What is the best way to leave the LDS church quietly without being excommunicated?

Question

I wanted to try something new and different, so I decided I needed a change in religion as well, to expand my viewpoint and horizons (I have more reasons, but I don't want lectures, please...just info, thanks ^_^)--so I have been writing letters and asking, but I have gotton either curt responses or none at all. So far, I've been told that I may be excommunicated if I don't stop trying to leave. But I didn't break *any* rules, and I made *sure* that I didn't, so I shouldn't be excommunicated for stuff I didn't do.
What do I do? Please help me!

Answer 1

Become inactive.

Answer 2

There's only one way to get your name off the roles of the Church and that is through excommunication. The church is hesitant to do this unless major rules have been broken, and even that needs a Bishops Court. The thought behind it is that there are many eternal ties that are severed when someone is excommunicated, including the gift of the Holy Ghost. I've heard people who have been excommed say that you don't know what it's like to have the gift of the Holy Ghost and then very suddenly not have that gift. It's different than just not feeling the Holy Ghost, it's something that's very scary - for some.

Do you want to not be contacted by the church, or is it that you don't want to have ever been associated with them/us? Usually the former can be arranged by contacting your Bishop and telling him that you want to be put on a Do Not Contact list and that if you ever change your mind you will contact them. If it is the latter of the two, then usually there is quite a bit of animosity involved and the person usually doesn't care if they are excommed or not. Since you seem to have gone to great pains NOT to have done anything worthy of excommunication, then I suggest you ask to be released from any callings you might have and ask to be put on Do not contact status. The only people that will know is your Bishop (of course), the RS Pres, and maybe the Stake Pres.

Sorry to see you go. Hope you come back, eventually. Just remember that you're still loved, and will be welcomed back at any time.

Answer 3

I respect your desire to change and expand your horizons, but in doing so make sure you really search and really look deeply at what you are studying. Additionally, as someone else has suggested, don't just stick with religions within Christianity, because there are many other options. I have gone through time where I did the same thing. After much exploration, at one point I really thought Buddhism was right for me.

Now, are the LDS people bothering you? If not, I wouldn't think it matters if you are on their records, especially if you believe it isn't true. Just move on. If they are bothering you, be rationale and go speak to the Bishop in your area. Be honest, tell him you have changed religions and that you would not like them to contact you, and if you would like ask where to send a letter to get your name removed from the records of the Church.

It seems you are a little unsure what you want. If you don't want anything to do with the Church, excommunication shouldn't be a big deal anyway.

After all said, and after I studied so much, I received wisdom from God and I returned to the LDS church. But, it is different for everyone. So good luck.

Answer 4

This country was founded on religious freedom and no one has the right to force you to be part of one. All you have to do is leave and go join the religion of your choice. Excommunication means nothing, if they won't talk to you then you are better off. They cannot do anything to you and if they try, then they are not true Christians. Forget the letters, they will never give you an answer because they are losing a member and they don't want to let go-you are what pays their rent and other bills, so they will not give you up so easy. They should be ashamed of themselves for holding you back, and they are sinning....KECK

Answer 5

When any church exercises so much control over a person that they feel they must move to get away from the church, hasn’t the church itself become an idol? In other words, perhaps people are worshiping the church instead of worshiping God?

I’m only posing this as a question in response to your question. I don’t think it’s healthy for any church to have that much control over a person’s life.

If you want to leave, why worry about excommunication? Excommunication doesn’t mean that you can’t join a different denomination.

Answer 6

Good for you for expanding your horizons. Instead of leaving your current church right away, how about taking a religous studies class or something to learn about different religions? Not just other Christian faiths either. Also check out some of the shamanic and Eastern religions, as well as Judaism and Islam. They may not be right for you, but you undoubtedly will learn alot about yourself and your heritage in the process. They would not have survived for centuries if they didnt' encompass some profound insights. You may find that a different path is calling you. Or you may rediscover your own faith. Good luck.

Answer 7

Why would you worry about being excommunicate from a church that you wished to leave. Make a clean brake from the cult you have been involved with. Try believing in what the Lord Jesus Christ did for you on the cross. He died for your sins, He was buried and rose again the third day for your justification. He did it all for you without you doing anything. Ephesians 2: 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Answer 8

I'm mystified about how anyone would say you would be ex-communicated for wanting to try another religion. Short of suddenly joining a Satanic group or engaging in extremely destructive lifestyles, I don't think there is any reason to ex-communicate anyone for visiting other churches. You need to go where your blessings are. If it includes visiting other churches, please do. If you want to take an inactive status for a while, that is understandable. Don't give up on prayer and scripture reading, though. Have a happy day.

Answer 9

The worst reason to flow away the church could be which you have been "uninterested in it"or "uninterested in dwelling the way you have been taught", those motives could in undemanding terms be 2d to "somebody indignant you". I even have although no longer undemanding approximately this and that i think of a powerful reason could be which you discover some thing greater useful and flow away, devoid of hate or malice, a team of those that for the main area have confidence only what you probably did in undemanding terms a jiffy earlier. this sort of determination is extremely significant and you does no longer opt for to be hasty. i will additionally see shifting far adequate removed from what the church teaches that it does no longer be a powerful greater healthy anymore. i think of diverse prayer could be in contact. BTW 7 of 9, my daughter had a eye-catching, mind-blowing, non secular patriarchal blessing that she(and that i) will treasure consistently, it fairly is between the too few non secular reviews in my lifestyles that I carry costly to me and that i'm sorry yours become no longer that way.

Answer 10

Just like in the Book of Mormon, don't be one of those who got lost in the mist of darkness and stopped holding to the iron rod. It's your choice anyway, still you can't find anything truer :-) Heavenly Father still loves you. Just be careful out there, some things should not be done, some lines should not be crossed.
When you decide to come back, hopefully safe and sound, you'll understand. sorry it's not supposed to be a threat... or anything. but I've been out there and know the difference. I've chosen the better part.

Answer 11

It's really easy, I've been in that status for years. Don't go to church. You'll be considered "inactive". If excommunication might embarass family or something, then don't bother with formal "name off the books" process. It is very easy to just fade away.

Every once in a while, they find me... but when I politely ask them not to contact me... they don't.