For Beastie--When a person resigns

[_beastie]

I have no idea why my name is still in "circulation". I have a hard time believing my family members would ask the members of my ward to contact me (they live in a different city, too). I suppose my ex-inlaws could be doing it, but that seems equally odd. Besides, I requested no contact, why would a family member's request preempt mine? Perhaps it is an old roll, although what is odd about that is that the last bishop who called me was new to our area, never met me, and I had moved and didn't even have the same phone number I had when I resigned.

The other possibility is that, although my children were never baptized and hence, aren't members (I left the church before they were 8), since their father never resigned his membership (he lives in a different city and is completely inactive), perhaps they are listed someway on the roll. That makes no sense to me, either.

I really don't know HOW it is happening, but it has continued to happen, off and on, since I resigned ten years ago. I am never rude to these people, I know they're just doing what they feel they're spiritually obligated to do. But my larger point is that, except for participating on forums specifically designated for interaction between believer and ex/nonbeliever, I have left the church alone, and they have not left me alone.

I am certain that SLC retains records on resigned members, because if they want to return to the church, they can have their "blessings restored", so obviously the information is stored somewhere.

[_Jason Bourne]

I don't know where you were talking about the Church not leaving you alone.

I asked my husband, who is currently our ward membership clerk. This is what he said.

When a person resigns, their record is sent to Salt Lake. It is no longer in the ward's computer. It is not kept with an asterisk or any other kind of notation. It is GONE from the ward records.

Ask your husband how long that process takes, from the time a person resigns to actual removal of records.

I can answer that. Once the bishop gets a letter requesting name removal and once he initiates the paper work it is four to six weeks. He sends it to the SP. The SP approves, sends a letter to the member saying they have 30 days to change their mind. If they don't then after that their name is off the Church records at least locally.

[_skippy the dead]

I don't mean to quibble, but if your husband has not had a personal experience with a resignation, how does he know what procedure is actually followed? As anybody who has worked in a large organization knows, practice is often much different than theory.

There is a standard practice for this process. If Charity's husband is a Ward Clerk, then even if he hasn't practiced it, he would be aware of it.

I understand that there is some process - I was trying to differentiate between process and the application of the process. Charity's representations of what should be done could be different from what is actually done. Unless her husband has observed all or any instances of name removal, the post adds little to how the process is actually applied. I can imagine that there are some local leaders who may be inclined to keep a list of resigned members on hand, "just in case" the information is useful to them. There's no real way to regulate that.

[_Jason Bourne]

Ask your husband how long that process takes, from the time a person resigns to actual removal of records.

He hasn't had an personal experience, because in the 30+ years we have lived in the same place, no one has asked to resign their membership.

But these are the procedures. When a letter is received asking for the membership to be removed, the person will get a phone call asking for a visit by the bishop. The purpose is to determine that the person really wants to resign. There could be a situation where another person wrote the letter, either as a joke or maliciously.

And it has to be a letter. It can't be just a phone call or walking up to the bishop on the street, etc. There is no form letter, or specific wording that has to be followed.

When the person has the interview with the bishop, it should take a week. The membership clerk is supposed to deal with all membership situations within the week they come to his desk.

Actually it does not have to be a letter anymore but a letter is preferred. But if a member refuses to write a letter and still makes verbal requests a bishop can file the paper work with out the letter and explain why one is missing.

[_Jason Bourne]

I have no idea why my name is still in "circulation". I have a hard time believing my family members would ask the members of my ward to contact me (they live in a different city, too). I suppose my ex-inlaws could be doing it, but that seems equally odd. Besides, I requested no contact, why would a family member's request preempt mine? Perhaps it is an old roll, although what is odd about that is that the last bishop who called me was new to our area, never met me, and I had moved and didn't even have the same phone number I had when I resigned.

The other possibility is that, although my children were never baptized and hence, aren't members (I left the church before they were 8), since their father never resigned his membership (he lives in a different city and is completely inactive), perhaps they are listed someway on the roll. That makes no sense to me, either.

I really don't know HOW it is happening, but it has continued to happen, off and on, since I resigned ten years ago. I am never rude to these people, I know they're just doing what they feel they're spiritually obligated to do. But my larger point is that, except for participating on forums specifically designated for interaction between believer and ex/nonbeliever, I have left the church alone, and they have not left me alone.

I am certain that SLC retains records on resigned members, because if they want to return to the church, they can have their "blessings restored", so obviously the information is stored somewhere.

It is odd if you resigned that you are still getting contact. Your name is not on any local record but I would guess SLC does keep track of these still for the reason you state above, in case someone like you ever decides to come back.

[_charity]

Of course, theory and practice are two different things. I was clear that I was referencing the procedures which are supposed to be followed.

If a child has been blessed, but never baptized, their name is still kept in the records.

[_skippy the dead]

If a child has been blessed, but never baptized, their name is still kept in the records.

Do you know for how long?

[_LifeOnaPlate]

If a child has been blessed, but never baptized, their name is still kept in the records.

Do you know for how long?

I'm under the impression it remains on the records, and this might be how beastie is being contacted; though I am not sure.

[_skippy the dead]

If a child has been blessed, but never baptized, their name is still kept in the records.

Do you know for how long?

I'm under the impression it remains on the records, and this might be how beastie is being contacted; though I am not sure.

Understood. But if an infant is blessed, but not baptized, how long does the name remain on the records after the usual baptism age before the church "takes the loss", so to speak, and no longer counts the kid as a member? Or is the only recourse for the parent to ask for the name to be removed on the child's behalf, to avoid a lifetime of activation efforts?

[_Ray A]

Actually it does not have to be a letter anymore but a letter is preferred. But if a member refuses to write a letter and still makes verbal requests a bishop can file the paper work with out the letter and explain why one is missing.

Today it can be done by email as well. You are correct that the member has 30 days to change their mind if they want. Notification after the 30 days is not given.