notice will be delivered to you regarding the scheduled disciplinary council. Lee claimed that he was thrown out due to an argument about the role of Native Americans in the church, but in 1994, he was convicted of attempted sexual abuse of a child, which reportedly took place in 1989. desire to ensure that the information contained in the letter I was sending to the CES Director was as accurate as possible. I don't want to suggest that this is all his fault - I realize that the source of this "additional information" may be instructing him on Posted at 9:02 PM, Apr 23, 2021 and last updated 2021 . lessons. Attacking the messenger does not alter the reality of the message." points, I'm in turn helping to sufficiently and completely answer your questions. On Monday, June 23, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) excommunicated Kate Kelly, founder of the Mormon women's group Ordain Women. The Salamander Letter: The Most Scandalous Document In Mormon History A clip from Netflix's Murder Among the Mormons that explores the infamous salamander letter. The Washington Post has reported that there is a possible conflict of interest, the practice of excommunication does not make those people more committed believers; it just makes them afraid. It was a Mormonism where you were expected to search for and embrace all truth regardless of where it may be found. This was why I sought the help of the CES Director. If you are sincere in your expressed desire to keep your Church membership and to explore answers to your to legitmate questions and doubts through proper church leadership channels. Doubt your doubts, God not Google, stay on the boat rather than to seek and accept truth no matter the Brethren are very concerned about" and he promised that he would provide a response. 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. As my interpreter is a professional interpreter, he is bound by confidentiality so I have zero concerns. Ivins' response to Runnells' February 28, 2016 @ 3:37pm email is the following 8:19pm email (screenshot): I am sorry to learn that a deterioration in your hearing has caused you to have concerns about being able to understand the content of our upcoming meeting Instead of providing pastoral support to Mr. Runnells, the LDS Church has questions were significant and the church would best serve its members by providing answers. Why won't you just answer the questions in confronted with members asking these difficult and unanswered questions, took the attitude of realizing that if members in his stewardship had sincere situation has changed since our last meeting in the fall of 2014 as I recently lost half of my hearing. I would like to meet You agreed to help me back then only /r/Mormon is a subreddit for articles and topics of interest to people interested in Mormon themes. Brown, "Historians did not create problem areas of the Mormon past, but most of us cannot agree to conceal them, either. I have not only offered this in writing but several times in our conversations in our October 19, 2014 and November 2, 2014 years. The CES Director read the "very-well written" document, stated that "these are issues which the Brethren (Apostles) are concerned about" and promised a We stand with you, Sam! Runnells sends Ivins one last letter in response to his latest disciplinary council letter seeking answers to his questions, Runnells also responds to several of Ivins' accussations against him, Ivins banned ASL interpreter in disciplinary council, Runnells shares ban with social media. I would appreciate you or other church leaders taking the time to answer my questions before calling a disciplinary council. He was either a prophet of God, divinely called, properly appointed and I'm a firm believer in free agency and individual freedom. I needed time to prepare for an ASL interpreter for our meeting. church will ever reverse those excommunications and apologize to those historians and individuals for being ahead of their time by speaking and writing the Unless a person specifically requests his/her membership to be terminated his name will remain on the LDS books. I have a right to be present at any potential disciplinary council you hold against me to defend myself. Urged me to stay in steerage on its way to the bottom of the Atlantic. In your April 7th disciplinary council letter I received from the Stake Clerk, you accused me of apostasy along with the following accusations The simultaneous loss of these two witnesses of the Book of Mormon caused great sorrow throughout the Church. Believing and claiming that homosexuals are as loved by God as heterosexuals, for example, will get you excommunicated. I look forward to your response and hope that your hearing situation is not permanent and that you will soon be able to function without any B). ", Elder Ballard pointed to the church's essays (https://www.lds.org/topics/essays) and instructed his A Texas activist has been excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after leading a public campaign against the church's practice of allowing leaders to privately question children about sex. [24] Nielsen said, "I wrote 'Letter to an IRS Director' in the style (and in admiration) of 'Letter to a CES Director' because isolated, questioning Mormons need hours of immersive, binge-worthy, relatable, and rich content when their 'shelves begins to break. Its the mortal wound they give you on the way out. I just couldn't believe that I'd never heard of the polyandry stuff for example, or that Joseph Smith was married to 14-year-old girls. A public press conference has been scheduled for Runnells on February 10th, 2016 at 7:00pm Mountain Time at 50 West Club & Cafe in downtown Salt Lake It has validated and confirmed to me that this is an organization that prizes, above all, obedience and conformity over morality and integrity. What errors or mistakes in the CES Letter, or on the website, is incorrect so I can publicly correct it? Runnells reports that he met twice with his LDS Stake President, Mark Ivins, in the fall of 2014. at (801) 240-3500 and ask them to check on it. After four years of research into Joseph They were wrong about polygamy/polyandry/marrying and having sex with teenage girls. The fact that you are still using this against me demonstrates They refused to answer any temple blessings." (screenshot): Dear Brother Runnells - Thank you for the email and the expression of your feelings regarding your current situation. No interpreter was present in the room. the disciplinary council scheduled for February 14th. goal has been to get official answers from the church as promised me by its CES Director three years ago. The other two require a court, because it does become part of the record. Letter to William W. Phelps, 22 July 1840. Point #2: Church censorship and stifling of public discussion of accurate church essay facts in the Mormon marketplace of information literally obstructs ", -Jeremy Runnells' reaction to Kangaroo Court, "The real problem here is not whether I'm writing falsehoods or lies, I've never been accused of that, it's that I'm public about this information. Fortunately, Elder M. Russell Ballard gave a recent talk to the Church Educational System this I prefer the old-school term excommunication, which is more accurate in its ramifications. Fox 13 did a piece on Runnells and the event: Runnells hilariously gets job proposal from LDS Church. Handbook 6.10.2 I'm gonna go in tonight with my head held high, morally clean, and with a clear conscience that I have done nothing wrong. Many times PH leaders will not push the issue at first so that the person can come in and confess on their own (broken heart and contrite spirit) and allow the atonement to being to work on them. In fact, this essay went further than I did by admitting the very beginning. I believe that members and investigators deserve to have all of the facts and information on the tableto be able to make a fully-informed and balanced decision as to whether or not they want to commit their hearts, minds, time, talents, income and lives to Mormonism. murder me while refusing to answer the very reasonable questions I have asked you so many times the past year and a half. This is a copy of the letter which I sent out by mail to all active ward members in January 2011 just after notifying the Stake President of my resignation as Bishop of Helston Ward, Plymouth England Stake. I relate this to you because as you consider your course of action, I want you to understand that you do not have to see yourself only as an enforcer. But the decision is made after the court meets. . The only reason why the CES Letter exists is because of one reason and one reason only: the CES Director requested it. It's pure, willful and conscious dismissiveness on the part of church leadership. If you would like to meet before March 15th, please let me know and I will adjust my schedule The CES Letter exists only because the CES Director requested it and I gave him my sincere questions and concerns per his request. We want to be in the position to help, and you can help make that possible. [1][2] Runnells grew up as a seventh-generation member of the LDS Church with pioneer ancestry. So the real problem here is that the church has a problem with freedom of expression. This is a kangaroo court. Lots of hats but no cattle. Again, I will be bringing my trusted interpreter to ensure that I understand 100% of everything that is said in our meeting. See attached Jeremy Runnells' Temple Recommend Interview PDF to see my answers to each Without a healthy marketplace where the free flow of information, ideas, and discussion exist, there is no true freedom. absence. It has validated and confirmed to me that this organization has no divine power or divine mantle behind it. No more, Elder Ballard said, no matter how sticky the issue "To name a few such topics that are less known or controversial, I'm talking about polygamy. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints likes to keep its internal affairs private. disciplinary council taken against me. A total time span of a year and a half. Later this evening (February 9, 2016) @ 7:40pm, CES Letter Foundation issued a press release announcing the upcoming Valentine's Day disciplinary On February 8, 2016 Ivins reversed his decision and informed Runnells of his disciplinary council scheduled for February 14, 2016. Salt Lake City, UT: Signature Books. Prior to his excommunication, Hamula served as the executive director of the Correlation Department, which oversees changes to church doctrine and practice and maintains unity in the wider church. My friend later became a bishop. A note dated 4 July 1840 preceded Phelps's letter in the letterbook. As Mormon historian and scholar D. Michael Quinn wrote: "Attacking the messenger does not alter the reality of the message.". individual who is a party to conversations to record and disclose the content of said conversations. Why all of this 1984 nonsense and secrecy? It is not only the disturbing facts that trouble members, it is the betrayal that many This means the papyri did not come from Abraham's own hand as Joseph and the church claimed the last 175 or so Ivins responded with Although it may seem like a punishment, IMO it is an act of compassion. Which means that they, too, take their place on the spectrum of excommunication, outside the body of the members their alienation less formal and official, but no less real. Another acquaintance was ex'd for a single adulterous affair 10 years previous to being called to be elders quorum president. The council will be held February 14th 2016 @ In the event, if any, that a third disciplinary council is set up against me, I will be sure to let everyone know. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Rather than acting in an authoritarian manner against his I don't know how to repent of church essay verified facts. accepted by Ivins. In response to criticism that the videos were mocking Runnells and other disaffected Latter Day Saints, FairMormon chairman John Lynch said, "We are not trying to mock the people who are affected by the 'CES Letter,' We are mocking the letter itself and signal to people that this is a deceitful document, not to be taken seriously. Back row: Andy Parker. Updated on June 25, 2019. Three years ago. blocking any information from the investigator is the minute that the investigation has been corrupted by the church and the free agency and non-transparency. me exactly what the charges are and why disciplinary action is being taken against me. On October 19th when I told you these facts, I was speaking in direct opposition against Joseph Smith and his character. February 10, 2016 CES Letter Foundation Press Conference, Leaked Video of Jeremy Runnells Disciplinary Council. Point #1: Truth is unafraid of private or public scrutiny, questions, and debate. Runnells holds a press conference to announce and discuss the upcoming disciplinary council as well as to discuss details on what has occurred between me. attempting to excommunicate me on unfounded accusations. He was called to be a stake high counsellor. Why won't you just answer my questions, President? is a good thing as without updating it, I would be doing a disservice to CES Letter readers as well as the church by not correcting errors and mistakes Unfortunately, But on Tuesday, the church was thrown into the limelight after it announced that it had excommunicated one of its high-ranking officials in the first such disciplinary incident in almost three decades. I'm done with this court. I'm a firm believer that the free flow of Runnells replies back to Ivins @ 7:20pm (screenshot): As we agreed on our phone conversation two weeks ago (Jan. 25th), I am able to meet with you on March 15th. Please let me know if there is anything I or other members of the stake can do to assist you and your family during this challenging time. The decision to release everything also is due to a desire to be transparent and open to the public as well as to provide the public insight and education i thought every state had their own rules as to what constituted a common law marriage, if they awknowledged them at all. My goal has been to get official President Ivins assured Runnells that he wanted to help, and that he would obtain If he repent not he shall not be numbered among my people, 3Ne. I appreciate it. 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 communicate with you in writing would have made that clear. What errors and mistakes are there in the CES Letter and on my website that I can publicly correct? I am glad to hear that, although you need to understand that some of In the event that a disciplinary council is ever convened on your behalf, you will be given Take notice that several of the above quotes invite and encourage investigation. you're not the easiest guy to hear). Albert Smith, "Mormonism, as it is called, must stand or fall on the story of Joseph Smith. He was made General Authority in 2008meaning he had to give up his practice as a lawyer and serve the church full timeand spent time in New Zealand before returning to the church's Utah headquarters in 2014. She argues that most members who leave do so for reasons other than historical inaccuracies. Runnells did not hear back again from President Ivins until January 25, 2016 when Ivins telephoned Runnells to inform him of his intention to you are taking these actions to extensively publicize your views. excommunication when I have done nothing wrong and have sought official answers to my questions and concerns about church essay verified problems through After the above press release by the CES Letter Foundation, Runnells emailed Ivins the following 3:25pm email (screenshot): My response to your news can be read here: https://cesletter.org/lds-church-postpones-court-of-love-against-jeremy-runnells.html. She wrote this op-ed before that decision, but it's just as relevant today.) "So, because you guys are not answering my questions, and you guys have not answered my questions the past 3 years, it is very clear to me that the church does not have answers to its truth crisis. Jeremy later received, through his attorney, an April 20, 2016 confirmation letter from the LDS Church verifying his resignation: "I don't know how to repent of the truth. last generation - with the access to information on the internet, we can't continue that pattern; I think we need to continue to The following are suggestions for writing a letter to the LDS . Marriages are at stake. False Witness #3: Oliver Cowdery: Oliver Cowdery was excommunicated from the Mormon church and joined the Methodist church. The easiest way to be excommunicated from the LDS religion is to have a liberal interpretation of LDS doctrine. The CES Director responded that he read the "very well written" letter and that he would provide Jeremy with a response. My wife committed adultry and she had a bishops court but the decision was to put her on formal probation. No one has to take Jeremy's word on anything. The church called the police on the vigil attendees. ", 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. 2. members feel learning these troubling facts for the first time after a lifetime of discipleship and faithful study of correlated church history. Regardless, Runnells told Ivins that he has a family member in hospice, that now was not a good time for him, and that March 15th was the date Upon its public release, CES Letter went viral and immediately became a Mormon internet phenomenon, providing validation and support to tens of Many wonder if the The general consensus and reaction was outrage, disbelief, and shock. This directly contradicts the Book of Mormon itself: "Neither the rules nor the translations in the grammar book correspond to those recognized by Egyptologists todayScholars have identified the papyrus People of all faiths and perspectives are welcome to engage in civil, respectful discussion about topics related to Mormonism. Fortunately, the Church has made inroads toward more transparency since then by publishing its new A theme consistent in the conversations is Runnells' pleas for Ivins to answer his questions and Ivins' refusal to answer them. Total I The The Court of Jeremy Runnells. This essay statement directly contradicts the statement found in the Book of Abraham: "The writings of Abraham while he was in Egypt, called the Book of Abraham, written by his own hand, upon papyrus." The CES Director read the letter and promised a response to Runnells' questions and concerns. Part of the church's antiquated pattern that it still clenches to in 2016 is the pattern of trying to censor and punish open/public discussion and debate I think that a bishops court is required for things like adultry, and murder and more then likely other felonious charges.