Posted by:
liesarenotuseful
(
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Date: September 01, 2016 08:40PM
"It's so hard to do that to one of your friends! The bishop is my age. His wife is my friend. And they're super nice people."
This is kind of like my situation. I live in an area where I am almost completely surrounded by active LDS. I have lived here many years and I love my neighbors. They are my friends. Not everyone has the same experience that I have, but my ward is filled with good, kind, sincere people.
When I e mailed the bishop that I no longer believed in the church, he asked me if I wanted to discuss it further, and I said no thank you. I told him I am not removing my name from the church records, just because it would hurt my husband to much at this time. I may do it in the future.
I don't have a problem calling him "Bishop" precisely because I recognize he has no authority over me. He is a very nice man.
Here is the gist of the e mail I sent to him:
"Dear Bishop _____,
With regret and heavy heart I need to tell you that I no longer believe that the Church is true. It is best to release me from my calling as soon as possible. I cannot accept that polygamy, polyandry, racism, and harsh treatment of gay people come from a loving Heavenly Father. There are many other things I object to, but these are the main things that cause me to believe that prophets have not been inspired. I love the good people and neighbors that are members of the Church, and I don't judge you or them. I believe that there are good, wonderful, inspired people in every religion, including the LDS church, as we are all children of God. I believe in and love my Savior Jesus Christ.
I have no desire to draw anyone away, but I also don't want to live a lie. I need to be honest. When I had my temple recommend interview with you last summer, I still believed in the truth of the Church, in spite of some doubts. After many hours, over many months, of study, prayer, and pondering, I came to the conclusion that I no longer believe. The Church itself verifies everything that I have a problem accepting. My main sources are the essays on lds.org, the book Rough Stone Rolling, and Church History books and documents.
I will not attempt to attend the temple. If you need for me to give you my recommend, I will do so.
I do not have a desire to remove my name from the Church records.
This is understandably very hard for my husband. He is faithful, good, and has total faith that the Church is true.
Thank you for your goodness, kindness, and the self sacrificing you do as a bishop.
with appreciation,"
You have to do what feels right to you, and we all want to give our input. So please let us know how it goes!