Fastest growing U.S. churches

Image by Peculiar Light (Wikimedia)

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations;”

Matthew 24:14

The effects of Christian and Islam faiths being preached have been felt in the United States over the last decade.

A once-in-a-decade U.S. Religion Census that analyzed county-level data from 236 religious organizations found Islam to be the fastest growing U.S. religion from 2000-2010, with a 66.7% growth in membership.  From 2000-2010, U.S. Muslims grew in membership from 1,559,294 to 2,600,082.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) was the second-fastest growing church in the United States, with a 45.5% increase in membership.  From 2000-2010, the number of U.S. Mormons grew from 4,224,026 to 6,144,582.  Latter-day Saints currently make up about 2% of the U.S. population, but that number is fast growing.

While the U.S. Religion Census shows some interesting trends, the study could not control for all lurking variables, including whether religious immigrants accounted for the growth, whether self-reported numbers were accurate and whether members were converts from adulthood or born into the faith.

Although Muslims and Mormons are very different, they share some basic values.  For example, both Muslims and Mormons believe in the central importance of the family, the importance of faith and works, seek to wear modest clothing, avoid alcohol, gambling, frequently fast, believe in the importance of sharing their beliefs, strive to serve God and live good lives.

“We believe the Holy Ghost is a revelator and that he will bear testimony to honest people everywhere that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that this church is ‘the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth.  There is no need for anyone to remain in darkness; the light of the everlasting gospel is here; and every sincere investigator on earth can gain a personal witness from the Holy Spirit of the truth and divine nature of the Lord’s work.  Peter said: ‘. . . God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted’ by him (Acts 10:34–35), which means that the Lord will pour out his Spirit upon the faithful so they will know of themselves of the truths of this religion”

-Joseph Fielding Smith

Personal Notes:  If you want to know what church is God’s true church, you can investigate each church’s beliefs and pray to know for yourself. The Holy Ghost will help you feel an answer to your sincere prayers to know which church Heavenly Father wants you to join. I’ve done this very thing, and I’ve come to know for myself that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God’s restored church. It was brought back to the Earth in 1830 in its original form and it is led under the direction of Jesus Christ with a living prophet and 12 Apostles.  Being a member of The Church has helped me live a happy life and more fully understand Christ’s atonement and God’s plan for me.  You can learn more at LDS.org or Mormon.org.