US: Dozens rally against Mormon church doctrines at mass resignation event

Donovan Feist, once a devout Mormon, had been planning to leave the LDS Church for months and considered drifting into inactivity. But the 21-year-old Salt Lake City resident decided to resign and tell members of his ward, or congregation, on Sunday what led to his decision.

Feist, who was wearing the suit he bought for a Mormon mission in Thailand, said he had serious questions about church beliefs “that I couldn’t pray away.”

The resignation event has been held eight times since 2011 (there was more than one some years), according to organizers. Sunday’s gathering was scheduled on the second anniversary of the LDS Church changing its policy regarding children with LGBTQ parents.

Under that policy, Mormons who enter into same-sex unions are considered apostates and their children are barred from blessing and baptism rituals without the permission of the faith’s highest leaders. To receive permission, a child must be 18 years old, is committed to living church doctrine, “specifically disavows the practice of same-gender cohabitation and marriage,” and “does not live with a parent who has lived or currently lives in a same-gender cohabitation relationship or marriage.” Read more via Salt Lake Tribune