The Records of the Church

[DrumNFeather]

For those of you that have left the church, or are still sort of in the closet and are considering leaving the church...have you/will you had/have your name removed from the church records?

I don't know if that is too personal a question or not. But it always struck me as interesting that we have a great number of people on the records of the church in every ward that are "do not contact(s)" and in one simple (or maybe not so simpe, thus the lack of action) step, all that bothersome contact from the church could be over.

If you have or have not and are willing to discuss the rationale, I'd be very interested to hear it. If it's too nosy, I apologize as well.

TIA

[Surfah]

For those of you that have left the church, or are still sort of in the closet and are considering leaving the church...have you/will you had/have your name removed from the church records?

I don't know if that is too personal a question or not. But it always struck me as interesting that we have a great number of people on the records of the church in every ward that are "do not contact(s)" and in one simple (or maybe not so simpe, thus the lack of action) step, all that bothersome contact from the church could be over.

If you have or have not and are willing to discuss the rationale, I'd be very interested to hear it. If it's too nosy, I apologize as well.

TIA

When I was ward clerk we did a blitz a few weekends in a row to clean up our member records which were a mess. We ran into one guy who actually lived in my neighborhood just a street over. He was pretty upset. Incredulous even and he asked how we kept finding him. He said he has moved several times over the years since "leaving" the Church yet the Church always ends up on his doorstep sooner or later. He finally swore his parents off in front of us having deduced that they are the culprits who keep updating the Church with his address. We explained like you that it could all go away and actually explained what he needed to do. But he wasn't interested in that at all and wished us on our way. I found that curious given the reception he gave us.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Just hedging my bets

The honest answer, keeping the peace. For me, if I would have my records removed, that may be a blow to my marriage that could not be overcome.

[DrumNFeather]

When I was ward clerk we did a blitz a few weekends in a row to clean up our member records which were a mess. We ran into one guy who actually lived in my neighborhood just a street over. He was pretty upset. Incredulous even and he asked how we kept finding him. He said he has moved several times over the years since "leaving" the Church yet the Church always ends up on his doorstep sooner or later. He finally swore his parents off in front of us having deduced that they are the culprits who keep updating the Church with his address. We explained like you that it could all go away and actually explained what he needed to do. But he wasn't interested in that at all and wished us on our way. I found that curious given the reception he gave us.

The Bishop of my last ward was kind of notorios in our area for getting people's records straight and often times he would even get address unknown records sent to him because they knew he'd at least research it and try to find the person.

My wife visit taught someone like the guy you mentioned in our first ward together. This girl didn't want visiting teachers, wouldn't let them in off the door step, her husband was down right mean to them, and yet still she didn't want to take the step of having her records removed.

[CJF]

Planning out your exit strategy?

[DrumNFeather]

Planning out your exit strategy?

Haha, certainly not, just asking a question here...

[Katy Lied]

I am curious about this too: if you request your name stricken, does that mean you have the same status as someone who never joined? Or is your status more precarious? If the latter, that means the Church must keep a list of voluntary persona non gratiae. So you're not on the records, but you're on the super secret list.

[kccougar]

I am curious about this too: if you request your name stricken, does that mean you have the same status as someone who never joined? Or is your status more precarious? If the latter, that means the Church must keep a list of voluntary persona non gratiae. So you're not on the records, but you're on the super secret list.

I know you can't just get baptized again as would a new convert so obviously there is a list kept, but as to everything else, you are no different than any non-member. Your record no longer shows up on anything at the ward or stake level.

[Indy Coug]

I am curious about this too: if you request your name stricken, does that mean you have the same status as someone who never joined? Or is your status more precarious? If the latter, that means the Church must keep a list of voluntary persona non gratiae. So you're not on the records, but you're on the super secret list.

They would cease to exist as far as the local unit's MLS is concerned. What happens with their records in SLC is a matter of conjecture.

[DrumNFeather]

Just hedging my bets

The honest answer, keeping the peace. For me, if I would have my records removed, that may be a blow to my marriage that could not be overcome.

Is this a case where you are keeping the door open? Or is it more for the benefit of your wife holding out hope of a possible return...I guess what I mean is, are you keeping the door open or is your wife asking you to keep the door open?

[Non Sequitur]

Is this a case where you are keeping the door open? Or is it more for the benefit of your wife holding out hope of a possible return...I guess what I mean is, are you keeping the door open or is your wife asking you to keep the door open?

It's not a matter of keeping the door open. I've never made any attempt to have my records removed because it just doesn't matter. I no longer shop at Smiths, but I still have one of their Value Cards. I'm not about to take the time to write them a letter and ask that my name be stricken from all their databases.

[DrumNFeather]

It's not a matter of keeping the door open. I've never made any attempt to have my records removed because it just doesn't matter. I no longer shop at Smiths, but I still have one of their Value Cards. I'm not about to take the time to write them a letter and ask that my name be stricken from all their databases.

Interesting perspective...thanks for responding.

[Flystripper]

I don't really see me actively pursuing the removal of my name from the records of the church, but I might if I get pestered too much.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Is this a case where you are keeping the door open? Or is it more for the benefit of your wife holding out hope of a possible return...I guess what I mean is, are you keeping the door open or is your wife asking you to keep the door open?

I think that if I removed my records, it would crush any glimmer of hope that she may hold inside. I care about her too much to do that to her.

[LogMafia]

I haven't yet made up my mind completely about the Church. Some days I think it could be true other I'm sure that it is all a lie.

All I know for sure is that if the Church is true I'm going to be greatly relived, but if it is all a lie I'm going to be pissed.