New Order Mormons and the Weakening Grip of Mormonism



Over the past few decades, a notable trend has emerged within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: the rise of what some call “New Order Mormons.” These are individuals who identify as LDS but do not strictly adhere to traditional doctrines or practices. They may reinterpret or question key teachings, take a more flexible approach to social issues, or selectively participate in church life. In some cases, they attend church only sporadically, embrace modern social and political ideals, or challenge longstanding interpretations of scripture.

This shift reveals a broader reality: Mormonism is weakening its hold on people. When a religious system must accommodate cultural liberals, reinterpret doctrines, and tolerate half-hearted observance just to keep members nominally affiliated, it signals that its traditional authority and influence are under pressure. Members increasingly feel empowered to pick and choose which doctrines to accept, how to practice their faith, and how closely to follow the church’s guidance.

New Order Mormons may still attend church, celebrate LDS holidays, or uphold family expectations, but their flexibility shows a significant shift in priorities. Their loyalty is often cultural rather than doctrinal—they may identify as “Mormon” because of family ties or community, not because of deep spiritual conviction. This demonstrates that the once tight grip of Mormon orthodoxy is loosening, as the church struggles to retain relevance for members who value personal interpretation over obedience.

The rise of New Order Mormons also highlights generational changes. Younger members, especially millennials, are more likely to question church teachings, embrace social liberalism, or distance themselves from strict observance. Many are motivated by a desire to reconcile faith with modern life rather than abandon their heritage entirely. This has created a spectrum of belief and practice within the LDS Church, ranging from traditional, orthodox members to culturally affiliated, flexible New Order Mormons.

Ultimately, the growth of New Order Mormons underscores a broader challenge: when adherence to core doctrines becomes optional and interpretation becomes subjective, religious authority inevitably weakens. Mormonism may still have millions of members, but the faith’s ability to shape lives in a decisive, doctrinally consistent way is being diluted. Whether the church will adapt successfully or continue losing doctrinal cohesion remains an open question—but the trend is clear: its hold over hearts and minds is less firm than it once was.


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Footnotes:

1. "New Order Mormons: Cultural Affiliation Over Doctrine," Pew Research Center, January 2023. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2023/01/15/new-order-mormons-cultural-affiliation-over-doctrine


2. D. Michael Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Signature Books, 2019. https://signaturebooks.com/2019/03/the-mormon-hierarchy-extensions-of-power


3. Jana Riess, The Next Mormons: How Millennials Are Changing the LDS Church, Oxford University Press, 2019. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-next-mormons-9780190889478


4. "New Order Mormons? - General Discussions," Mormon Dialogue, October 16, 2013. https://www.mormondialogue.org/topic/61995-new-order-mormons/


5. "The Threat of New Order Mormons," Times & Seasons, July 4, 2012. https://archive.timesandseasons.org/2012/07/the-threat-of-new-order-mormons/index.html


6. "New Order Mormons-A Path of Deception," LDS Alive in Christ, 2008. https://www.ldsaliveinchrist.com/new-order-mormons-a-path-of-deception/


7. "Mormon Spectrums of Orthodoxy and Practice," Wikipedia, August 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormon_spectrums_of_orthodoxy_and_practice


8. "A Portrait of Mormons in the U.S.," Pew Research Center, July 24, 2009. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2009/07/24/a-portrait-of-mormons-in-the-us/


9. "Americans Learned Little About the Mormon Faith, But Some Attitudes Have Softened," Pew Research Center, December 5, 2012. https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2012/12/Knowledge-and-Attitudes-about-Mormons.pdf


10. "Understanding Mormon Disbelief," FAIR Latter-day Saints. https://www.fairlatterdaysaints.org/answers/Criticism_of_Mormonism/Books/Understanding_Mormon_Disbelief

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