Show notes
On March 12, 2025, Church educator and BYU professor Jared Halverson released an Instagram short where he stated: “One of the statistics that has worried me the most of late, comes from a survey that was done in 2023 and it’s suggesting that for the first time that I can think of, more women are leaving religion than men are.” Is this true? Why are more women leaving Mormonism than men are? Join us today as we gather with Katie Rich (author of Fifty Years of Exponent II), Amy McPhie Allebest (of the Breaking Down Patriarchy YouTube channel), and Abby Maxwell Hansen (who was threatened with excommunication for her profile on Ordain Women in 2013 and an Exponent II blogger since 2019), as well as writer and columnist Jana Riess to discuss this growing phenomenon.Jared Halverson is an associate professor of Ancient Scriptures and served for over 20 years in the Church Education System. Halverson earned his BA in History and MA in Religious Education. He has been a featured speaker in devotionals as well as in academic settings. He is the host of the YouTube channel and podcast titled “Unshaken.”You can view Jared Halverson’s original video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TevsIrw1nqsShow Notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/why-are-women-leaving-the-mormon-church/Show NotesYouTube00:00:00 Beginning00:01:50 Introducing the panelists00:05:40 Amy personally knows Jared Halverson00:12:50 Jared Halverson background00:16:24 Clip - Jared Halverson on why women are leaving the Church00:22:19 Reactions to Jared Halverson’s clip00:37:55 How lessons in church are ALL focused on men instead of the women00:40:31 The definitions of patriarchy 00:45:07 Six women’s names in the Book of Mormon00:49:00 What is Exponent II and Ordain Women?00:55:12 Women going to Priesthood session in 201301:05:25 Comments from Halverson’s original cilp01:12:25 This lesson from Halvereson was focused on Emma Smith01:23:30 “I don’t want an unshakable faith” I want to adjust and learn and change01:33:40 LDS Retention Rates over time01:40:00 Efficacy by gender01:45:10 Current members’ theological certainty over time02:14:00 Are women leaving for worldly reasons?02:20:04 Clip from Julie Hanks and Britt Hartley02:24:40 Jared’s full apology 02:29:48 Reactions to Jared’s apology02:35:25 How to have better apologies02:46:20 Abby shares personal experiences about being a woman in the church, etc.02:56:15 How impactful the exMormon internet has become03:01:20 Final wordsMormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:One-time or recurring donation through DonorboxSupport us on PatreonPayPalVenmoOur Platforms:YouTubePatreonSpotifyApple PodcastsContact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117Social Media:Insta: @mormstoriesTikTok: @mormonstoriespodcastJoin the Discord