesses, media, and culture. Drive through almost any Utah neighborhood and you’ll see LDS meetinghouses, seminaries, and temples. Look at Utah’s history, politics, and institutions, and the influence is just as apparent. Even the beehive, the symbol you see on highway signs, government buildings, and throughout the state, has deep roots in Utah’s Mormon history.

All of this raises an important question for Christians living and ministering in Utah:

How well do we understand the culture we’re trying to reach?

In our latest video, “How Mormon Is Utah?”, we take a closer look at the numbers, history, and cultural influence of the LDS Church, and why understanding that influence matters for Christians who want to effectively minister to their Latter-day Saint friends and neighbors.

Watch the video and see just how Mormon Utah really is.