Last Updated on July 28, 2022 by Jason Harris

Jason N. Harris, DOB: XXXX, Record Number: XXXXX

Address: XXXXX

Date: XXXXX

Member Records

50 E North Temple, Room 1372

Salt Lake City, UT 84150-5310

This notarized letter is my formal resignation from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is effective immediately.  I hereby immediately withdraw my consent to being treated as a member of the LDS church in any fashion whatsoever. I want my name permanently and completely removed from the membership rolls of the LDS church.

I left the LDS church over one year ago after years of extensive thought, study and prayer.  I believe there is absolutely good within the LDS scriptures and institution, and know without a doubt there are many members of the LDS church that have pure hearts and serve with selfless love and devotion.  For that I am grateful. That said, I absolutely do not believe the LDS institution or any of the scriptures unique to the LDS church are what they claim to be. Since the days of Joseph Smith I believe the LDS institution has fallen far short of the standards of honesty, transparency and integrity it expects of its lay membership. Coming to this conclusion over the course of many years of intense study and prayer has been exceptionally traumatic emotionally. Particularly as I have been instructed repeatedly from the LDS pulpits not to trust my own heart, mind, conscience or answers to prayer that don’t align with the “right” answers as advocated by the LDS Church. Additionally, I believe numerous LDS policies and attitudes are often harmful to people the church claims stewardship over. I believe this is particularly true of many women, children, the LGBTQ community, minorities (especially in the past) and those who no longer hold literal belief paradigms. I will no longer have my name associated with the LDS church.  

I understand what you consider to be the seriousness and consequences of my actions.  I am aware the church handbook says my resignation cancels the effects of baptism, confirmation, priesthood ordinations and temple blessings.  I also understand I can only be readmitted to the LDS church by baptism after a thorough interview process. 

After today, the only contact I want from the LDS church in regards to my membership and LDS activity is a single letter of confirmation that I am no longer listed as a member of the LDS church.  I intend to continue to maintain contact and relations with local LDS church leaders and members as appropriate in regards to the church activities of my family.

I trust my resignation will be handled promptly and respectfully, without any attempts for additional “run-arounds” interviews, etc.  Should any such attempts ensue, I will pursue formal legal representation. Thank you for your understanding and prompt handling of this matter.

Respectfully, 

Jason N. Harris

(I sent this certified mail in March 2019 and received notification from the LDS Church a few days later.)

Addendum:

At the point I was at in my healing journey in March of 2019, the above approach was very healing to me. It was rapid and effective. If I had to do it over again from that same place of healing I was at then, I would do it exactly the same way again.

People who want to resign without sending a letter directly to Salt Lake or working with their local ecclesiastical leadership can resign for free with minimal hassle using https://quitmormon.com/. But this process takes longer.

There is no “right” way to do this. We all have our own path.

If I was to resign now, being in the much stronger place of healing and personal autonomy I have arrived at now (which is paradoxical because this was made possible in part by the resignation above) and knowing what I have since learned about healthy boundaries and control dynamics, especially in (narcissistic) abusive relationships or cults, I would send the following resignation letter:

Jason N. Harris, DOB: XXXX, Record Number: XXXXX

Address: XXXXX

Date: July 19, 2022

Member Records

50 E North Temple, Room 1372

Salt Lake City, UT 84150-5310

This notarized letter is my formal resignation from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is effective immediately. I hereby immediately withdraw my consent to being treated as a member of the church in any fashion whatsoever, including my name being listed on any membership rolls.

Please send me prompt written confirmation that my name has been removed from the membership records of your church. Failure to do so or attempting to pursue any further communications with me prior to doing so will be met with formal legal representation.

Thank you for your understanding and prompt handling of this matter.

Respectfully,

Jason N. Harris

Jason Harris lived as an orthodox Mormon for forty years. He writes about his experiences leaving the Mormon Church and reconstructing a new World-View. He believes all religions and scripture are man-made, potentially helpful and harmful. He believes there is Divinity in all of them and everywhere.