The president of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the second largest grouping in the Mormon religion, has resigned citing "inappropriate choices" in his personal life.
After serving in the post for eight years, W. Grant McMurray's resignation in a letter dated November 29 is unprecedented in the faith's 174 year old history.
In his letter, McMurray said that for "several years I have struggled with personal and family issues that have impacted my ability to function unreservedly in my office and calling."
In an allusion to personal failings, he added: "I have made some inappropriate choices, and the circumstances of my life are now such that I cannot continue to effectively lead the church."
He also asked that the church release him from the lay priesthood of the faith.
McMurray also broke with Mormon tradition which requires that the president select his successor, with the consent of other senior leaders and the general membership.
"On the matter of succession in presidency, our tradition anticipates that I would designate a successor. In my present situation, I do not feel it is appropriate to do so," he said in his letter of resignation.
There is no clear indication who might follow McMurray, but church practice dictates that McMurray's two assistant presidents, Peter Judd and Kenneth Robinson, will lead the faith until a successor is named.
The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, also known as the Community of Christ, is the second largest of the Latter day Saint faiths, who are often referred to as Mormons.
Headquartered in Independence, Missouri, it is independent of the larger Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the US state of Utah.
Both churches trace their origins to the 19th century religious leader Joseph Smith Jr.
They split in the mid 19th century in a disagreement over who should succeed Smith following his murder in 1844.
The RLDS Church is found worldwide, with its strongest followings in the US states of Missouri and Iowa, as well as in parts of French Polynesia.