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Inishfree
Guest
I am happy for you.
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Aramis
Guest
I had a mormon roommate who apostatized. I had to threaten to sue the ward to get them to stop calling, over a year after he left town… And he’d never even been to the local ward.
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Annie_B
Guest
That is really sad. I just wanted to point out that not all who leave the church (for whatever reason) have the same experience. I have no ill will against the church itself; just against those who had a hand in the whole situation ending up as it did. Not all Mormons behave the same way just as not all Catholics behave the same way; some are kind and some are not. It is up to the individual which one they want to be. I am in a rural area and do not have much choice as to where I can worship. I would have stayed in the LDS church if the bishop and stake president had shown one grain of kindness and/or concern. SInce they did not, I left, as it would have been impossible to continue on in my ward under the circumstances. Since there is no hope in switching wards since I will not ever move I have to now worship according to my concience. Also, I personally believe that resigning from the LDS church does NOT “undo” one’s baptism and blessings; what God has done man cannot undo.
ANnie
Annie
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LadyLionheart
Guest
Stavros,
God bless you, and may the Saints watch out for you. Not that you’ll need it, but you have a lot of guts. That is something I respect. So, as everyone has said, welcome home.
Marianne
God bless you, and may the Saints watch out for you. Not that you’ll need it, but you have a lot of guts. That is something I respect. So, as everyone has said, welcome home.
Marianne
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Inishfree
Guest
Same for me, Stavros and God Bless you!Stavros,
God bless you, and may the Saints watch out for you. Not that you’ll need it, but you have a lot of guts. That is something I respect. So, as everyone has said, welcome home.
Marianne
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hamburg113
Guest
If you want to get more materials that related to this topic, you can visit: Teacher interview thank you letter
Best regards.
Best regards.
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lynnettejane
Guest
Hello everyone and God bless all of those who have left the mormon church and come home. Thank God He is so patient!
When I found out that mormonism was false my first reaction was total anger, I had been conned. Thanks to good Christian friends I began to understand what the Bible actually teaches, I also found and contacted ex mormon groups and received literature exposing its lies.
I still had good friends in the church so sent them some of the literature which resulted in a visit from a bishop who was also a friend who essentially told me to back off. I wrote to the church resigning, sent with my resignation more information about its falseness and my own reasons for leaving, not very subtle but I wanted them to be in no doubt. The result was I was summoned to a bishops court where I was excommunicated, and it didn’t bother me one bit. I was glad to be free of its falsehoods, I felt that the whole thing was a non event as these people actually do not have any authority whatsoever, so for me this was a closing formality. As for their baptising for the dead and other temple endowments, they are empty works that have no effect whatsoever and will have no effect on the salvation or otherwise of anyone, sad isn’t it thattheir efforts are a waste of time.
When I found out that mormonism was false my first reaction was total anger, I had been conned. Thanks to good Christian friends I began to understand what the Bible actually teaches, I also found and contacted ex mormon groups and received literature exposing its lies.
I still had good friends in the church so sent them some of the literature which resulted in a visit from a bishop who was also a friend who essentially told me to back off. I wrote to the church resigning, sent with my resignation more information about its falseness and my own reasons for leaving, not very subtle but I wanted them to be in no doubt. The result was I was summoned to a bishops court where I was excommunicated, and it didn’t bother me one bit. I was glad to be free of its falsehoods, I felt that the whole thing was a non event as these people actually do not have any authority whatsoever, so for me this was a closing formality. As for their baptising for the dead and other temple endowments, they are empty works that have no effect whatsoever and will have no effect on the salvation or otherwise of anyone, sad isn’t it thattheir efforts are a waste of time.
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Pythons
Guest
Praise be to God!
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Tiberius1701
Guest
Praise God and welcome Home, Lynnettejane! 
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Stavros
Guest
Technically, they should not have excommunicated you - once you resign, they have no “authority” to discipline you. But at least you got that closure. That’s pretty awesome.
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Stavros
Guest
I got my “We sent your letter to the local authorities” letter on June 9th, and figure I’ll get the official ‘You are out’ letter from the local bishop sometime this week or next, since the original letter was sent on May 31st. Getting a letter back on official church letterhead was both relieving and a bit painful. First, the letter came to my maiden name, even though a) I had sent my letter with my married name, and b) I had given the church my married name 8 years ago during a brief re-activity period after my younger brother’s suicide. It’s like they refuse to admit I’m married or something.
Secondly, while I knew what would be on the letter, since it’s the standard form letter that is shared by ex-Mormons all over the internet, I still felt my anger stirred when I read the enclosed “An Invitation” pamphlet. (I attached the PDF so that all of you could see it.) They put a picture of the Christus statue on the cover from the LDS tabernacle in Salt Lake City, and say they are sending the message of Christ, but the nutmeat of the message is “If we hurt your feelings, we’re sorry.” Like the only reason someone would leave the Mormon church would be because someone’s feelings were hurt. Do they really think that little of me? That I would be that weak? “I believe in God and in the redeeming gift of our Savior’s death on the cross, but not if they snub me at the ‘Linger Longer’ after-church social.” I loved the bit about how “you will find many with outstretched arms to welcome you, assist you, and give you comfort.” Well, that would be new since no one has outstretched their arms in the 10 years I’ve been away. I also found it interesting how “The Church” needs my strength, love, loyalty and devotion, and how I am losing “Church” blessings. Other than the vaguely threatening wording in the letter about my eternal salvation, not once did their message say that Christ needs my love, or that I would be going against Christ’s will, or that I am a child of God and He loves me.
Also, as a sidenote: I’m generally not an angry person, per se. But rarely angry. However, it seems like thinking about my Mormon past is one of the few things that can really push every button I seem to have. The reality of this letter, of this final action in regards to my Mormon membership status has managed to drag ghosts out of my closet that I haven’t thought about in years.
I’ve already talked to my priest, and he said that once I feel I am ready (i.e., when I find the closure I need with the Mormon church), he will give me blessings of healing, and talk with me to help get over some of these unique Mormon wounds.
Secondly, while I knew what would be on the letter, since it’s the standard form letter that is shared by ex-Mormons all over the internet, I still felt my anger stirred when I read the enclosed “An Invitation” pamphlet. (I attached the PDF so that all of you could see it.) They put a picture of the Christus statue on the cover from the LDS tabernacle in Salt Lake City, and say they are sending the message of Christ, but the nutmeat of the message is “If we hurt your feelings, we’re sorry.” Like the only reason someone would leave the Mormon church would be because someone’s feelings were hurt. Do they really think that little of me? That I would be that weak? “I believe in God and in the redeeming gift of our Savior’s death on the cross, but not if they snub me at the ‘Linger Longer’ after-church social.” I loved the bit about how “you will find many with outstretched arms to welcome you, assist you, and give you comfort.” Well, that would be new since no one has outstretched their arms in the 10 years I’ve been away. I also found it interesting how “The Church” needs my strength, love, loyalty and devotion, and how I am losing “Church” blessings. Other than the vaguely threatening wording in the letter about my eternal salvation, not once did their message say that Christ needs my love, or that I would be going against Christ’s will, or that I am a child of God and He loves me.
Also, as a sidenote: I’m generally not an angry person, per se. But rarely angry. However, it seems like thinking about my Mormon past is one of the few things that can really push every button I seem to have. The reality of this letter, of this final action in regards to my Mormon membership status has managed to drag ghosts out of my closet that I haven’t thought about in years.
I’ve already talked to my priest, and he said that once I feel I am ready (i.e., when I find the closure I need with the Mormon church), he will give me blessings of healing, and talk with me to help get over some of these unique Mormon wounds.
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RebeccaJ
Guest
Yeah, common thing…Mormonism pushes our buttons. A friend, who I had a long conversation about Mormonism, and who has never been a Mormon, is of the opinion that our souls have been abused. I’ll take that for $1000.
The constantly needling in your ear of how God doesn’t love you, has rejected you, and is no longer a part of your life…that one makes me want to throw flaming spears, while all the while this pretension that someone in Mormonism loves you. Whatever. It brings out nothing but hatred, which I know, is not good. It is such a deep and dark lie that holds people in bondage. So it is probably best that the Mormons never send me such a letter as that. I’d be on the doorstep from where it came, in order that I could inform them personally what they could do with that piece of paper.
The constantly needling in your ear of how God doesn’t love you, has rejected you, and is no longer a part of your life…that one makes me want to throw flaming spears, while all the while this pretension that someone in Mormonism loves you. Whatever. It brings out nothing but hatred, which I know, is not good. It is such a deep and dark lie that holds people in bondage. So it is probably best that the Mormons never send me such a letter as that. I’d be on the doorstep from where it came, in order that I could inform them personally what they could do with that piece of paper.
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KathleenGee
Guest
Hi Stavros,
Thank you for sharing the results of your request to leave the Mormon Church. I do understand what you mean that it wasn’t your feelings that were hurt; the issue you have would not be something they would grasp.
So, I am thankful you have made that step…a big one, and that I keep you in my prayers. I have been praying for the Mormon people, and I look forward to your own healing in the sacrament.
Kathleen
Thank you for sharing the results of your request to leave the Mormon Church. I do understand what you mean that it wasn’t your feelings that were hurt; the issue you have would not be something they would grasp.
So, I am thankful you have made that step…a big one, and that I keep you in my prayers. I have been praying for the Mormon people, and I look forward to your own healing in the sacrament.
Kathleen
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Stavros
Guest
Good to know it’s not just me. Seriously. Have you ever read about the double bind and Mormonism? It helped shed so much light on some of the crazy logic behind why things were the way that they were when I was Mormon.
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Deconi
Guest
I haven’t read the whole thread after reading the title and OP, and I am not casting aspersions on Mormonism, but isn’t the requirement to RESIGN from any faith, in and of itself, self explanatory that there’s something amiss with the faith?
Is it a ‘job’ or some kind of organisation that one requires documentation of membership and departure?!!
Clearly, it cannot then be a religion or a faith for neither can demand ‘conditional’ membership?! Surely!
Is it a ‘job’ or some kind of organisation that one requires documentation of membership and departure?!!
Clearly, it cannot then be a religion or a faith for neither can demand ‘conditional’ membership?! Surely!
K
KathleenGee
Guest
Double bind and Mormonism…that thread…I could only go so far with hit…human psychological bondage.
There is alot of psychological bondage in various forms today…The communists in the gulag, according to a witness imprisoned there, said he saw manuals from New Age type of mind control. I personally dealt with a woman very advanced in New Age, 17 years at the time, and she could overcome anything…disinformation, powerful and very convincing…
Man making himself god…yes, modern psychology has many outlets…I had considered becoming a child psychologist, but just couldn’t go forward with those in leadership at that time, during the great social revolution of the 60’s.
I just read today that the remedy against such a powerful movement is Adoration, the rosary, and penance.
There is alot of psychological bondage in various forms today…The communists in the gulag, according to a witness imprisoned there, said he saw manuals from New Age type of mind control. I personally dealt with a woman very advanced in New Age, 17 years at the time, and she could overcome anything…disinformation, powerful and very convincing…
Man making himself god…yes, modern psychology has many outlets…I had considered becoming a child psychologist, but just couldn’t go forward with those in leadership at that time, during the great social revolution of the 60’s.
I just read today that the remedy against such a powerful movement is Adoration, the rosary, and penance.
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RebeccaJ
Guest
Yeah, Mormonism ascribes what happened in the Garden as a double bind.
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zipperc98
Guest
Hello!
Stavros, I know I have talked with you here before…but thought I would throw my own story in…
Was received into the Catholic church this past Easter, after having lived in the Mormon faith for 12 years. Not one day later I received a knock on the door. Two members of the Ward Bishopric with a letter for me. You should have seen the look on their faces! Apologetic, as though they felt incredibly sorry for me! They were trying to be conversational, I just said “It’s ok guys, just give it to me”. LOL.
SO, I was asked to come a disciplinary council that following Sunday. There was no way I would accept this act, that I had somehow done something wrong! So, two days later I wrote my own response to the Bishop.
I sent certified mail to the Bishop, and asked that my letter asking to be removed from the records of the church be sent to SLC. Not 3 weeks later I received my official letter from SLC saying that my records were removed. That is that.
My letter was very well written, IMO, not at all nasty. If I was at home I would attach my own letter. Perhaps I will share mine at some point.
It many ways it is relieving. I would not have made this action had they not pushed me into it. The reason is because it is only going to cause more contention among my husband, daughter, and family.
God Bless those who have left the LDS faith and have struggled in those trials. I understand what it is like…Take Care!
Stavros, I know I have talked with you here before…but thought I would throw my own story in…
Was received into the Catholic church this past Easter, after having lived in the Mormon faith for 12 years. Not one day later I received a knock on the door. Two members of the Ward Bishopric with a letter for me. You should have seen the look on their faces! Apologetic, as though they felt incredibly sorry for me! They were trying to be conversational, I just said “It’s ok guys, just give it to me”. LOL.
SO, I was asked to come a disciplinary council that following Sunday. There was no way I would accept this act, that I had somehow done something wrong! So, two days later I wrote my own response to the Bishop.
I sent certified mail to the Bishop, and asked that my letter asking to be removed from the records of the church be sent to SLC. Not 3 weeks later I received my official letter from SLC saying that my records were removed. That is that.
My letter was very well written, IMO, not at all nasty. If I was at home I would attach my own letter. Perhaps I will share mine at some point.
It many ways it is relieving. I would not have made this action had they not pushed me into it. The reason is because it is only going to cause more contention among my husband, daughter, and family.
God Bless those who have left the LDS faith and have struggled in those trials. I understand what it is like…Take Care!
M
Marie5890
Guest
There isn’t a requirement to resign in any way shape or form. It’s an option that any one has legally if they so chose in America.I haven’t read the whole thread after reading the title and OP, and I am not casting aspersions on Mormonism, but isn’t the requirement to RESIGN from any faith, in and of itself, self explanatory that there’s something amiss with the faith?
Is it a ‘job’ or some kind of organisation that one requires documentation of membership and departure?!!
Clearly, it cannot then be a religion or a faith for neither can demand ‘conditional’ membership?! Surely!
Many former Mormons chose it because 1)The LDS church often heralds it’s membership numbers but never let the public know 2)how many of them are actually active 3)if you are on their membership rolls but they have lost tract of you they keep counting you until you 110 birthday.
It’s a statement. A choice. Not a requirement, however
M
Marie5890
Guest
Stavros, that is true due to our American laws, but she lives in Britain I believe. Not sure how the laws are there.
In America, once the LDS (or any organization for that matter) receives a letter of resignation and that letter states that it is effective immediately, then once they receive said letter, it’s over.
That may not be true in all countries however. This is based entirely upon American law.
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