Line upon line, precept on precept.
That is how he lifts us, that is how he teaches his children.
Line upon line, precept on precept.
Like a summer shower giving us each hour His wisdom.
If we are patient we shall see
How the pieces fit together in harmony.
We’ll know who we are in this big universe
And then we’ll live with Him forever.

  • “Line Upon Line” from Saturday’s Warrior, Words and Music by Doug Stewart and Lex de Azevedo

In a recent post, we discussed the fact that as Mormon missionaries, the focus was on helping others feel “the spirit,” rather than on providing a full disclosure of what would be required of them as church members. While the interview process may help close the gap, there are still some things that very few converts are aware of as a result of the missionary discussions.

There are some reasonable explanations why full disclosure is not possible, in addition to the cynical benefit of increasing the number of converts by withholding information; after all, it’s much easier to sell a car that’s a lemon if you don’t have CarFax giving away all your secrets. It’s easier to commit to an entirely new faith, a new worldview, if the information you have downplays how much of a change it will be as well as historical or theological elements that you would find unacceptable. Over time, you might object less. I’ve previously posted about the process my mother describes in her conversion process. Early on, they felt that the missionaries’ statement that they would have to quit drinking Pepsi was “narrow-minded,” but later she felt grateful for a health code and considered it prophetic. Feelings change over time; that’s what conversion means. Or cynically, that’s how indoctrination works. You decide.

Missionary Lessons vs. Full Member Expectations

CategoryTaught by MissionariesPost-Conversion Realities
DoctrineJesus Christ is central. Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. God restored His Church through Joseph Smith.Deep loyalty to the living prophet is expected. Belief in the First Vision, gold plates, and modern-day revelation is non-negotiable.
ScripturesBible and Book of Mormon are used.Full canon includes Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price, with more esoteric doctrines like Kolob or pre-mortal life.
TithingTaught clearly: 10% of income.Required for temple access. No detailed discussion of how finances are used. Additional fast offerings and donations are also encouraged.
Lifestyle StandardsWord of Wisdom (no alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea, drugs). Chastity law (no sex before marriage, no homosexual acts ever). Modest dress and speech.More intense than expected: caffeine taboo (cultural), temple garment wearing, ongoing behavioral worthiness interviews, and emphasis on obedience to leadership edicts even in gray areas.
Church AttendanceSunday attendance expected.Three-hour (now two-hour) block + additional weekday responsibilities, callings, and ward activities. Converts may be asked to teach, speak, or lead without understanding this cultural aspect of the church beforehand.
TemplesTalk of eternal families and temple marriage.Temple worship involves symbolic rituals (endowment, sealing) that are not explained until after baptism, and even then vaguely. Includes wearing garments, making covenants, and using language that can (even now) be jarring for newcomers.
Church AuthorityProphets and apostles lead the Church.Strong emphasis on hierarchical obedience, correlated curriculum, and centralized policy. Questioning leadership is frowned upon. Living human leaders are often quoted more than Jesus or New Testament scriptures.
HistoryJoseph Smith received revelation and restored the Church.Little or no mention of polygamy, treasure seeking, race and the priesthood, or changing doctrines, all of which are sometimes outright denied. These facts often surprise converts who research later.
Social NormsWarm community, support for families.Cultural conservatism, especially around politics, gender, and LGBTQ+ issues. Unwritten rules (like expectations around missions or large families) can be deeply embedded and include strong social pressures not anticipated.
Dissent or ExitLittle discussed.Social costs of leaving can be high. Disagreeing with doctrine or history publicly can lead to informal exclusion or formal discipline.

Some converts, like my mother, felt that the gradual introduction of new ideas helped growth and acceptance. Others have explained that they felt betrayed or manipulated. Members who defend this lack of full disclosure excuse this by blaming the converts for their own lack of commitment and preparation, or they claim that they left for other reasons (e.g. wanted to sin) or they deny that this information was not shared, claiming it was widely available to anyone who looks.

So how does the LDS church’s disclosure to potential converts compare with other faiths? LDS conversion is one of the most structured approaches, but the disclosure is deliberately incomplete, especially downplaying or delaying disclosure of temple practices, history, and social consequences for dissent or exit. Catholicism and Judaism takes a much longer and more thorough approach, but may gloss over the cultural expectations of the faith community. Evangelical and Muslim conversions are quicker, but leave a lot to be figured out post-conversion which can result in reneging after conversion. Jehovah’s Witnesses demand the most radical lifestyle shifts of these faiths and do not reveal the full implications up front in their conversion process.

At a glance, here’s a contrast of how much is disclosed or transparent vs. what is actually required of new converts. Judaism, which has a lengthy and involved conversion requirement, is the only one that truly practices full disclosure.

ReligionInitial TransparencyCultural AdjustmentExit CostsFull Lifestyle Disclosure?
LDS (Mormon)ModerateHighHighNo
CatholicismModerate–HighModerateModeratePartial
EvangelicalVariableVariableLow–Mod.Often No
Jehovah’s WitnessesLow–ModerateVery HighVery HighNo
JudaismHighVaries by sectLowYes (esp. Orthodox)
IslamLow–ModerateHighHigh (varies)Partial

Religious freedom is highly protective of church’s rights, allowing them wide latitude in how they operate (including tax exemption and relief from anti-discrimination laws). If churches were seen as other institutions where consumer protections applied, we might see a difference in how converts feel about the lack of disclosure. As it stands, here are some common complaints converts of various faiths have about their conversion:

  • LDS: “I didn’t realize how much of my life would revolve around the Church. I was taught about baptism, not about garments, tithing interviews, or what happens in the temple.”
  • Catholicism: “RCIA gave me a good theological foundation, but I had no idea how political or conservative parts of the Church can be, especially on social issues.”
  • Evangelical Christianity: “I loved the worship, but I didn’t expect the church to be so anti-intellectual and politically rigid.”
  • Jehovah’s Witness: ““They told me it was the truth. They didn’t tell me I’d lose my friends and family if I ever left.”
  • Judaism: “I converted Reform, but Orthodox Jews didn’t always see me as fully Jewish.”
  • Islam: “The faith was beautiful, but I wasn’t prepared for the cultural clash or how conservative some communities would be.”

Let’s take a quick look at what types of converts thrive in each of these faiths vs. those who struggle and are less likely to stay:

🌱 Converts Who Tend to Thrive

ReligionConverts Tend to Thrive When They…
LDSAre highly structured, enjoy community roles, and are open to lifestyle conformity and group identity
CatholicismAppreciate deep theology, liturgy, tradition, and are okay navigating internal diversity
EvangelicalCrave spiritual intensity, personal connection to Jesus, and align with the church’s cultural values
JWAre highly obedient, seeking order and belonging, and accept top-down authority completely
JudaismEmbrace Jewish identity both religiously and culturally, and are patient in building communal trust
IslamAre attracted to devotional routines, clear moral frameworks, and are supported by an inclusive local community

😓 Converts Who Tend to Struggle or Leave

ReligionConverts Tend to Struggle When They…
LDSAre curious questioners, dislike top-down control, or discover hidden teachings post-baptism
CatholicismExpect moral consistency from hierarchy or underestimate cultural politics
EvangelicalExpect intellectual rigor or feel pressured into political alignment
JWDesire personal freedom or dissent — Watchtower doctrine leaves no room for deviation
JudaismExpect instant acceptance, especially in Orthodox or ethnically homogenous spaces
IslamEncounter conservative communities that don’t support converts or differ greatly from Qur’anic ideals

I see a dichotomy at play in what works for LDS converts and what turns many of them off, and it boils down to community participation (callings, giving talks and prayers, teaching classes). Minor tweaks in this area could really improve how people feel about their conversion process. If you are considering joining the church, you really have to be OK with doing a calling and becoming very invested in the community because that’s what it’s all about. But the church needs to loosen its strangehold on the content of lessons and talks and be less controlling, less prone to insisting on quoting leaders and on “one way” of looking at things, instead embracing the sharing / application approach that is inherent in community-led churches. A gospel doctrine class that works is one where ideas and experiences of the members are shared, their best ideas are facilitated, and they feel like they are both contributing and uplifted as a result. Lessons where individual ideas and experiences can only be shared if they conform to a specific narrative are going to immediately turn off a whole lot of people. I think we’ve all been in a meeting where a newer member shares a story or a question that a longer-term member would not have shared. Maybe they aren’t the ones who need to change to conform. Maybe everyone else would benefit from letting go of those pearls they are clutching and let people be who they are.

  • Do you find any of this information surprising?
  • Do you think the church is dishonest in the conversion process or that withholding information is justified?
  • What would you do to improve convert retention and experience?
  • What lessons would you take from other churches’ processes?
  • Do you think religions should be required to provide full disclosure prior to conversion?
  • Have you seen new converts struggle to fit in due to these issues?

Discuss.