Green Oasis

Did your Mormon relatives baptize your dead, devoutly Catholic grandmother (the one who went to Mass every morning)? Do you want to redeem the memory of your freethinking grandfather who thought Mormonism was hogwash but your cousins got baptized for him after the funeral anyway? Or do you just want to give your deceased Mormon ancestor the chance to get out of the Mormon church once they realize what an embarrassing mistake it was to believe Joseph Smith was a prophet?

Well, fight fire with fire by sending a proxy resignation letter. Using Mormon logic, by standing in their place you give your deceased relative the opportunity to exercise their agency. And it might just give you peace of mind that your ancestor’s honor has been restored.

Member Records Division, LDS Church
50 E North Temple Rm 1372
SLC UT 84150-5310

I [insert your full name], having an interest in the good name and beloved memory of my deceased ancestor, do hereby resign membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for and in behalf of [insert your ancestor's name], who is dead. As [insert your ancestor's name] is no longer a member (assuming they assent to this resignation), I request their name be permanently and completely removed from the membership rolls of the church.

I have given this matter considerable thought for and in behalf of [insert your ancestor's name], who is dead. I understand the consequences of these actions, and I will not be dissuaded.

After today, the only contact that is appropriate from the church is a single letter of acknowledgment.

Sincerely,

[sign your ancestor's name]
[insert your ancestor's name]
[insert your initials]

Or, if mockery isn’t your style, you may just want to send in a straightforward letter of protest stating your reasons why you believe the grave-robbing conversion is inappropriate. But where’s the fun in that‽

[This post was inspired by comments on a post at Main Street Plaza.]