I finally had the courage to hand my bishop "The Letter" tonight, thanks to what all of you have written and pointed out about TSCC in other posts.

I thank you all for what you have written about your experiences, it finally got me to open my eyes and do what I should have done a long time ago!

Good For You!!!

Congratulations are in order.

How did the bishop respond?

I don't know. I handed him the envelope, walked out, and didn't look back.

That's how it's supposed to work. Good on ya, mate!

Ron

It is a big step to make that detachment. It is exhilarating in one way, and like losing an old part of you in another.

Prepare for them to still try and fix you. Or, if they can't fix you, they might try to look for some "immoral" thing you are doing so they can blame you instead of the church for your departure (he just couldn't live our standards, blah, blah).

Prepare to have a response ready- something like:

I outgrew the church and it was time for me to move on.

Or

The church doesn't match my views now. I have higher standards for what I accept as truth.

Or

My beliefs are personal. I don't want a middleman between me and a higher power.

Or

I am just as qualified as anyone else to decide what a heaven is like- especially Joseph Smith.

Anyway, congratulations of taking charge of your life. Leaving the church is like becoming an adult and taking charge of your life instead of being kept in a perpetual childlike submissive state.

I love your #2 and 3 dagny. Those are good ones. All my best to the OP. It must be such a good night tonight....knowing your life is going to improve so much. You will adjust in time and don't be letting anyone make up crap about you not being able to live "their standards"....such nonsense. Be firm and be strong. But show them (through you) what life outside the Morg looks like, and they may see some light for them down the road.

I've thought about it and I just don't want to be a god. It sounds exhausting and boring at the same time.

or

The telestial kingdom sounds great. Like a never-ending Hawaiian vacation. And I won't have to work for the rest of eternity.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/26/2011 10:42PM by wine country girl.

Congrad

Epic! Congratulations! A courageous step.

Congrats to you....best of luck in whatever you pursue next

I have been out of the morg for many years, but they still have my name. For a number of reasons that seem weak after reading of your courage.

Wahoo! I resigned by email to Greg Dodge and had no personal contact with anyone. I applaud your courage is handing the letter in person

You are one brave soul! Congratulations! :-D

Congratulations and a word of advice. Itmight be a good idea to copy your letter and also send it to Greg Dodge in Salt Lake City and the Stake President as well if you are interested. So many Bishops use the letter against people or sit on it if they think no one else knows about it. It's usually a good idea to document beyond him.

[posted by Jerry for her]

I can confirm this. During my time as exec secretary the bishop had a man submit his resignation letter to him three times. He just sat on it all three times, never processed it further. If you really want to resign you might need to do some follow-up.

and shown that you own it! Now you can create your own new World View, and have fun doing it.

It's your life, totally. You don't have to report to anyone.
(Well, maybe you do if you are married and have kids.:-)

How well I know the feeling! Just resigned a few months ago myself! Congratulations, and wow, you even did it in person! Love it :D

I left half a life ago, but I made it official on Monday when I mailed a certified letter to Greg Dodge in SLC.
My rm brother informed me that if I didn't take steps to remove myself, upon my death they'd "slap an apron on me and send me off to the celestial kingdom".
NFW!
My health is precarious and I may get a visit from the reaper
possibly sooner than later.

I've left written instructions and got a promise from my sister that she won't let that happen.

Lucky for me I never got to the temple, so I never had to endure the endowment ceremony.

My bishop can take the "temple garments" him and his wife bought for me when I was ready, and go burn them for all I care.

The only thing I have from the whole experience is the Standard Works Quad a member gave me when I joined, Trying to figure out what to do with it.