For Beastie--When a person resigns

[_truth dancer]

So to clarify for anyone who is interested...

1. You do NOT have to submit a letter... a verbal request is legally appropriate.

2. You do NOT have to meet with a Bishop or have a phone conversation after requesting resignation.

3. You can send your letter directly to SLC.

4. SLC DOES keep your record on file with the designation that you have asked for name removal. Your record is off the ward and stake records only.

5. Your resignation is legal at the time of your request, even if the church has not actually finished their resignation process.

~dancer~

[_Ray A]

So to clarify for anyone who is interested...

1. You do NOT have to submit a letter... a verbal request is legally appropriate.

You do have to submit a letter or email. There is conflicting information about how this should be done. You can submit a letter to Membership Records, or you can send a letter/email to local leaders (bishop/SP). Your request, even if initially verbal, has to be confirmed in writing.

2. You do NOT have to meet with a Bishop or have a phone conversation after requesting resignation.

No, you don't. In some cases the bishop may phone you to confirm, but you can request "no contact" of any sort, in writing.

3. You can send your letter directly to SLC.

Yes.

4. SLC DOES keep your record on file with the designation that you have asked for name removal. Your record is off the ward and stake records only.

It's off the ward/stake files. If re-baptism occurs a new record is made up.

5. Your resignation is legal at the time of your request, even if the church has not actually finished their resignation process.

It's legal once its in writing.

[_Jason Bourne]

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

Do you know for how long?

I believe till 18 years old.

[_dartagnan]

Many times official removal is not going to be done unless the person agrees to have a sit down with the bishop.

Back in 1997 I baptized a friend, who then decided she made a stupid decision a few montsh later. She was only 18 at the time and her parents were really upset that she became LDS. Anyway, the parents wrote the Church a letter giving notice of her resignation. The Church said they would need to speak to her in person. She then wrote a letter saying she wanted nothing to do with the Church.

Her name is still on the membership rolls in the Powder Springs stake.

Whenever I went with my home teaching companion in Atlanta, we would go nuts over the number of inactives in the area. I'd say roughly 85% of the people on our list had been inactive for quite some time. None of those whom we contacted wanted anything to do with us or the church, and they'd usually tell us they were sick and tired of home teachers making surprise appearances to their homes every year or so.

So yes, it is a fact that the Church actively annoys the hell out of people who want nothing more to do with it. I hear rumors that a letter of resignation is all that is needed, but reality tells a different story for most people in most areas. I've never been involved in anyone's excommunication whereby a simple letter was all that was required. It must usually involve some kind of judgment panel to decide if the request is sincere and the apostasy legit. Though I suppose every Stake President can do it however he wants.

[_Jason Bourne]

1. You do NOT have to submit a letter... a verbal request is legally appropriate.

Letter is preferred but if a mamber does not want to write one and says take me off anyway then it needs to be done without a letter and can be. The member will likely need to tell the bishop this though.

2. You do NOT have to meet with a Bishop or have a phone conversation after requesting resignation

.

No you do not have to meet. You can refuse.

3. You can send your letter directly to SLC

.

I do not think so. They tell you to contact your local bishop. SLC Sends this stuff back to bishops. Oddly not the letter, but a notice that the person requested to have their name removed.

4. SLC DOES keep your record on file with the designation that you have asked for name removal. Your record is off the ward and stake records only.

I do not know for sure but it makes sense that they do in case someone comes back.

5. Your resignation is legal at the time of your request, even if the church has not actually finished their resignation process.

Well legal? Not sure what you mean. But until the local leaders take care of the paper work your name is on the records. If a local leader drags their feet then you may stay on.

[_Jason Bourne]

So to clarify for anyone who is interested...

1. You do NOT have to submit a letter... a verbal request is legally appropriate.

You do have to submit a letter or email. There is conflicting information about how this should be done. You can submit a letter to Membership Records, or you can send a letter/email to local leaders (bishop/SP). Your request, even if initially verbal, has to be confirmed in writing.

Not so anymore Ray. A verbal request can be used now. This changed about 2 years ago. A letter is preferred but if a member insists they want off and refuse to write a bishop can now act without a letter.

[_Ray A]

Many times official removal is not going to be done unless the person agrees to have a sit down with the bishop.

I think this is true in many cases, especially if the person showed no previous signs apostasy/wanting to leave. Every case is different. In my initial request for excommunication in 1988 (name removal was not an option then), the only visit I got was from a home teacher, who was also a friend. He said he was saddened at my decision, but no attempt was made to make me change my mind. Prior to this I had an extensive letter correspondence with a member of the stake presidency about problems I encountered, so they were aware of my situation, and that a letter might be forthcoming. There was no contact with the bishop, or any member of the stake presidency. I did receive a letter stating that my request was granted.

[_Ray A]

Not so anymore Ray. A verbal request can be used now. This changed about 2 years ago. A letter is preferred but if a member insists they want off and refuse to write a bishop can now act without a letter.

You would know better than I do.

[_Jason Bourne]

Many times official removal is not going to be done unless the person agrees to have a sit down with the bishop.

Back in 1997 I baptized a friend, who then decided she made a stupid decision a few montsh later. She was only 18 at the time and her parents were really upset that she became LDS. Anyway, the parents wrote the Church a letter giving notice of her resignation. The Church said they would need to speak to her in person. She then wrote a letter saying she wanted nothing to do with the Church.

Her name is still on the membership rolls in the Powder Springs stake.

Whenever I went with my home teaching companion in Atlanta, we would go nuts over the number of inactives in the area. I'd say roughly 85% of the people on our list had been inactive for quite some time. None of those whom we contacted wanted anything to do with us or the church, and they'd usually tell us they were sick and tired of home teachers making surprise appearances to their homes every year or so.

So yes, it is a fact that the Church actively annoys the hell out of people who want nothing more to do with it. I hear rumors that a letter of resignation is all that is needed, but reality tells a different story for most people in most areas. I've never been involved in anyone's excommunication whereby a simple letter was all that was required. It must usually involve some kind of judgment panel to decide if the request is sincere and the apostasy legit. Though I suppose every Stake President can do it however he wants.

Problem is it is an bishop by bishop thing and an SP by SP thing as well. Some leaders are quick to act, others drag their feet.

I wish bishops could just remove names on their own.

[_truth dancer]

Hi Ray... :-)

You do have to submit a letter or email. There is conflicting information about how this should be done. You can submit a letter to Membership Records, or you can send a letter/email to local leaders (bishop/SP). Your request, even if initially verbal, has to be confirmed in writing.

Actually Ray I am fairly sure I am correct in this case. No letter necessary.

If I recall correctly the church actually had a law suit against them regarding someone who verbally asked for their name to be removed... the church lost the case and I believe the church changed its policy.

I have had this confirmed by more than one person who would know. :-)

There is a helpful website for members who wish to resign from the church: mormonnomore . com

~dancer~



~dancer~