As a result of the Mormon Church's involvement in Propostion 8 I sent this letter of resignation to LDS Church headquarters. Today I received a reply. I knew that resigning was not going to be easy or simple. They just don't want to let people go.
Dear Brother rmonroe
I have been asked to acknowledge your recent letter in which you request that your name be removed from the membership records of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I have also been asked to inform you that the Church considers such a request to be an ecclesiastical matter that must be handled by local priesthood leaders before being processed by Church employees. Therefore, your letter and a copy of this reply are being sent to President D. Robert Hennefer of the Salt Lake Park Stake. He will have Bishop Nicholas J. Berger of the Tenth Ward contact you concerning the fullfillment of your request.
In view of the eternal consequences of such an action, the Brethern urge you to reconsider your request and to prayerfully consider the enclosed statement of the First Presidentcy.
Sincerely,
Manager, Member and Statistical Records
AN INVITATION TO COME BACK
We reach out to members of the Church throughout the world in a spirit of love and brotherhood in the spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our interest and concern are always with the man or woman, boy or girl. Our great responsibility is to see that each is "remembered and nourished by the good word of God (Moroni 6:4). If any have been offended, we are sorry. Our only desire is to cultivate a spirit of mercy and kindness, of understanding and healing. We seek to follow the examplte of our lord, who "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38).
To those who for any reason find yourselve outside the embrace of the Church, we say come back. We invite you to return and partake of the happiness you once knew. You will find many with outstretched arms to welcome you, assist you, and give you comfort.
The Church needs your strength, love, loyalty, and devotion. The course is fixed and certain by which a person may return to the full blessings of Church membership, and we stand ready to receive all who wish to do so.
Sincerly yours,
The First Presidency
So I am expecting a visit from the Bishop and some High Priests of the Church. My status in the Church is in a state of limbo. Evidently they still consider me to be a member of the Church, a Priest of the Church as a matter of fact. It should be interesting.
My first problem is the idea that my letter was a "request". The implication is that a "request" can be "denied". So my first order of bussiness will be to point out the difference between a "request" and a "demand". My second problem is the idea that Propostion 8 "cultivates a spirit of mercy and kindness, of understanding and healing". My third problem is that considering the Church's history of polygomy, I don't think they are in any position to lecture anyone on the "sanctity of marriage". I suggest that they don't bring any young missionaries with them or I may just sow some seeds of doubt in their minds. I know that there are many others who have resigned because of Prop 8, and many more who even though are reamaining in the Church, are questioning the leadership on this issue. Loyalty to God and loyalty to the Church are not the same thing. I will not back down on this issue. Peace.