The new handbook indicates that when your name removal request is sent directly to church headquarters, they will forward the request to your stake president. If they don't hear from him in 60 days, the name removal request will be granted automatically.

I doubt that it was intended as such, but it's a great way for bishops and stake presidents to save on paper shuffling. Here's why:

If you direct your request at your bishop (as the church feels you are supposed to), he not only has to make sure you know what you're doing but he also has to forward your letter to the SP, along with your membership record and a Report of Administrative Action.

The SP then has to check up on the bishop and if he is satisfied the bish did his job correctly, he has to (1) forward the paperwork to SLC and (2) direct the bishop to send you a letter acknowledging your request.

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Instead, if you send your letter to the COB and simultaneously inform your bishop and SP that you did this, that you understand the consequences, that you have made up your mind, and that you do not whish to be contacted, nobody has to do anything else except ignore the request forwarded by the COB to the SP.

60 days later, you're out!

The only question is: how easy will it be to convince the bishop and the SP to do nothing and avoid a bunch of paperwork?