My Letter of Resignation - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

Anthesian · 10-02-2008, 04:36 PM

This letter was requested by my current stake president after a long 'talk' he called me in for. He didn't want to excommunicate me for my conviction so he asked for a letter of resignation and to state the reasons for it.

To the Local and General Leadership of the LDS Church:

It is with a heavy, broken heart and broken spirit that I must write this letter. I am informing the church of my request for the removal of my name from the records of the church.

I am requesting this action due to my grievances against current leadership’s policy concerning their gay and lesbian members. This has stemmed from the consistent teachings against homosexuality. I recognize the lack of understanding and the misconceptions on the behalf of the Brethren concerning this matter. In Boyd Packer’s talk to the all coordinating council he stated that the three greatest threats to the church are intellectuals, feminists and homosexuals. I am all three. Oddly, I don’t feel as though I’m a threat. I disagree with the denigration of homosexuals to second-class church members. I hold the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints responsible for the spiritual and ecclesiastical abuse inflicted on these faithful members. The church’s stand against them is out of harmony with the peace and justice found in Jesus Christ’s atonement. Any ‘moral’ standard that drives a member of the church to do harm to others or to themselves is NOT a moral standard. This can be observed in the suicides of gay and lesbian Latter-day Saints.

Another grievance that I have is the denigration of women. The Prophet Joseph Smith ordained women to offices of the priesthood because he believed that they were absolute equals in every form to men. Paul the apostle recognized Junia, a female apostle, in the final chapter of his letter to the Romans. The consolidation of power to a male authoritarianism is a grievous sin against the very daughters of God. In this same right, it is necessary to recognize and pay tribute to God the Mother. She is just as important to our theology as the Father. Without Her, we would not be here.

My next grievance is that of the ‘witch hunt’ against intellectuals and scholars. The excommunications of Margaret and Paul Toscano, Maxine Hanks, D. Michael Quinn, Avraham Gileadi, Lavina Anderson, and Janice Allred, etc. were unnecessary. In their literary works, they gave a message of individual faith and spiritual progression. These men and women are the promulgators of individual thought and spiritual enlightenment. To them, I pay tribute for inspiring me to stand by my convictions and be unapologetic.

Finally, the white-washing of history to promote current church policy and dogma is the heresy. As many have said before, the church is what needs to be saved.

I love this church and I will continue to defend it through out my life. It is my history and my heritage. I pray for a day when there can be reconciliation. I pray for a day when peace and social justice break down the viral infections of elitism, authoritarianism, the oligarchy, narcissism and arrogance. I pray that the leadership of the church will bless and promote the individual spiritual journeys of each of its members. May we heed the counsel of President Stephen Veazey of the Community of Christ:

10 a. Collectively and individually, you are loved with an everlasting love that delights in each faithful step taken. God yearns to draw you close so that wounds may be healed, emptiness filled, and hope strengthened.

b. Do not turn away in pride, fear, or guilt from the One who seeks only the best for you and your loved ones. Come before your Eternal Creator with open minds and hearts and discover the blessings of the gospel anew. Be vulnerable to divine grace. (Community of Christ Doctrine & Covenants Section 163: 10a-b)

MikeWaters · 10-02-2008, 04:38 PM

Have you sent it?

Anthesian · 10-02-2008, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Have you sent it?

It is being sent out today.

MikeWaters · 10-02-2008, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthesian

It is being sent out today.

Maybe you should hand deliver it to the Stake President's home.

I hate these formal official arm's length transactions, certified letter stuff.

Anthesian · 10-02-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Maybe you should hand deliver it to the Stake President's home.

I hate these formal official arm's length transactions, certified letter stuff.

That is a good idea. However, either way I will be spending money. The 42 cents for a stamp or money for gas to drive the 15 minutes to his house. Sweet Jesus! What is a heretic to do? LOL

Tex · 10-02-2008, 05:11 PM

You say you love the church in your letter, which I'm sure is sincere. I could name several foundational doctrines, however, that your grievances are fundamentally at odds with.

Perhaps you could take a moment and tell us what doctrines and practices of the church there are that you love?

SoCalCoug · 10-02-2008, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tex

You say you love the church in your letter, which I'm sure is sincere. I could name several foundational doctrines, however, that your grievances are fundamentally at odds with.

Perhaps you could take a moment and tell us what doctrines and practices of the church there are that you love?

Boy Scouts, Girl's Camp, Stake basketball.

ute4ever · 10-02-2008, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tex

Perhaps you could take a moment and tell us what doctrines and practices of the church there are that you love?

Hint: he has his fingers crossed hoping you'll say Mitt Romney.

TripletDaddy · 10-02-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tex

Perhaps you could take a moment and tell us what doctrines and practices of the church there are that you love?

Ha...Look at Tex.....all of a sudden he thinks it is okay to play the role of Katie Couric.

Anthesian, DONT ANSWER! Don't play Tex's little quiz show.

Name 5 doctrines and practices of the Church you love.....Go!

Anthesian · 10-02-2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tex

You say you love the church in your letter, which I'm sure is sincere. I could name several foundational doctrines, however, that your grievances are fundamentally at odds with.

Perhaps you could take a moment and tell us what doctrines and practices of the church there are that you love?

I love the centrality and importance of the family life. As I said before, I'm not creedal but I respect and admire the 13 Articles of Faith as a neutral ground for foundational beliefs of the LDS church. I love the act of proxy baptism and proxy endowment. I see it as an offering in the spirit of humility and compassion. I admire the faithfulness of members to the building up of Zion and promoting communities of peace. I love the teachings on humility, endurance, perseverance, and charity. I love the consistent respect despite differences and disagreement.

I gotta get to my public speaking class...I will try to think of more.

10-02-2008, 04:36 PM	#1
Anthesian Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Mesa, 2nd Utah County, AZ Posts: 77	My Letter of Resignation This letter was requested by my current stake president after a long 'talk' he called me in for. He didn't want to excommunicate me for my conviction so he asked for a letter of resignation and to state the reasons for it. To the Local and General Leadership of the LDS Church: It is with a heavy, broken heart and broken spirit that I must write this letter. I am informing the church of my request for the removal of my name from the records of the church. I am requesting this action due to my grievances against current leadership’s policy concerning their gay and lesbian members. This has stemmed from the consistent teachings against homosexuality. I recognize the lack of understanding and the misconceptions on the behalf of the Brethren concerning this matter. In Boyd Packer’s talk to the all coordinating council he stated that the three greatest threats to the church are intellectuals, feminists and homosexuals. I am all three. Oddly, I don’t feel as though I’m a threat. I disagree with the denigration of homosexuals to second-class church members. I hold the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints responsible for the spiritual and ecclesiastical abuse inflicted on these faithful members. The church’s stand against them is out of harmony with the peace and justice found in Jesus Christ’s atonement. Any ‘moral’ standard that drives a member of the church to do harm to others or to themselves is NOT a moral standard. This can be observed in the suicides of gay and lesbian Latter-day Saints. Another grievance that I have is the denigration of women. The Prophet Joseph Smith ordained women to offices of the priesthood because he believed that they were absolute equals in every form to men. Paul the apostle recognized Junia, a female apostle, in the final chapter of his letter to the Romans. The consolidation of power to a male authoritarianism is a grievous sin against the very daughters of God. In this same right, it is necessary to recognize and pay tribute to God the Mother. She is just as important to our theology as the Father. Without Her, we would not be here. My next grievance is that of the ‘witch hunt’ against intellectuals and scholars. The excommunications of Margaret and Paul Toscano, Maxine Hanks, D. Michael Quinn, Avraham Gileadi, Lavina Anderson, and Janice Allred, etc. were unnecessary. In their literary works, they gave a message of individual faith and spiritual progression. These men and women are the promulgators of individual thought and spiritual enlightenment. To them, I pay tribute for inspiring me to stand by my convictions and be unapologetic. Finally, the white-washing of history to promote current church policy and dogma is the heresy. As many have said before, the church is what needs to be saved. I love this church and I will continue to defend it through out my life. It is my history and my heritage. I pray for a day when there can be reconciliation. I pray for a day when peace and social justice break down the viral infections of elitism, authoritarianism, the oligarchy, narcissism and arrogance. I pray that the leadership of the church will bless and promote the individual spiritual journeys of each of its members. May we heed the counsel of President Stephen Veazey of the Community of Christ: 10 a. Collectively and individually, you are loved with an everlasting love that delights in each faithful step taken. God yearns to draw you close so that wounds may be healed, emptiness filled, and hope strengthened. b. Do not turn away in pride, fear, or guilt from the One who seeks only the best for you and your loved ones. Come before your Eternal Creator with open minds and hearts and discover the blessings of the gospel anew. Be vulnerable to divine grace. (Community of Christ Doctrine & Covenants Section 163: 10a-b)

10-02-2008, 05:11 PM	#6
Tex Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 8,596	You say you love the church in your letter, which I'm sure is sincere. I could name several foundational doctrines, however, that your grievances are fundamentally at odds with. Perhaps you could take a moment and tell us what doctrines and practices of the church there are that you love? __________________ "Have we been commanded not to call a prophet an insular racist? Link?" "And yes, [2010] is a very good year to be a Democrat. Perhaps the best year in decades ..." - Cali Coug "Oh dear, granny, what a long tail our puss has got." - Brigham Young

10-02-2008, 04:38 PM	#2
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	Have you sent it?