There is also a full document on the process with frequently asked questions here.
STEP 1: Send an Email (or snail mail)
Collect a couple details:
- Your full name(s) as they appear on church records.
- Birthdates
- Current address (hopefully this matches the church records)
- Baptism dates (if you have them, though I've seen success without this)
- Membership record numbers (if you have them, though I've seen success without this)
- Having your ward and stake is helpful.
Write a letter. Use this one below if you want (it's the one that we used). Do not equivocate in the language. State that from this moment forward you are not a member of the church and you understand what that means.
Email the letter to the church records department.msr-confrec@ldschurch.org
Also, I cc'ed this email (the old email address for this stuff)dodgegw@ldschurch.org
Member Records Division, LDS Church
50 E North Temple Rm 1372
SLC UT 84150-5310
This letter is our formal resignation from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and it is effective immediately. We hereby withdraw our consent to being treated as members and we withdraw our consent to being subject to church rules, policies, beliefs and "discipline". As we are no longer members, we want our names permanently and completely removed from the membership rolls of the church. We wish to remove our names as well as the names of our children.
We have given this matter considerable thought. We understand what you consider the "seriousness" and the "consequences" of our actions. We are aware that the church handbook says that our resignation "cancels the effects of baptism and confirmation, withdraws the priesthood held by a male member and revokes temple blessings" We also understand that we will be "readmitted to the church by baptism only after a thorough interview".
Our resignation should be processed immediately, without any "waiting periods". We are not going to be dissuaded and we are not going to change our minds.
We expect this matter to be handled promptly, with respect and with full confidentiality.
After today, the only contact we want from the church is a single letter of confirmation to let us know that we are no longer listed as a members of the church. Our address is [Our Address] (in the [Our Ward] in the [Our Stake]).
Sincerely,
My Name
50 E North Temple Rm 1372
SLC UT 84150-5310
This letter is our formal resignation from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and it is effective immediately. We hereby withdraw our consent to being treated as members and we withdraw our consent to being subject to church rules, policies, beliefs and "discipline". As we are no longer members, we want our names permanently and completely removed from the membership rolls of the church. We wish to remove our names as well as the names of our children.
We have given this matter considerable thought. We understand what you consider the "seriousness" and the "consequences" of our actions. We are aware that the church handbook says that our resignation "cancels the effects of baptism and confirmation, withdraws the priesthood held by a male member and revokes temple blessings" We also understand that we will be "readmitted to the church by baptism only after a thorough interview".
Our resignation should be processed immediately, without any "waiting periods". We are not going to be dissuaded and we are not going to change our minds.
We expect this matter to be handled promptly, with respect and with full confidentiality.
After today, the only contact we want from the church is a single letter of confirmation to let us know that we are no longer listed as a members of the church. Our address is [Our Address] (in the [Our Ward] in the [Our Stake]).
Sincerely,
My Name
Record #:
Birthday:
Baptism:
My SO
Record #:
Birthday:
Baptism:
Child #1
Record #: (I didn't have this for one of the kids)
Birthday:
Baptism:
Address:
[our address]
STEP 2: They respond, but it's not yet over...
Next, you will get a pamphlet in the mail and a letter. The pamphlet tells you what a serious thing you are doing and to change your mind.
It also says that you have NOT been removed and that they are sending this to local authorities. Apparently you get this no matter what you put in the first letter.
At this point you have three options:
It also says that you have NOT been removed and that they are sending this to local authorities. Apparently you get this no matter what you put in the first letter.
At this point you have three options:
Option A) You can wait until your bishop contacts you. This may happen quickly or they may sit on it for months and months (or never act on it). You should gauge the relationship you have with your local ward/bishop on this.
Option B) You can email or call the bishop and tell him to please process it, you don't have anything else to discuss, you are within your rights and they can't hold you hostage (without legal repercussions if you wish to add that into it).
Option C) You can skip the bishop/stake pres altogether by making the Step 2 letter. This involves you taking a picture/copy of your letter from them and reminding them that they are on rocky legal grounds. Example and instructions are here:http://www.mormonresignation.com/resign_letterreturned.html
Step 3: Confirmation
Assuming you do one of the Step 2 options, you will then get a confirmation letter in the mail (about 1 or 2 months later) with actual confirmation it is done. Possibly another pamphlet and a statement they are sorry that you were offended (perpetuating the same old myth that members have that the reason most leave is because they were offended, it can't possibly be because the church just isn't true). Also an invitation that you can still come back.
The Stake President and local leaders will get notification on official church stationery. The MLS (the church's software) will automatically remove you.
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