Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Mormon Control

              I have tried three times to have my name removed from the membership rolls of theChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, more commonly called the Mormon Church, only to have my requests go ignored. Technically, I am still counted as a member, in spite of my strong agnosticism and sinful habits, such as my undying love for all things coffee.
              Last week the Mormon Church excommunicated Kate Kelly, who does believe in the Mormon faith. Her “sin” was to found an organization called Ordain Women, which called on the authorities to prayerfully consider the matter of granting women the priesthood. A mild request and one that would have made Mormonism a much friendlier religion. But Kelly was excommunicated, kicked out of the church that she loved so much.
              Kate Kelly wants nothing more than to remain a member of the Mormon Church. I want nothing more than to leave. Neither of us have had our wishes fulfilled. I have had authorities talk down to me, questioning my maturity and the wisdom of my decision. Kelly’s worthiness was discussed in a private meeting, which Kelly was not privy to, with an all-male board deciding that excommunication was necessary.
              One woman wants to stay in. Another woman wishes to leave. Neither of us have been granted what we desire. And in the middle is a church that seems desperate for control. Control over a pesky woman who dared asked for equal rights. Control over a pesky apostate who wants to leave.
              Perhaps it seems small. Kelly can continue to advocate for equal rights outside of Mormonism. I haven’t been to church in years. But the reality is that these actions create a long chain of undesirable reactions. Already Kelly has been branded a sinner, a troublemaker, by the simple act of excommunication. Everything she has worked for has been tainted by the label of apostasy. I, on the other hand, run the risk of being hunted down by the missionaries and local authorities. Within Mormonism, being hunted down is the norm, rather than the exception. When I have children, their names will be put on the membership rolls. When these children turn eight, there is a strong probability that the missionaries will turn up on my doorstep to convince my children that their eternal salvation rests on baptism. No parent wants a nineteen-year old kid telling their child that Mommy and Daddy are wrong and bound for hell. I could hope that the missionaries and church members would respect my rights as a parent – but I have seen members and missionaries overstep the boundaries a thousand times before, all in the name of religious zeal.

              I sincerely hope that Kate Kelly finds peace in moving forward. I have found my own peace, although it fluctuates at times. 
             But maybe the secret is in not letting the Mormon Church control us. I’ll find a way to get past my failed resignation attempts and see the manipulations of the Mormon Church for what it really is – the futile attempts of a church that is desperate to avoid facing its own impotence and irrelevance. 

14 comments:

  1. PM Girl, once you formally resign from the LDS Church you are officially out. The church can't deny you the right to resign. Here's a link to Richard Packham's post on the subject. Scroll down to the part about legally resigning from the church. In fact, some people are doing it via email now. http://packham.n4m.org/leaving.htm

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is true - but my requests keep getting ignored and I'm a little tired of harassing people. Maybe one day I'll hire a lawyer to make sure the paperwork goes through - but I'm a little too jaded to do so at the moment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. exmo agnostic here. I was wondering what steps you did take in attempting resignation?

      Delete
  3. I recommend reading this in regads to resigning: http://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/wiki/index/resignation

    ReplyDelete
  4. HHHmmmm, perhaps you should withdraw your requests, arrange to have yourself ordained and make sure everyone knows it, then start speaking for the Mormon church and deciding for yourself what their doctrine should be.

    If you can't beat them or leave them become their leader!! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think this is the best solution. Get yourself ex-communicated by preaching your apostasy far and wide.

      Delete
  5. Try coming out as lesbian or transgender. You won't hear from your Mormon "friends" ever again.

    ReplyDelete
  6. It seems pretty clear to me, you just need to start advocating for equal rights for women, homosexuals, etc. and you'll be gone in no time!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Have you seen http://strangersinzion.org/?page_id=98 ? Seems pretty relevant.
    I haven't been exed yet, nor have I tried resigning. See, apathy doesn't get punished. It's the passionate ones with a vision for the churches future who get punished.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Interesting read. May I ask what lead you into agnosticism?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I went through the typical questioning phase as a teenager - and ultimately I realized I don't feel comfortable stating something as truth when there isn't proof. Fairly simple but it took me a while to get there.

      Delete
  9. I know some dynamic women that would be strong church leaders. I still am a devout Mormon and hope that in a couple years women will have more of a voice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have the feeling the church would be a much friendlier place if that were the case.

      Delete

I love hearing comments and I welcome all viewpoints; however, I request that if you do choose to comment, please do so in a manner that is constructive and respectful of others.