Resignation Letter

Your resignation letter should include the following sections:

  1. A formal statement of resignation from the church

  2. Your details (enough so your records can be identified)

  3. A statement addressing the process in the current church Handbook

  4. A statement about what contact you want going forward

The templates below are suggestions. You are welcome to use them as they are, change any details to fit your personal circumstances, or use them as inspiration to write your own letter.

Template for Contacting a Local Leader

Dear [Leader's Name],

I hereby formally resign my membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, effective immediately. I am instructing you to permanently and completely remove my name, contact details and all data associated with me from the records of the church.

In order to identify my records, I provide the following information. My name is [name], my date of birth is [date], my membership record number is [number], my address is [address].

I have given this matter serious thought and cannot be persuaded to change my mind. I understand the process contained in section 32.14.9 of the General Handbook of the church regarding resignation. I do not want to meet with you to discuss my concerns or have you attempt to resolve them. I understand that resigning my membership revokes all ordinances and removes all membership privileges. I understand that, should I change my mind, readmission by baptism will only occur after a thorough interview or membership council, and that restoration of priesthood and temple blessings require the approval of the First Presidency and a one-year waiting period.

I request that, as per the General Handbook, you act on this request promptly and submit my resignation request through LCR. I request that this be done without any waiting periods or delays.

Going forward, I am requesting no further contact with the exception of a letter confirming that I am no longer a member of the church. I do not want to be ministered to by yourself or any other church member. I do not consent to this letter or the fact that I have requested resignation being shared with any other member of the church.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Template for Contacting HQ or the Data Protection Officer

Attention: LDS Church Staff,

I hereby formally resign my membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, effective immediately. I am instructing you to permanently and completely remove my name, contact details and all data associated with me from the records of the church.

In order to identify my records, I provide the following information. My name is [name], my date of birth is [date], my membership record number is [number], my address is [address].

I have given this matter serious thought and cannot be persuaded to change my mind. I understand the process contained in section 32.14.9 of the General Handbook of the church regarding resignation. I do not want to meet with anyone to discuss my concerns. I understand that resigning my membership revokes all ordinances and removes all membership privileges. I understand that, should I change my mind, readmission by baptism will only occur after a thorough interview or membership council, and that restoration of priesthood and temple blessings require the approval of the First Presidency and a one-year waiting period.

I request that, as per the General Handbook, you act on this request promptly. I request that this be done without any waiting periods or delays.

Going forward, I am requesting no further contact with the exception of a letter confirming that I am no longer a member of the church. I do not want to be ministered to by any church member. I do not consent to this letter or the fact that I have requested resignation being shared with my local leaders or any other member of the church.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Template for Resigning someone under-18

Please note that the church requires both parents to sign if they both have custody of the child

Dear [Leader Name],

IF CHILD HAS BEEN BAPTISED: As the legal guardian[s] of [child's name], [I/we] hereby formally resign [child's name]'s membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, effective immediately. You are instructed to permanently and completely remove their name, contact details and all data associated with them from the records of the church.

IF CHILD HAS NOT BEEN BAPTISED: As the legal guardian[s] of [child's name], [I/we] hereby formally request the removal of [child's name] from the records of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, effective immediately. You are instructed to permanently and completely remove their name, contact details and all data associated with them from the records of the church.

In order to identify their records, their name is [name], their date of birth is [date], their membership record number is [number], their address is [address]. [I am/We are] their legal guardian.

[I/We] have given this matter serious thought and cannot be persuaded to change [my/our] mind. [I/We] understand the process contained in section 32.14.9 of the General Handbook of the church regarding resignation. [I/We] do not want to meet with anyone to discuss this choice. [I/We] understand that resigning revokes all ordinances and removes all membership privileges. [I/We] understand that readmission by baptism will only occur after a thorough interview or membership council, and that restoration of priesthood and temple blessings require the approval of the First Presidency and a one-year waiting period.

It is requested that, as per the General Handbook, you act on this request promptly. This should be done without any waiting periods or delays.

Going forward, [I/We] request no further contact with the exception of a letter confirming that [child's name] is no longer on the records of the church. [I/We] do not want to be ministered to by any church member. [I/We] do not consent to this letter or [child's name]'s resignation being shared with local leaders or any other member of the church.

Sincerely,

[Your name/s]