Why would someone need to formally resign from the Mormon church, as opposed to simply going to a different (Lutheran, Protestant, Baptist, etc.) church?
by 
HungryGuy
ANSWERS: 7
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Because Mormonism is a completely different religion from the others. Although Mormonism only worships and has dealings with one god, it believes and teaches that there are many others. Traditional Christianity is therefore monotheistic, Mormonism is polytheistic, and therefore they can't be the same religion. Traditional Christianity is Trinitarian, but the definitive teaching on the Trinity states that there are "not three Gods, but one God." For a complete statement on the Trinity, google "Athanasian Creed."
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We had good friends who had been Mormons, but gave their lives to Jesus. They felt, for the sake of witness, that they had to tell the Mormon leaders about their decision, and formally have their names and those of their children taken off the Mormon rolls. It was a harrowing experience, and they were put through the ringers, but they did it and we were proud of them. Actually, knowing what a trauma it would be, we asked them many times if they really wanted to go through with it, that they didn't have to, but they felt they did. It was a finality, a closure for them. Mormonism has a different holy book and radically different teachings from Christianity, though it gives people the impression that it is a mainline church. That is why this couple decided to do what they did, knowing that they would be shunned by many they once were friends with.
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One does not need to formally resign membership in order to simply go to a different church. However, should a member not resign their membership they remain on the rolls of the church and are assigned home and visiting teachers by the church who come by once a month. Additional contacts may certainly be made other members and leaders of the church. Should the person no longer desire these contacts and to remain on the rolls of the church they may elect to have their name removed and the visits ended. I had my name removed for the reason above and because the stake leadership of the church had cautioned me that should I share my findings of the church with other members I could be in a position of facing a church court where I could potentially be disfellowshiped or excommunicated. By resigning my membership I let them know that they had not power or authority over me and could not dictate to whom I spoke nor about what.
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You do not need to. I left the Mormon church and did not send a formal letter. I did, however, have myself rebaptized as a public statement of faith and to cover myself from the Mormon baptism I had undergone some years before. But, if you want to just go to a different church and start praying, praising and worshiping God, then go for it. Praise God that you were one of the lost sheep and have now been found! Praise God in the highest!!! Hallelujah!!!!
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As Bob said, I don’t see any reason anybody would really *need* to formally resign, but some people are just that adamant about it. Of course, if they hate the Church that much, why would the Church want them as members? Invalidating one’s baptism is a *major* decision in the eyes of the Lord, but most people have already long since done that anyway, by the time they get around to asking that their records be removed.
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It's just as hard to get out of a Baptist church too. A changed over to nondenominational and it was like pulling teeth to get my name removed from the Baptist roll. The Baptist bureaucracy was one of the reasons I left.
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Officially resigning makes the statistics the Church publishes every April that much more accurate. If you don't care you're inflating numbers, then just go your merry way. If, OTOH, you feel that the Church is wrong for claiming 13+ million members, do your part and formally resign. Not only will this make the membership number more accurate, it will raise the active percent for those who truly still consider themselves members.
Roger Kovaciny RELATED QUESTIONS
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