12. This is My Fight Song

Fast forward a few years. This has been too much of a journey to summarize nicely in a single post, and I won't here. My wife and I talked about and have come to an agreement on our many issues with the church. We settled down to a life without the LDS Church in our lives. My wife became an avid tea drinker and I've tried to look at my life differently and I'm chugging along just fine, except I might not find it easy to separate myself from the church because I'm still fascinated by the hold it had on me and why I was so attached to it when I had so many issues with it. Be that as it may, my wife let me know that if we were to resign, she and the kids wanted to do it first. She felt it important to declare that her leaving was her decision and not mine.

One evening, I noticed a post on Facebook and I handed my phone to my wife to read. She read along and then gasped. She sat there on the couch and eventually stated. "I'm done."

Document on Changes to Handbook 1

November 3, 2015

Policies on Ordinances for Children of a Parent Living in a

Same-Gender Relationship

The following additions to Handbook 1 have been approved by the Council of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for immediate implementation.

 A new section in Handbook 1, 16.13 will be added as follows:

Children of a Parent Living in a Same-Gender Relationship

A natural or adopted child of a parent living in a same-gender relationship, whether the couple is married or cohabiting, may not receive a name and a blessing.

A natural or adopted child of a parent living in a same-gender relationship, whether the couple is married or cohabiting, may be baptized and confirmed, ordained, or recommended for missionary service only as follows:

A mission president or a stake president may request approval from the Office of the First Presidency to baptize and confirm, ordain, or recommend missionary service for a child of a parent who has lived or is living in a same-gender relationship when he is satisfied by personal interviews that both of the following requirements are met:

1. The child accepts and is committed to live the teachings and doctrine of the Church, and specifically disavows the practice of same-gender cohabitation and marriage.

2. The child is of legal age and does not live with a parent who has lived or currently lives in a same-gender cohabitation relationship or marriage.

November 3, 2015

 Handbook 1, number 6.7.2 is to be updated immediately as follows (addition is highlighted):

When a Disciplinary Council May Be Necessary

Serious Transgression

. . . It includes (but is not limited to) attempted murder, forcible rape, sexual abuse, spouse abuse, intentional serious physical injury of others, adultery, fornication, homosexual relations (especially sexual cohabitation), deliberate abandonment of family responsibilities, . . .

 Handbook 1, number 6.7.3 is also to be updated immediately as follows (addition is highlighted):

When a Disciplinary Council is Mandatory

Apostasy

As used here, apostasy refers to members who:

1. Repeatedly act in clear, open, and deliberate public opposition to the Church or its leaders.

2. Persist in teaching as Church doctrine information that is not Church doctrine after they have been corrected by their bishop or a higher authority.

3. Continue to follow the teachings of apostate sects (such as those that advocate plural marriage) after being corrected by their bishop or a higher authority. 

4. Are in a same-gender marriage.

5. Formally join another church and advocate its teachings.

I took off the next day from work and we discussed the situation. She wanted to resign. I had a link to a sample resignation letter and we reviewed it. We then talked to the kids that evening to let them know what we were doing and that we felt they should also resign. If they wanted to go to church in the future, we weren't going to stop them and that we would be supportive, but right now, we didn't want to be associated with a church that felt this way about anyone. They agreed and we wrote the following note to the bishop.

Wife:

11/6, 10:01am

Good morning Bishop. I need to tell you that, as of today, November 6, 2015, I resign my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I also need the church membership of my children, (names) terminated as of today. In light of recent changes in church policy I can't, in good conscience continue to associate myself or my children with the LDS church. I fully understand and accept the consequences of my decision and I have the support of my husband. Please let me know if there is anything else I need to do to make this happen. I'm really sorry you're the guy I have to send this to, Bishop.

Husband:

11/6, 10:01am

Bishop, I want to let you know that this is Wife's decision and that I consent. I am not resigning but I fully support my wife's decision and also the resignation of our children.

Bishop:

11/6, 10:04am

Bishop:

Hi, I'm so sorry to hear that. Can we have the opportunity to discuss it further, at least? Does this mean you want your records completely removed, thus forfeiting all temple blessings unless you're re-baptized? Can we discuss? We love you guys, and certainly hope this isn't the final decision

Wife:

11/6, 11:12am

Wife:

I really appreciate you're wanting to discuss my decision is made and final. Having been a temple worker, I truly understand what forfeiting our temple blessings means in the eyes of  the church and having been in leadership positions myself, I also understand how difficult this is for you. But my decision to resign my membership and those of my children is final and will remain so. My decision is completely due to my not being able to support the institution of the church anymore and has nothing to do with any other members in the ward or stake. I have a great deal of love and respect for all of you.

Bishop:

11/6, 11:15am

Bishop:

OK, I understand and respect your decision. Would it be okay with you if I discuss it with Pres before I process the paperwork? I don't want to be too hasty, but I also want to respect your wishes while proceeding with caution, if that makes sense

Wife:

11/6, 11:19am

Wife:

I'm fine with that. Thank you for your understanding and heartfelt concern. Can you keep me updated about the process? I think I can expect a written confirmation from Salt Lake when our memberships have been removed?

Bishop:

11/6, 11:21am

Bishop:

Correct. I'll speak with Pres today and keep you posted. Thank you for your patience and for letting me know your thoughts and plans.

November 6

Bishop:

11/6, 3:12pm

Bishop:

Hi, so there are some specific instructions on how to proceed, so I'll copy exactly from the Handbook, and please let me know if you have questions. Since there are more than one of you desiring name removal, one letter is sufficient but it should be signed by all, and also by Husband that he supports the action. If anything doesn't make sense, just let me know. Thanks and I still hope you'll reconsider. Anyway, here you go:

Bishop:

11/6, 3:14pm

Bishop:

"An adult member who wishes to have his name removed from the membership records of the Church must send the bishop a written, signed request. A request that Church representatives not visit a member is not sufficient to initiate this action.

The bishop makes sure that a member who requests name removal understands the consequences: it cancels the effects of baptism and confirmation, withdraws the priesthood held by a male member, and revokes temple blessings. The bishop also explains that a person can be readmitted to the Church by baptism and confirmation only after a thorough interview. A minor who wishes to have his name removed from the records of the Church must follow the same procedure as an adult with one exception: the written request must be signed by the minor (if over the age of 8) and by the parent(s) or guardian(s) who have legal custody of the minor.

If two or more family members want their names removed from the records of the Church, they need to prepare only one written request. However, a Report of Administrative Action form should be completed and signed for each person who has requested name removal.

Bishop:

11/6, 3:16pm

Bishop:

I think it's a good opportunity, if you haven't already, to explain to the kids what this means, which is why it's a good idea to have them sign it. Just making sure I'm covering all the bases! Thanks you guys

November 10

Bishop:

11/10, 10:30am

Bishop:

Hi, I received your requests and will process them right away, just one more question: Child also has a record, since he was blessed. I'm assuming you would like his removed as well? I don't think we would need another letter, just your permission. And we're removing all except Husband's, correct?

Husband:

11/10, 10:31am

Husband:

Yes

Bishop:

11/10, 10:31am

Bishop:

Got it, thanks

The text of our letter, sent Nov. 7th is attached.

November 6, 2015

To Whom It May Concern,

This letter is the formal and final notification to you and to your Church organization that I, have resigned my membership in your organization, specifically, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with the support of my husband. As the parents and sole legal guardians of our minor children, it is our right to also, at this time, submit their formal and final notification of resignation as well.

I have given this decision considerable thought and having made my decision, I will not be convinced or dissuaded into changing my mind. I understand that your organization views this action, the voluntary resignation of membership, to be a "serious decision" with potentially "eternal ramifications". I understand that our voluntary resignations for each member of our household listed above will cancel out, in the view of your organization, the effects of baptism, will result in the withdraw of the “power of the priesthood,” and will vacate any “ordinances" and “blessings” that took place in your organization’s temple, to include “endowments" and “sealing" of our marriage. We understand that if at any future time we wish to reestablish membership with your organization, the process would require our meeting with local leadership.

With full understanding of these things, we do, here now, submit our formal, written and final notification of our resignation from your organization.

As this letter includes all the necessary information required to verify our identities and that we are in fact the parties making this notification, you are required to process this notification immediately, without any delays. Despite any internal procedures your organization’s handbook may “require”, you are legally obligated to process this notification of resignation immediately, without delay.

Despite what any instructions regarding the resignation of baptized minor children over the age of eight requiring a signature of the individual child, it is our right, as their parents and sole legal guardians, to submit this resignation on their behalf without need for their consent or signature. It is with this legal backing that we do now submit the formal and final notification of resignation for our minor children.

Our resignation is final as of the date of receipt of this letter. It is now your legal obligation to process these resignations and to provide us with written official notification that this matter has been handled. We expect that there be confirmation of our resignation delivered by the USPS to our home address in regards to this matter.

Thank You

I, Husband, while not resigning my membership at this time, sign in full support of my family members, listed above, who are choosing to resign their membership.

In response to the letter, we received a letter dated November 13, 2015, and copies for each of our children as follows:

Dear Sister -:

This letter is to notify you that, in accordance with your request, your name has been removed from the membership records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Should you desire to become a member of the Church in the future, the local bishop or branch president in your area will be happy to help you.

Sincerely,
Confidential Records

For what it is worth, the church did modify their change, pushing the responsibility to the local units. Still, I think they made their statements clear. Link to Letter

First Presidency Clarifies Church Handbook Changes

THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

OFFICE OF THE FIRST PRESIDENCY

47 EAST SOUTH TEMPLE STREET, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84150-1200

November 13, 2015

To: General Authorities; Area Seventies; General Auxiliary Presidencies; Stake, District, Mission, and Temple Presidents; Bishops and Branch Presidents

Dear Brethren and Sisters:

The Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles provides the following guidance in applying provisions on same-gender marriage recently added to Handbook 1:

Revealed doctrine is clear that families are eternal in nature and purpose. We are obligated to act with that perspective for the welfare of both adults and children. The newly added Handbook provisions affirm that adults who choose to enter into a same-gender marriage or similar relationship commit sin that warrants a Church disciplinary council.

Our concern with respect to children is their current and future well-being and the harmony of their home environment. The provisions ofHandbook 1, Section 16.13, that restrict priesthood ordinances for minors, apply only to those children whose primary residence is with a couple living in a same-gender marriage or similar relationship. As always, local leaders may request further guidance in particular instances when they have questions.

When a child living with such a same-gender couple has already been baptized and is actively participating in the Church, provisions of Section 16.13 do not require that his or her membership activities or priesthood privileges be curtailed or that further ordinances be withheld. Decisions about any future ordinances for such children should be made by local leaders with their prime consideration being the preparation and best interests of the child.

All children are to be treated with utmost respect and love. They are welcome to attend Church meetings and participate in Church activities. All children may receive priesthood blessings of healing and spiritual guidance.

May the Lord continue to bless you in your ministry.

So, I didn't resign for family reasons, but I'm just as much out as my wife is. I hope we can continue to put this situation in our lives behind us.