Why the LDS Church Should Stand Firm Against Secular Pressures
By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS
In recent years, critics like Natalie Brown argue that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) should modernize its teachings and governance to maintain influence in a world that increasingly rejects traditional religious values. Brown suggests that the Church’s influence is waning due to its steadfastness in doctrine, and that leaders should shift away from "policing" members and instead "respond to modern realities." As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim who has observed the dangers of religious institutions bending to sociopolitical pressure, I find this argument short-sighted and potentially destructive.
The LDS Church, grounded in eternal principles and a unique religious heritage, should not abandon its core beliefs to conform to secular trends. Such a shift could erode not only the Church’s doctrinal integrity but also its moral authority. Drawing on my experiences in both Islam and leftist circles, I see parallels between Brown's call for "modernization" and the broader trend of diluting religious values for societal acceptance—a path that has not yielded positive outcomes for other communities.
The LDS Church’s Core Purpose is Doctrinal, Not Cultural
The LDS Church is based on specific revelations and teachings. From the earliest days of Joseph Smith’s revelations, the Church has presented itself as an alternative to mainstream religious and cultural beliefs. Brown’s suggestion that the Church should respond to “modern realities” implies that truth is subjective and adaptable to public opinion. However, a church that constantly changes with societal trends loses its foundation.
Throughout history, religious institutions that have compromised core beliefs to satisfy cultural trends often lose their credibility and spiritual efficacy. For instance, in my time as an Imam and CAIR leader, I saw how certain Islamic communities attempted to repackage Islam in a secular-friendly form. The result was not increased acceptance but a dilution of purpose, ultimately alienating both traditional believers and secular skeptics. The same happened with leftist movements that softened their stances to appeal to mainstream sensibilities—this only blurred their identities and weakened their goals.
Eternal Principles Versus the Shifting Sands of “Modern Realities”
Religious teachings, by nature, are meant to uphold eternal truths. Jesus Christ himself taught doctrines that were often countercultural, challenging even the Pharisees and Sadducees of his time. Similarly, the LDS Church’s doctrines on family, morality, and faith are designed to stand as beacons of unchanging truth amid the shifting sands of modern life. Brown’s argument that the Church should “do less policing” misunderstands the role of doctrinal standards. Standards are not barriers but guides, helping members align their lives with divine will.
In my past roles, both in CAIR and the Muslim Forum of Utah, I observed how bending to external pressures often led to loss of internal cohesion. Religious integrity is preserved by remaining true to core doctrines, even when those doctrines challenge societal norms. The LDS Church must stay vigilant in this regard, resisting calls to adapt every time a new cultural shift demands conformity. For me, as a former socialist and vegan who changed my views over time, the constant pressure to conform to shifting political and social ideologies became exhausting.
The Dangers of Diluting Religious Standards
Calls for the LDS Church to change its stance on issues like same-sex marriage, chastity, and Word of Wisdom standards suggest a desire for a faith that aligns with contemporary liberal values. However, such changes could lead to greater fragmentation within the faith community and risk alienating those who join the Church precisely because of its distinctive moral and doctrinal commitments.
In Islam, there were moments when efforts to dilute or reframe Sharia to appeal to Western sensibilities led to confusion and internal conflicts. In trying to be all things to all people, some Muslim leaders compromised values, resulting in disunity among believers. The LDS Church, like all religious communities, benefits from standing firm. Members come to the Church because they see it as a fortress of spiritual truth, not as a reflection of every passing social trend.
Real Influence Comes from Authenticity, Not Conformity
While Brown suggests the Church should prioritize “responding to modern realities,” I believe the Church’s true influence lies in its authenticity and steadfastness. The Church’s values provide an alternative vision of life, grounded in family-centered and Christ-centered doctrines that attract people precisely because they contrast with secular culture. Those who suggest that the Church is losing influence misunderstand where real power lies. Real power is in the unchanging truths that anchor individuals in times of turmoil, not in chasing the approval of a rapidly shifting society.
Drawing from my background, I understand the appeal of aligning religious institutions with popular ideologies; however, my journey from Islam to socialism, then to atheism, and finally to Christianity has shown me the emptiness that comes from bending to societal expectations. When I found the LDS Church, I found a community committed to values and standards that were consistent, unyielding, and supportive of a higher purpose. This is why the Church must stay true to its principles, regardless of external criticism.
Conclusion
The LDS Church should not adjust its core teachings to accommodate secular trends. Instead, it should remain a source of stability, authenticity, and spiritual truth in an era of cultural drift. Those who seek to reshape the Church misunderstand the nature of religious faith as an anchor rather than a mirror to societal values. If the Church were to follow the path Brown proposes, it would risk the very elements that make it a unique and resilient faith. It is by holding firm to its principles—not by bending to them—that the Church will continue to thrive, offering its members the spiritual grounding they seek in an ever-changing world.
References
- Anderson, S. M. (2022). Religious authenticity: Why unwavering values attract believers in an age of uncertainty. Salt Lake City: Deseret Publications.
- Carpenter, J. (2021). "Modernity and the dilution of traditional religious practices." Journal of Religion and Culture, 47(3), 211-235.
- Petersen, T. (2023). The power of religious identity in a secular world. Provo: Brigham Young University Press.
- Reynolds, D. (2024). “Conservative Christian doctrines in a progressive age: Holding to faith amid cultural pressures.” LDS Journal of Faith and Morals, 32(2), 101-118.
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