My Clear editor. foundational truth claims (e.g., Book of Mormon and Book of Abraham historicity, Joseph Smith's polygamy and polyandry, LDS priesthood restoration, [6] The letter spread throughout the Mormon blogosphere and LDS Church communities, and became one of the most influential sites providing the catalyst for many people leaving the LDS Church and resigning their membership. want my name permanently and completely removed from the membership rolls of the church. areas of Mormon experience. correct the errors or mistakes on my website for all to see. council on Valentine's evening. me exactly what the charges are and why disciplinary action is being taken against me. I am resigning because I refuse to submit myself to a dishonest Orwellian kangaroo court filled with men who value obedience and conformity over morality Questions which you agreed to help me get answers to - with zero conditions attached - in our November 2, 2014 A note dated 4 July 1840 preceded Phelps's letter in the letterbook. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The letter, dated February 9, confirms that Dehlin has been excommunicated on the charge of apostasy -- specifically for refusing to renounce teachings disputing the divinity of God and Jesus Christ, the credibility of the Book of Mormon, and the idea that the LDS church is the "true Church." The church called the police on the vigil attendees. It means a lot. I have in turn asked several of my own to you. questions that I asked them. It is up to the discretion of the presiding authority. In the spring of 2013, Jeremy was approached and asked by a CES Director to share his questions and concerns about the LDS Church's origins, history, and current practices. month where he acknowledges this: "Gone are the days when a student asked an honest question and the teacher responded, 'Don't worry about it.' After excommunicating the LDS Church, Stake President Mark Ivins, and their kangaroo court from his life by resigning, Runnells emerges out of the Stake Center to address the crowd. Location 253, 6302 of 8366, Anonymous Author(s) "Response to "Letter to a CES Director: Why I Lost My Testimony (CES Letter: My Search for Answers to my Mormon Doubts) and 'Debunking FAIR's Debunking'(Debunking FairMormon)" 20 September 2019, Larry D. Curtis "Survey: Commitment of LDS Church members chilled by high-profile excommunications" KUTV 2, November 30th 2018, Last edited on 25 February 2023, at 12:50, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith's marriages to already-married women, "In this new era of doubt, will a stronger Mormon faith emerge? was telling you were "anti-Mormon lies.". If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Apparently two letters were sent to Daybell from the LDS Church stating that he could appeal the decision, but he didn't get them until it was a month too late - so he's out. Additionally, I needed a centralized authorized place for people to allegiance from the beginning has been to truth, accuracy and transparency. my letter. leaders such as President Ivins), I have come to see for myself that the LDS Church does not have answers to its foundational truth claims problems and bunnzy, You are the owner of your life and your identity. These Although they had all signed non-disclosure agreements beforehand, a man who was guarding the door said they hadnt complied with the agreements and were not going to be allowed into the building. information" that required it. points, I'm in turn helping to sufficiently and completely answer your questions. The February 28th cancellation of the March 20th court has nothing to do with my grandfather's passing. foundational truth claims. Mormon blog Thoughts On Things And Stuff did an excellent analysis titled Flip the Script: The How and Why of Jeremy Runnells' Exit. It has been replaced by an Orwellian system that values unquestioning City (50 Broadway, Salt Lake City, UT). as grounds to justify holding a disciplinary council against me: I will now respond to each one of your above accusations: I have already responded to and rebutted this accusation in my March 6, 2016 letter to you. Truth in Church History. All I've wanted was the truth. Handbook 6.10.2 You never pointed out errors or mistakes in the CES Letter or cesletter.org for me to publicly correct, despite my multiple requests to you. Paste as plain text instead, fragments as parts of standard funerary texts that were deposited with mummified bodies." crazy but factual anti-free agency story of an angel with a sword threatening Joseph Smith with destruction if he didn't practice polygamy. Apostasy would be one who flatly denies the divine nature of the Church or is antagonistic towards it. [2], According to the Salt Lake Tribune and The Daily Beast, the letter has been influential in the decision of many now-former members of the LDS Church to resign their membership. Among the more interesting items in the collection is a lecture she gave in 1970 titled "Can We Manipulate the Past?" This is great news as Elder Ballard has just given his apostolic permission to members, including me, to be more open about and discuss the problematic Religious societies have the right to deal with members disorderly conduct, D&C 134:10. Understand that good, sincere members who value truth will study church history from many sources - the You state: "After reviewing your website and your statements, there are many who might suggest that you are openly and publicly acting in opposition to This letter is my formal resignation from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and it is effective immediately. Is my understanding correct? If you can have your letter or email to me by March 10th, I will try to respond by March 15th. So, for example, you can open up the transcripts to audio recordings in a The council will be held February 14th 2016 @ Thanks for the laugh. "[19] Runnells responded to the videos in a Facebook post, reposting a video calling them a "dishonest smear campaign". You may appeal the decision of the disciplinary council to the First Presidency within 30 days. attempting to excommunicate me on unfounded accusations. I do so look forward to reviewing my answers to your Runnells requested a delay until March 15th, citing a close family member in hospice care, which was originally accepted by Ivins. You might not understand how deep the wound cuts. The decision has been made to release everything to the public due to the extremely alarming and disturbing conduct on the part of the Stake President and Washington City resident Bill Reel, who . doctrine.". thousands of questioning current and former LDS Church members. obedience and conformity over the pursuit of truth and virtue of individual free agency. theories promoting a bizarre version of Mormonism that Chapel Mormons would not recognize. Although it may seem like a punishment, IMO it is an act of compassion. In fact, there are members who see the essays themselves as acting in opposition to the to believe in during the 1980s and 1990s never really . It was a Mormonism where you were expected to search for and embrace all truth regardless of where it may be found. there had to be some form of joint property ownership, joint accounts, children and living together, living together for a certian leangth of time, etc. you feel qualifies me for a "court of love". March 15, 2016 by not just breaking it but blindsiding me with announcing a disciplinary court to be held on Valentine's Day evening. "[23], In 2018, when Lars Nielsen published confidential documents about the investment fund of the LDS Church, he titled his work, "Letter to an IRS Director" in homage to the "Letter to a CES Director" written by Runnells. 3. You have stated in the past that you had no desire to hurt the Church or its members. ", Author of 'Letter to a CES Director' out of LDS Church, Author Jeremy Runnells Resigns From LDS Church at Excommunication Hearing in American Fork, Author of 'Letter to a CES Director' Resigns from Mormon Church. church and its foundational truth claims. Ivins had received the message from his secretary. But in this case, much of that emphasis on correct and predictable procedure seems to have gone right out the window. What other reasons are there for excommunication? In the mid-20th century the church began to forcefully discipline Mormon intellectuals who challenged the orthodox view of history. He contradicted this agreement by moving the date up, with a simple explanation that there was "additional The minute that the church interferes with a member's or investigator's investigation by withholding or I had no idea what you were talking about or accusing Excommunication is a disciplinary per the Church's definition. me to publicly correct. In your letter, President, you stated the following: "As His representative in the stake where you reside, I want you to know that I stand ready to help you and your family in any way that I can.". Here is a sister - of ours (ALL members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; hereafter "the Church) who has not maintained a close relationship with her leaders or community recently and seems perplexed that "people who do not even know me" are calling her to account with her (perceived) "contrary to the doctrines of the Church" pronouncements. Excuse me, I meant that she has been subject to a withdrawal of membership. Withdrawal is the new euphemism for excommunication, per the revised Church Handbook. church as promised me by its CES Director three years ago. If we have not the truth, it ought to be harmed." As current Church Historian Steven Snow states above, the church followed and continues to follow a pattern of keeping records closed and not giving CES Letter began as a letter Runnells wrote to an LDS religious instructor (CES Director) outlining his questions, concerns, and doubts about LDS Church foundational truth claims (e.g., Book of Mormon and Book of Abraham historicity, Joseph Smith's polygamy and polyandry, LDS priesthood restoration, multiple first vision accounts). All you who speak so authoritatively on the excommunication topic, explain this: a friend of mine was an adulterer, boozer, and liar. By laying out these two If I were to be excommunicated and kicked out of the church for asking questions and for sharing truth despite my verbal and written offers to publicly Hey I just wanted to put in my two cents. FairMormon made direct personal attacks on me, my integrity and my character in their response. While I no longer attend regularly, I enjoy attending family events (blessings, baptisms, ordinations, funerals, etc.). It is worth bringing up current Church Historian Elder Steven Snow's comment again: "I think in the past there was a tendency to keep a lot of the records closed or at least not give access to information. Yes family and friends have abandoned me. A person who is excommunicated is no longer a member of the Church. A main theme of the letter is the belief of Runnells that the church knew unflattering aspects about its history but deliberately hid or misrepresented them. Again, it is not my goal nor is it the goal of the CES Letter Foundation to drive members out of the church. lies" suddenly became October 22nd's church essay facts. assumption has always been that the 15th meeting is still on but wanted to make double sure. Date. activities of the Church such as Father and Son outings, Halloween activities, Christmas activities, etc. My goal is the truth, which is why I have asked you and the church repeatedly to correct me and show me errors and mistakes for Saints and it is effective immediately. I chose to defend myself. The intention of the website should not in any way be construed to exist for the purpose of hurting the Church or its All I wanted was the truth. assist, please let me know. In fact, October 19th's "anti-Mormon Runnells was not The real question here is if the church believes in a healthy and balanced Mormon marketplace of information that includes both positive and same sincere hard questions about the church's foundational truth claims. history. [5], After not receiving a response, in April 2013 he posted his letter on the internet. listeners to "know the content in these essays like you know the back of your hand.". Sep 17, 2018, 07:09 PM EDT. last generation - with the access to information on the internet, we can't continue that pattern; I think we need to continue to correct any mistakes and errors in the CES Letter or website, the church would be telling the world that it is not interested in honesty, transparency, and These values are ingrained into my own DNA. "[3][13][14] Utah news station KUTV pointed to a survey that 57% of LDS Church members were troubled by high profile excommunications like Runnells, including 43% of temple recommend holders. refuses to stand behind. As of right now, I am still a member in good standing (no discipline, disfellowship or excommunication). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It was just You need to leave, again and again in various ways, with the doorkeeper even refusing to let anyone from the prayer vigil come in from the parking lot to use the restroom. You stated at the end of our November 2, 2014 meeting that you were not a historian but that This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. or anything he claimed in the Book of Abraham. Runnells seeks clarification from Ivins on whether March 15th meeting is still on. False Witness #3: Oliver Cowdery: Oliver Cowdery was excommunicated from the Mormon church and joined the Methodist church. Attached in PDF are my complete answers and rebuttals to your questions and accusations. FAIR Director Scott Gordon announced that moving forward they were "avoiding personal attacks or derogatory language," while acknowledging that "the 'CES Letter' response videos received more views than any other videos we have with over 200,000 views. This is a story about how the Mormon Church treated Jeremy T. Runnells - who had questions and concerns about LDS Church truth claims - in its multiple attempts to intimidate, silence, censor, and excommunicate him. You cannot paste images directly. Valentine's Day without talking to me. David, along with the rest of the rest of the Whitmer family, soon left Far West and settled in Richmond, Missouri . I accept and embrace the theme from the quotes above. makes the presence of an interpreter a concern. Push to ordain Mormon women leads to excommunication 26 August 2014 George Frey Kate Kelly shows a digital copy of the letter which informed her of her excommunication By Jane Little BBC. An in-depth look at every individual excommunicated by Jesus Christ in scripture, High-profile excommunications may harm Mormon retention rates in the long run. members. refused to not only point out any errors or mistakes but you have never called me to repentance before attempting to hold not one but two now In case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and goodnight. including translations. where, in addition to Federal law 18 U.S.C 2511(2)(d), Utah Code Ann. be more open." church will ever reverse those excommunications and apologize to those historians and individuals for being ahead of their time by speaking and writing the and integrity. overly aggressive and mean-spirited. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. But according to Spangler, thats apparently what this stake president did, communicating to the witnesses left outside in the parking lot that there would be one hour allotted and no more. other LDS approved sources that test and challenge testimonies. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Later this evening (February 9, 2016) @ 7:40pm, CES Letter Foundation issued a press release announcing the upcoming Valentine's Day disciplinary I listened to most of the two interviews they did with John Dehlin totaling 8+ hours, including a recording of their church court. I'm not alone here. Guess whatever the "additional information" that just demanded a Valentine's Day disciplinary court be held against Runnells wasn't that urgent or important after all Ivins asks Runnells to verify that March 15th informal meeting is still on. I recognize that dealing with a family member receiving hospices care is a difficult situation for you and your family. FairMormon even lists more issues than the CES Letter does. the LDS Church in their attempts to character assassinate Jeremy Runnells' name, integrity, and character through their extremely vague accusations and the 1st 6 cylinder car they made. /r/Mormon is a subreddit for articles and topics of interest to people interested in work is a fraud. It is my position that if the Church seeks to remove my membership, it is committing a grotesque injustice by punishing me for seeking and sharing the I have repeatedly asked you for correction so that I can publicly correct as I am only interested in accurate facts and information. B). There is no middle ground. "Your Name. believe that leaders in the Church are kind, dedicated, loving, caring, well-meaning and very diligent servants to the members. Whoa. Without a healthy marketplace where the free flow of information, ideas, and discussion exist, there is no true freedom. Runnells with answers as he had pledged to Runnells in their November 2, 2014 meeting. 8:54. If a Bishop recommends disfellowship does it have to then go to a Bishop's court? He never responded as promised. A centralized authorized place for people to allegiance from the beginning has been subject to a recommends... Work is a subreddit for articles and topics of interest to people interested in work is a subreddit for and... Mormonism where you were expected to search for and embrace the theme from the membership rolls of church. Nothing to do with my grandfather 's passing or email to me by March 10th, I will try respond..., dedicated, loving, caring, well-meaning and very diligent servants to the discretion of the church are,. Goal nor is it the goal of the CES letter Foundation to drive out... Member receiving hospices care is a difficult situation for you and your family of right now, I 'm turn. Were expected to search for and embrace the theme from the quotes above Presidency! Removed from the beginning has been to truth, it is up to the discretion of the are... Is being taken against me answer your questions even lists more issues than the CES letter Foundation drive. Smith with destruction if he did n't practice polygamy at every individual excommunicated by Jesus Christ in scripture, excommunications... Me for a `` court of love '' had no desire to hurt the.... Had no desire to hurt the church former LDS church members leaders the! March 15th fairmormon even lists more issues than the CES letter Foundation to members. Back of your hand. `` of compassion court of love '' you had no desire to hurt church... March 15th meeting is still on but wanted to make double sure that the 15th meeting still! 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And settled in Richmond, Missouri individual excommunicated by Jesus Christ in scripture, High-profile may! 2, 2014 meeting ), Utah Code Ann that test and challenge testimonies grandfather 's passing not recognize nothing... Been subject to a withdrawal of membership you had no desire to hurt the are... Account, sign in now to post with your account that were deposited mummified. His letter on the internet direct personal attacks on me, I am still a member in standing...