Recent studies show that while most religious youth are devoted to their faith, they are uneducated in their doctrine. They believe their doctrine, but they have an impoverished ability to talk about their faith, possibly because they are rarely encouraged to critically think through their faith.

However, these studies show that Mormon youth can eloquently explain LDS doctrine. Latter-day Saint youth rated highly in their articulacy and understanding of their faith.

Here are three articles that provide more details:

• “Research Shows Religious Teens Are More Successful in Life” from LDS Living Magazine
• “The National Study of Youth and Religion in a Nutshell” from YMToday.com (a site for youth ministers)
• “Why Mormons Do Better Youth Ministry Than We Do” from The Christian Post

These are encouraging findings, but I’m sure there is still much more we can do to prepare youth.

What more can we do to encourage youth (and adults) to critically think through their faith so they understand it deeply and are able to articulate it eloquently?