Mormons Are Generous and Active in Helping Others

When it comes to being generous with time and money, Americans who are not Mormons can learn from Americans who are. A new study from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis explores Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints culture and explains LDS members' volunteering and charitable giving-habits. It is the first study focusing on giving and volunteering practices of Latter-day Saints that has been carried out within LDS wards by a non-church-affiliated university. The researchers are Ram Cnaan , a professor in Penn's School of Social Policy & Practice ; Daniel W. Curtis, a student earning his Ph.D. in social welfare ; and Van Evans from IUPUI. "Called to Serve: The Prosocial Behavior of Active Latter-day Saints" is the largest and most detailed study of its kind. Researchers surveyed 2,644 active Mormons in Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Michigan, Utah and California.