Removing name from LDS records

How Do I Have My Name Removed from Church Records?

I just finished reading your article on the LDS church and the reason that you left. And I was wondering if you could possibly answer a question for me (if you have the time). My name is H___ and I also left the Mormon Church after I found out it wasn't what I thought it was when I joined. I was a convert and I soon learned that the truth doesn't seem to matter if you are the right person and looking away is better than seeing what’s really happening. To me it seemed they didn't practice what they teach. So I left. I wrote a letter of resignation and sent it to the Branch President. I waved all waiting periods and requested that they remove my name from the church rolls and membership list as soon as possible. I NEVER heard a thing from any of them and from that time on I was avoided like the plague by most all of the members. After 3 months it was recommended to me to call the membership department in Salt Lake and ask them to verify if my name was removed and my membership terminated. I finally got through and they said I had been removed and was no longer a member (I have been told they might have lied to me about it). Anyway I understand (and from what I read in your own account) that I was supposed to receive a letter from the local Bishop or Branch President stating that I was no longer a member. Is that so? I called about it and got a run-around and from then on no response. I never received any conformation that they even got my letter and acted on it other than when I called the membership Department. In your opinion, should I have gotten a response stating I was removed as a member? And is it still possible that I was lied to and am still listed as a member of the LDS church? NO ONE else will talk to me about this matter and I would appreciate any help you can give me if any. Any advice?

Thanks very much!

I'm sorry to hear you are having trouble getting your name removed. If you did not receive an official letter from the Church, then your name has not been removed. In reality, I don't think they really take your name off their records, they just move it to a different file. They would say the reason is in case you ever wanted to reapply for membership. I personally think they just want to keep track of "apostates."

I would write a brief letter and send it to the Membership department. Something like the following (please feel free to modify it):

Dear Mr. Dodge or Records Assistant;

As of (fill-in-the date you first wrote your branch president) I terminated my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by writing a letter to my branch president (Bishop So-and-so of the Such-and-such Ward). This was over three months ago and I have yet to receive any confirmation from Salt Lake City. The bishop will not take my calls.

Please remove my name from the records immediately and send me a letter stating that my name has been removed at my request. The word "excommunication" is not to appear in the letter or on my records. I am prepared to take further action if my request is not promptly acted on. I have sent a copy of this letter to my branch president and stake president.

Sincerely,

(Your name)

(Address)

I hope this helps! Please keep me informed. The address of where to send your request is below. Be sure to send copies of your letter once more to the Branch and Stake Presidents.

Member Records
50 E North Temple, Room 1372
SLC UT 84150-5310

God bless you H___! Keep in touch!

Tracy

"For I am not ashamed of the Good News, since it is God's powerful means of bringing salvation to everyone who keeps on trusting, to the Jew especially, but equally to the Gentile."

(Romans 1:16, CJB)