The worldƵs religious landscape is experiencing an interesting shift.
In the United States, for example, the decline of those who identify as Christians appears to be leveling off. Various authors and journalists from outlets such as the New York Times to Vanity Fair have noted that faith is regaining followers.
Into this context comes encouraging news about the accelerating growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Speaking to new mission leaders this summer at the Provo Missionary Training Center, Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared an important overview of the ChurchƵs recent growth. The Apostle said that in 2024, 308,000 people joined the Church Ƶ an increase of about 50,000 more than in 2023, and the highest number of converts in a quarter century.
Elder Cook told mission leaders that, from June 1, 2024, through May 31, 2025, convert baptisms were the highest of any 12-month period in Church history. Every region of the world saw at least a 20% increase in convert baptisms in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024.
The same is true a month later. In the last 12 months ending June 30, 2025, the Church had more convert baptisms than any other 12-month period in the faithƵs 195-year history.
ƵThis is remarkable,Ƶ Elder Cook said. ƵAmazingly, each area of the world is finding these converts in ways that are tailored to the unique needs and circumstances of their specific region of the world. Seeing this progress is exhilarating for me, and I hope you also find it very exciting! This is an unprecedented and blessed time to serve as a mission leader. You have the special opportunity to be part of something significant and historic. What a blessing!Ƶ
Elder Cook also noted that new members of the Church are attending weekly worship services at higher rates. And he said efforts to reengage and teach people who were previously taught led to nearly 40,000 of the past yearƵs baptisms Ƶ a number that has seen growth in recent years thanks to technological advances.
During the annual seminar, new mission leaders receive in-depth training focused on preparing young missionaries to invite others to Ƶcome unto Christ.Ƶ Apostles emphasize helping others understand the doctrine of Christ and have powerful spiritual experiences that will help them stay active and involved in the faith. The sustained increase in baptisms globally validates these efforts.
ƵWe thank the Lord for allowing us to witness His hand in these remarkable outcomes,Ƶ Elder Cook said. ƵHe is the reason for this significant growth.Ƶ
This growth is remarkable not because of the numbers but because of the individual lives that are changed for good through the gospel of Jesus Christ. This can be seen in a variety of personal stories shared recently on the ChurchƵs main Instagram channel.
Alphanso, a Liberian who moved to the United States in 2017, met two missionaries at a community college in San Diego, California. They introduced him to the Church.
ƵI had never had a personal relationship with God before,Ƶ Alphanso said, Ƶbut something about what they shared felt real to me. Like it had a purpose.Ƶ
Going to church tethered him to his newfound faith.
ƵWhen I started going to church, it was different. People actually cared. They asked how I was doing. I felt seen in a way I hadnƵt before,Ƶ Alphanso said. ƵI learned how to pray. I started to feel this quiet strength, like I wasnƵt alone anymore. Since then, my faith has become a part of who I am. It keeps me grounded. It reminds me of what mattersƵlike family, service, becoming better.Ƶ
Idrienne, a lawyer in Washington, D.C., grew up going to a nondenominational church with her mother. As she entered adulthood, she began an ƵexhaustingƵ search for a new church. She was looking for a place with people her age, a place where she could serve, and a place where ChristƵs gospel was a part of everyday life.
One Sunday, she attended a Latter-day Saint congregation.
ƵThe warmth and kindness of the congregation resonated with me,Ƶ Idrienne said. ƵFor the first time, I felt I had found what I was searching for. I promised myself that if I felt this sense of belonging again, I would keep going. And I did.Ƶ
She reached out to missionaries and was eventually baptized.
ƵReflecting on where I started Ƶ lost and searching Ƶ and seeing where I am now, surrounded by love, feels like a true gift,Ƶ Idrienne said. ƵMy life, the family of Christ IƵve found, and the relationships IƵve built are all part of a journey that continues to unfold. I wouldnƵt trade it for anything.Ƶ
After moving to Utah, Ali became curious about how belief in Jesus Christ impacted the lives of his new friends and how it compared to his beliefs.
ƵI remember attending church for the first time, where I felt the Holy Ghost in a way I hadnƵt before,Ƶ Ali said. ƵIt softened my heart, and though I didnƵt understand everything, it opened the door to something new.Ƶ
While his journey wasnƵt free of difficulty, Ali said he has no regrets.
ƵChoosing to follow Jesus Christ is the best decision IƵve ever made, and itƵs led me to a deeper understanding of GodƵs love,Ƶ he said. ƵI know that my journey is just the beginning, and IƵm excited to continue to grow in faith and serve Jesus Christ.Ƶ
More than 195 years after its founding, the Church of Jesus Christ is still growing and seeking to spread light and hope. The Church currently has more members (17.5 million), missionaries (80,000), congregations (31,670), missions (450), and temples (382) than it has ever had.
The Church is engaged in more humanitarian projects than ever (including $1.45 billion in expenditures in 2024 alone). And the Church continues to connect the global human family through the free genealogical services of FamilySearch, which now has more than 20 billion searchable names and images in its archives.
Of additional significance is the rising number of young adults participating. This flourishing can be seen in the activity of the Church Educational System. The Church has seminaries and institutes of religion all over the world. For the 2023Ƶ24 school year, enrollment in Seminaries and Institutes reached all-time highs Ƶ 427,642 seminary students and 384,095 institute students.
ƵWhen you hear these narratives of, ƵOh, people are losing their faithƵ or ƵTheyƵre not engaged in church,Ƶ the highest percentage ever in the history of the Church are attending seminary. ThatƵs also true of institute,Ƶ said Elder Clark G. Gilbert, Commissioner of the Church Educational System.
This growth, he added, is in more than just Africa.
ƵItƵs right here in the U.S. institutes Ƶ the University of Utah, Arizona State [and others], The institutes in the U.S. are growing,Ƶ Elder Gilbert said.
Significant growth is also present in the ChurchƵs three universities. As of fall 2024, each institution of higher education saw record enrollment rates. BYUƵIdaho had its largest enrolled class (22,904).
What explains this growth and activity? Elder D. Todd Christofferson said it is the work God is doing in human hearts.
ƵThe Lord is working. The Spirit is working in this generation, and they feel it,Ƶ Elder Christofferson said. ƵHalf the workers in the Rexburg Idaho Temple are students at BYUƵIdaho. That is just one indicator that shows you what is happening in their spiritual lives. Ƶ I believe they are turning to the Lord. Their faith is growing. They respond to the Spirit and to spiritual promptings.Ƶ
Looking to the future for religion, believers everywhere can find great comfort in the words of Church President Russell M. Nelson, who reminds us, ƵThe best is yet to come.Ƶ