Sent in my official resignation letter to the LDS church

[Stavros]

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 made a photocopy of my notarized letter for just this reason. If I learned nothing else from being Mormon, I learned to be paranoid.

 

[Stavros]

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.

The examples aren’t to show what happens when people leave Mormonism, they are legal precedents. It was not intended to show anything about Mormonism, but about the legality of being excommunicated after officially resigning from the church. Both cases cited, one from an ex-LDS, one from an ex-Church of Christ, show that it is illegal to have church disciplinary action taken after a letter of resignation has been submitted.

 

[pinay]

The examples aren’t to show what happens when people leave Mormonism, they are legal precedents. It was not intended to show anything about Mormonism, but about the legality of being excommunicated after officially resigning from the church. Both cases cited, one from an ex-LDS, one from an ex-Church of Christ, show that it is illegal to have church disciplinary action taken after a letter of resignation has been submitted.

Thanks for the clarification. In LDS policy, you can’t be disciplined/excommunicated if you resign. Of course, the process of resignation, as is common among big organizations, have to go through processing that may take a certain length of time, especially since the Church is comprised of volunteer workers.

This is really nothing different than the Roman Catholic “Defectio ab Ecclesia catholica actu formali”.

The LDS Resignation works the same way as the Roman Catholic Defectio in that your name is not removed/scrubbed from the Roman Catholic church register. It is merely annotated with the Defectio declaration as it is necessary in the administration of the Church. Both LDS Resignation and Catholic Defectio also work the same way in that the member is effectively separated from the Church, not just in a juridical manner but a true schism from the life and blessings of the Church.

In addition, LDS Resignation also works the same way as the Catholic Defectio in that the baptismal covenant is a permanent bond with the Body of Christ and is not rendered non-binding by defection.

And finally, LDS Resignation works the same way as the Catholic Defectio in that it requires a formal written letter that has to go up the organizational structure and requires some time to be processed.

Hope this helps.

 

[Anna_Scott]

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.

pinay,
What first part of my post are you referring to?

Peace,
Anna

 

[Anna_Scott]

I made a photocopy of my notarized letter for just this reason. If I learned nothing else from being Mormon, I learned to be paranoid.

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.

Rebecca & Stavros,

I didn’t know about the laws, when I resigned, and I should have made a copy of my resignation letter. I wrote a letter out of sheer desperation, because they would not leave me alone–even though, verbally, I told them I had left the Church and would never come back. They kept showing up at my door, calling me, mailing me things. When I first received a package from them, I marked it “return to sender” and put it back in the mail box. Then they started sending me things with no return address. Nothing I said stopped all of this. It was an emotional time and the harassment turned my life upside down. I didn’t have help and wasn’t sure what to do. I finally wrote a letter. Then it stopped. They knew about the laws.

Peace,
Anna

 

[Anna_Scott]

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.

pinay,
Stavros already answered already.

The examples aren’t to show what happens when people leave Mormonism, they are legal precedents. It was not intended to show anything about Mormonism, but about the legality of being excommunicated after officially resigning from the church. Both cases cited, one from an ex-LDS, one from an ex-Church of Christ, show that it is illegal to have church disciplinary action taken after a letter of resignation has been submitted.

 

[KathleenGee]

Stavros,

I pray that as time goes by you will enjoy more and more the new life in Jesus Christ.

I know the Mormons have been getting Catholic records; they are doing that to the Jews who are particularly incensed.

According to ancient Christianity through today in the Catholic Church—you cannot baptize people against their will and to get personal vital records for your own means and glory – to stack up the numbers of people in your religion. This is fraud.

And yes, they remove you from the roll, but you are still Mormon.

But God will not honor Mormon baptism because it comes from a fraudulent group of men, and its means are fraud. Even the way Mormonism is white washing its past now, and removing revealing sites from the internet, only affirms my conviction it is a fraud.

I am secure with my Christian baptism that comes from Christ.

True Christianity is not about being nice. By their fruits you will know them…

 

[GaryTaylor]

Wow, I would find that disturbing no doubt. Sorry Kathleen I was commenting on Annas issue. Crossed posts

Blessings, Gary

 

[OscarsMama]

I am so glad that you were able to speak to your mom and write the letter! I am really happy for you. Welcome home!!! God Bless!!!

 

[KathleenGee]

Gary, yes, I know you were referring to Anna’s post.

I have read this about what they do to get records…

Once baptized Catholic, you are always with the grace of baptism.

You can’t wash baptism away. But the Catholic Church does not recognize Mormon baptism although it does recognize Christian baptism in other churches…because it is Catholic!

So in essence, you have either Catholic baptism or Mormon baptism.

Having publicly served the missions through my diocese, I find it most disturbing how Mormonism is reaching out to other countries and using local conditions to bring common people into their religion, these people having no idea of Mormonism’s history.

The same goes for the building of their forthcoming grandiose temple in the Roman countryside that St. Justin the Martyr alluded to in describing the ancient Mass to a Roman emperor, only over a hundred years after the death and resurrection of Christ. They stated on the BYU channel they hope to get some of the awe that the world gives the Vatican and the Eternal City…

 

[Inishfree]

Stavros,

I pray that as time goes by you will enjoy more and more the new life in Jesus Christ.

I know the Mormons have been getting Catholic records; they are doing that to the Jews who are particularly incensed.

According to ancient Christianity through today in the Catholic Church—you cannot baptize people against their will and to get personal vital records for your own means and glory – to stack up the numbers of people in your religion. This is fraud.

And yes, they remove you from the roll, but you are still Mormon.

But God will not honor Mormon baptism because it comes from a fraudulent group of men, and its means are fraud. Even the way Mormonism is white washing its past now, and removing revealing sites from the internet, only affirms my conviction it is a fraud.

I am secure with my Christian baptism that comes from Christ.

True Christianity is not about being nice. By their fruits you will know them…

Thank you Kathleen for this information.

My grand parents are listed on the LDS ancestry website. Neither one of them was mormon. I was upset over this. But, since the Methodist and Catholic churches (their chosen faiths) does not believe in baptism of the dead. God already knows what was in their hearts.

Stavros,

I think what your mom’s Baptist minister said to her was beautiful and so very true. The church is not for the perfect but for sinners. I loved that!

 

[soren1]

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

Well done.

 

[KathleenGee]

Inisfree,

My ancestors were found by my brother from the Mormon site…and I was thankful for it…but now I realize they are being seen as baptized in their church.

My Welsh Irish great grandmother always said she’d roll in her grave if any of her children lost the true faith.

But right now thinking about this…they died Catholic and remain so…

Catholic baptism makes all Christian irregardless as to what denomination you belong to.

And if you were baptized as an infant, but grew up to be an atheist your whole life, God also honors that choice as well…and you will go in the direction you freely choose…

 

[Anna_Scott]

Wow, I would find that disturbing no doubt. Sorry Kathleen I was commenting on Annas issue. Crossed posts

Blessings, Gary

A sidebar to Gary:

I was a member of the Mormon Church for a very short time. In fact, I left shortly after Baptism----when I found out what they really believe. A Mormon Bishop and his family were neighbors and friends. I really knew very little about the Mormon religion, when I started the lessons. I took the lessons with the Bishop, at his house. Two of their young missionaries were there for the lessons as well. I really had no idea what I was getting into. The following is a cut and paste from post #33 to ParkerD (LDS forum member) on a closed CAF thread entitled, “LDS & Catholic Comparison.” Link: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=5886508#post5886508

Edited post to add date of the following: Oct 31, 2009

I felt so deceived by the Mormon Bishop and his family, for withholding the controversial Mormon beliefs, during my lessons with the Bishop and the missionaries, prior to my baptism into the LDS Church. I was so stunned when I learned the truth.

I was more brokenhearted than angry. The Bishop and his family were neighbors and friends. I felt like they really let me down. I was also disappointed in myself for allowing myself to be pulled into the Mormon deception. My family and friends really could hardly believe it.

I was at a truly vulnerable point in my life as a divorced, single Mom, with family 1000 miles away. I stayed here, after my divorce, to keep my son close to his father.

The Mormon Bishop seemed like the father I never had. That made the whole experience hurt even more.

When I learned the truth and left the LDS Church; I had to deal with all the phone calls, and people showing up at my door, and things arriving by mail–all in an attempt to pull me back in. Nothing I said made this stop, until, I finally sent a formal letter stating I was no longer a member (which I had told them verbally) and would consider any further contact as harassment (though I had already been harassed.)

My resignation was processed in 1997. I just discovered recently, that, even though I rejected Mormonism in life, proxy rites could still be performed in my name, after death. This came from a recent call I made to the LDS Records Division. I wrote about this in another post-can’t remember which thread. I told the guy in Records I did not want any proxy work done in my name. He told me nothing would be done “while you are still living.” So, it’s still not over, even 12 years later.

The Mormon experience had a deep affect on my view of organized religion. I grew up in Baptist Churches, though I am no longer Baptist. My studies have revealed many of their doctrines are not Biblical.

I am here at CAF, and have discussions with people from different religions. I have a great respect for Catholics; but I’m not certain I could actually make the leap into Catholicism.

As I have said before, I feel like I am caught somewhere between Protestantism and Catholicism.

I read and study and pray–sometimes finding myself in such despair–without a church home, and without enough trust to embrace a new church.

My posts, about the beliefs of the Mormon Church, are not done for lack of forgiveness. I just do not want anyone to go through what I did.

So, ParkerD, I have forgiven; and I wish you peace, as well.

I have found peace in my religious life in the Anglican Communion. I attended my Episcopal Church for more than a year prior to Confirmation. During that time I learned “the good, the bad, and the ugly,” of The Episcopal Church and Anglicanism. CAF Catholics helped me with “the bad and the ugly” information regarding TEC. I wanted to make sure I knew exactly what I was embracing.

As difficult as all that was for me, it’s not nearly as difficult as leaving after growing up in the LDS church, as was the case for our OP, Stavros. That takes a great deal of courage, and is far more emotionally complicated–especially when family members are still in the LDS church.

So, again I say to our OP, Stavros: May the Lord strengthen you, call his angels down to protect you, and guard your soul from all evil.

Peace,
Anna

 

[CountrySteve]

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.

thats stupid no way that can be true

 

[Stavros]

thats stupid no way that can be true

Well, seeing as how I am Catholic now, that’s no longer part of my core religious beliefs. Thanks be to God for the grace of conversion!

Think of it this way, as a boy becomes a man, or a baby becomes an adult, in eternal progression, if we live the right way, we will become as our heavenly parents have become.

 

[Inishfree]

Inisfree,

My ancestors were found by my brother from the Mormon site…and I was thankful for it…but now I realize they are being seen as baptized in their church.

My Welsh Irish great grandmother always said she’d roll in her grave if any of her children lost the true faith.

But right now thinking about this…they died Catholic and remain so…

Catholic baptism makes all Christian irregardless as to what denomination you belong to.

And if you were baptized as an infant, but grew up to be an atheist your whole life, God also honors that choice as well…and you will go in the direction you freely choose…

Thank you Kathleen.

My ancestors were Irish Catholic. A few did become Methodist when they came to America. In the Methodist Church, baptism is a definately a sacrament. Same for Catholic. They do not recognise any Mormon baptisms as being valid.

If it were reversed. I was baptised Catholic and became Methodist. The Methodist Church would recognise the Catholic baptism and they would not re-baptise me under any circumstances.

I haven’t heard anything from the LDS church. I’m not going to worry about it. Jesus already knows my ancestors were devout Christians and nothing can ever change that.

 

[Inishfree]

Thanks for the clarification. In LDS policy, you can’t be disciplined/excommunicated if you resign. Of course, the process of resignation, as is common among big organizations, have to go through processing that may take a certain length of time, especially since the Church is comprised of volunteer workers.

This is really nothing different than the Roman Catholic “Defectio ab Ecclesia catholica actu formali”.

The LDS Resignation works the same way as the Roman Catholic Defectio in that your name is not removed/scrubbed from the Roman Catholic church register. It is merely annotated with the Defectio declaration as it is necessary in the administration of the Church. Both LDS Resignation and Catholic Defectio also work the same way in that the member is effectively separated from the Church, not just in a juridical manner but a true schism from the life and blessings of the Church.

In addition, LDS Resignation also works the same way as the Catholic Defectio in that the baptismal covenant is a permanent bond with the Body of Christ and is not rendered non-binding by defection.

And finally, LDS Resignation works the same way as the Catholic Defectio in that it requires a formal written letter that has to go up the organizational structure and requires some time to be processed.

Hope this helps.

Sorry, but no it doesn’t. You don’t have to send in any formal paper work. To leave the Catholic or Protestant churches. Christian faith/denomination is always a choice. It is never forced upon you. This would go against everything that Christians believe in. You come to Christ by your own free will.

 

[KathleenGee]

Only good can come when we are free.

Pinay, read about Anna’s experience. I have read witnesses who say they are rushed into Mormon baptism.

Did you get your marriage sealed? And your mother not allowed to witness it…? I would cry so much I would have to go to a priest for counseling to retain my charity.

All our relationships in Christ will continue in heaven and we will glorify God with His angels and saints for all eternity, and continue to grow in love for God and each other.

 

[KathleenGee]

Inis…the former Mormons are still kept on their records…but it is irrelevant.

Don’t waste your time dwelling on something that isn’t.