The Records of the Church

[Pheidippides]

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.

It's the latter. Members who have their records removed have the same process as those who are excommunicated when they try to rejoin (in terms of higher-level approvals and extra paperwork).

My brother had his name taken off and I think he regrets it now - even though his non-belief is stronger than ever. He thinks it was a rash choice.

For my part, I never tell the church where my other inactive siblings are (I occasionally get calls trying to track them down) so they are pretty much off the grid.

[Indy Coug]

It's the latter. Members who have their records removed have the same process as those who are excommunicated when they try to rejoin (in terms of higher-level approvals and extra paperwork).

My brother had his name taken off and I think he regrets it now - even though his non-belief is stronger than ever. He thinks it was a rash choice.

For my part, I never tell the church where my other inactive siblings are (I occasionally get calls trying to track them down) so they are pretty much off the grid.

Obviously, if the person never lets on that they used to be a member that had their records removed, it's difficult for anyone to know they've rejoined the church.

If they give valid names, birth dates, parents names, then they might get a hit in the church database and raise questions after the fact, but otherwise no one will know.

There was a person in one of my wards that was baptized 20 years ago, got divorced, changed their name and it wasn't discovered until six months after their second baptism (I'm not entirely clear how) that they were previously baptized. Their original membership records were still on the books, so AFAIK they weren't excommunicated or had their name removed.

[scottie]

Obviously, if the person never lets on that they used to be a member that had their records removed, it's difficult for anyone to know they've rejoined the church.

If they give valid names, birth dates, parents names, then they might get a hit in the church database and raise questions after the fact, but otherwise no one will know.

There was a person in one of my wards that was baptized 20 years ago, got divorced, changed their name and it wasn't discovered until six months after their second baptism (I'm not entirely clear how) that they were previously baptized. Their original membership records were still on the books, so AFAIK they weren't excommunicated or had their name removed.

If the records process is the same today as it was 17 years ago when I served in Africa -- that is, person is baptized, paperwork is filled out by the DL/ZL after the baptism and sent to the mission office, from there not sure if they sent it to the area office or to SLC -- I would imagine there are quite a few people in third-world countries who get baptized more than once (maybe the first LDS baptism occurred when they were 8 or 9 and they forget, or the first time was part of a baseball baptism, etc.).

[creekster]

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.

If it is ALL a lie you will be worm food and wont have a consciousness to be pissed with.

[Jarid in Cedar]

If it is ALL a lie you will be worm food and wont have a consciousness to be pissed with.

He will probably be pissed if half of it is a lie and the other half is accurate.

[LogMafia]

If it is ALL a lie you will be worm food and wont have a consciousness to be pissed with.

That is assuming that there isn't anything afterwords, life sure seems like a waste if this is all there is to it.

[BigFatMeanie]

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.

The latter. The same goes for excommunication. It is possible upon either excomm or having your name removed to get rebaptized and the request a Restoration of Blessings ordinance. Your record will not show in any ward or stake; however, there is still a super secret list at HQ that is maintained in the event that you decide you want to get rebaptized.

EDIT: Crap - I should have looked and seen all the responses before I posted mine.

[old_gregg]

i only know about this in the context of BYU. if you request that your name be removed from the church's records, you cannot attend, even as a nonmember living the honor code. you are no longer considered "in good standing." so, to echo previous sentiments, there is presumably some type of list or database floating around.

[Shaka]

i only know about this in the context of BYU. if you request that your name be removed from the church's records, you cannot attend, even as a nonmember living the honor code. you are no longer considered "in good standing." so, to echo previous sentiments, there is presumably some type of list or database floating around.

Tell this to Luke Ashworth. If I recall correctly he decided the church wasn't true on his mission and ditched. He is still on the football team.

There was also a guy from my high school who was a Benson Scholar who arrived at a similar conclusion to Ashworth while on his mission and requested his name be removed. He continued to attend BYU although I can't state whether or not he kept the schollie.

[BlueHair]

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.

Ditto for me. Pretty much all of my family are believers, so it's easier to just be inactive. My wife doesn't attend either, but I think she believes it for the most part. She's never given any thought to all of the questions I have about the church.

[Jeff Lebowski]

That is assuming that there isn't anything afterwords, life sure seems like a waste if this is all there is to it.

Cheer up. Life is good.

[Portland Ute]

Tell this to Luke Ashworth. If I recall correctly he decided the church wasn't true on his mission and ditched. He is still on the football team.

There was also a guy from my high school who was a Benson Scholar who arrived at a similar conclusion to Ashworth while on his mission and requested his name be removed. He continued to attend BYU although I can't state whether or not he kept the schollie.

There was a guy in my mission that left the Church while on his mission. We had to drive out to the city he was in and make the 3 hour drive back to the mission home. He left the next day. He was emphatic that he had tried it but didn't believe.

Much to my surprise, I later found out that he was at BYU.

I don't think leaving the Church necessarily gets you kicked out of BYU nor does it prevent you from going there. At least not 15 years ago.

[Art Vandelay]

As stated above it requires 1st presidency approval to return to the church. The biggest difference between returning after being exed and voluntary name removal is excommunication requires reconvening of a disciplinary counsel prior to baptism (an interview with with a GA is required after at least a year following baptism for restoration of blessings to take place). When returning from name removal first presidency approval is required after an interview with the mission president (I'm not sure about receiving the priesthood or temple blessings since I only dealt with a non-endowed sister who returned to the church).

[old_gregg]

Tell this to Luke Ashworth. If I recall correctly he decided the church wasn't true on his mission and ditched. He is still on the football team.

There was also a guy from my high school who was a Benson Scholar who arrived at a similar conclusion to Ashworth while on his mission and requested his name be removed. He continued to attend BYU although I can't state whether or not he kept the schollie.

Well, this has been my experience, at least thus far. Although, I do still have much of the process left and have not even requested (or decided to have) my name be removed. This is just what my ecclesiastical leaders have told me. Has Ashworth had his name removed, or is he just inactive? I think there's a very large difference as far as the church is concerned.

[Shaka]

Well, this has been my experience, at least thus far. Although, I do still have much of the process left and have not even requested (or decided to have) my name be removed. This is just what my ecclesiastical leaders have told me. Has Ashworth had his name removed, or is he just inactive? I think there's a very large difference as far as the church is concerned.

I can't speak with a certainty whether Ashworth's name is removed. However I know he does go to a different church and is involved in its youth ministry. There was an article on this but for the life of me I can't recall if it was in the DNews, Trib, or some other outlet.