This article is excerpted from the Church Newsroom. To read this article, CLICK HERE.
The world’s 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.
A Remarkable Season of Church Growth
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 Church’s recent growth. The Apostle said that in 2024, 308,000 people joined the Church — 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 faith’s 195-year history.
“This is remarkable,” Elder Cook said. “Amazingly, 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!”
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 year’s baptisms — 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 “come unto Christ.” 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.
“We thank the Lord for allowing us to witness His hand in these remarkable outcomes,” Elder Cook said. “He is the reason for this significant growth.”
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 Church’s main Instagram channel.
To read the entire story, click here.
MaryannJuly 10, 2025
I hear so many comments about people who have left the gospel, and it makes me happy to read here a truer picture of the health and growth of the church. We sorrow when our friends choose another path, but we should never get caught in the false belief that the church is dwindling. It is not! The church is alive and well, and will continue to grow. We can all be a part of that growth as we share the blessings and knowledge we have with others.