To Whom It May Concern:

[The original letter contains 5 paragraphs of standard legal jargon requesting official name removal.]

As stated above, I have given my resignation much thought and prayer. Inspired by the great Reformer, Martin Luther, my original intent was to submit a list of doctrinal issues that I did not find acceptable or compatible with my beliefs as a child of God. I soon realized however, that the composition of my own “95 Theses” was bearing more fruit for my own spiritual evolution than it ever would as protest and demand for reform of LDS theology. Nor do I truly believe that anyone at the church headquarters would even give the list any notice or attention.

So, today it is a much simpler letter that I write. Rather than a treatise on theology and dogma, I write a letter from the heart. Quite simply, I can no longer affirm that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has any direct revelation from God or that the church is acting justly in the sacred duty of representing the Jesus Christ whom I adore. It is quite obvious that everything that the church teaches and stands for, is for naught if it can not truly represent the teachings of Jesus Christ in every aspect and attribute, every jot and tittle, every word and deed. If it does not receive direction from God, then its teachings are without basis or merit, its assurances are dead and pointless, and its promises are empty and vain.

While there have been many horrific evidences shown in the history of the church to stand as the basis for my assertions above, none does so with more audacity than the church’s recent endorsement and subsequent involvement in the passage of California’s Proposition 8.

It is without question, pure spiritual barbarism and hypocrisy for a church to claim to represent Jesus Christ himself, while at the same time attempting to remove any and all possibilities from a minority to experience the very thing which the church teaches can bring the most happiness in our mortal realm: marriage. To support such a Proposition is in blatant disregard for one of the most basic teachings in not only Mormonism, but all of Christianity: The Golden Rule.

To add insult to injury, it is even more unfortunate to realize that the church originally sought to practice its own non-traditional definition of marriage. Yet it now persecutes and works to deny another minority group of people for doing the same. The majority of the culture at that time insisted that the Mormon definition of marriage was sinful and wrong. Yet the Mormon people begged and pleaded for equality, patience, and understanding. In fact, it was most likely this severe persecution for its non-traditional definition of marriage which inspired the 11th Article of Faith, a simple rephrasing of The Golden Rule. I marvel at how loudly we cry for justice to be served and equity to be sought when we are the persecuted. Then, as the sands of time cover our humility and we rise to recognition and fame, our cries for justice as a minority, transform into dictatorial commands to conform as the majority.

It is my hope that my words to you today may be as a record and testament before God, that I can no longer be part of an organization that actively seeks to remove fundamental human rights of equality and happiness from anyone, especially from an oft persecuted minority. Instead, I seek to associate with those who would fight for truth and right. I seek to nurture my spirituality with those who stand for equality and justice. Most of all, I seek to follow those people who in true humility, exemplify the love of the Master by helping ALL of his children to enjoy ALL of his blessings.

In Sincerity,

Aaron J. Cloward

[Note: I made a video interview with my mom (who is also lesbian) about our resignations and posted it to my blog if you are interested in seeing it. The address is http://masach.wordpress.com]