How to Leave the Mormon Church

If you choose to leave the Mormon Church, you may be in for a challenging experience. You may find it difficult to leave because of your own belief system, or you may find difficulties in explaining your decision to those around you. Below are some guidelines you may find useful in making your decision.

Instructions

1. Look carefully at your reasons for wanting to leave the Mormon Church. If you have been some time within it, you know that it is a way of life that permeates every aspect of your daily living. Ensure that your reasons for wanting to leave are compelling and inescapable.

2. Tell those closest to you first, but not until you can clearly articulate your reasons. This will be an emotionally trying time for you and those around you, so practice being able to state your position with clarity and conviction.

3. Decide if you want to be only "inactive" while retaining your membership, or if you want to gain complete closure by seeking official excommunication. The advantage of excommunication is that you remove yourself from the church rolls, and are no longer contacted by local Mormon leaders.

4. Write to the Bishop of your branch or ward. The letter must be clear and explicit in its details. You must indicate your resignation as of the date of your letter, and inform the Bishop that you understand the cancellation of your baptism and all blessings and endowments you may have received.

5. Send your resignation letter to the office of Confidential Records in Salt Lake City if you would rather not run the process through your local branch or ward. The disadvantage here is that the letter may be sent back to the local unit to be processed there. However, once any Church official sees the letter, your resignation is considered legally in effect.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you have made your decision to leave the Mormon Church, and are sure of your reasons for doing so, stand your ground, and don't let others sway you into moving back into a lifestyle with which you no longer agree.

• If you come from an area where most of your family and friends are Mormon, you could face ridicule and possible banishment from certain circles. You may need to gain emotional and spiritual strength from sources within yourself to withstand the pressures you will now face.

• One of the biggest challenges you will face when you leave the Mormon Church will be the apparent need to have a replacement belief system. Be patient with yourself and with the world. Let events take their course and, if you need a belief system, one will come your way in time.