Recently, I've discovered that even when people write a letter requesting that their names be removed from the Church membership roles, my ward/stake will not honor this request.

I don't know how many times I've encountered an inactive member through visiting teaching or home teaching attempts and they have asked to have their names removed.

I've always told them what the procedure is. But now, I discover that my local leaders simply won't do it.

They are making a liar out of me.

In good faith, I cannot tell any inactive person about this procedure anymore. In reality, there is no way for them to officially leave the Church. I cannot represent it otherwise, now that I know.

Sadly, I see people getting really angry at the Church for not removing their names, when they have specifically asked the Church to do it.

I can't think of any rationale why local leaders would refuse to do it, other than they don't want to look bad as leaders. Perhaps they don't want to admit these removals are occurring on their watch. I don't know.

I can't think of a really good rationale for this behavior. Can you?



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