An LDS resignation letter is a short, signed request asking The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to remove your name from its membership records. You can adapt the blank template below; before sending it, consider the consequences and confirm the current submission process with your bishop or stake president.
What an LDS resignation letter does
“LDS” is a familiar abbreviation for Latter-day Saint, while the Church’s formal name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A resignation letter communicates that you want your membership record removed. It is different from a letter saying that you disagree with a teaching, are taking a break from attending, or want to stop receiving contact. If you want formal removal, state that request plainly.
The Church treats removal of a membership record as a significant step. According to its published procedures, the request must be voluntary and made in writing by the member, with safeguards that include confirming the member’s intent. A letter is a way to make that intent clear; it does not, by itself, guarantee that the request has been processed. The Church’s authorized representatives handle the record change.
You do not need to include a long account of your beliefs or a list of grievances to make the request understandable. Some people choose to explain their reasons, but a brief statement is enough to identify the requested action. Avoid including personal information that is not needed to identify you or communicate with you.
Resignation letter template
Blank template
Date: ______________________________
To: Bishop ______________________________
Ward or branch: ______________________________
Stake or district: ______________________________
Subject: Request to remove my name from Church membership records
Dear Bishop ______________________________,
I am requesting that my name be removed from the membership records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I understand that this is a significant request and that the Church may contact me to confirm that it is voluntary and that I understand its effects.
My full name: ______________________________
Date of birth: ______________________________
Membership record number, if known: ______________________________
Current ward or branch, if known: ______________________________
My mailing address: ______________________________
My email or phone number for contact: ______________________________
Please confirm receipt of this request and let me know if further information or a conversation is needed to process it.
Sincerely,
Signature: ______________________________
Printed name: ______________________________
Date signed: ______________________________
Sample — fictional details
October 12, 20XX
To: Bishop Jordan Lee
Ward or branch: Maple Grove Ward
Stake or district: North Valley Stake
Subject: Request to remove my name from Church membership records
Dear Bishop Lee,
I am requesting that my name be removed from the membership records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I understand that this is a significant request and that the Church may contact me to confirm it.
My full name: Alex Example
Date of birth: January 1, 19XX
Membership record number, if known: Not known
Current ward or branch, if known: Maple Grove Ward
My mailing address: 100 Example Street, Sample City
My email or phone number for contact: alex@example.invalid
Please confirm receipt of this request and let me know if further information is needed.
Sincerely,
Alex Example
Signature: Alex Example
Date signed: October 12, 20XX
What information to include
The template is deliberately direct. Include enough information for the appropriate Church representative to identify your membership record and reach you if clarification is needed. If you know your membership record number, you may include it; if you do not, do not guess. Your full name, current or most recent congregation if known, and a reliable contact method can help distinguish your record from someone else’s.
- Make the request unmistakable: Use wording such as “I request removal of my name from Church membership records.”
- Identify yourself: Provide your full name and any identifying details you are comfortable sharing and that the Church needs to locate your record.
- Sign and date it: A clear signature and date help establish that the request came from you and is current.
- Keep a copy: Retain the letter and any delivery confirmation or reply for your own records.
You can omit a reason or give a brief one, such as “This is a personal decision.” If you include a detailed explanation, keep in mind that it may prompt a response or discussion. A request for removal should not be confused with asking a congregation to stop a particular type of contact; if contact preferences matter to you, state them separately and politely.
How to submit the request
Church procedures involve local leaders, and the usual first contact is the bishop of the ward or branch where your membership record is held. If you do not know who that is, contact the congregation or stake office serving your last known area and ask how to direct a written request. You may also ask the stake president about the appropriate route. Because procedures and contact details can change, verify the current method through official Church channels rather than relying on an old address or an online post.
After receiving a request, a local leader may contact you to confirm that you are making the decision freely and understand what it means. You can ask what information is needed, how the request will be handled, and what to expect next. If you do not want an in-person meeting, explain that preference and ask whether another way to confirm your request is available; do not assume that a letter alone bypasses the Church’s process.
Send the letter in a way that gives you a record of when it was delivered if that is important to you. If you hand it over, you can keep a dated copy. If you email or mail it, use contact details you have confirmed. There is no need to send original identity documents or disclose unrelated sensitive information unless an authorized Church representative explains why specific information is required.
What changes after removal
Removal is not simply a change in attendance status. The Church describes it as ending membership and canceling the effects of baptism and confirmation, priesthood ordination, and temple ordinances. A temple recommend is no longer valid. These are religious and administrative consequences within the Church; the practical meaning may matter differently to different people, so consider them before submitting a final request.
Record removal does not necessarily settle every question about contact, family relationships, or how relatives respond to your decision. Nor does it require you to provide a public explanation. If you have questions about what will happen to particular records, ordinances, or communications, ask the Church representative handling your request to explain the current policy. Do not rely on assumptions from someone else’s experience as a guarantee that your circumstances will be identical.
Some people choose not to resign and instead stop attending, ask for less contact, or discuss their concerns with a leader. Those choices are distinct from formal removal. If you are unsure, you can take time to decide; you do not have to submit a letter simply because you have stopped participating.
Timing, confirmation, and keeping records
There is no single processing time that can be promised for every request. Timing can depend on whether the Church can identify the correct record, whether a leader needs to confirm your intent, and how the request moves through the applicable procedure. If you receive no acknowledgment, follow up with the person or office to which you sent the letter and ask whether it arrived and whether anything else is needed.
Keep your communication factual and save copies of the request and any reply. If a leader contacts you and you still want removal, restate that clearly. If you change your mind before processing is complete, tell the person handling the request promptly and ask what options remain. For any question about reinstatement after removal, seek current guidance from the Church; do not assume it is automatic or that a particular waiting period applies in every case.
Common concerns and misconceptions
“I need to explain everything.” You do not need to make the letter an argument or prove your reasons. A clear, voluntary request is the central point. If you want your reasons recorded, you can add a short explanation, but keep the request itself easy to find.
“Not attending means my name is already removed.” Not necessarily. Inactivity, moving away, or asking not to be contacted is not the same as formally requesting removal of a membership record. If formal removal is your goal, say so explicitly and follow the current process.
“A third-party website is the only route.” Some people use independent services to help communicate a request, but an outside service is not the Church and should not be assumed to replace the Church’s own confirmation process. Check what information the service collects, how it handles it, and whether the Church accepts the method. You can also ask the Church directly about submitting a signed request.
“A letter must be notarized.” Do not assume that notarization is required or that it is never required in a particular situation. Verify any identity or signature requirements with the Church office handling your request before paying for an extra service.
When a different approach may fit
If your goal is to stop receiving visits or messages, you can first make a clear contact-preference request to the local leader without asking for record removal. If your goal is to raise a concern, ask for a conversation or send a separate letter describing the issue. If your goal is formal membership termination, use direct wording in the resignation request rather than expecting a general complaint or a period of nonattendance to have that effect.
Where family members are involved, you may want to plan how and when to share your decision with them. The letter is addressed to the Church, not to relatives, and including family members’ personal details is usually unnecessary. For a person under 18, additional safeguards and parent or guardian involvement may apply; ask the appropriate Church leader about the current procedure before preparing a request. If the situation involves a legal dispute or another matter requiring professional guidance, ask a qualified professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I resign from the LDS Church with a short letter?
Yes. A brief signed letter can clearly state your request. The Church may still use its process to verify your intent and explain the consequences, so submitting a letter does not necessarily finish the process immediately.
Do I have to give a reason for resigning?
The template does not require a reason. You may provide one if you wish, but a direct statement that you request removal of your name from membership records is more important than a lengthy explanation.
Can I send my resignation letter by email?
Ask the bishop, stake president, or office handling the request which submission methods it currently accepts. Requirements can vary or change, so confirm before sending sensitive personal information electronically.
Is stopping attendance the same as resigning?
No. Not attending or requesting less contact does not necessarily remove a membership record. Use an explicit written request if formal record removal is what you want.
How long does LDS resignation take?
There is no reliable universal timeframe to promise. Follow up with the recipient if you have not received acknowledgment, and ask whether your request has been received or needs additional confirmation.