I have some questions. Maybe you have some answers.

First, let’s acknowledge that in most of the world outside the United States, “America” is no longer a positive term. Especially under Trump II, when the foreign policy of the United States seems to be “insult everyone, turn allies into enemies,” people and governments around the world have lost confidence and respect for America. Even Canadians hate us now.

Second, the consequences for American brands like McDonalds and Coca-Cola cannot be good. Whether by actual consumer boycotts (see: Canada) or by a sudden dislike for any product associated with America, brands associated too closely with America are bound to suffer.

Third, the LDS Church is an American brand. Not many would dispute that, although you can disagree, I suppose. The image that springs to mind, of course, is two young American missionaries with white shirts and black name tags walking the streets of just about any foreign country. There is local leadership of non-US Church units, but always supervised by (at some level) American leaders higher up the chain. My sense is that most non-US people see the LDS Church as an American church.

Fourth, what is the impact of all this on LDS missionary work and LDS retention outside CONUS? My suspicion is: not good, not good at all. But I don’t know of any published data to support this expected effect. I’m sure the LDS Church has some data, but does not release it. They only release positive data. LDS reports of LDS success or failure and related statistics have very little credibility because … they just don’t report failures. So I’m wondering what readers have encountered, either by way of reports from credible sources or by way of personal experience or direct reports of friends or family who live or serve overseas.

  • Have LDS missionary convert baptisms outside the US declined?
  • Has “the LDS missionary experience” changed, that is, has anti-American sentiment translated into anti-LDS sentiment overseas? Are LDS missionaries getting anti-US blowback?
  • Has a general unhappiness with America led to actual exits from LDS activity or even formal disaffiliation by LDS members overseas?
  • In particular, readers who live outside the US are invited to comment on all this. It must be getting harder to be an active LDS Church member outside the US. I admire your fortitude if you stay, but I understand if you don’t.

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