Sent in my official resignation letter to the LDS church

[Stavros]

As a bit of a history: I was baptized five years ago, and was raised LDS (Mormon). When a person goes “inactive/less active” from the LDS church, they are still touted as members. For some LDS who leave the church, simply walking away is the best option. Resigning from the church can be messy, especially if the person still has True Believing Members in their family, as resignation is rarely anonymous. However, formally resigning can give many people who have left the Mormon church a sense of closure.

I was baptized five years ago, so technically according to the LDS church, I should be excommunicated. You know, denying the faith and all. However, I was fortunate in the fact that I was long out of the church before I got baptized. In 10 years, I’ve only gotten a call once from the leadership in the ward in my area.

After talking with my mother this weekend, I really came to a sort of peace about leaving the LDS church. While I was deliriously happy about being Catholic, I always held back talking about it to my mother since she was an active, or at least a believing, Mormon. My mom revealed to me over Christmas that she had started to go to the Baptist church in her town, and I told her that I had thought about attending the Catholic church.

I came clean with her this weekend and told her that I had actually been baptized five years ago. She said she was happy that I was going to church, and that I had found a religion that brought me closer to God. We even talked about being ex-Mormons, which was surreal. She told me that she had “confessed” to her new Baptist minister about being baptized Mormon and that she was reverting back to Baptist after being Mormon her entire adult life. Her pastor said, “Church isn’t for the perfect people, it’s for the sinners.” So she’s basically renounced the Mormon religion as well.

Not having the courage to send in my resignation letter has always made me feel like there was still a small part of me that was controlled by the Mormon church and fearful of retribution if they ever found out I was baptized. Having “the talk” with my Mom gave me the courage to write and send my exit letter (using the suggestions from MormonNoMore.com and Richard Packam’s site). The only reason I didn’t sent a letter years ago was because I didn’t want them talking to my mother and for her to be upset with me. But since she too has realized that the Mormon church is not true, I felt that I no longer had anything holding me back.

Here’s the contents of my letter, sent today by USPS Priority Mail, Notarized with Delivery Confirmation:

May 31, 2011

Member Records, LDS Church
50 E North Temple, Room 1372
Salt Lake City, UT 84150-5310

Dear Sirs:

This letter declares my formal resignation from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as of today, May 31, 2011.

My resignation should be processed immediately, and should be handled without the standard 30-day waiting period. I hereby withdraw my consent to being treated as a member and I withdraw my consent to being subject to church rules, policies, beliefs and “discipline”. As I am no longer a member, I want my name permanently and completely removed from the membership rolls of the church.

I assure you that I do not take this step lightly. I have given this resignation considerable thought, and have done much research and contemplation to help me reach this very personal decision. I understand what you consider the seriousness and the consequences of my actions. I am aware that the church handbook says that my resignation “cancels the effects of baptism and confirmation, withdraws the priesthood held by a male member and revokes temple blessings”. I also understand that I would be readmitted to the church by baptism only after a thorough interview if I chose to do so.

My reasons for resigning from the Mormon church are:

1. I no longer believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.
   2.I have come to the conclusion that the authority of the LDS priesthood is based on a fraud perpetrated by the founders of the church.

I am not leaving because of some personal slight or insult, or because I have “sinned” or unable to keep the commandments of God. For my reason for leaving on your internal form, I insist that the reason be “at member’s request”, “doctrinal reasons”, or some other reason that is not derogatory or calumniating.

Also effective immediately, I expect absolutely no contact from the church, with the exception of a single letter of confirmation to let me know that I am no longer listed as a member of the church. I will not be dissuaded and I will not change my mind on this matter, and I will refuse to speak with anyone from the church who attempts to argue with me about the wisdom of my decision.

I expect this matter to be handled promptly, with respect and with full confidentiality.

Sincerely,
Stavros

 

[graceandglory]

Welcome Home, Stavros! I think your letter was written in a spirit of love and respect. God’s very best to you.

 

[the_phoenix]

 

[Aramis]

Well written.

 

[lax16]

As a bit of a history: I was baptized five years ago, and was raised LDS (Mormon). When a person goes “inactive/less active” from the LDS church, they are still touted as members. For some LDS who leave the church, simply walking away is the best option. Resigning from the church can be messy, especially if the person still has True Believing Members in their family, as resignation is rarely anonymous. However, formally resigning can give many people who have left the Mormon church a sense of closure.

I was baptized five years ago, so technically according to the LDS church, I should be excommunicated. You know, denying the faith and all. However, I was fortunate in the fact that I was long out of the church before I got baptized. In 10 years, I’ve only gotten a call once from the leadership in the ward in my area.

After talking with my mother this weekend, I really came to a sort of peace about leaving the LDS church. While I was deliriously happy about being Catholic, I always held back talking about it to my mother since she was an active, or at least a believing, Mormon. My mom revealed to me over Christmas that she had started to go to the Baptist church in her town, and I told her that I had thought about attending the Catholic church.

I came clean with her this weekend and told her that I had actually been baptized five years ago. She said she was happy that I was going to church, and that I had found a religion that brought me closer to God. We even talked about being ex-Mormons, which was surreal. She told me that she had “confessed” to her new Baptist minister about being baptized Mormon and that she was reverting back to Baptist after being Mormon her entire adult life. Her pastor said, “Church isn’t for the perfect people, it’s for the sinners.” So she’s basically renounced the Mormon religion as well.

Not having the courage to send in my resignation letter has always made me feel like there was still a small part of me that was controlled by the Mormon church and fearful of retribution if they ever found out I was baptized. Having “the talk” with my Mom gave me the courage to write and send my exit letter (using the suggestions from MormonNoMore.com and Richard Packam’s site). The only reason I didn’t sent a letter years ago was because I didn’t want them talking to my mother and for her to be upset with me. But since she too has realized that the Mormon church is not true, I felt that I no longer had anything holding me back.

Here’s the contents of my letter, sent today by USPS Priority Mail, Notarized with Delivery Confirmation:

Dear Stavros - I am sure that it took a great amount of courage to write this letter. You are so fortunate to have the support of your mother.
I know so many non-practicing Mormons here in Utah and it makes me wonder if they have ever gone through the process to be taken off the rolls?

May you continue to inspire many with your story of conversion and strength!!

May God bless you and your mother.

lax16

 

[lauraabarlow]

Welcome home, Stavros!:clapping: You letter was amazing! I saw nothing wrong with it. May God continue to bless you on your new-found journey :hug1::harp:

 

[CountrySteve]

thank God almighty your home in his original Church i have always wondered how mormons can justify there actions like correct me if im worng but dont they think they can become a god

 

[IrishRush]

Well done and welcome home! I hope you forever feel the peace that returning to the one true Church brings. God bless you and yours!

 

[MillTownCath]

As a bit of a history: I was baptized five years ago, and was raised LDS (Mormon). When a person goes “inactive/less active” from the LDS church, they are still touted as members. For some LDS who leave the church, simply walking away is the best option. Resigning from the church can be messy, especially if the person still has True Believing Members in their family, as resignation is rarely anonymous. However, formally resigning can give many people who have left the Mormon church a sense of closure.

I was baptized five years ago, so technically according to the LDS church, I should be excommunicated. You know, denying the faith and all. However, I was fortunate in the fact that I was long out of the church before I got baptized. In 10 years, I’ve only gotten a call once from the leadership in the ward in my area.

After talking with my mother this weekend, I really came to a sort of peace about leaving the LDS church. While I was deliriously happy about being Catholic, I always held back talking about it to my mother since she was an active, or at least a believing, Mormon. My mom revealed to me over Christmas that she had started to go to the Baptist church in her town, and I told her that I had thought about attending the Catholic church.

I came clean with her this weekend and told her that I had actually been baptized five years ago. She said she was happy that I was going to church, and that I had found a religion that brought me closer to God. We even talked about being ex-Mormons, which was surreal. She told me that she had “confessed” to her new Baptist minister about being baptized Mormon and that she was reverting back to Baptist after being Mormon her entire adult life. Her pastor said, “Church isn’t for the perfect people, it’s for the sinners.” So she’s basically renounced the Mormon religion as well.

Not having the courage to send in my resignation letter has always made me feel like there was still a small part of me that was controlled by the Mormon church and fearful of retribution if they ever found out I was baptized. Having “the talk” with my Mom gave me the courage to write and send my exit letter (using the suggestions from MormonNoMore.com and Richard Packam’s site). The only reason I didn’t sent a letter years ago was because I didn’t want them talking to my mother and for her to be upset with me. But since she too has realized that the Mormon church is not true, I felt that I no longer had anything holding me back.

Here’s the contents of my letter, sent today by USPS Priority Mail, Notarized with Delivery Confirmation:

You sound like a good person. :getholy:

 

[LoyalViews]

God Love You! You are extremely courageous. I wonder what their reaction will be

God Bless :byzsoc:

 

[DElias]

thank God almighty your home in his original Church i have always wondered how mormons can justify there actions like correct me if im worng but dont they think they can become a god

Basically, the idea is that what God was, we are, and what God is, we will be.

Before someone contradicts this, I do have some insight. I am not Mormon, but I have quite a Mormon lineage being the great-great-great-great grandson of Brigham Young. Since I grew up close to Nauvoo and my heritage was not much of a secret in the area, I had a lot of visitors. I have a very large box of Book of Mormons that are highlighted and dog-eared from those visiting. I have experienced quite a bit.

 

[Stavros]

thank God almighty your home in his original Church i have always wondered how mormons can justify there actions like correct me if im worng but dont they think they can become a god

Well, kind of. The idea was originally mentioned by Lorenzo Snow, I believe: “As man now is, God once was; as God is now man may be.” It’s actually quite logical in its own way God made man in His own image, because He was once a man. While we will never be equal to God any more than we would be equal in age and experience to our earthly parents, in the LDS religion, the idea is through eternal progression that we would be sealed to our earthly spouse in heaven and go on to have our own spiritual children and worlds.

 

[Marie5890]

Stavros,

Im so glad to hear that things between you and your mother are ok and that your resignation won’t cause any problems for the relationship the two of you have.

I had to chuckle over the revelation that she pretty much has left Mormonism too.

You shouldn’t have any problems getting your confirmation of having your name removed. When I went thru the process Gregg Dodge (he at the time was the main administrator of Membership Records in Salt Lake) was pretty much on his own. The amount of people officially resigning has increased so much that he actually has quite a staff to handle them all.

I got my letter with in about 2 weeks. It was all very cordial and respectful.

That was over a decade ago so I am not sure if that has changed much. Hopefully there will be no stresses for you over this.
But know this, in the eyes of the law, the moment they open your resignation, know you are no longer LDS. It becomes immediate upon receipt.

God bless you, and your mother.

 

[RebeccaJ]

Congratulations Stavros.

 

[Anna_Scott]

. . . .Having “the talk” with my Mom gave me the courage to write and send my exit letter (using the suggestions from MormonNoMore.com and Richard Packam’s site). . .

Stavros,
I praise God that you have left Mormonism. The Mormon Church will rush to excommunicate, when they realize a member is really going to leave. Then, if the member speaks out against the LDS Church, at a later date; the Mormon Church can more easily slander the person’s reputation, and point to the fact that the church Excommunicated them.

However, as soon as a person submits a formal request to resign from any church in the U.S., including the Mormon Church, the church no longer has the legal right to hold court, excommunicate, or take any other action against the individual. There are laws that protect an individual’s right to resign from a religion.

These are some test cases:
GUINN V THE CHURCH OF CHRIST OF COLLINSVILLE
Final decision by the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, January 1989
Marian Guinn, a member of the Church of Christ of Collinsville, OK, hand delivered her resignation to the minister after he told her he was going to excommunicate her for fornication.

The minister refused to honor the resignation, went ahead with the ‘excommunication’ and then announced it from the pulpit. Guinn sued and was awarded $390,000. On appeal the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that Guinn’s resignation was effective immediately and that anything the church or the minister received Guinn’s resignation was tortable.

In other words, she could sue for anything they did after she resigned. The court ruled that with her resignation Guinn withdrew her consent to being treated as a member and she withdrew her consent to being subject to church discipline.

Of extra importance is the fact that the court ruled that the right to freedom of religion also includes the right to unilaterally resign from a church.

In several subsequent court cases the Mormon church has agreed to the principles established in Guinn. They have not even attempted to argue that the principles do not apply to them.

THE NORMAN HANCOCK LAWSUIT (Mesa AZ 1985)
In 1985 the Mormon church ‘excommunicated’ Norman Hancock AFTER he submitted a letter of resignation to the church.

Hancock filed an $18 million lawsuit against the church, saying a person has a right to voluntarily resign from a church.

The suit was settled out of court and the settlement was sealed. An account on line reports that Hancock filed the suit himself, without the aid of a lawyer, after studying the Guinn case.

The same account says that church lawyers started discussing with Hancock just how much money he wanted, but he told them he didn’t want their money, that what he wanted was to have his name cleared. Church representatives agreed to change the records such that there would no longer be any record of an ‘excommuication’: the records would show that he resigned (that he asked for ‘name removal’).

. . .The Guinn and Hancock cases were the end of the era when the church told members that there was no way to stop being a member except by excommunication. The church began having a process it calls ‘name removal’.

However, the church still tells bishops and stake presidents that a member who is ‘transgressing’ should not be allowed to resign, that “name removal should not be used as a substitute for church discipline”.

If you’ve paid attention to the Guinn case, you already know that the church is wrong about that and they can be sued for ‘excommunicating’ someone who already resigned. At church headquarters they know this very well and they will usually put a quick halt to ‘discipline’ proceedings if they find out that the former members knows what his or her rights are."

© Kos Media, LLC
Site content may be used for any purpose without
explicit permission unless otherwise specified.
“Kos” and “Daily Kos” are registered trademarks of Kos Media, LLC
Link: dailykos.com/story/2008/10/14/11624/597/670/629888

So, you should not have to endure any further contact from the Mormon Church, including any contact from Mormon members of this forum. It might be a good idea to post again on this thread, stating that you do not wish to have any contact with Mormons posting here on CAF.

Sadly, a formal resignation in life does not prevent the Mormon Church from performing proxy rites for you after your death. I still haven’t figured out how to keep this from happening. Maybe someone else knows and could comment.

See my post #27 at this CAF thread link: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=6307780&highlight=Anna+Scott#post6307780

This link takes you to Mormon Temple & quotInitiatory" Ceremonies: lds-mormon.com/veilworker/rituals.shtml

There is a proxy Baptism right for those who have been excommunicated or had their names removed from the records of the Church while they were still living.

**RECONFIRMATION

This ceremony restores temple blessings lost through excommunication or by one’s name having been removed from the records of the Church.**

Brother _______, in the name of Jesus Christ, we lay our hands upon your head [for and in behalf of _______, who is dead], and confirm you a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and say unto you, Receive the Holy Ghost, and confirm upon you all your former Church and Temple blessings. Amen.

May the Lord strengthen you, call his angels down to protect you, and guard your soul from all evil.
Anna

 

[RebeccaJ]

Mormon proxy work for former Mormons who have resigned or have been excommunicated requires permission from the leaders of the LDS church in Salt Lake. I don’t know how often this permission is given or how easy it is to obtain.

 

[Anna_Scott]

Mormon proxy work for former Mormons who have resigned or have been excommunicated requires permission from the leaders of the LDS church in Salt Lake. I don’t know how often this permission is given or how easy it is to obtain.

Rebecca,

I don’t know either.

On Oct 21, 2009, I called the Member Records Division, LDS Church, 1-800-453-3860, x22053. Brother ??? (refused to give his name) looked up my name and said they received my letter of resignation, and it was processed in May 1997.

I asked Brother ??? if he would send me a copy of my letter of resignation. He refused, saying my letter is now “property of the church.”

I asked him how my name appeared in LDS baptismal records, or any other rites performed for me. He said he was not allowed to give me that information.

I told him I am aware that baptisms and other rites are performed by proxy. He told me this would not be done, “while you are still living.” I told him I did not want rites performed by proxy after my death; and that I would send a letter stating the same. He was silent on the issue.

So, even though I clearly rejected Mormonism in life, my name would still be there for the LDS church to use as they see fit, once I am deceased. Very disturbing.

Peace,
Anna

 

[RebeccaJ]

Anna Scott - I left Mormonism before the internet was around and didn’t hear of this resignation process until I was out for over 15 years. For people making an exit with this available to them, I can see how it helps in the the psychological break, but, I made that break in different ways.

Once I heard about the resignation process, I thought about whether or not it was something I wanted to do. I think I would get a better satisfaction out of an excommunication.

I’m not a customer of Title Nine because they send me a catalog. I’m not a Mormon because they have my name in a database.

There is no difference to a Mormon whether or not you have resigned or have been excommunicated, both processes mean the same to them.

 

[pinay]

Stavros,
I praise God that you have left Mormonism. The Mormon Church will rush to excommunicate, when they realize a member is really going to leave. Then, if the member speaks out against the LDS Church, at a later date; the Mormon Church can more easily slander the person’s reputation, and point to the fact that the church Excommunicated them.

However, as soon as a person submits a formal request to resign from any church in the U.S., including the Mormon Church, the church no longer has the legal right to hold court, excommunicate, or take any other action against the individual. There are laws that protect an individual’s right to resign from a religion.

These are some test cases:
GUINN V THE CHURCH OF CHRIST OF COLLINSVILLE
Final decision by the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, January 1989
Marian Guinn, a member of the Church of Christ of Collinsville, OK, hand delivered her resignation to the minister after he told her he was going to excommunicate her for fornication.

The minister refused to honor the resignation, went ahead with the ‘excommunication’ and then announced it from the pulpit. Guinn sued and was awarded $390,000. On appeal the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that Guinn’s resignation was effective immediately and that anything the church or the minister received Guinn’s resignation was tortable.

In other words, she could sue for anything they did after she resigned. The court ruled that with her resignation Guinn withdrew her consent to being treated as a member and she withdrew her consent to being subject to church discipline.

Of extra importance is the fact that the court ruled that the right to freedom of religion also includes the right to unilaterally resign from a church.

In several subsequent court cases the Mormon church has agreed to the principles established in Guinn. They have not even attempted to argue that the principles do not apply to them.

THE NORMAN HANCOCK LAWSUIT (Mesa AZ 1985)
In 1985 the Mormon church ‘excommunicated’ Norman Hancock AFTER he submitted a letter of resignation to the church.

Hancock filed an $18 million lawsuit against the church, saying a person has a right to voluntarily resign from a church.

The suit was settled out of court and the settlement was sealed. An account on line reports that Hancock filed the suit himself, without the aid of a lawyer, after studying the Guinn case.

The same account says that church lawyers started discussing with Hancock just how much money he wanted, but he told them he didn’t want their money, that what he wanted was to have his name cleared. Church representatives agreed to change the records such that there would no longer be any record of an ‘excommuication’: the records would show that he resigned (that he asked for ‘name removal’).

. . .The Guinn and Hancock cases were the end of the era when the church told members that there was no way to stop being a member except by excommunication. The church began having a process it calls ‘name removal’.

However, the church still tells bishops and stake presidents that a member who is ‘transgressing’ should not be allowed to resign, that “name removal should not be used as a substitute for church discipline”.

If you’ve paid attention to the Guinn case, you already know that the church is wrong about that and they can be sued for ‘excommunicating’ someone who already resigned. At church headquarters they know this very well and they will usually put a quick halt to ‘discipline’ proceedings if they find out that the former members knows what his or her rights are."

© Kos Media, LLC
Site content may be used for any purpose without
explicit permission unless otherwise specified.
“Kos” and “Daily Kos” are registered trademarks of Kos Media, LLC
Link: dailykos.com/story/2008/10/14/11624/597/670/629888

So, you should not have to endure any further contact from the Mormon Church, including any contact from Mormon members of this forum. It might be a good idea to post again on this thread, stating that you do not wish to have any contact with Mormons posting here on CAF.

Sadly, a formal resignation in life does not prevent the Mormon Church from performing proxy rites for you after your death. I still haven’t figured out how to keep this from happening. Maybe someone else knows and could comment.

See my post #27 at this CAF thread link: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=6307780&highlight=Anna+Scott#post6307780

This link takes you to Mormon Temple & quotInitiatory" Ceremonies: lds-mormon.com/veilworker/rituals.shtml

There is a proxy Baptism right for those who have been excommunicated or had their names removed from the records of the Church while they were still living.

**RECONFIRMATION

This ceremony restores temple blessings lost through excommunication or by one’s name having been removed from the records of the Church.**

Brother _______, in the name of Jesus Christ, we lay our hands upon your head [for and in behalf of _______, who is dead], and confirm you a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and say unto you, Receive the Holy Ghost, and confirm upon you all your former Church and Temple blessings. Amen.

May the Lord strengthen you, call his angels down to protect you, and guard your soul from all evil.
Anna

Hi Anna, I just want to state that the first part of your post is not indicative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Church of Christ is an off-shoot of the LDS Church and are completely separate with their own doctrines, practices, and organization structure.

 

[Stavros]

Stavros,

Im so glad to hear that things between you and your mother are ok and that your resignation won’t cause any problems for the relationship the two of you have.

I had to chuckle over the revelation that she pretty much has left Mormonism too.

You shouldn’t have any problems getting your confirmation of having your name removed. When I went thru the process Gregg Dodge (he at the time was the main administrator of Membership Records in Salt Lake) was pretty much on his own. The amount of people officially resigning has increased so much that he actually has quite a staff to handle them all.

I got my letter with in about 2 weeks. It was all very cordial and respectful.

That was over a decade ago so I am not sure if that has changed much. Hopefully there will be no stresses for you over this.
But know this, in the eyes of the law, the moment they open your resignation, know you are no longer LDS. It becomes immediate upon receipt.

God bless you, and your mother.

I’ve heard that things have changed in the past 10 years or so - that instead of having Gregg Dodge being the sole person doing the resignation that there is now an office full of people processing the letters, and that there is often a delay. However, both sites state that a) getting Delivery Notification on the letter, b) getting the letter notarized, and c) using certain phrases in the letter is the office’s tip-off that a person has gone through certain sites to get their information and knows their legal rights. So they tend to push those letters through faster.

I signed up for an email delivery notification, so as soon as I get that email, I’ll know that I’m finally officially no longer a Mormon. That’s a very good feeling. But I really can’t wait for my official Gregg Dodge letter. I’m putting that in my Book of Remembrance, right next to my baptismal certificate and temple paperwork.

(You can take the girl out of Mormonism, but you can’t take the Mormonism out of the girl, to paraphrase an old quote.)