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=TevsIrw1nqs 00:00:00 Beginning 00:01:50 Introducing the panelists 00:05:40 Amy personally knows Jared Halverson 00:12:50 Jared Halverson background 00:16:24 Clip - Jared Halverson on why women are leaving the Church 00:22:19 Reactions to Jared Halverson’s clip 00:37:55 How lessons in church are ALL focused on men instead of the women 00:40:31 The definitions of patriarchy 00:45:07 Six women’s names in the Book of Mormon 00:49:00 What is Exponent II and Ordain Women? 00:55:12 Women going to Priesthood session in 2013 01:05:25 Comments from Halverson’s original cilp 01:12:25 This lesson from Halvereson was focused on Emma Smith 01:23:30 “I don’t want an unshakable faith” I want to adjust and learn and change 01:33:40 LDS Retention Rates over time 01:40:00 Efficacy by gender 01:45:10 Current members’ theological certainty over time 02:14:00 Are women leaving for worldly reasons? 02:20:04 Clip from Julie Hanks and Britt Hartley 02:24:40 Jared’s full apology 02:29:48 Reactions to Jared’s apology 02:35:25 How to have better apologies 02:46:20 Abby shares personal experiences about being a woman in the church, etc. 02:56:15 How impactful the exMormon internet has become 03:01:20 Final words ___________________ Show Notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/why-are-women-leaving-the-mormon-church/ At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology 2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis 3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4530951114981376 🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today One-time or recurring donations: https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories Paypal: https://paypal.me/mormonstories Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6OgmoqJbOVRq-Lv1P7SzA/join Our Platforms: 🌐Mormon Stories Blog: https://www.mormonstories.org/episodes 🎙️Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories ✳️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404&nd=1 🍎Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772 🖼️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormstories 📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast 🎮Discord: https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF Contact us: 📧 MormonStories@gmail.com 📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 #MormonStories #Mormon #lds