Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Our spring member drive has ended, but it's not too late to give. You have the power to help fund the essential journalism that keeps us all informed. Help us close the gap on our spring fundraising goal! GIVE NOW

3,500 Leave LDS Church In Mass Resignation

Recent changes to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints bishop handbook spurred thousands of Mormons to officially leave the church on Saturday. Many of those people met at City Creek park in Salt Lake City to fill out their resignation paperwork, which they then sent in the mail to the church headquarters.

There were 2,500 people in attendance at the park and 1,500 of them processed letters of resignation. On top of that, another 2,000 people from around the country processed their resignation letters through other attorneys.

Participants blasted Bob Marley’s 'Buffalo Soldier' as they marched and turned in their letters in a mailbox across the street from Temple Square.

Cache Valley resident Tanner Gilliland was one of the thousands of people who resigned this weekend.

“On Saturday, I saw what it really meant to mourn with those who mourn and to comfort those that stand in need of comfort,” he said. “The love was just palpable. It was incredible. I was really moved and really humbled to be a part of something so meaningful and right.”

Tanner.mp3
Click to hear the full interview with Tanner Gilliland.

Gilliland was already in the process of leaving the church when the new policy that disallows children of same-sex  couples to get baptized until they are 18 sparked him to make his resignation official.

“Strangely I really didn’t feel anything [when I turned in my letter],” he said. “I guess I was already so emotionally removed from the church. I know some people who felt like it was like going through a divorce, but I think I had already gone through the most painful and emotionally charged part of that.”

Gilliland said there is a misunderstanding about those who resigned. Those who left were religiously dedicated Mormons. Leaving the church is a huge sacrifice for them.

“This is the cream of the crop,” he said. “People who cared the most, not the least who want to make a difference even at great personal sacrifice.”

Moving forward, Gilliland said he has helped start a secular group called the ‘Community of Good’ in Logan, with the hopes of spreading goodness.