THRIVE Unite - March 18, 2023

THRIVE Unite 2023: Understanding a Grassroots Movement for Faith Transition Support

When thousands of people leave or question their religious faith, they face a unique challenge: isolation. The THRIVE Unite 2023 event, announced in March 2023 across more than a dozen cities worldwide, represents a significant grassroots phenomenon within post-Mormon communities. According to the Mormon Stories Podcast coverage of the announcement, THRIVE Unite offers structured gatherings for individuals navigating faith crises, seeking community support, and processing their religious transitions. Understanding this movement requires examining both its scope and the underlying reasons such networks have proliferated in recent years.

THRIVE Unite is not a formal organization with centralized leadership or institutional funding. Instead, it functions as a decentralized network of volunteer-led groups organized by local community members. The March 2023 announcement revealed events scheduled across North America, Europe, and beyond, from Utah's Wasatch Front to Zurich, Switzerland. For those in the early stages of questioning their faith or well into their transition, these gatherings promise community, expert speakers, and structured activities designed to foster belonging among people with shared experiences.

Background: The Rise of Faith Transition Communities

The emergence of THRIVE and similar networks reflects broader demographic and cultural shifts within Mormonism. Over the past two decades, the LDS Church has experienced measurable membership decline, particularly in developed nations. Simultaneously, internet access has made historical and doctrinal critiques widely available, information that previous generations of doubters could not easily access.

Individuals leaving high-demand religions often report experiencing social rupture. When faith exit occurs, many lose their primary social infrastructure, including friendships, family relationships, and weekly community rituals. THRIVE Unite addresses this vacuum by creating intentional spaces for connection.