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Officially leaving Mormonism

Ever since before completing my service as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I knew that I would someday resign from the church and have my name removed from its membership rolls. I had read about the process over at Mormon No More, and knew I would submit my resignation someday.

The first year after my mission was a little spiritually and emotionally rocky for me. The internal debate still waged on. It wasn’t as severe as when I was a missionary due to the church not being a priority in my life. However, I still continued to argue both for an against the church, its validity, and its benefits. Eventually, I found a community of people on PostMormon.org who let me know that I wasn’t alone in this struggle. My discussions with these people helped me tremendously. I realized that I did not believe in or agree with many doctrines and practices of the church. It just wasn’t the true church it claimed to be.

On the 18th of November I mailed my resignation to the member records division of the church, requesting that my name be removed from their records as I no longer considered myself a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My letter read, in part:

I understand the seriousness of this request. I’m fully aware that this request cancels the effects of baptism and confirmation, withdraws my priesthood, and revokes my temple blessings as prescribed by the doctrine and practices of the church. However, it is my firm belief that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not the true church.

Evidence of the church being in conflict with what I believe God represents is most apparent in the past and current discriminations of African Americans, women, and homosexuals. In addition, the culture of the church is one that discriminates against those who hold views contrary to the dogma, doctrine, traditions, and practices of the church. I can not be a member of a church which does not accept the diversity that exists throughout the world, nor do I believe any such church to be representative God, from which that diversity springs. These inconsistencies are far from being all inclusive; however, a statement covering all evidence which contradicts the church’s claim of validity would take far more time and much more room than is needed for this letter.

On December 12th, I was mailed a reply from Gregory Dodge, manager of member and statistical records acknowledging my request and letting me know that the request was forwarded to local leadership for proper handling. While mailing my letter directly to the church records division legally separates myself from the church, there are institutional procedures the church follows.

Yesterday afternoon I received a phone call from the branch president of my singles branch letting me know he had received my request and confirming that removing my name from the rolls of the church was indeed my desire, and that I understood the effect of my request and the requirements I would need to meet in order to return to the church as a member. I confirmed my desire to removed, and we ended the call amicably.

According to my understanding, I’ll receive a letter informing me that my request to be removed from the rolls of the church has been honored.

I don’t feel conflicted about this decision. In fact, there is very little emotion attached to it at all. I’ve known in my heart for a long time now that I’m not a member of the church. The resignation just makes the separation official. Now I’ll be able to say that I’m not a member, and not have to think, or even sometimes say, that I’m a member on paper only. This is a good step for me. This is progress.

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Merry Christmas

Joel McDonaldChristmas is a good time to take inventory of your life, and share with friends and loved ones the triumphs and challenges of the ending year, and the hopes for the next.

2008 has been a whirlwind of a year for many, including me. As a nation, we truly began feeling the hardships of a recession and the oppression of the high cost of fuel. We’ve also seen change. We’re finally fighting to take back our place in the world for economic development, industry, and technological advancement; and we’ve elected political leaders to help us get there, primarily Barack Obama.  I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I had to serve as a volunteer for Obama for America. My involvement, and Obama’s example, reignited a flame that I had extinguished a while back. While always interested in politics, government, and law, I also felt that I wouldn’t be able gain the education needed to really pursue those interests. Two things have happened for me because Barack Obama ran for president. The first is that I’ve become a political blogger covering politics affecting Virginia Beach. The second is that, now that I’ve completed my Associates Degree in Information Technology from The University of Phoenix, I’ve decided to shift gears and go back to school to study Political Science and Journalism. This is an exciting move, filled with sacrifices and risks; but it’s one that I need to make and one where I am determined to succeed. I have applied to, and hope to attend, Virginia Wesleyan College, starting Fall 2009.

I was also very fortunate to enter the world of community theatre this year, playing Richard Henry Lee in the musical 1776, and Lucas Brickman in Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor. Beyond being on stage again,  after a six year hiatus from theatre, I have been extremely blessed with the friendships I have formed in the theatre community. I have been in some wonderful casts and crews, and hope to continue this trend into the next year. Currently I’m slotted to work with light design for two upcoming shows.

This is my third year as the Data Support Specialist at Luxford Elementary School. The job has been one where I’ve enjoyed solving problems through the use of data and technology and aiding teachers in targeting their instruction. In addition to my regular duties, I serve on the School Planning Council of the Luxford Leadership Forum and also sponsor or co-sponsor the afterschool student running, drama, and computer clubs.

I am anxious and excited about what 2009 holds in store for me, and for you. There are challenges ahead, but we can overcome them. I really believe that. I hope you find joy this Christmas season, especially in the little things. This is the season where we remember that love was sent into the world so that it could wash away the stains of hate, and lift us all to a higher level of living.

Merry Christmas,

- Joel McDonald

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Happy Thanksgiving

Repent Turkey

I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving. May we all take inventory of what we have been blessed with, and continually seek to bless the lives of others.

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The Road to You

"A Lonely Tarlac Road" by Storm Crypt

Often, when driving in my car, I have the realization that the segment of asphalt I’m on is connected to another segment, and another, and another, stretching to places I’ve been and to places I haven’t. When I’m traveling from here to there, keeping a schedule, mixed in with the bustle of my city; I think that with more time, and with more gas, with the piece of road I’m on linked to you; I could be there. This road links you and me together, but I try not to think about it too much because I know this is true: I could keep driving on this road, and go to you.

[Image: "A Lonely Tarlac Road" by Storm Crypt, Flickr Creative Commons]

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Help the Victims of the Southern California Fires

From the Obama HQ Blog:

Over the past few days, wildfires in Southern California have destroyed more than 700 homes and burned over 35,000 acres of land, forcing many more families to evacuate their communities.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been affected by the fires.

The Red Cross and Salvation Army are coordinating relief for the victims, and volunteers on the ground are being organized to help with long-term recovery efforts in the days and months to come. If you live in or near Southern California you can volunteer now, and no matter where you live you can help by donating to the relief efforts.

Throughout the campaign, we saw time and again that when ordinary people act together, they can make a huge difference.

Visit CaliforniaVolunteers.org for more information on how you can help.

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