The Dude wrote:Forget the sterile sample letter. I think Paul should go into extreme graphic detail about why he likes to have sex with men. Who knows, the bishop might be into that kind of letter.
Paul, at any time, could have asked his bishop to remove his name from the records. But he didn't. Why? It seems that Paul may not want his name to be removed. So, Paul, just contact the Bishop and request name removal. And it will be done. Simple as eating pumpkn pie.
I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world. Joseph Smith We are “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all…” Joseph Smith
The Dude wrote:Forget the sterile sample letter. I think Paul should go into extreme graphic detail about why he likes to have sex with men. Who knows, the bishop might be into that kind of letter.
Actually, the instructions to resign are quite clear not to send the letter to the Bishop or Stake President but to send it to Member Records Division in Salt Lake. The locals need not be told a thing, so it seems.
Paul O
That is completely the opposite of what they told me when I resigned in summer 2010. I wrote a letter and sent it to Member Records. About three weeks later they sent a letter back saying it was a local ecclesiastical matter, and they had forwarded my letter to the local bishop (I didn't know him). When the bishop called we had a short conversation* and he agreed to take care of it. Finally I got a letter from SLC saying my name had been removed at my bishop's direction.
If you know who your bishop is, you should send your letter to him.
* The conversation was awesome. The bishop asked why I wanted to resign from the church and wondered if there were any problems he might help resolve. I said the church was much like a credit card I had quit using but it was still open on my credit history and after 12+ years of junk mail and pestering phone solicitations from the company, I finally wanted to cancel the account. Simple as that. He didn't argue and bid me a polite goodbye. This is the language of business, the language Mormons understand.
"And yet another little spot is smoothed out of the echo chamber wall..." Bond
Maybe now is a good time for a confession. When I first joined this board, I was scared to read your posts. I was taught certain things about the steriotype anti Mormon growing up and I'm afraid I put you in that category.
I have since learned that you are a very nice and honest person. I feel bad for my early prejudice.
Anyway, I wish you well. God's speed my friend.
Zee.
Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame on us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given... Zeus (1178 BC)
They sent my membership records to another city in which I've never lived. I see no reason to even try and contact the local ward because I live in Dallas, not Fort Worth.
I'm going to craft a simple resignation letter. I'll surely include my objections to the Explanations of Facsimile No. 3. I'll let them know I'm an active homosexual living in the gayborhood (gay district) in Dallas. I'm pretty sure that missionaries aren't allowed on my street corner. The wall across the street is painted in rainbow colors and men on Cedar Springs hold hands in public.
They sent my membership records to another city in which I've never lived. I see no reason to even try and contact the local ward because I live in Dallas, not Fort Worth.
Send it to SLC if that is easier. Who knows, with continuing revelation and all, the system might work differently this year. :P
Let us know how it goes.
"And yet another little spot is smoothed out of the echo chamber wall..." Bond
zeezrom wrote:I have since learned that you are a very nice and honest person. I feel bad for my early prejudice. Zee.
You were dealing with limited light and knowledge at the time and merely needed more. All is well, Zee.
Please have a glass of wine for me. I'm on an alcohol fast for another week in hopes of getting better blood tests results for my liver. I took too many Ibeprofins for my sore toe while drinking and that hurt my liver.
I went to the store today and bought a few bottles of wine. They are sitting in the refrigerator and that is where they will remain under cork. What a drag.
Interesting to note from the site provided by Liz that even though one resigns they are still going to be counted among the saints:
"Realize that even though your name has been "removed", you will still be counted among the membership of the LDS Corporation. They will not release any resignation numbers. As for the local Wards, your information will be packaged up and sent to the COB and will no longer exist at a ward level. If you move, no records will be sent to the LDS Ward boundaries that you live in. Realize however that your records will still exist"
Once a saint, always a saint. I guess it's just a matter of whether you're a good saint or a bad saint.
Shulem wrote:Interesting to note from the site provided by Liz that even though one resigns they are still going to be counted among the saints:
"Realize that even though your name has been "removed", you will still be counted among the membership of the LDS Corporation. They will not release any resignation numbers. As for the local Wards, your information will be packaged up and sent to the COB and will no longer exist at a ward level. If you move, no records will be sent to the LDS Ward boundaries that you live in. Realize however that your records will still exist"
Once a saint, always a saint. I guess it's just a matter of whether you're a good saint or a bad saint.
Paul O
Really!!! Man those corporate numbers must be really important if they want to count you even though you don't want to be counted.
Paul I suggest addressing any correspondence you send to the church this way:
"Dear Anti-Gay LDS member"
"Any over-ritualized religion since the dawn of time can make its priests say yes, we know, it is rotten, and hard luck, but just do as we say, keep at the ritual, stick it out, give us your money and you'll end up with the angels in heaven for evermore."
Just send your letter to Member Records. They will find your records, locate your current bishop and forward all the relevant information to him. You will receive a letter stating they have forwarded the information onto your local ecclesiastical leader to handle. He may or may not contact you. He'll submit the paperwork to the SP and then back to COB. After that, you will receive a letter revoking your priesthood and blessings, etc....and you will be done.
Legally, as I understand it, you are out as soon as they receive your letter. The rest is just bookkeeping on their end.
You can do this by email, If I recall correctly. The link Jersey Girl posted at RfM should have that information.
