Mormons, if you know that only 32.7% of your members are active, why do you still claim over 12 million?

Question

http://www.cumorah.com
I have a spreadsheet with all the numbers compiled, if you would like to see it.

Molten orange, don't tell me what to do. I was asking mormons because I was raised mormon and that's where my interest lies. I don't give a damn how many christians there are. To me they're irrelevant.

looneylu, I told you what my source was. I'm not hating, I'm trying to get a straight answer.

HighFlyDanger:
Actually, the other question I asked was completely different. Although I did appreciate your honest answer. Yes, I considered myself mormon the first 27 yrs of my life.

love yahoo, those websites you gave me only tell the total number of people that the mormons have dunked in a pool. That website gives more perspective, and shows that only about 33% are actually active. Try to find those kind of stats on lds.org. You won't. All you find there is their pretty, polished, turd.

Nathan, I never have home teachers.
I'm not "officially" ex-mormon, because I haven't sent in my resignation. I never go to church activities. I'm sure there are many people in the same position as me. Only considered members because they haven't officially resigned.

Answer 1

Here's a straight answer from Mark Twain/Benjamin Disraeli:

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."

Either side can make numbers go either way to fit their agendas, and it all hinges on the definition of the word "activity".
The only way to know for sure is by observing a particular area with your own eyes, which isn't possible for most.

Answer 2

What the figures mean is that on a particular Sunday about a third of all of the members of record will be attending church services. Some of those not in attendance may be home sick, working in emergency services, caring for the sick, or otherwise have a valid excuse for not being in church. Should we say that they are not members of the Church simply because they couldn't make it to every chruch meeting? Many of those who miss church one Sunday will show up the next Sunday.

If a person only attends church once or twice a year, is that person still not a member? He won't be considered an active member, but should he not be counted as a member?

There is no attempt to deceive anyone by counting those as members who have been baptized and confirmed members of the church, who don't attend regularly, and do not wish to have their names removed from the records of the church. All those who request in writing that their names be removed are no longer counted as members. In my personal experience almost all of the less active members still consider themselves fully members of the Church, and they believe the Church is true, they are just backsliders. We don't kick them out of the Church simply because they haven't been to church lately. We love them, we work with them, and we try to encourage them to be more active. I think that is the only Christian thing to do.

As David Stewart of the Cumorah project says:

"The 30-35% overall worldwide activity rate cited in the discussion, however, appears to be quite accurate. You can find accurate referenced data on LDS activity rates around the world in my book, the Law of the Harvest, online at cumorah.com, right-hand column.

"It is important to note that the Church acknowledges that membership numbers do not convey any claims of member activity or participation, just as is the case for Catholics, Baptists, and many other denominations. There are theological and scriptural reasons why the Church does not excommunicate or remove people from the rolls simply
because they no longer attend church. There was an article to this effect in the June 2007 Ensign."

Answer 3

The 12 million includes baptisms of new members from missionary efforts, and baptisms of children.
The baptismal and confirmation papers of members are not eliminated with simply being inactive.

I'm guessing that members have to be excommunicated, or they have to submit a letter to request their papers to be removed.
I think people just don't care or bother with writing a letter to have their papers removed, so membership is inflated that way.

Also, the way the church takes attendance sometimes, either the clerk at sacrament or the teacher with the attendance sheet, some people just never get around to checking their names. I think I've missed about two thirds of church, according to my attendance, this year. Except I've been there almost every Sunday, I just never (somehow) get the attendance sheet.
I'd be considered inactive that way.

Being active means, going to all three hours of church service, performing all administrative duties assigned, AKA callings, and paying the tithing.

So, even those "inactive," numbers can be wrong.

Answer 4

I'm sure there are many religions like this, not only Mormonism. How many people fill in the little box next to "christian" when they're filling out paperwork at the hospital, or doing any kind of survey? There are many of these people who consider themselves Christians, but don't regularly go to church. I considered myself a Christian for years, and I only went to church on holidays and wasn't quite what you would call "active." Don't single out one religion for something that is common in ALL religions.

If you were raised in the Mormon church, how about asking somebody there? I'm sure you'd get better answers. And fine, if Christians are irrelevant to you, substitute ANY religion in there. Sorry for trying to get you to think "outside the box."

Answer 5

I answered the first time you put this question on, I had a feeling you were once Mormon

Answer 6

Because we still treat them as members because we home teach them and serve them as members. They come to the activities and such. We claim that much because they are baptised and that makes them members of the church.

Answer 7

from what source do you quote 32.7%. Every school doesnt account only those who go to school they account everyone that is enlisted. durr! stop hatin'. Read the Book of Mormon--pray---ask God if it's true.

Answer 8

Do you worship that website?

You better find good sources, here are the best ones: http://www.mormon.com and http://www.lds.org

Answer 9

You've already asked this question. Do you have a stutter?

Answer 10

jack . i am not lds but your right on this matter. my opion?