Sent in my official resignation letter to the LDS church

[paulp1002]

And yet another ex-Mormon Catholic! Welcome home yourself! And doesn’t the eucharist blow the socks off of the bread and water at the Mormon sacrament meetings?

I’m kind of hoping that me hunting down their email addresses and copying them will sufficiently wig them out enough to just do what I asked in the first place.

It sure does, it has such a more deeper spiritual feeling/meaning.

I was born and baptized Catholic, I converted to LDS in my late 20s with plans to marry my wife in the temple. But once I was spiritually pulled back to the Catholic Church, my wife couldn’t accept it and now we are divorced.

 

[zipperc98]

And doesn’t the eucharist blow the socks off of the bread and water at the Mormon sacrament meetings?

I can say Amen to this! And besides the Eucharist, much of my newly found faith is as though I dove under the water and discovered the rest of the iceberg!

In other words, my husband, family, and friends that feel sorry for me and think I have taken a step back, in actuality I should feel sorry for them! I have gained more than I could have ever known, and if God willing, maybe they too will experience the Catholic church for what it truly is!

 

[Tiberius1701]

It sure does, it has such a more deeper spiritual feeling/meaning.

I was born and baptized Catholic, I converted to LDS in my late 20s with plans to marry my wife in the temple. But once I was spiritually pulled back to the Catholic Church, my wife couldn’t accept it and now we are divorced.

I can’t imagine the pain you’ve endured by losing your wife, but I pray that God will bless you richly for choosing Him over her. It can’t have been an easy road, but it is one that has already brought you so much closer to Sainthood. Welcome Home!!

I can say Amen to this! And besides the Eucharist, much of my newly found faith is as though I dove under the water and discovered the rest of the iceberg!

In other words, my husband, family, and friends that feel sorry for me and think I have taken a step back, in actuality I should feel sorry for them! I have gained more than I could have ever known, and if God willing, maybe they too will experience the Catholic church for what it truly is!

I was never Mormon, but I feel the very same way about Catholicism in relation to Calvinism. Calvin had one of the keener intellects of all the Protestant Deformers, but even his wisdom is illocutibly shallow and dim in relation to the Fullness of Truth in the One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. When my wife and I were coming into the Church, we often remarked to each other about how it never felt like we lost anything substantial. Instead we felt as though we were adding mounds of riches onto the gems we’d learned in our Protestant communities of origin.

 

[ParkerD]

I sent a notarized letter to the church, which proves that it is actually me. No other legal documentation should be necessary for my wishes to be carried out. Any proof that they would need to see that it was really me would be the same that I used to get the paperwork notarized. I also proved that it was me in my original letter by sharing information that would be hard to come by if it were not me, like the date of my baptism, the person who baptized me, and what ward.

Stavros,

I don’t know the current instructions, so I can’t comment whether that would have complied with what a bishop is instructed to do. It is not “his requirements”, so he follows guidelines that have been given to him to follow.

When I wrote about “half a ward”, then I meant that particular unique hypothetical situation, not that every case of a letter being written is a case of hurt feelings–of course they’re not–each case is as different as each person is different.

It sounds like you have had a long road of decision-making, so I understand why one would be anxious to be “done with it”–so best wishes to you, and no doubt God will bless and guide you in your life.

 

[TheExorcist]

You’d think that lawyers would know better than to do the exact opposite of what you specifically requested in your notarized and very carefully-written legaleze letter of resignation to them… It’s like they’re just asking for a law-suit which would quickly earn you a sizeable settlement from them.

Yes especially considering all the litigation the church has faced regarding contacting people who wish not to be contacted. When I was an Elders Quorum President 6 years or so ago we had an issue with the “do not contact” list in that we weren’t supposed to have one under the new rules. We were either supposed to get members active or at least visited or have them write/sign a letter to remove their names from the records. The problem is that when you have a new bishop ~ every 5 years and a new stake president ~ every 8 years there is no institutional memory and you start over when a new dude comes in.

 

[Marie5890]

I sent a notarized letter to the church, which proves that it is actually me. No other legal documentation should be necessary for my wishes to be carried out. Any proof that they would need to see that it was really me would be the same that I used to get the paperwork notarized. I also proved that it was me in my original letter by sharing information that would be hard to come by if it were not me, like the date of my baptism, the person who baptized me, and what ward.

Stavros, no need to have any follow up with any Mormon leader, regardless of what Mormon policy is. The moment they opened the letter, you were officially resigned.

If you want written notification, tell whomever, “No thanks, not interested in meeting with you. Just want written notification for my files.”

Or something to that effect.

 

[Sariah]

Good for you! hug

I left the church a few years ago (eventually came back, but now questioning my decision…it’s complicated), and found the plethora of posted exit letters on exmormon.org to be really helpful. It was a blessing to have someone “put to paper” what I was feeling at the time.

 

[Lefty0908]

LDS Church policy will be to forward the letter of resignation from Church headquarters in SLC to Stavros’ Stake President for immediate action. I suppose that the promptness with which Stake Presidents act on these requests vary from person to person, but their written instructions from the First Presidency of the Church say that they are to “give prompt attention to such requests.”

The LDS Church makes a clear distinction between those who ask to have their names removed from the records of the Church and those who must have Church disciplinary action taken against them and be removed from membership for unrepentant violation of God’s laws (I’m pretty sure the Catholic Church has similar procedures for serious violation of Church Moral Law). Therefore, we do not typically refer to those who have asked to have their names removed from membership as having been excommunicated (though I’m sure there are plenty of goofy Mormons in the pews who don’t know enough to make that distinction and will probably be cited here in later posts).

When a Stake President receives a letter requesting name removal from LDS Church records, he is under obligation to make sure the person understands the consequences of the request in terms of the cancellation of the effects of the person’s baptism and confirmation, the withdrawal of any priesthood held by male members, and the revoking of any temple blessings. When the Stake President complies with these instructions, he submits paperwork to LDS Church headquarters and sends a letter to the person requesting name removal confirming that the requested action has taken place.

On a personal note, I’m at a loss to understand why Anna Scott and RebeccaJ are so upset. As a point of doctrine, proxy work for the dead that is done in LDS temples (baptism, confirmation, endowment, and sealing) is of absolutely no affect unless the person for whom it is being performed accepts that work along with our view of the gospel as we believe it is taught in the Spirit World to all who died without having had the opportunity to accept those teachings and ordinances in this life. My Catholic brother and his wife have told me that they pray for me all the time because in their view, I am lost due to the fact I’m LDS. They have also said that they’ll continue to pray for me even after I die (yeah, I’m an Old Dog who’s closer to the end than the beginning). Even though I believe those prayers have no real salvific value for me, I am nonetheless humbled and honored that these good Christians have a heart to lift and bless me. So my response to what you all do in my behalf is considerably different than Anna Scott’s dread of the similar thing we’re trying to do for those priceless souls who in our view died without hearing the gospel as we believe it was restored through modern prophets.

And no need to tell me about goofy Mormons who “cookie bomb” and otherwise act like idiots. I sit with them every Sunday! Sounds like if I want to fellowship with perfect people, I need to find where Anna Scott and RebeccaJ attend mass!

 

[Marie5890]

When a Stake President receives a letter requesting name removal from LDS Church records, he is under obligation to make sure the person understands the consequences of the request in terms of the cancellation of the effects of the person’s baptism and confirmation, the withdrawal of any priesthood held by male members, and the revoking of any temple blessings.

It doesn’t matter in American law what the LDS policies are.

When one submits a letter of resignation of one’s membership to any organization, it is effective immediately upon receipt of said resignation.

Starvos is under no obligation to meet with any Mormon leadership. She is no longer LDS.

 

[Lefty0908]

I don’t believe I said that Stavros was obligated to meet with anyone. And I don’t question Marie5890’s erudition in American law. But it’s not a stretch for me to believe that (1) the Catholic Church has policies and prodecures to guide their local ecclesiastical leaders in shepherding their people, and (2) that those policies and practices are considered by Catholics to have been inspired by God and not rooted in any of men’s legislative bodies. Therefore, those policies are not taken lightly by Catholic ecclesiastical authorties. Besides, it would be entirely senseless for Catholics to be governed otherwise because it seems rather obvious (even to me) that not all Catholics live in America . Are Mormons not allowed to have similar beliefs about their church’s policies? Again, the policy has nothing to do with Stavros’ actions, it only guides the actions of LDS ecclesiastical leaders.

I would think (and hope) that a Catholic Priest or Bishop would have care and concern for someone leaving the faith and want to see that he/she was treated with dignity and respect and be desirous of an opportunity to express sorrow and concern. I think that’s what lies at the root of LDS policy in this matter. I don’t think it’s legalistic or cavalier, but an attempt to be responsible and caring. Our people like to quote a scripture in our Doctrine and Covenants where the Lord states “Remember, the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (D&C 18:10). We usually cite it in context of missionary work, but in my opinion it has no limitation. Whether or not people choose to accept and share the beliefs of my Church, we nonetheless have a responsbility to treat each individual as a son or daughter of God, which is a central doctrine of my faith. Given the tone of previous posts, we no doubt can do better.

 

[Marie5890]

Yes Lefty, I know what you mean. And it’s the same if people want to officially resign for the Catholic or any other church in America.

Once the resignation has been received, it’s in effect.

I have not met any former Catholics that have left the church and formally resigned, but my understanding is that there is a policy for it. I think a person gets a letter from the local diocese confirming and accepting said such resignation. There is no effort to meet and discuss it with the person.

I think the reason (one reason) many former Mormons go thru the formal process of resignation is because they don’t want to be contacted in anyway shape or form or be on the local ward’s membership list. They dont want any VT’s HT’s etc etc. No missionaries sent to them etc etc.

The LDS church generally (or at least did when I was LDS) at lot of effort into “re-activation” of those who have become what they deem “inactive”.

It’s been my experience that if a Catholic just wants to fade into oblivion, they are allowed to without people getting on their case or however you want to describe it. And truth be told, a Catholic doesn’t even have to register with the parish they attend if they don’t want. It’s simply up to them. There is no requirement to be “on the rolls” of the parish.

I do understand the points you are trying to make, Lefty, but the Catholic Church and it’s local parishes really dont do a whole lot of micromanaging of their people. The parish is there if they need or want to be part of the community, but there is zero pressure.

That took awhile for me to get used to when I came into full communion with the Catholic church. There was no pressure put on me. Ever. It was left up to me to decide exactly how involved or not I wanted to be. It was left up to me to decide how much, if anything, I would like to donate each week, and even then it could be done anonymously. I can just put cash into the basket and it is never known how much or how little I give.

It’s all up to me and the Lord. Period.
It’s a very freeing experience. And it has increased my sense of responsibility to Him because it really is JUST between me and Him.

Thanks Be to God.

 

[KathleenGee]

Thanks, Parker for your explanation.

 

[KathleenGee]

I could leave the Catholic Church tomorrow and not bother with anyone…and except for a few friends…nobody would notice. The pastor would. But he wouldn’t be calling me up or looking around town for me.

 

[Tiberius1701]

I could leave the Catholic Church tomorrow and not bother with anyone…and except for a few friends…nobody would notice. The pastor would. But he wouldn’t be calling me up or looking around town for me.

Yup. And he most certainly wouldn’t be coming to your home after you sent a letter saying, “I want nothing to do with anyone officially affiliated with the Catholic Church.” No Catholic clergyman would ever do that.

 

[Marie5890]

(I’m copying and pasting a post from another poster, a Capuchian Friar, that I think helps demonstrate a difference between how the Mormon Church and the Catholic Church deal with their people making personal choices. It comes from a different forum based on the actions of a priest and those who have followed him, but the principles are similar)

“The Holy See only gets involved if the issue is catastrophic. This is not the case here. As far as moral theology and moral theologians are concerned, there are no more souls at risk here than there would be if the local witch doctor setup shop next door. Father always taught what the Church believes. Therefore, what he tuaght has not stopped being true. As far as following him out of the Church, that’s a choice that people make on their own. Father does not make that choice for them. Those who leave the Church because they’re disappointed by Father are also making a choice on their own. Moral theology looks a these things very coldly. The question on the table is whether the souls are going to be lost because the Church is not teaching truth or because people are making poor choices, despite the Church’s teaching. If the reason is the latter, there is nothing for the Vatican to do here. Besides, that’s why each diocese constitutes an independent Church, so that the local bishop can deal with this. These are clled local Churches.”

JREducation

(I remember when I was coming into full communion with the Church. One of the teachers in our RCIA class knew I came from a Mormon background. I was struck by her being struck of how little scholarship and underdeveloped the LDS theology is. It makes sense considering how new of a church it is in comparison to the Catholic Church, but it did make an impression on me that the LDS’s theologies …and in this case Moral theology, just hasnt had time to develop and be defined…SO, where Catholic moral theology is at, there isn’t a need to micro-managed it’s membership because it’s moral theology has developed the real idea of humans are fully allowed to make poor choices without being hounded and harassed, or whatever. When and if someone want to come into full communion again, the Confessional is there to help aid in their spiritual healing)

 

[Stavros]

I don’t believe I said that Stavros was obligated to meet with anyone. And I don’t question Marie5890’s erudition in American law. But it’s not a stretch for me to believe that (1) the Catholic Church has policies and prodecures to guide their local ecclesiastical leaders in shepherding their people, and (2) that those policies and practices are considered by Catholics to have been inspired by God and not rooted in any of men’s legislative bodies. Therefore, those policies are not taken lightly by Catholic ecclesiastical authorties. Besides, it would be entirely senseless for Catholics to be governed otherwise because it seems rather obvious (even to me) that not all Catholics live in America . Are Mormons not allowed to have similar beliefs about their church’s policies? Again, the policy has nothing to do with Stavros’ actions, it only guides the actions of LDS ecclesiastical leaders.

I would think (and hope) that a Catholic Priest or Bishop would have care and concern for someone leaving the faith and want to see that he/she was treated with dignity and respect and be desirous of an opportunity to express sorrow and concern. I think that’s what lies at the root of LDS policy in this matter. I don’t think it’s legalistic or cavalier, but an attempt to be responsible and caring. Our people like to quote a scripture in our Doctrine and Covenants where the Lord states “Remember, the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (D&C 18:10). We usually cite it in context of missionary work, but in my opinion it has no limitation. Whether or not people choose to accept and share the beliefs of my Church, we nonetheless have a responsbility to treat each individual as a son or daughter of God, which is a central doctrine of my faith. Given the tone of previous posts, we no doubt can do better.

I have no doubt that my current priest would notice if I all of a sudden left the faith, as would my friends in the parish, but that’s because I attend a mind-blowing awesome parish with people that have taken the time to actually get to know me.

My issue, other than of course that Joseph Smith was a liar, and that the church is based on a fraud, and that the Book of Mormon is not the revealed word of God, and that the Book of Abraham has been proven to be pulled out of thin air by Joseph in a fit of megalomania, and … you get the idea. Anyway, my issue is why do they now, only after they’ve had my name on their records for years, now they decide to be “responsible and caring”? Where were they when my brother committed suicide? Or my father died? Or my husband broke his leg? Or my mother was in the hospital with a blood clot? Or when I was converting to the Catholic church? Or any of those other times it would have been an appropriate time to be “responsible and caring”?

Technically, I have taken actions that, were they to be brought in front of a church council, would be grounds for excommunication. I renounced my faith and was publicly baptized and confirmed as a Catholic and convalidated in a Catholic church. I don’t want to talk to anyone from the church about that. I just want to be taken off the rolls and left alone. It was an act of extreme courage to even send the resignation in for fear of being brought up on their radar again.

But I also don’t want people unfamiliar with the lies of the church to be persuaded by overinflated membership numbers. So I took a stand, and sent my letter in.

 

[RebeccaJ]

On a personal note, I’m at a loss to understand why Anna Scott and RebeccaJ are so upset.

wut?

Who said I was upset?

And no need to tell me about goofy Mormons who “cookie bomb” and otherwise act like idiots. I sit with them every Sunday! Sounds like if I want to fellowship with perfect people, I need to find where Anna Scott and RebeccaJ attend mass!

Sounds like if I want to fellowship with a perfect Mormon I need to find out where you live and commence cookie bombing.

BTW, welcome to CAF.

 

[RebeccaJ]

I could leave the Catholic Church tomorrow and not bother with anyone…and except for a few friends…nobody would notice. The pastor would. But he wouldn’t be calling me up or looking around town for me.

I’d bother you.

 

[zaffiroborant]

JREducation

(I remember when I was coming into full communion with the Church. One of the teachers in our RCIA class knew I came from a Mormon background. I was struck by her being struck of how little scholarship and underdeveloped the LDS theology is. It makes sense considering how new of a church it is in comparison to the Catholic Church, but it did make an impression on me that the LDS’s theologies …and in this case Moral theology, just hasnt had time to develop and be defined…SO, where Catholic moral theology is at, there isn’t a need to micro-managed it’s membership because it’s moral theology has developed the real idea of humans are fully allowed to make poor choices without being hounded and harassed, or whatever. When and if someone want to come into full communion again, the Confessional is there to help aid in their spiritual healing)

From what I’ve seen most LDS have little respect for “theology” and seem to think it equivalent to philosophy which they hold in utter contempt as the “teaching of men”. For example when asked “where is the serious LDS theology” the response was
*
It might just be me, but I don’t take seriously the “philosophies of men mingled with scripture”.
But I do take seriously, the theology taught by Prophets who commune with the Lord. *

This is the overall “meme” I see with LDS members, any “theology” that doesn’t come directly the from the top leadership of the church is unacceptable.

IMO you will never see a deep development in LDS theology when those charged with it spend a majority of their lives pursuing family and secular success.

 

[zaffiroborant]

On a personal note, I’m at a loss to understand why Anna Scott and RebeccaJ are so upset. As a point of doctrine, proxy work for the dead that is done in LDS temples (baptism, confirmation, endowment, and sealing) is of absolutely no affect unless the person for whom it is being performed accepts that work along with our view of the gospel as we believe it is taught in the Spirit World to all who died without having had the opportunity to accept those teachings and ordinances in this life. !

So Lefty tell me can you let go and understand why non LDS might find this offensive? Just curious because I’ve never found and LDS member capable of empathizing with non members on this subject. Will you be different, will you show that LDS can empathize and understand another person?